Is 4x39 Watt T5 fixture enough?

[mtb888]

I just put a new Aquaticlife 4x39 watt T5 fixture on my 40 gallon breeder tank. Wondering if it is going to be enough lights for my LPS and softies. Want to have the best environment possible for my animals. Changed from a 2x96 watt PC fixture.

 

[jlt23]

I have that on my 45G and it works greak. I haven't had luck with acros though, but I think that's because I didn't have enough flow and my skimmer might not have been up to par. But my LPS and my monti's are doing great.

 

[kgross]

For lps and softies that will be fine.

Kim

 

[NeveSSL]

If that fixture has individual reflectors on the bulbs, you can grow anything under it.

I have an Icecap 4x39w T5HO retrofit kit on my 45g tall (25" deep) and I have SPS and crocea clams on my sandbed that are growing great.

Brandon

 

[mtb888]

What type of bulb configurations are you ladies and gentleman running? I was running two- 420/460nm bulbs, 1- 14000k, 1-1200k but my algae turned a funky pale green color. I switched my bulbs to 2-10,000k and 2-420/460nm bulbs. Trying to get that nice dark purple encrusting algae.

 

[noboddi]

I run 2 ATI Blue +, 1 ATI Aquablue Special, and 1 GE 6500k Daylight on my 40 breeder for BTAs

 

[mtb888]

whats BTAs

 

[NeveSSL]

I have a UVL Super Actinic, ATI Blue Plus (absolute favorite bulb), UVL Actinic White (75/25 I think), and an ATI Blue Special. Looks like around 11k or so. I like it.

Brandon

 

[NeveSSL]

BTAs are Bubble Tip Anemones. They come in a variety of colors, including gold, green, and rose. The RBTAs (rose bubble tip anemone's) are generally the most expensive and most desired. I have one and love it. They're really beautiful and my clowns love it!

Brandon

 

[mtb888]

what type of algae growth do you get with that combination? Like I said after a week with 14000k, actinic white, 2-420/460 was pale green and decrease in my purple corralines.

 

[NeveSSL]

I've always had great coralline growth, until I overstocked my tank and it went a bit down hill. Still recovering from that one.

Brandon

 

[noboddi]

If I had a 5th slot I would have used a Super Actinic. I am trying to maximize PAR though, and not much PAR in an actinic

Bet both setups look good though

 

[mtb888]

Im just trying to get the best dark purple corraline algae growth and color from my corals and wondering what combo works great for both.

 

[NeveSSL]

More than light, your water chemistry is probably going to affect your coralline growth.

Brandon

 

[kgross]

Another thing on coralline to be honest, it does better under dimmer light than brighter light most of the time.

Kim

 

[NeveSSL]

That's very true, Kim.

I have friends who have used T5s that caused their coralline to bleach out a bit.

Brandon

 

[noboddi]

I have an Aquatic Life on my 40 Breeder and I keep anemones fine.

I have a TEK 6 bulb fixture on my community SPS tank, and it bleached out my coralline, and although it came back it did not come back like before, and I get little growth. I get more coralline growth in my refugium under low lighting. So I know the water chemistry is right.

The coralline growth in my nem tank is not great, but I suspect chemistry there. It is a species tank and I do not use any kalk or two part calcium supplements.; But what I do get is deep purple, almost blue.

 

[Mike92]

I'm looking into the aquaticlife fixture and was wondering how you guys are liking it. Do the fans work well, are they loud or anything? Timers seem reliable? I'm assuming the reflectors are pretty good for you to be keeping anemones, right?