Overkill or not?

Mr Harlequin · 11/17/2009, 04:40 PM

Hi

Im starting a tank that is 48"x24"x24" and i am thinking off using a 10x54w t5 Ati powermodule...

Is this overkill or perfect for a SPS only tank?

Thoughts?

francis1123 · 11/17/2009, 04:57 PM

i ran 12x54w on a 48x24x24. i'd have to say it was close to overkill. you will have to start corals low and move them up with that much light. when i first set up the lights i bleached just about everything. cut it down to 2 lights and built everything back to health. you will get amazing growth from your SPS though.

Mr Harlequin · 11/17/2009, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by francis1123

i ran 12x54w on a 48x24x24. i'd have to say it was close to overkill. you will have to start corals low and move them up with that much light. when i first set up the lights i bleached just about everything. cut it down to 2 lights and built everything back to health. you will get amazing growth from your SPS though.

Do you mean you went from 12x54 to 10x54 so that you could built everything back to health? Or do you mean that i would start with 8 lights instead of 10?

offroadodge · 11/17/2009, 10:15 PM

I have a 48x24x25 and have a 8x54w T5 , and a 400w 14k, and 2 24" VHO superactinics. Fixing to add "2" 250s in a month or so. I know of a friend that has a 185 gal and he has (5) 250s and 2 6" VHO superactinics. CRAZY growth.

francis1123 · 11/18/2009, 11:14 AM

i went down to just running 2x54w's and added 2 at a time back up to 12 over the course of a few weeks.

Mr Harlequin · 11/18/2009, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by francis1123

i went down to just running 2x54w's and added 2 at a time back up to 12 over the course of a few weeks.

ah ok! How high do your lightning hang over the water?

s.reef · 11/18/2009, 05:28 PM

For SPS I think thats fine just make to start the lower

mikeBurchett · 11/18/2009, 06:31 PM

I think you will be fine for SPS.

James77 · 11/18/2009, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Harlequin

Hi

Im starting a tank that is 48"x24"x24" and i am thinking off using a 10x54w t5 Ati powermodule...

Is this overkill or perfect for a SPS only tank?

Thoughts?

Yes, it is overkill. You will not get use of alot of the light of the end 2 bulbs.

I ran the 8x54 Powermodule over my 120- same size as you- and it was a perfect fit. Even with that one, they give off alot of light, you would be able to keep SPS right at the bottom.

Dutch06 · 11/18/2009, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by offroadodge

I have a 48x24x25 and have a 8x54w T5 , and a 400w 14k, and 2 24" VHO superactinics.

Would you mind posting a pic?

(Not doubting you I just want to see how you have it all packed together.)

Ekdrummer · 11/18/2009, 08:04 PM

Is there such a thing as overkill in this hobby?

francis1123 · 11/19/2009, 12:07 AM

5" above the water.

11/17/2009, 04:40 PM	#1
Mr Harlequin Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4	Overkill or not? Hi Im starting a tank that is 48"x24"x24" and i am thinking off using a 10x54w t5 Ati powermodule... Is this overkill or perfect for a SPS only tank? Thoughts?

11/17/2009, 04:57 PM	#2
francis1123 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: san diego, ca Posts: 164	i ran 12x54w on a 48x24x24. i'd have to say it was close to overkill. you will have to start corals low and move them up with that much light. when i first set up the lights i bleached just about everything. cut it down to 2 lights and built everything back to health. you will get amazing growth from your SPS though.

11/17/2009, 10:15 PM	#4
offroadodge Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Cedar Park, Texas Posts: 168	I have a 48x24x25 and have a 8x54w T5 , and a 400w 14k, and 2 24" VHO superactinics. Fixing to add "2" 250s in a month or so. I know of a friend that has a 185 gal and he has (5) 250s and 2 6" VHO superactinics. CRAZY growth.

11/18/2009, 11:14 AM	#5
francis1123 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: san diego, ca Posts: 164	i went down to just running 2x54w's and added 2 at a time back up to 12 over the course of a few weeks.

11/18/2009, 05:28 PM	#7
s.reef Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 269	For SPS I think thats fine just make to start the lower

11/18/2009, 06:31 PM	#8
mikeBurchett Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Bel Air, MD Posts: 57	I think you will be fine for SPS.

11/18/2009, 08:04 PM	#11
Ekdrummer Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 62	Is there such a thing as overkill in this hobby?

11/19/2009, 12:07 AM	#12
francis1123 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: san diego, ca Posts: 164	5" above the water.