How low can I go? With my T5HO?

Reefing8EZ · Aug 17, 2012

Hello R2R,
My 2 tanks are finally coming around and getting better. I am a pretty techy person but very ignorant when comes to reef keeping.
After trying to keep mixed reef I finally gave up and converted my tanks.
Currently have an LPS only tank, dimensions 24"x24"x12", 30 gal. Lighting on this is ATI Sunpower 6x24watt hung at 16" above tank now.
Roughly 28" to sandbed.
Other tank is a 40 breeder, 36"x18"x16", sps only tank. Lighting is TEK Elite 6x39watt at about 6" above tank now.
Roughly 22" to sandbed.
I started both really high and have been lowering gradually but where do I stop? How low can I go considering my setup?
Also, what is a good T5 photoperiod?
Any help is appreciated! Thanks in advance!

Troylee · Aug 17, 2012

You can go as low as you want... I would keep them at least 6" off the water surface just to keep the salt splash off the lens or bulbs... I personally like mine out of the way 12+ inches above the water... It makes it easy to assess the tank etc..With that being said I have seen them about 3" off the water on a couple tanks...

-Logzor · Aug 17, 2012

Lower slowly to make sure you don't bleach your corals.

I wouldn't do more than 9 hours unless your throwing some pure actinic on the front and back end.

Reefing8EZ · Aug 17, 2012

Troylee said:
You can go as low as you want... I would keep them at least 6" off the water surface just to keep the salt splash off the lens or bulbs... I personally like mine out of the way 12+ inches above the water... It makes it easy to assess the tank etc..With that being said I have seen them about 3" off the water on a couple tanks...

Not worried about salt splash. Just worried about getting it too close to my coral and frying them.
How tall we're the tanks that had them at 3" above? My tanks are very shallow..

Reefing8EZ · Aug 17, 2012

-Logzor said:
Lower slowly to make sure you don't bleach your corals.

I wouldn't do more than 9 hours unless your throwing some pure actinic on the front and back end.

No pure actinics. Running F to B: blue+,blue+,purple+,Aquablue,blue+,blue+.
Next bulb replacement I'm going to try a coral plus bulb.
And do you mean 9hrs with all 6bulb on?

Troylee · Aug 17, 2012

Reefing8EZ said:
Not worried about salt splash. Just worried about getting it too close to my coral and frying them..

You have way more than enough light for that tank... What are you trying to accomplish by moving them down?? It's not gonna change much on the tank besides creating heat and not having it wash your room out with the blow glow lol... I would keep them like 8 to 12" off the water... You don't lose much par in air it's when you hit the waters surface it starts to decline rapidly...Hth

Reefing8EZ · Aug 17, 2012

I guess I'll keep moving lights down and see what happens.. BTW, TroyLee you built my 30gal, Lol! do you think an MP10 will work on this thick acrylic?

-Logzor · Aug 17, 2012

Reefing8EZ said:
No pure actinics. Running F to B: blue+,blue+,purple+,Aquablue,blue+,blue+.
Next bulb replacement I'm going to try a coral plus bulb.
And do you mean 9hrs with all 6bulb on?

9 hours total.

Troylee · Aug 17, 2012

Reefing8EZ said:
I guess I'll keep moving lights down and see what happens.. BTW, TroyLee you built my 30gal, Lol! do you think an MP10 will work on this thick acrylic?

I did???? No clue I have built so many... How thick is it??