what would you do?

[ryno212]

I'm starting a new 120 gallon tank 48x24x24 and would like some input on lighting..... Here is what I want to keep, a few sps at the top of the tank with one or two clams ..but mostly zoas, rics, lps and softies.....a mix I guess you would say....

I want to keep my 175w 10k XM MH bulbs but add some T5 bulbs to the mix... the reason for this is I still want that MH look to the water but don't want to change the whole MH setup to like 250s or 400s. How many T5 bulbs would you put on there and which ones to give a nice blue look to the water like my older 15k XM bulbs did, buy still give me the PAR range I'm looking for to keep clams?

thanks Ryan

 

[reefkoi]

Man thats tough clams like croceas need a ton of light to retain the bright intricate patterns they have.
If you put a crocea on the sand with a 175 at 24" you'll keep it alive but you'll end up with just a blue clam most likely, all that detail in the pattern seems to be lost without intense light.
I am doing an experiment right now with some intensely colored croceas at 12" tank depth with a 250 watt MH. I hope to retain the amazing colors the clams came with for years instead of just a few months.
We'll see, but for now I'd say they need as much light as practical and I dont think you'll be able to do it with t-5's on that size of a tank unless you can stuff 20 of them in there somehow.
Chris

 

[reefkoi]

screwed up DP

 

[ryno212]

thanks... I'll try the 250's