Prime Lighting

[tljokerst]

I have two Prime HD's running on my 4ft 55gal mixed reef. (SPS towards the top, LPS mid, and softies on bottom) My question is whether or not this is enough lighting. Everything seems to be doing fine, but I was just wanting to get some second opinions. (I have been running it this way for a year) I am open to getting new lighting at this point, and I want to know what people would recommend. I have looked at some T5 fixtures, but I do like the idea of LEDs.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I'd look at lights factory specs. All the par specs listed will be in air at full power. All channels at 100%.

That maybe enough for highlighting corals twards the top but maybe not enough for a clam in the sand.
Personally I'd say a third lamp would be a good call. Fourth if your a nutter like me.

Also consider a par or lux meter to test.

Also if it looks good, it probably is good.

 

[tljokerst]

Yeah, I was thinking about getting another lamp. I just don't know where to put it because there is a cross bar on the top in the middle. Any ideas how to work around that?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Not sure how wide the brace is. But you could put a lamp there and see how bad it looks. It would also be the other reason to use 4 rather than 3 sadly($$$).

We will always have a low spot from a brace, but lights farther to each side will allow it to be lit from those sides, you'd see it on a meter but not to you're eye most likely.

 

[tljokerst]

Good point! Nothing wrong with NEEDING the fourth light. I'll give it a go and see what I think.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

"but honey , I need a fourth light"

Works every time.

 

[tljokerst]

Haha! Yeah, it worked with my "buy honey, if I get a gyre it'll all look so much more natural." Boyfriend was happy to go along with it. He likes watching the tank so he pretty much says whatever you need to do.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Haha! Yeah, it worked with my "buy honey, if I get a gyre it'll all look so much more natural." Boyfriend was happy to go along with it. He likes watching the tank so he pretty much says whatever you need to do.

Good man! You might have a keeper.
We're hard to train, but we mean well.

 

[tljokerst]

That's what I hear. Doesn't help that our hobby is so expensive $$$$$$

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Don't worry. He will find a more expensive one. ;Greedy

 

[tljokerst]

Haha!! He has so far managed to find one just as expensive. He enjoys PC gaming, so he buys computers that play games and I buy toys that keep my fish.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Impressive. If he puts the seat down too, you might want to set the date.