How many total watts?

[smilingcrafter]

I have an aquarium about 18" deep and 60" long. I would like to have bubble tip anemones and most corals. I am confused as to what wattage of light I need. I would like something that is in the $700.00 range or cheaper. I would like halides for the shimmer, but T5's for energy consumption. With this aquarium I need a lighting device that says it has how many total watts?

 

[Monkeyfish]

Watts per gallon is an outdated and essentially incorrect method for determining lighting needs. It's only supposed to serve as "rule of thumb." 5' tanks can be difficult to light. Typical fixtures usually measure 24, 30, 36, 48, or 72 inches in length. Two 250 watt MH bulbs or a 6-8 bulb t5ho fixture would be fine.

If you go for the t5ho make sure that each bulb has an individual reflector as this is what really makes the t5s worthwhile. You may want to look into retrofit kits so you can stagger the bulbs and spread out the light more evenly.

 

[evsalty]

+1 on the above and with a budget of up to $700 you will have no problem getting a great 4ft or 5ft fixture. Yes there actually are 5ft fixtures but they tend to get expensive.

 

[smilingcrafter]

So, is this what would be good as a light choice for what I need: 48" Current Nova Extreme Pro Saltwater T-5 Fixture, it says it has 324 watts, or if not will someone please point me in the right direction?

 

[evsalty]

Yes 6 48" T5ho's would be good. You can also run mh's 2 250's plus 2 T5ho's for sup actinics would also work. Current makes good products. There are even better ones out there as well such as ATI and TEK. With the Current USA T5's you will probably want to switch out the bulbs as theirs are limited in color options for the moment.

 

[smilingcrafter]

Thanks for giving me a hand with this, I am not able to make purchases like this very often and I want to make sure the purchase I make will work for many a year because it will have too. I have another question, I found this - 48 inch Current USA SunPod 2x250W 14K HQI-MH w/ 18 Lunar Lights, and I am trying to understand if I should go up to this - Current USA 60 inch Outer Orbit 2x250w 10K HQI-MH w/ 4x54W T5 HO & 18 Lunar Lights. It is a lot more money, is it over kill, or is it what I need to make my anemone and coral happy? What do the T5's add that is needed? If it is actinics, could you please explain what that is or does? Thanks so much for your time and patients with me.

 

[james3370]

reefgeek has this 6-bulb 60" retrofit kit for $719 WITH YOUR CHOICE OF BULBS...they have all the best ones out there

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5...y_High-Output_Retrofit_Kit_w!_Bulbs_by_IceCap

message grim reefer for best bulb combination...he is the t5 savant
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/member.php?s=&action=getinfo&userid=38553

 

[smilingcrafter]

So, are you saying I don't need the MH with this?

 

[luther1200]

I think this light would be a good choice for your tank.

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...ROD&Product_Code=ATI-3015&Category_Code=ATIt5

 

[james3370]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15505609#post15505609 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by luther1200
I think this light would be a good choice for your tank.

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...ROD&Product_Code=ATI-3015&Category_Code=ATIt5

you know, it didn't dawn on me to check the ATI fixtures on reefgeek.....they have that same unit for the same price:
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5..._6x80W_SunPower_T5_High-Output_Fixture_by_ATI

...or 729 w/ choice of bulbs:
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5...nPower_T5_High-Output_Fixture_w!_Bulbs_by_ATI

 

[luther1200]

That looks like a nice fixture. I am starting to want 1, lol.

 

[james3370]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15505599#post15505599 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by smilingcrafter
So, are you saying I don't need the MH with this?

that depends on the height of the tank (tank top to sandbed).....

24-26" or less & t5 should be quite adequate....especially w/ the retrofit kit cause it has overdrive ballasts & drives the lamps @ about 100w instead of the "stock" 80w (but that means the life of the lamps will be 20-30% shorter...like 12 months vs 18 months)

30" or so & you will get better penetration for light-loving stuff at the sandbed w/ 250w MH

 

[luther1200]

He said his aquarium is 18" deep.

 

[james3370]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15505750#post15505750 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by luther1200
He said his aquarium is 18" deep.

yeah, but i kinda assumed he meant "wide"....otherwise we might have to change recommendations depending on how wide it is since we been posting fixtures for that dimension that might not fit

**edit** ok, so his sig mentions a 90g....using the tank calc, 60*18*18= ~90g, so i stick by my prev post in saying the t5s will work fine on those dimensions LOL