To much lighting PC and T5?

williamh · 05/05/2006, 10:25 AM

This is also posted on the soft corals fourm

I have had my tank up for about 3 months with just a 4 bulb T5 HO Nova extreme light. I was wondering if I could fit a 4x96 watt PC over the top of the tank would it be to much light for my corals. The corals I have so far are Xenia, Singularia, Colt Coral, Finger Leather, Frog Spawn, a tons of purple and stripped mushrooms, a couple of fuzzy mushrooms, and a HUGE toadstool. Thank you for the help.

William

smleee · 05/05/2006, 11:02 AM

You should have plenty of light just where you are; especially with the softies. What's the wattage and does that fixture have individual reflectors?

eee

ratherbediving · 05/05/2006, 11:17 AM

Agree with the above... more lighting is not always better. I am not familiar with the fixture you posted, but if the corals are doing okay, why change anything? More light not only means more upfront costs, more $$$ for bulb changes, higher electricity cost, more heat issues in the summer months, and some corals (like mushrooms) may very well not end up doing well.

guyguerra · 05/05/2006, 09:42 PM

What type of corals are you wanting to add? smleee is right that you have enough light for what you currently have. If you want to have the ability to add acro's or clams you should include metal halides. It's common to see 4 VHO's on a tank, but there might be a point of diminishing returns by adding more florescent. There are some nice HQI metal halide/compacts out there, which would give you the flexibility to have whatever you want.

williamh · 05/05/2006, 11:26 PM

Thank you guys for the replys I think I will hold off for a while with the extra light then.

Thank you
William

05/05/2006, 10:25 AM	#1
williamh Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Cedar Rapids, Iowa Posts: 67	To much lighting PC and T5? This is also posted on the soft corals fourm I have had my tank up for about 3 months with just a 4 bulb T5 HO Nova extreme light. I was wondering if I could fit a 4x96 watt PC over the top of the tank would it be to much light for my corals. The corals I have so far are Xenia, Singularia, Colt Coral, Finger Leather, Frog Spawn, a tons of purple and stripped mushrooms, a couple of fuzzy mushrooms, and a HUGE toadstool. Thank you for the help. William

05/05/2006, 09:42 PM	#4
guyguerra Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Naples, Florida Posts: 701	What type of corals are you wanting to add? smleee is right that you have enough light for what you currently have. If you want to have the ability to add acro's or clams you should include metal halides. It's common to see 4 VHO's on a tank, but there might be a point of diminishing returns by adding more florescent. There are some nice HQI metal halide/compacts out there, which would give you the flexibility to have whatever you want. __________________ "A man with a watch knows what time it is, a man with two watchs is never sure" Current Tank Info: 230 gal Reef

05/05/2006, 11:02 AM	#2
smleee Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 1,344	You should have plenty of light just where you are; especially with the softies. What's the wattage and does that fixture have individual reflectors? eee

05/05/2006, 11:17 AM	#3
ratherbediving Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: San Diego Posts: 558	Agree with the above... more lighting is not always better. I am not familiar with the fixture you posted, but if the corals are doing okay, why change anything? More light not only means more upfront costs, more $$$ for bulb changes, higher electricity cost, more heat issues in the summer months, and some corals (like mushrooms) may very well not end up doing well.

05/05/2006, 11:26 PM	#5
williamh Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Cedar Rapids, Iowa Posts: 67	Thank you guys for the replys I think I will hold off for a while with the extra light then. Thank you William