Lighting question - Watts per gallon

[kita_katan]

I want to upgrade my lights in the next 2 months or so and I am so confused. I have a 60 gallon reef tank, I want to get into LPS corals more so I have been reading that a high intensity lights isn't needed only moderate. If this is true what kind of light do you guys recommend?

Is 5 watts per gallon what I should be looking for?

I was thinking maybe T-5's but will that be enough?

Thank you!

 

[82ndengineer]

Wattage per gallon is not really as useful as it was when it was only T5 and metal halide. With LED coming on the market it's not as applicable. What are the dimensions of the tank and what kind of lighting system are you looking to get?

 

[kita_katan]

Tank dimensions are 48 x 15 x 18. We are currently running a Current Orbit Marine LED light. But I think that's not enough.

 

[82ndengineer]

Me personally I like my T5's. A 4-6 bulb over your tank would be perfect with anything and you can play with the bulb combos to get the color/par that you want.

 

[Jayreefer]

I am not a fan of t5 as I dont like the bulb changing expense every 8 months.

I use led MH on my 240 and just LED on my nano.

2 of these would allow you to keep anything.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B019...1_1?colid=1A3CJKKRR4RTE&coliid=I2PVOZN8MJQ7GZ

 

[kita_katan]

Really? Two of those would be all I would need?

 

[spidermann]

T5s and reefbright atinics is all u will need

 

[fishntyme1]

i disagree with the 8 month lamp changes. 12-18 months depending on the fixture your using.
If you go this route I would recommend getting HO's because then you don't have to "upgrade" in the future when you want that SPS. Plus you wont get shadowing like the led fixtures can.

 

[spscrackhead]

I am going to back up Spidermann here. An ati and a blue reefbrite Would be optimal. That led would also work, but not as nicely imo.

 

[kita_katan]

So I do want to keep the heat down on the tank, right now we are running at right about 78-79 degrees with a fan so I really don't want to get into having to buy a chiller as well at this point yet.

I can't find any used AI Hydra's around only new right now so I am looking for another option possibly.

 

[azjohnny]

Whats your budget?

 

[82ndengineer]

I run an 8 bulb on my 105 and don't need a chiller or fan. T5's are not as hot as some make them out to be. Also for lps you can get away with bulb changes every 12 or so months. For sps I stick to every 8-9 months.

 

[mitch30111]

What about the Amazon LEDs anyone else have any luck with lps

 

[Jayreefer]

look at the aquamars thread in the lighting filtration thread as there are many users.

In my research I liked the results and quality of the galaxy hydro vs the aqua mars. The one I linked is a galaxy hydro with a different label it seems.

And is on sale again. Might have to get a second for a 90 gal LPS/maco tank.