Is 2 bulb t5 and current ic pro led enough??

Mterry9239 · Feb 3, 2021

I have a Helios 54x2 with ATI blue plus and coral plus t5 and 2x 48"current ic pro on 75g tank. I'm looking to get advice if I have enough lighting, on opinion, to make this "mixed reef" work. I have some monti stylo and acro on the way. The tank is 48"x18x18. ANY advice would be great. And I have not rented a par meter or used one. I know I should but with a top of tank full of quality light I would like to think its fine . Just a few opinions would help. Thanks in advanced

Pntbll687 · Feb 3, 2021

The only way to know for sure is to get a par meter.

I'm leaning towards not enough light. If you like the look of t5 check FB and other forums for a used 6 bulb fixture.

It will probably be enough light to keep things alive, but more than likely not enough to grow coral. What acro do you have on the way?

DeniseAndy · Feb 3, 2021

So, is that 4x t5 bulbs? I do not know manufacturing names at all. I believe you have the 2x54 and 2x48? I run T5s and that set up would be fine for any lps or softie. Even some montis at a high elevation. However, if you are thinking some acros, you may want a 6 bulb 48".
I have a 4x36 bulb on my 40g breeder and is great, but only run lps in it. I have 4x24 on my 20g and have some montis and one acro as a test. Mostly this is a grow out tank.
I know bulb names, not fixture names.

Mterry9239 · Feb 3, 2021

Jade bonsai. My friend is sending me some. He said it likes lower light than most sps figured it be okay. Stellar stylo and forest fire monti all on the way with a piece of purple gorgonian with chocolate polyps. I have a piece of strawberry shortcake acro that almost died during a crash, that I had just gotten, and has started to come back from "bleached" out. So my fingers are crossed

Mterry9239 · Feb 3, 2021

Yes its a 2 bulb t5 fixture with dual 48" current ic pro leds at max on blue and 45% white for daylight.

Mterry9239 · Feb 3, 2021

Should I drop my t5 fixture down to sitting flush on top of tank along with my leds? Closer=higher par correct?

Mterry9239 · Feb 3, 2021

Like this....

Crustaceon · Feb 3, 2021

FWIW, I’d think a four bulb 48” t5ho would be underpowered unless you put those acros as high as possible. I’d run two dual-bulb fixtures with the IC led in between them.

DeniseAndy · Feb 3, 2021

Okay, so it is 2 T5s and LED combo. Well, I know next to nothing about LEDs. Sorry. But, the T5s should only be placed that close to water if they are protected. They can shatter if water gets on them. Mine are off the water by a good 6-8". However, I have more t5s.
I guess, see how it goes. If the sps stay healthy and do not go white, keep it up. If they brown out, they need more light. Personally, I like more T5s.

Mterry9239 · Feb 3, 2021

Gonna drop t5 down to sit on top of tank for now. Then buy the aquaticLife t5 hybrid and stuff my led bars inside the middle part. Thanks everyone for input.

Pntbll687 · Feb 3, 2021

Mterry9239 said:
Gonna drop t5 down to sit on top of tank for now. Then buy the aquaticLife t5 hybrid and stuff my led bars inside the middle part. Thanks everyone for input.

You'll probably have to have the led lights "sit" on the fixture. The little metal feet will need to extend out and rest on the end of the hybrid fixture. I would use a couple zip ties to secure them so they don't move.