T5 over a 60 cube?

[MyLittleReef]

I decided to bite the bullet and order a 60 gallon cube(24x24x24).

I am considering using 8 T5 HO bulbs over the top of it, running on 2 Icecap 660 ballasts. Do you think this will be enough light?

I basically want to put some of my millis, ricordea, zoanthids, and echinos from my main tank in this.

I know I could use one 250 HQI but I want to use a low profile hood on this tank.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Henry Bowman]

I think 8 T5 bulbs would be a bit much for your tank. The ricordea and others you list are not real High Intensity light animals. You could possibly do better with a 6 bulb unit.

With 8 bulbs you can actually damage (Melt) ricordea and or discoma if they are not low in the tank and or have shade.

Post this question on the t5 Q&A thread and you'll get alot more responses. There are folks running T5 tanks there that have ALOT of experience and knowledge on different fixtures.

Or you can call Tom at Aquactinics or I believe Greg at Reefgeek. They both sell lots of T5 stuff and know the in's and outs of using these types of lighting.

HTH

 

[MyLittleReef]

Thank you for your help