is 6 bulb t5 enough for sps tank?

[LimeTwist]

i have 6 bulb tek t5 with ati bulbs, 4 blue+ 1 coral + and 1 aquablue special 13" above waterline with shield removed. tank is 48x24x21 high. is this sufficient enough for sps at the given height and bulbs combo? most sps sit 9" bellow water and some sit 5" bellow waterline

 

[Hentz]

You should be fine. Of course, 8 bulbs would always be much better. But you could absolutely get away with a 6

 

[LimeTwist]

im more worried about the height of the t5. i want to keep my current light stand because the t5 sit directly in it. i build it 13" off waterline to have space for tank access.

 

[Hentz]

Should be fine. You may not be able to put every Acro near the bottom but you should be good

 

[moatdaddy]

No way i would remove that shield. Mine is 20 inches off the water level of my frag tank. I paid 700 for my ati t5 fixture. I would not risk allowing any moisture into my unit. If you remove that shield your putting that entire unit at risk. Not to mention cleaning the bulbs of salt creep is 10x harder than the shield. I have seen what happens to units that remove the shield and i want my fixture to last.

JMO

 

[LimeTwist]

I have retro fit T5 right now that does not have any shield protection with no issue. but thanks for the input