Setting up a new tank, do I need to update my lighting???

[welsher7]

I've been out of the reefing hobby for some time now and I'm finally getting back in with a new 120g, 48x24 foot print, that I'm ordering next week. I have a couple different lighting options from older tanks. I want to use a 48" 4x 54w tek fixture with 2 ATI coral+ and 2 ATI blue+ and 2or 4 full spectrum rapid led par38 bulbs. Do you think i would have enough lighting to run a mixed reef? This setup would be the cheapest to run, but I also have two 250w DE aquamedic pendants and two 250w SE lumen bright mini pendants. But I think I would rather upgrade than run either MH setup.

What do you think????

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

4x 54w tek fixture with 2 ATI coral+ and 2 ATI blue+ .

That'll grow coral! Add the leds for shimmer/moon/pop

 

[welsher7]

That'll grow coral! Add the leds for shimmer/moon/pop

I was hesitant because most people are running 6 or 8 bulb t5 fixtures.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I was hesitant because most people are running 6 or 8 bulb t5 fixtures.

Its really how much light you want. A t5 like yours at 8 or 10 in is around 700 par at the top of the tank with good bulbs. If you want to more light deeper or have lower rock work youll want more tubes.

Ive also seen folks run 6&8 tubes at 24 in + above the tank. No Idea why.

So you def have enough to get going or grow pretty well IMO, and you can take time to shop around.

 

[welsher7]

I'm aiming for a mixed reef, so sps up top probably 12-16" from the surface and lps/softies/nems below.

Maybe I'll give the tek fixture a try and go from there. I can always change directions down the road.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I'm aiming for a mixed reef, so sps up top probably 12-16" from the surface and lps/softies/nems below.

Maybe I'll give the tek fixture a try and go from there. I can always change directions down the road.

Id stalk the ATI scratch and dent forum here on the R2R

 

[welsher7]

Id stalk the ATI scratch and dent forum here on the R2R

I didn't realize they had ding/dent section, thanks for the heads up