Should I be using a powerful light on a small tank?

[calebsmith7]

I have a fluval five gallon tank and I am currently using the tank light it came with. I also purchased a NICREW 50 watt reef light but I thought it might be a bit too powerful. Do y’all think I could use this light with my 5 gallon tank?

 

[Wasabiroot]

It depends greatly on what you plan to grow. Acros? Definitely could. Softies? They won't care. 50w of light is a lot for a 5g though - I don't recall if that light has adjustability but if so I'd start low or you'll get an algae explosion

 

[calebsmith7]

It depends greatly on what you plan to grow. Acros? Definitely could. Softies? They won't care

I plan to buy some beginner corals and clownfish next week, would that powerful light work for those?

 

[Wasabiroot]

To be honest, I think that it might be overkill for a 5 gallon. Consider that an XR15 blue has about 90w peak power and I use one on a 50g cube. If you use it start with low intensity (say 10%) and go from there. You can incinerate stuff at full intensity. It also depends on the distance from the lens of the led to the tank.

 

[calebsmith7]

To be honest, I think that it might be overkill for a 5 gallon. Consider that an XR15 blue has about 90w peak power and I use one on a 50g cube. If you use it start with low intensity (say 10%) and go from there. You can incinerate stuff at full intensity. It also depends on the distance from the lens of the led to the tank.

Alright, so a low intensity should work fine for both the fish and corals?

 

[Wasabiroot]

Yes - beginner corals don't need as much light. In any event, it's always safer to start at a low intensity with any light. You do damage way quicker too high than too low. And if you see your coral polyps stretching towards the light that's an easy indicator to ramp it up slightly. But make any increases slowly. No more than 2-4% per week. What corals were you thinking of adding?