Yet Another t5 Lighting Question

[Wy Renegade]

Sorry to do this again, read through the t5 lighting post above, and a couple others, but I couldn't find exactly the info I was looking for. Most of the discussion is on 4, 5, 6, or 8 bulb combos.

I'm setting up a dual frag tank system using a 33gal extra long (4' tank) and a 20gal long (30" long), both plumbed into a 20 gallon sump. Both the tanks are only 12" high, and I'm placing a 4" DSB in both tanks, so even with legs, lights will only be 8 to 10" over the sandbed.

I'd like to use a two bulb t5 light on each of these tanks, will be growing out primarily zoas and ricordia.

Will this be enought light, or should I consider a four light fixture or two two light fixtures? I ask, because I have a four bulb fixture over a 20 high, and that seems like too much light for some things.

And if so, what bulb combination would you all recommend to show good color, but also promote maximum growth?

TIA!

 

[Wy Renegade]

Nobody?

 

[mike ftw]

for zoas and ricordias im gonna say yes, for bulb combo maybe:
blue+ and fiji
blue+ and aquablue
blue+ and procolor


its going to be hard to find a pretty bulb combo with just two bulbs imo

 

[thomasdo87]

for zoas and rics 2 bulb should be fine and im sure you dont care of the colors since they are in a frag tank. But I would consider a 4bulb if you havent got the light already since you will have a few more options on the color and the things kept in there.

 

[Mariner]

The two bulb should be more than adequate for shrooms and rics.
Color won't be critical, IMO...just get a blue bulb and a white bulb :bigsmile:
Mariner

 

[Wy Renegade]

for zoas and ricordias im gonna say yes, for bulb combo maybe:
blue+ and fiji
blue+ and aquablue
blue+ and procolor


its going to be hard to find a pretty bulb combo with just two bulbs imo

Thanks Mike, yeah not too sure about the color combo - but probably I'm more interested in growth anyway. But I want to be sure and use a combo that isn't going to lose the colors on the zoas as well.

for zoas and rics 2 bulb should be fine and im sure you dont care of the colors since they are in a frag tank. But I would consider a 4bulb if you havent got the light already since you will have a few more options on the color and the things kept in there.

Thanks fastandsneaky, already bought one of the lights, picked it up used for a good price. On the other I may go with a four bulb combo; but I'm a little concerned that with only 8 to 10 inches of depth, the four bulb combo might be too bright for the ricordia.

 

[luke33]

Two bulb's will be plenty. I'd leave out the sand bed though, no need for it in a frag tank. Just throw some LR in the sump and get some chaeto in there, will work much better for nutrient export than the dsb.

 

[Breakin Newz]

Yes 2 bulbs will be enough for what you want to keep! But anything else might be a problem...

 

[Wy Renegade]

Two bulb's will be plenty. I'd leave out the sand bed though, no need for it in a frag tank. Just throw some LR in the sump and get some chaeto in there, will work much better for nutrient export than the dsb.

Great; as far as the DSB, I like if for shoving reef plugs in, as well as the nutrient export

Yes 2 bulbs will be enough for what you want to keep! But anything else might be a problem...

Thanks; yeah I know, no SPS and most likely no LPS - but thats ok for now, I can always add another two bulb fixture down the road if I need to.

Thanks guys.

 

[subielover]

I think you could keep most lps with that light.