To much light?

treecowboy42 · 02/08/2009, 08:00 PM

I have a standard 55 gal tank, 48" L, 12" W, 20" D, I know metal halides power depends on how high above the tank it is, but my real question is can you have to many watts for this size tank, and should I stick with T-5 HO? I know everyone is going to ask what I am wanting in my tank, so that answer would be middle of the road, I don't think I would keep no SPS, but some easy LPS, shrooms, softies, and fish. I just don't want to burn anything if that is possible.

Bonneville08 · 02/08/2009, 08:08 PM

IMO, you can have too much light even for SPS. I have some SPS that lose a lot of color too close to the light with my metal halide. With no passing clouds and a fixed light source, I think you need to be careful with too much light. I've heard T5 puts out enough light for almost anything.

treecowboy42 · 02/08/2009, 08:23 PM

If I have 4 light system, can you change all 4 to 10000k lamps or no?

treecowboy42 · 02/08/2009, 09:02 PM

Does the blue actinic really do anything besides color?

nikon187 · 02/08/2009, 10:39 PM

in T5? yes the blue bulbs ( actinic + and blue +) have very high par

MileHighFish · 02/08/2009, 10:48 PM

Remember you dont have to run MH's all day, 5-6 hours is plenty with T5 or VHO supplement. Then you can keep any coral you like

MileHighFish · 02/08/2009, 10:51 PM

I ran two DE 150 watt 20k's on a 60 gal and was very happy with the results. Good Luck which ever way you decide to go.

treecowboy42 · 02/09/2009, 11:46 AM

I was looking at a 384 or a 520 watt T-5 HO light, would either of those be ok for my size tank or would the 520 be to much?

Bonneville08 · 02/09/2009, 05:05 PM

If you can provide shade for those corals that don't need a lot of light, the 520W should be OK, you just need to watch for signs of bleaching and relocate the affected animals accordingly IMO.

02/08/2009, 08:00 PM	#1
treecowboy42 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: The Motor Posts: 164	To much light? I have a standard 55 gal tank, 48" L, 12" W, 20" D, I know metal halides power depends on how high above the tank it is, but my real question is can you have to many watts for this size tank, and should I stick with T-5 HO? I know everyone is going to ask what I am wanting in my tank, so that answer would be middle of the road, I don't think I would keep no SPS, but some easy LPS, shrooms, softies, and fish. I just don't want to burn anything if that is possible.

02/08/2009, 08:08 PM	#2
Bonneville08 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Goodyear, AZ Posts: 513	IMO, you can have too much light even for SPS. I have some SPS that lose a lot of color too close to the light with my metal halide. With no passing clouds and a fixed light source, I think you need to be careful with too much light. I've heard T5 puts out enough light for almost anything. __________________ Edge you mah cating myself Check out my gallery if you desire. Current Tank Info: 50 gallon mix of soft, LPS and SPS, two croceas, two maximas, a few fish, turf filter with skimmer, MH and PC lighting, chiller, Calcium Reactor and wave2k.

02/08/2009, 10:39 PM	#5
nikon187 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 4,717	in T5? yes the blue bulbs ( actinic + and blue +) have very high par __________________ ----------------- Current Tanks: New 210 custom 84 x 24 x 24, 60g sump, SWC 250 extreme with bubble blaster 5000, 2 vortech mp40, 2 vortech mp10, 12 T5, Water blaster 5000, warner marine bio pellets, 60g clownfish cube, red carpet anemone with a 25g sump,SRO octopus 1000sss, 250w radium, lumenarc large.

02/08/2009, 10:48 PM	#6
MileHighFish Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: NM. Posts: 1,722	Remember you dont have to run MH's all day, 5-6 hours is plenty with T5 or VHO supplement. Then you can keep any coral you like __________________ See "Red House" for pics!! I'm sick of following my dreams. I'm just going to ask them where they're goin', and hook up with them later. Mitch Hedberg Current Tank Info: Reef tank, 100 gal Lee Mar polished.. 60 sump.. 800 watts mh 20k radium..Ran on "Taiwan HQI Ballast" 330 watt VHO.. 48 watt compacts (dawn/dusk).. sps/lps tank..

02/08/2009, 10:51 PM	#7
MileHighFish Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: NM. Posts: 1,722	I ran two DE 150 watt 20k's on a 60 gal and was very happy with the results. Good Luck which ever way you decide to go. __________________ See "Red House" for pics!! I'm sick of following my dreams. I'm just going to ask them where they're goin', and hook up with them later. Mitch Hedberg Current Tank Info: Reef tank, 100 gal Lee Mar polished.. 60 sump.. 800 watts mh 20k radium..Ran on "Taiwan HQI Ballast" 330 watt VHO.. 48 watt compacts (dawn/dusk).. sps/lps tank..

02/08/2009, 08:23 PM	#3
treecowboy42 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: The Motor Posts: 164	If I have 4 light system, can you change all 4 to 10000k lamps or no?

02/08/2009, 09:02 PM	#4
treecowboy42 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: The Motor Posts: 164	Does the blue actinic really do anything besides color?

02/09/2009, 11:46 AM	#8
treecowboy42 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: The Motor Posts: 164	I was looking at a 384 or a 520 watt T-5 HO light, would either of those be ok for my size tank or would the 520 be to much?

02/09/2009, 05:05 PM	#9
Bonneville08 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Goodyear, AZ Posts: 513	If you can provide shade for those corals that don't need a lot of light, the 520W should be OK, you just need to watch for signs of bleaching and relocate the affected animals accordingly IMO. __________________ Edge you mah cating myself Check out my gallery if you desire. Current Tank Info: 50 gallon mix of soft, LPS and SPS, two croceas, two maximas, a few fish, turf filter with skimmer, MH and PC lighting, chiller, Calcium Reactor and wave2k.