quick ????

[fanning]

im upgrading from a 46g bow fowlr to a 120g (hopeully sps dominant)...my question is...will sps corals grow and thrive with good color under t5 lighting...i have 3 10k and 3 actinic....im wanting the corals to grow and color up good not just survive



thanks
mitch

 

[wfournier]

There are many factors beyond simply what kind of bulbs you are using. With T5's reflectors and bulb choice become very important. I would say that 8 or maybe even more bulbs would be better for a standard 120, however you could probably still work with 6 provided they are of high quality and the the corals are towards the top.

 

[fanning]

thats what i was kinda affraid of im not really wanting to be limited to placement...any sugjestions

 

[JustinM]

Get a better fixture maybe. What are the dims on your current fixture and what kind is it, is it a standard 120 you are getting?

 

[fanning]

the fixture is an aqualife 6x 48"....the tank 48"x24"x25"

 

[yeloowtang]

if you didn't have the lights i would suggest going with
2x metal halides plus 4x t5 actinics to supplement but thats $$
specialy if you already have the fixture..

maybe you have room to add extra lights on top..like anothe 2xt5s or even another 4 !!

or you can always plan accordingly and place deep water sps at the bottom
and the higher demanding ones top side !!

steff

 

[JustinM]

Yeah if you want to have no restriction on placement, I would def consider having a min of an 8 bulb fixture. You may be able to add another 4x54 aquaticlife fixture. That is a little over 10" plus the 13" you have now but that would like funny IMO. As long as you have the room up top it may work though. Or as yeloow said, some Halides up there should def do it for that depth.

 

[fanning]

thanks for the input...i mite just save up some cashola and go led...but i guess in the mean time i will just have to plan ahead with the placement of the little beauties...or maybe just float the light fixture in the water..lol just jokes