lighting for soft and lps corals

[JennyGutt]

Hi everyone. I got a pom xenia. Green star polyp and 2 zoas. Theyve been doing good for about a week. Im wanting to get a mushroom, ricordea, indo hammer and acan in the next few qeeks. Ive got my dosing very stable so im comfortable with that part my levels staying stable. I have 1 solarmax ho double T5 lighting system. It's one long light and it has 1 purple bulb and 1 white bulb in it. Input power is 120 volt output is 108 Watts...is this enough lighting for soft amd lps corals? Should i get one more to go with oebis this enough i dont want to overkill i know thats dangerous im just not sure if i have enough with the 1 light or need to add 1 more or total different lights. Any help appreciated.

 

[Humblefish]

IMO; it might be enough for the xenia, GSP & mushrooms.

But the LPS (especially the acan) will need at least 4 T5 bulbs to survive long-term.

 

[JennyGutt]

Would i do better to get a 4buld t5ho to total 6 t5 ho or keep the t5ho dual bulb amd add something like this...

https://www.amazon.com/Current-USA-Marine-Aquarium-60-Inch/dp/B00GFTSV24

Or this

https://www.amazon.com/Aquatic-Life-Aquarium-Fixture-36-Inch/dp/B01HOETST8?th=1&psc=1

 

[Humblefish]

@JennyGutt To be fair, I have a lot more experience using T5 & MH than LED, but that doesn't necessarily mean LED isn't the way to go.

How big is your tank? Dimensions?

 

[JennyGutt]

12.75"L x 48.5"W x 25" H

 

[Humblefish]

12.75"L x 48.5"W x 25" H

I personally would go with this: https://www.amazon.com/Coralife-Aqualight-Output-Fixture-48-Inch/dp/B0049PU8BI

That's not as good as an ATI fixture, but also not $500-600. You can grow any softies/LPS with that, and maybe even some SPS on top.

However, if you think there's any chance you might get into SPS down the road a 6 bulb T5 fixture is what you really want.

 

[JennyGutt]

Ok so if i get that 4bulb t5ho put it and the 2buld t5 i already have in there too thats 6 total t5ho....is that the same as having a 6buld in 1 system. Of so then thats what ill have

 

[Humblefish]

^^ Just a heads up, you can usually find that same fixture (or similar) for $100-150 used if you look around.

 

[Humblefish]

Ok so if i get that 4bulb t5ho put it and the 2buld t5 i already have in there too thats 6 total t5ho....is that the same as having a 6buld in 1 system. Of so then thats what ill have

Yes, assuming both fixtures will physically fit side-by-side on your tank.

 

[JennyGutt]

Ok great! Thxs! I been researching all day and about to pull my hair out! Lol....what brand of bulbs would u suggest for when the time comes

 

[Humblefish]

Ok great! Thxs! I been researching all day and about to pull my hair out! Lol....what brand of bulbs would u suggest for when the time comes

ATI

Which bulbs to use really comes down to whether you prefer a white (10K) or more bluish (20K) look to your tank.

This chart (click on "What bulb combinations do you recommend?") offers some suggestions: http://www.atinorthamerica.com/faq.php

When my lights go off, I'll see which 4 bulb combo I'm currently running over my frag tank. I know I did something a little different last time (and I like it), but 2 ATI Blue Plus & 2 ATI Coral Plus is my usual.

 

[JennyGutt]

thank you!

 

[skybears]

OK the ATO's to the TGo's thto the 2g omg my brain overload on O's....LOL

 

[LetItReef]

These might help:

 

[JennyGutt]

Nice, thanks!

 

[LetItReef]

Would i do better to get a 4buld t5ho to total 6 t5 ho or keep the t5ho dual bulb amd add something like this...

https://www.amazon.com/Current-USA-Marine-Aquarium-60-Inch/dp/B00GFTSV24

Or this

https://www.amazon.com/Aquatic-Life-Aquarium-Fixture-36-Inch/dp/B01HOETST8?th=1&psc=1

This is my current set-up- Current Orbit and a dual T5's with ATI bulbs. Mostly LPS and doing well. The tank is 19" high.