Light upgrade?

noo2usa · Mar 4, 2012

I currently have a 4X54w T-5 light on my 120 (24"x24"x48"). Some of my corals aren't as full as they were in my 26gal. I'm considering going to combo fixture with 716w of light (not sure what K it would be) it's 2x250w HQI halides, and 4x54w actinic T-5s, and also lunar LEDs. Will this be enough light to do what I want, like SPS and LPS and maybe a magnus clam?

revhtree · Mar 5, 2012

What do you mean not as full?

fishytyme · Mar 5, 2012

how old are the bulbs?

divewsharks · Mar 5, 2012

What fixture are you running? Are the corals directly under the fixture looking good?

noo2usa · Mar 5, 2012

They aren't as colorfull and large as they were in the smaller tank. My Candy coral pollups are smaller and not opening as big as they once were. My current light is a Aquaticlife 4x54w T-5. It has 2 daylight, 1 rosette, and 1 actinic + with 8 lunar LEDs. I'm not sure the age though.

noo2usa · Mar 5, 2012

The only coral that is really doing well is my Frog Spawn. I'm most concerned about my Candy and my mushrooms. The mushrooms haven't opened up to their fullest potential since being in the deeper tank.

divewsharks · Mar 5, 2012

So it could be lighting, depending on the version of the fixture, reflectors may not be as good as they could be; additionally bulbs lose efficiency over time, so they must routinely be changed out, and i would recommend going with high-quality bulbs such as ATI.

On the flip side, lighting is only one aspect, how as the flow in your tank changed compared to when you had a smaller one? water movement is a very important component to coral health.

this all assumes that your water quality it good.....

noo2usa · Mar 5, 2012

Water quality is great. There is quite a bit more flow in the new tank. I have 2 hydor4s and a mag12 return pump running 2 return nozzles. I figured I'm at about 3200 gph circulation after head pressure.

divewsharks · Mar 5, 2012

how long since the upgrade?

noo2usa · Mar 6, 2012

Haven't yet. Is it a good idea or a waste of money.

noo2usa · Mar 10, 2012

OK. I've upgraded. It's a 4x54w actinic, 2x 250x15,000k hgi, and lunar LEDs. Onlly running hqi for about 5 hrs right now but not sure if the corals are digging it. The zoa frags are doing well but my candy still hasn't opened back up. Any ideas?