Lighting issues

Hi Everyone,
Im looking for som lighting advice. I have a corner 55g and on it for lighting is 1 24"t5 HO fixture with 24w 460nm actinic and 24w 10000k daylight, also a 24" t5 fixture with 14w 460nm actinic and 10000k 14w.
all this adds up to 76w for 55 g of water. I have been told by lfs that i should run arround 3 w per galon for reef tanks. corals have been doinf fine (not spectacular) and for the last month the zoo polyps i have have not been opening very much and my zenyas look like they are dying off. The Kenya trees i have are doing great. Parameters all look good calc 460, nitrite 0, nitrate 20, phos 0, ph and salinity all good. recently put in all new bulbs but i am still wondering if i need more wattage.
has anyone else had any experience with odd shape tanks and light fixtures b/c i cant fit anything bigger than a 24" fixture on top of my tank.any advice appreciated thanks in advance
Anthony

 

Nitrate should be around 10 or lower.

What are the exact numbers for pH and salinity?

I would change the NO T5 for a T5HO fixture. That should be plenty of light then.

When is the last time you changed bulbs?

 

ph 8 and salinity 1.025, i chnged the bulbs last week

 

The need to change the bulbs may have been upsetting the zoas. Your flow may not be high enough to make them happy. Xenia is hit and miss in most tanks.

 

how long before i know it is too late forthe zoas? after changing the bulbs there seems to be no change in their reaction. i moved some closer to the top but i dont think it helped.i realize i waited too long to change bulbs but you know sometimes time slipps away! fish seem very happy just wish coral would be better thats my challenge i love this hobby!

 

Maybe move the zoas down, so they get less light.

 

How old was the light you replaced?

 

the lights i changed were 9 months

 

Any opinions on compact florescent opposed to t5ho?