lighting

[jasontammy]

OK here's a ? for everyone. Which do you think is better? On a 48Lx12Hx18W which light do you think is better for sps corals?The choice is a 48"8 54w T-5 fixture or a 400w MH with 2 65w PC assist.

 

[scapes]

I have the 8x54w and love mine! ton of evenly spaced light

 

[wpecoul]

If you are talking only one MH bulb for 4', then I'd take the T5's in a heartbeat.

 

[jasontammy]

The T-5's is whats on there right now. It is my small frag tank. I missed the last two swaps that I wanted to attend so my tanks are a little full. Mostly LPS and some zoa's. I do have a few sps, orange monti, purple monti,turbinaria cup and some acros.So there is'nt much in the way of sps in there but alot of LPS and of course I have a pair of clowns in there. I think we have clowns in every tank.lol
Jason

 

[wpecoul]

I would stick with the T5's. Why mess with success?

 

[The0wn4g3]

T5's all the way!

 

[KniLLifer]

Re: lighting

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15248292#post15248292 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jasontammy
OK here's a ? for everyone. Which do you think is better? On a 48Lx12Hx18W which light do you think is better for sps corals?The choice is a 48"8 54w T-5 fixture or a 400w MH with 2 65w PC assist.

8 T5's on an 18" wide would be overkill i personally think esspecially only at 12" depth. I wouldn't do more then 6 T5's. Alos, I dont think that you can fit 8 T5's over 18" of space front to back unless you are not using reflectors and then that would just be a waste.

But T5's for sure.

 

[gnoles]

I had a 400 watt MH on a 36" fixture that was extra deep... The 10K XM bulb overwhelmed the two 96 watt actinics that I had. I'd probably use the T5's

 

[NicoleC]

Re: lighting

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15248292#post15248292 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jasontammy
OK here's a ? for everyone. Which do you think is better? On a 48Lx12Hx18W which light do you think is better for sps corals?The choice is a 48"8 54w T-5 fixture or a 400w MH with 2 65w PC assist.

Both options are overkill on a 12" deep tank. Do you have a PAR meter? If you are not getting more than adequate light out of your T5's, you have an issue with your equipment. If you simply don't like the quality of light, perhaps a different bulb choice will fix that.

 

[jasontammy]

The 8 T-5's are in a hanging fixture.Yes they do have reflectors.I am happy with the looks but just was'nt sure how well sps corals would do under them. The fixture hangs appx. another 12 to 14" over the tank. It also has contols to turn half on or off.

 

[wpecoul]

The SPS will do, ahem...'fine' under T5's. Just ask KniLLifer.

 

[brandon2432]

I have some sps that are higher in the tank bleaching under my 6 t-s so I agree that 8 is overkill.