mh/t5 ?

[reefsandrotts]

I have a 120 (48x24x24) I run 8-54 watt T-5's and my sps are not doing well at all.So I'm thinking of adding a 2x250 retro to the tank to hopefully help things along.I want to still keep the 8 T-5's with the halides unless someone has a different idea to try with just the T-5's,maybe a color system to try.
Thanks

 

[Spiderwoman]

How far from the top of the water is your T5 setup? And how far from the surface of water are your SPS?

T5's are more powerful than you'd think and it could be that they are too close. You can play with different bulb combinations to get the optimum color you are looking for.

 

[Poseidon]

I doubt it is the "T5" system, it may however be your bulb choice. WHat bulbs, and how old are they?

I keep SPS under 6 bulbs, and they grow right up to the waters surface.

As for running 8 T5 bulbs, AND 2x250W halides, I think that is a BAD idea. Not only will you be cooking corals, you will be just plain WASTING power.

 

[reefsandrotts]

The bulbs are about 5" off the water.
Bulb combo right now is 6 420 actinics and 2 10k all less than 8 months.I know this is a crappy config. so I'm looking for a good one.SPS I've had at all ranges in the tank top,middle and bottom.I am however adding a canopy which will raise the bulbs about 10" off the water till my light frame is done being built,then it will go back to about 5".

 

[Poseidon]

Well, if you know the bulbs are a problem, fix it.

I would do 4 X ATI Blue Plus, or AS 22K bulbs, plus 2 UVL Super actinic, plus 2 Aqua Blue Specials. Yes, this is still 6 "Blue" bulbs, but the Blue+ are actually very high in PAR values.

Besides, new bulbs is going to be way cheaper then a halide set up.

 

[ReefDreams]

Is everything else with the tank ok such as calcium, ph and so on.

 

[laskopyre]

I agree with Poseidon. That much light, you'd be in competition with the Luxor in Vegas...j/k

 

[reefsandrotts]

Yes water is in check everything else in the tank is growing like weeds hammer,frog,chalices,zoos and palys.
I will try the new above bulb config. and see what happens.
Thanks

 

[cloakerpoked]

Yeah, I'd be curious to see what your PAR readings are, but seems to me that you either have some bad bulbs in there, or just too many weak bulbs. This may be a stupid question, but do you have the individual reflectors for each bulb, or is it a DIY Retro without them?

 

[reefsandrotts]

All individual reflectors.
I'll try the new bulb config and watch it for a month or so.
Thanks

Yeah, I'd be curious to see what your PAR readings are, but seems to me that you either have some bad bulbs in there, or just too many weak bulbs. This may be a stupid question, but do you have the individual reflectors for each bulb, or is it a DIY Retro without them?

 

[BigBoy69]

Run from front to back.

Blue plus
actinic
Generation 2
marine glo - or blue plus
marine glo =- or blue plus
Generation 2
actinic
Blue plus

You could even switch out a marine glo with a pro color

I can grow SPS on my sandbed. I have the same tank that you have 120g 4x2x2