Lighting Questions - Normal Output

[vmiller]

Hello,

I have two 6' tanks and one 4' tank that I am converting from reef to fish only and have a few lighting questions that a few of you can hopefully help me with.

Have any of you used 4' bulbs on a 6' tank or 3' bulbs on a 4' tank? Does it light the tank enough, or does it leave the sides looking dim?

Is anyone using NO T5? Is there any advantage to these over the more standard T8 and T12?

Lastly, I want to keep the wattage over each tank at 80W or less and this is a big priority. Within this range, are there any best choices for attempting to support the easiest, hardiest, and least light needing corals? I've read about this being done with NO lighting and I'm guessing that some of you in here have some easy coral in your tanks for a little decoration.

Thanks,
Vin

 

[johno4]

I stagard 4 shoplights (4') over my 135, 4 - 65k bulbs and 4 - actinic bulbs. I used 4 so there are no dim spots and it was still cheap. Mushrooms will be fine and I have three colonies of kenya trees as well. Not sure what else would work. If you want to stay at 80w Im not sure if thats enough light for corals. Shrooms are cheap I guess try it, it might be fine.

Why not use a 4' light on a 4' tank?

 

[corbett_n]

I use aqualight NOT5 and they work great for my reef tank. I have two 30" dual bulb fixtures that grow my soft corals just fine, so they should be fine for your FO. They were about $35 each, so that is pretty cheap.