How much light

[Zacktosterone]

Ive got a 60x30x24 i need to light. Sps dominated.

My options are

10 t5 plus 2 halide?

Blue plus
Coral plus
Blue plus
Coral plus
Actinic
250 watt hamilton 20k 250 watt hamilton 20k
Actinic
Blue plus
Coral plus
Blue plus
Coral plus

Or 6 t5 and 2 halide

Blue plus
Coral plus
Actinic
250 watt hamilton 20k 250 watt hamilton 20k
Actinic
Blue plus
Coral plus.

I was thinking of just running the actinic and hamilton 20k on M80 ballasts but i don't think it'll be enough light for sps. Im measuring par in the ranges of 325 at 10", 250 at 20" and 125 at 30"

 

[Bdial]

I like the 10bulb idea. That's a lot of light. But it's also, I'm assuming 60" bulbs, 320 watts extra power. That's a lot on an electric bill. Plus more money come bulb replacement.

I have the Hamilton 20k bulbs and I don't like them. I miss my radiums. The Hamilton is not near as crisp as the radium and it has a whiter more yellow hue to it. I am getting good growth with it and my corals are happy. I'm just not completely satisfied.

 

[Zacktosterone]

Bump, just to let you know the halide fixture is DE not mogule

 

[kevin_e]

How do you plan on fitting so many tubes and halide reflectors in 24"? I could only fit 4 t-5 bulbs with my halides on my 24" wide tank. Those aren't terrible PAR numbers. I think 4 additional t-5s will get you where you want. 250-300 at 24", which is where I think you will be, is really good, imo.