Trying to get it right

[Shawnct]

I have a 60 gallon tank. 48 long by 24 deep. I currently have a current USA marine pro. I'm looking to add to this to grow corals comfortable. I do have a 48 light fixture for t5, 8 and 10 bulbs. If I put two of highest wattage reef bulbs I know of(which is 54) I still don't think it would be enough. Also I was thinking to of these over each side. They are 165 watt less and cover a 24 by 24 inch area so two would give me 165 watts across the whole tank and then the 46 from the current USA. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00UMXAR5S/ref=psdcmw_2975458011_t1_B019QAZX9C

 

[Crabs McJones]

I have a 60 gallon tank. 48 long by 24 deep. I currently have a current USA marine pro. I'm looking to add to this to grow corals comfortable. I do have a 48 light fixture for t5, 8 and 10 bulbs. If I put two of highest wattage reef bulbs I know of(which is 54) I still don't think it would be enough. Also I was thinking to of these over each side. They are 165 watt less and cover a 24 by 24 inch area so two would give me 165 watts across the whole tank and then the 46 from the current USA. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00UMXAR5S/ref=psdcmw_2975458011_t1_B019QAZX9C

Those 165 watt black boxes are power houses, you could run just those two on their own and they'll do fine.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Par measurements compliments of Bulk Reef Supply. This is 11 inches off the water surface 12" deep in the tank with just one black box over a 24x24 inch area. Two of these over your tank would be more than enough

 

[Water Dog]

IMO a 48” 8 or 10 bulb T5 fixture would be more than enough for a 60 gallon frag tank at 48x24x12. In fact you can grow the most light demanding acropora with those T5 light fixtures.

 

[Shawnct]

So with the two t5 or 8 bulbs plus the current USA it would be sufficient enough to grow sps??

 

[Water Dog]

To be clear, you have 3 fixtures... an 8 bulb T5 fixture, a 10 bulb T5 fixture and a Current USA LED fixture, right?

 

[Shawnct]

No just one fixture and the current USA. also I just noticed the hood has two t-10 bulbs in it so could I even switch it to a t-8.

 

[Shawnct]

I think I just found out the answer. Yes a t8 is the same size as a t10. So would one fixture(two bulbs) and the current USA be enough?

 

[Water Dog]

Never mind, that fluorescent fixture will not work, there’s a BIG difference between the output of T8/T10 bulbs and T5 bulbs... another clarification, your tank’s dimensions are 48Lx24wx12H, right?

 

[Shawnct]

Yes they are

 

[Shawnct]

Also the fixture will accept t8's to

 

[Water Dog]

T8 or T10 oesn’t matter, that’s a freshwater or fish only fixture. Ideally what you’re looking for in a fluorescent fixture are T5 bulbs with individual reflectors.

Based on your tank dimensions, because of the relatively shallow depth of your tank, you can either get another Curent LED fixture and run both of them or get 2 165w Mars Aqua black boxes. If going the black box route (my preference budget wise), I’d also look to remove the lenses of the individual LEDs in order to improve spread and colorblending.