lighting for soft corals?

[BIG_B]

I have a 75 Gallon im wanting to make into a softie dominant tank. My current lighting is a 48" nove extreme t5 saltwater 1 10,000k build 1 acintic build. Is this sufficient lighting? I picked it up for 50.00 brand new a CL! Couldnt pass on It. Yalls thoughts?

 

[Elrodg]

Well I would say it would suffice. But with the 75s the have that good ol 19 inch footprint. So you may have to adjust a bit on your placement.

I went mh with my 75 and my softies are loving it!

 

[wireefman]

softies can tolerate lower light levels, however imo and ime give them light!! id run atleast 4 bulbs over a 75 and would be more happy with a 6 bulb t5 or mh.. I currently run leds over my 70 cube

 

[BIG_B]

Ok thanks folks. I will have to get another 2 build set for sure.

 

[NanoReefWanabe]

yeah i would say a minimum 4 bulb fixture or combination of 2 2 bulb...i would use a 6500k and a combination of blue/ purple bulbs, not sure i would use the 10000k, but if you have it you might as well as the bulbs are kinda expensive.

 

[BIG_B]

I was thinking about adding some stunner strips with the two t5?

 

[FallenMonkey]

I was thinking about adding some stunner strips with the two t5?

That would definitely make them pop and give your tank a nice shimmer. If you've got the cash, do it!

 

[Nanook]

Usually, the more light the better

 

[Potsy]

I think many people underestimate how much light soft corals, especially some leathers, can soak up. One of my favorite corals is sinularia and I had a specimen that looked its best inches away from the surface at its tallest point under 2x250watt 10k aqualine buschke halide bulbs. It must have had a very high photo-inhibition point as it never closed up under the light while other corals, sps included, started to shrink away from the light or retract polyps toward the end of the photoperiod.

 

[miranda60]

i have only a softietank and i use 4 x ATI T5 39 watt 2 white and 2 blue.... 1 blue led bulb 18 watt and a white Led bulb.. 18 watt I have a nice bright color and the softies are growing well..
with only bulb lights and no led .. better to you use 3 x white and 1 blue...

 

[Stomatopod1701]

I agree my sinularia love light! No would say four bulbs is your minimum. They can live with less, but do better with more light.

 

[DarienReefer]

+1 It the same with my gsp. more light the better!

 

[Khemul]

Soft corals can definitely soak up a ton of light. They are less picky about major changes also.

That light will grow the "pest" softies. Kenya (Kenya's will grow under just about anything though), Xenia, maybe GSP. For leathers, it's just below adequate. Some may do okay under it, others, not so much.

 

[IowaJeeping]

Softies cant endure lower light levels like others were saying, but if your going to do more then softies i would start your reseasrch now lol