Too much light?

[sgarron]

I currently have 3 150w 10k MH and 8 39w T5 actinics on my 180. I am considering upgrading to 3 250w 14k MH and 4 39w T5 actinics. Would this be too much light for my BTAS and my Haddoni?

 

[Mojo Jojo]

Nope

 

[Toddrtrex]

And to add to Mojo's reply.


My 75 has Haddonis ( and used to have BTAs ) have 2*250 DE 14K + 2*54 T5, and they are all happy with the amount of light.

 

[sgarron]

Thanks, That settles it. Where is that buy it now button?

 

[garygb]

You have plenty of light now for anything you would want to grow. Of the two options, the one you have and the one you are considering, go with the one with the fewest watts. Providing good light is important, overkill is environmentally irresponsible. Electricity is a major source of greenhouse gases--coal is still unfortunately the major source of electricity.

 

[littleshark]

Agree with garygb. Its not really about the watt, its really about the kelvin that ur bulb gives out. The only reqason you might need a higher watt output is if your tank is deeper.

 

[taylor t]

I watched a friend of mine's 75 gallon loose everything because he switched from 355 watts of pc lighting to 216 watts of t-5 lighting and didn't acclimate the tank. Just a switch of lights, and about 5 anemones (1 a gigantea he had for over 6 months)and many/all sps/lps/soft/fish/tank melt happened in about 3 days. He's starting over now after the school of hard knocks.
The light meter with the old lighting read 340. With the new t5 lights read over 550. Less watts, way more light. If you change, be careful. Once the tank starts crashing, it's hard to stop. It's like a snowball effect. I'm sure many disagree with the following statement, but I don't agree that these anemones/corals all need to be blasted with light just because they can be acclimated to it.