Would my lights be ok?

cmc0814

cmc0814

New member
I was thinking about my tank situation and I think I want to upgrade. But I don't want to buy new lights for it. I have a Tek hood with 6 X 54 W (4 foot) T5s. I was thinking about a 5' x 2' x 2' tank. I would like somewhere around 150 gallons. Is anyone selling a tank and stand that would facilitate somewhere around that volume? Would the lights only cover that 4' x 1' area, or would they spread out? Thanks.

-Chris
 
I have a 5' x 2' x 2' tank in my garage i'm going to upgrade to once I can afford it. I bought the teklight 6 bulb fixture as well with the intentions of using it for my 150. I may get a coule smaller spot lights for the sides if I decide I need them, but i don't think I will. If you kept some of the lower - moderate lighting stuff on the sides I'd think it would be perfect. At least that's my plan.
 
Thanks guys. Honestly, I wasn't really worried about the sides...it was more of the front/back. Cause I pretty much want to do SPS eclusively. I like rics and zoas too.
 
You plan on having at least some sand up front for the sand critters? If so, then all you have to worry bout is the back. I plan on keeping some jawfish in my 150 so I'll need a nice sand area up front. I'll mount the lights more towards the back of the tank for this purpose. Just a thought =o)
 
Yeah, I'll have sand in it. And I would probably have a nice sand area in front. But I have clams and I would want them in front. Maybe I should get another 2 lamp fixture and put it on the front.
 
I have a clam as well, I forgot bout that, lol. I know that I'd really rather avoid getting another fixture for my setup since it's going to be a tad bit pricey as is, maybe one of us (depeding on when/if you get your tank, or I get mine plumbed to hold water) can take some par readings (lumens, lux, candlelight, however it's done). Ya know, prior to spending oodles on more lighting.

Anybody here got a 6 bulb teklight over a 5 x 2 x 2 or similar demensioned tank? .....and a par meter? =o)
 
I think that you'll be just fine with that light over that tank. We tend to overlight, anyhow. And T5s are pretty powerful. Just increase your photo period a bit and you'll be good.
 
That's what my brain tells me Paul, but i still have that bit of a "have to know" attitude. =o) But I agree completely, T5's are a bit powerful, just the 4 bulbs over my 55g seems to be a tad too much for some of my corals, took a long time for everyone to start opening up, and my new galaxia frag from a couple meetings ago looked like it was about to bleach and cook the other day, I had to stick him in a slighty shaded area to get him to start opening up more and retain his color.
 
Yeah, I'm having problems with the galaxea. I just can't get it to open up. I may have to try to get it under a ledge of some sort.
 
I'd guess other reasons besides light. I am pretty certain Paul W. has his up close to the lights in his tank. And I have some that were down here in my tank in Irvng during my recent crisis. They had RTNed VERY badly. I moved them up to Ardmore, in my 55g tank under T5s, and in a week they had a HUGE (amazing, really) amount of tissue regrowth.

I'd check other things, like flow, etc. But that's just me....

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8559689#post8559689 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by papagimp
That's what my brain tells me Paul, but i still have that bit of a "have to know" attitude.
Click to expand...
I understand completely. I have detailed test plans to see what sort of flow we are REALLY getting out of MJ Mods, etc, and they're pre and post mod power consumption.

And a PAR meter (apogee) is definitely on my toy list.... :)
 
Figuring you are an sps'r that may be a little deep for the t5s, maybe go 22" or so? Or keep the sps higher in the tank, and the fixture hung low.

If you need help on the upgrade hollar at me. I may be upgrading soon also, WE ROCK!!!
 
Paul, you remeber all I said about poor flow in my tank, it's very possible that is the case, but we was getting low flow up high and not opening and now he's getting low flow and lower lighting and opening up more. I assumed lighting.
 
I'm not sure - just throwing ideas out there......... :)

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8561448#post8561448 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kpk
Figuring you are an sps'r that may be a little deep for the t5s, maybe go 22" or so? Or keep the sps higher in the tank, and the fixture hung low.
Click to expand...
Just put your low light SPS down low. Yes, they do exist. More common then you'd think. SPS does NOT equal high light. In fact, all SPS conclusively means is small polyps and stoniness. :)

And as for clams, the higher light ones (maxima & crocea) are also the rock dwelling clams. The lower light ones (derasa, squamosa, gigas) are the sand dwelling clams. So that should help too.....
 
Well I just assumed that Chris new not all sps require the highest lighting. Of course I know I have them way down low...
 
Yeah, I have probably 60% of them on the sand. And they are probably the ones growing the most! I'm just wondering if I'll have a lot of dead spots with the gaps on the sides....Thanks for your input guys!

-Chris
 
im starting to rething my 12 T5's on my 180 now, is it too much? i dont know yet for the fact it was just brought in the house last week and i still dont have water in it.
 
wow, 12 of em eh? If you'r going high light intensity and mod-high intensity inverts I think you'd be okay, how deep is the tank?
 
when talking about lights, try to be a little more specific. 12 bulbs of what length......

i have an area of my tank, 2 feet wide by 4 feet long by 30 inches deep that is lit by 8x 4 foot t5 bulbs for a total of just over 400w. It is BRIGHT and the corals are growing extremely well.

i used to have 2 400w MH there.....in my opinion the t5s are much better both in growth, heat out put, color. I miss the glitter lines tho.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Squatch_86
New to RC!
2
Replies
39
Views
4K
wvned
wvned
650-IS350
Brand New SERA X-Feeder ($50) "Negotiable"
Replies
4
Views
1K
650-IS350
650-IS350
A
DRILL aquarium only 1 DownPipe?
Replies
1
Views
191
Timfish
Timfish
A
DRILL aquarium only 1 DownPipe?
Replies
0
Views
163
Andrés Garza
A
L
Equipment help
Replies
8
Views
518
lilredwuck
L
Back
Top