light intensity and tank depth

[jacksonpt]

I'm thinking about taking advantage of petco's dollar per gallon sale to replace my scratched up 30long.

Due to space constraints, I need to stick with the same footprint, which means my options are either another 30long or a 45high. The 45 is 24" tall, the 30 is 18". Ive got a 4x39 T5 retro (hamilton ballast, single reflector, geismann bulbs) and I keep mostly lps.

Is a 24" tall tank a bad idea under the T5s? I've got an elegance, acans, and a couple of plate corals on my sand bed... could they stay there in the 45, or wouldn't they get enough light that far down?

Thoughts?

 

[toddmh]

they will be fine with those lights on my lps tank I have a crappy current t5's and even crappier wavepoint t5's my blasto's acans hammers and torches are very happy at the bottom..

edit...mine is 24" deep also

 

[pascal32]

LPS seem to like the lower light. I had my acans in high light and flow - moved them to lower light and less flow and they opened right up.

From the little I know, fungia prefer brighter lighting, however seem to adapt well to medium lighting. Acans seem to like the lower light

over 18" the 4 T5s are fantastic. for 24" deep on a single reflector (IMO) it's on the edge.

You should be fine, and can always upgrade down the road to single reflectors, much harder to upgrade the tank!

 

[pascal32]

duplicate

 

[SkiFletch]

Jackson, I used to have a 45g, I hated it with the fire of a thousand suns. Stacking rocks in a tank with that footprint and height is next to impossible unless you get REALLY creative. I'm takling like making your own rocks out of cement, or stacking them with pvc or carbon fiber rods. It's just really hard to stack rocks 24" high with only 12" of width. I upgraded to a 65g with an 18" width and that's MUCH better.

As to lighting LPS in a 24" deep tank with 4 individually reflected T5's, sure it'll work just fine. I managed to do it with less powerful PC's, although growth was slow and color was crappy, but it "worked". T5's would be better, but I'd still suggest a 65 or a 30

 

[zooman72]

I would have to agree with Fletch - the lighting will work, but 'scaping that thing will test your resolve. I say stick with a 30L, or grab a 40 Breeder - the 40B is the same length and height, but 6" wider.

Every time I see one firsthand I want one! I was able to view Saltwaterpimp's 40B today and have been dreaming ever since.....