MH to T5 swap...Questions...

[stpauli914]

So I have made the decision to switch from MH to T5 over my SPS dominant reef.

Tank is an 80 gallon deep blue rimless 48 X 24 X 16

Currently I have a pair of 250W Radium MH's along with a 48" Reefbrite XHO suspended 14" off of the waters surface. Tank has been up for a year and a half and I get great growth, but looking to get more color.

My current lighting schedule is:
Reefbrite on at Noon off at 9pm
MH's on at 2 pm off at 8pm

New light is an ATI Sunpower 8 X 54w T5 fixture(non-dimmable).

My questions are:

Bulb combo for best color and growth?
Height off the water to suspend the fixture?
Photo period to run lights?

Thank you all!!!

 

[dougchambers]

So I have made the decision to switch from MH to T5 over my SPS dominant reef.

Tank is an 80 gallon deep blue rimless 48 X 24 X 16

Currently I have a pair of 250W Radium MH's along with a 48" Reefbrite XHO suspended 14" off of the waters surface. Tank has been up for a year and a half and I get great growth, but looking to get more color.

My current lighting schedule is:
Reefbrite on at Noon off at 9pm
MH's on at 2 pm off at 8pm

New light is an ATI Sunpower 8 X 54w T5 fixture(non-dimmable).

My questions are:

Bulb combo for best color and growth?
Height off the water to suspend the fixture?
Photo period to run lights?

Thank you all!!!

As a starting point, ATI has recommended combinations based on coloration that you want.

http://www.atinorthamerica.com/faq.php

 

[stpauli914]

Thank you! I am working on bulb combos but haven't heard much on height off water surface??