Lighting setup for zoas

[hx47405]

I'm looking into starting a sister tank dedicated to softies, more zoas than anything else and was curious as to what setup i should do for the lights. In the past i started my tank with used old bulbs and ballasts (2x 175w HQI, 2x 96w PC's) and they caused a lot of my exotic zoas to loose their coloring and turned them somewhat drab, not to mention they didn't grow much:thumbdown I don't want to make the same mistake twice. So far i'm finding that a lot people like SE Radium's w/ either PFO or IceCap ballast for the Metal Halides. Not sure what to use for the supplements, PC's or T5's and what brand, temp, and ballasts. This will be in a 4 foot tank, fyi. Thank you for your help in advance

 

[str8leg]

T5 10k x2 actinic x2, if you want to keep clams or you will need to go with MH

http://www.aquacave.com/tek-light-t...-4-x-54w-lamps-brby-sunlight-supply-691.html#

 

[Scott0013]

On my 4' tanks I use a 6 bulb T-5 (individual reflectors) set up. I get pretty good growth.

 

[coralpimp2009]

T5's

T5's

T5's would be great!

Ati blue plus x 2
ati aquablue special in the center of those 2
is what I got set up and love the color and growth.

 

[PensFan05]

So coralpimp, all of your lights are blue? I would think that you would need a 10k or so in there for growth?

 

[hx47405]

no one's using MH's of any wattage for their zoas? I thought you would need at least a couple to penetrate all the way to the bottom of the tank.

 

[KCMO Reefer]

I have Zoas growing out on the bottom of my tank with T5's no problem.

 

[PensFan05]

I have a 29g BC with mostly zoas and I use a 150w Sunpod.

 

[650-IS350]

a set of T5 can give you the best mix of bulbs to change the look in your tank and get various K ratings. You can grow anything with T5s and doesn't produce the heat factor that halides do but doesn't create the shimmer effects that MH's does.

 

[hx47405]

so what K is best suited for Zoas? cause with my older bulbs i actually had problems keeping the coloring of the zoas. quite a few of them morphed into bland brown, purple, green zoas. How can i keep them from morphing into a drab set of colors or color in some cases. I think the only ones that i've had stay true to color are a set of eagle eyes and alien invasions. everything else lost it's exotic look.
I would love to own more zoas but because of what happened with my past setup, i'm worried about spending the money on something that is going to end up the same.

 

[650-IS350]

search for Sanjays T5 thread at the lighting forum here ... very good info.