Lighting

Lionking · 04-02-2005, 03:38 PM

Just a quick question. I all ready have a triple T8 lighting system for a total of 108 watts, I am looking at adding on and I am deciding between A 48 inch 108 watt T5 system of a Compact Fluorescent for a total of 220. What do you think? The most sensitive coral I will be keeping will be frogspawn and hammer, the rest are mushrooms, polyps and xenia.

Thanks,

alarsuel · 04-03-2005, 01:53 AM

That depends on size of the tank. Not just gallons, but also depth. Need more info to accurately guide you. However, as a guess, that sounds like it would be a good idea to increase the light.

Hope this helps, for now.

Aaron

Lionking · 04-03-2005, 08:58 AM

It is a 75 gallon tank, 19 inches deep.

Thanks,

alarsuel · 04-03-2005, 02:11 PM

I would definstely say that an upgrade is needed. Eventhough watts is not a measure of light intensity, a rule of thumb is about 4 or 5 watts per gallon. Since your tank is relatively shallow, MH aren't "necessary". I think more wattage is, however. Truthfully, 220 still may be a bit low, but you can offset this by placing animals requiring high light closer to the top.

Hope this helps,

Aaron

mikeb · 04-03-2005, 06:03 PM

I don't know if this will help but in my tank (55 gal 48" long) I have LPS's and softs as well as anenome's that have been doing great with 260 watts of power compact.