Unexpected Purchase

[joshalicialtjt]

So I went to Aquaria Studio today to get a peppermint shrimp or two and instead I bought this . . . . .
Nova Extreme 30" 48 watt T5 High Output Fixture
I was pondering getting better lights but didn't want to spend much anyhow I was convinced when he said I could toss a few lps or anemones in the tank down the road if I wanted to with these lights. Is that a true possibility?

 

[cur10u5g30rg3]

Depends on how deep you place them, you wont get good growth or great color, but they will probably live.

 

[joshalicialtjt]

I really need some help here I just need to know if they are worth keeping or not

 

[orb]

yes, that's a possibility. there are t5 tanks that look and do just as well, as those under halides. the thing is, t5's are really good if you get them w/a decent reflector. and i don't think that unit has reflectors. they do make bulbs w/them built in though.

 

[joshalicialtjt]

so without independent reflectors on the bulbs is pretty much useless? Only interested in xenias, shrooms, few zoos, and an anemone if any possiblity

 

[orb]

no they are still good bulbs, better than power compacts, just not as efficient as they could be. besides the anemone, you could even grow that stuff under power compacts, so that fixture i believe, would be fine. the anemone may need to be up near the top, like curious george said.

 

[joshalicialtjt]

sweet, thanks so much. gf woulda killed me for spending the money and getting nothing out of it

 

[gwrench]

You should be fine with the corals you said you would be placing in the tank with that lighting, although it wouldn't hurt to retrofit them with reflectors, there is a huge increase in available light. Some say up to 300%!
G

 

[wardworld]

ditto on your current stocking list w/ those T5s...I have a FEW SPS under mine, but they're up near the top and they're of the hardy variety.

 

[Pacific Reefs]

If the anemone you want is a bta you should be fine.

 

[joshalicialtjt]

bta is exactly what I would look for eventually, arent the RBTA's the natural host for my maroon?

 

[joshalicialtjt]

would anyone have some extra pulsing xenia, just a pinch so i could see how it would do . . . just a thought. thanks for all the input

 

[gwrench]

I havn't seen a Maroon that wouldnt host with a BTA especially a rose.
Dropped you a PM
G

 

[JosefDevaty]

How many T5s are in the fixture? I have the Nova Extreme 4x54 watt T5s and I grow LPS, shrooms, zoas, and other sofites under it. I also have some monti caps that are doing great though they are all in the upper 1/3 of the tank. I also have an acro that is beginning to color up a bit hand has bright blue tips on it. Depending on the wattage and number of bulbs I would think that xenia or really most other common softies would be fine with this light.... just my .02
However, if I had to do it again I would have just bit the bullet and gone with Halides.... which I am actually looking to upgrade to now.

 

[joshalicialtjt]

2 x 24 watt T5 HO bulbs, im not at all looking into sps of any kind and prob not many if any lps

 

[cur10u5g30rg3]

I have a maroon that hosts a bta just fine... He is a bit rough on them so they would never bubble. I just gave all but a small piece of xenia away. I am sure someone will have some for yah though.

 

[joshalicialtjt]

thanks for all the help guys, lucky for me gfs favorite coral is the xenia. my wallet smiles

 

[JUICE!]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12539461#post12539461 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gwrench
You should be fine with the corals you said you would be placing in the tank with that lighting, although it wouldn't hurt to retrofit them with reflectors, there is a huge increase in available light. Some say up to 300%!
G

HUGE increase in light! but on that note...I have a 4 bulb nova extreme fixture over my 46G bow in my bedroom and there are a few SPS in there also........I do get much better colors and growth with metal halides, though.......even with my LPS and Softies!

 

[tangers]

I switched from mh to t5's and my tank is at least 3 times brighter with twice the polyp extension.

 

[The_Browns]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12543184#post12543184 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tangers
I switched from mh to t5's and my tank is at least 3 times brighter with twice the polyp extension.

Maybe the extended polyps are becuase they are trying to get more light....