Can I Add?

I have 48" Coralife 4X65 watt 50/50 actinic and 10,000. I want to eventually have an anemone. On one of the threads someone told me i need T5's or metal Halide. If i was to add 48" T5 Dual 108W 2X54W would that be enough. I can add this to my exisiting lights. Oh, and a new skimmer will soon be here. Thanks Ya'll

 

it will probably be enough. i would put it high up, nm just put it in the middle it will move where it wants.

whats your tank size just incase? if its above 90 i would get a quad t5

 

I am in the same boat as you. I have the same lighting (4x65 watt PCs) on my 90 and I wanted to upgrade to add SPS. Check out these threads. They have the info your looking for if you are willing to read through them. SPS and anemones have similar lighting requirements.

http://www.3reef.com/forums/reef-lighting/lights-t5-57550.html

http://www.3reef.com/forums/reef-lighting/mixed-lighting-57440.html

 

oops, 55 gallon... I know this sounds stupid...but I could go a little bigger if I could slant the lights a little...does that make sense? Can't seem to get everything under the hood LOL

 

on a 55 id either go with 2x 250w or 2x 150W hqi metal halides (dependning on what you wanna spend) with 2xt5HO actinics for supplemental lighting or just go with a 4xt5HO fixture

 

2x 250 would be to much heat unless you have a chiller. but if you have the money i would get the 4xt5ho, t5 are nice, then sell the PC's

PC are fine for short tanks or planted but hard corals will want something better. i think i read the penetration of the PC only provides good lighting for 10 inches or so.

 

How close should lights be?

 

it depends upon the type. for pc or flourescent the closer the better,
with halide you want it alittle higher for heat circulation.

edit: obviously you don't want lights to get wet so not close enough to get splashed on.

 

for t5s 3 to 4 inches above water level.

 

thanks guys