Enough Light??? for those coral experts out there!!!

Discussion in 'T5 Aquarium Lighting' started by Strickland_673, Apr 10, 2009.

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  1. Strickland_673

    Strickland_673 Fire Shrimp

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    Hey,

    I have a 55Gallon FOWLR (for now). I was planning on putting this on

    Sunlight Supply 48" Tek Light T5 Fixture - 4-Bulb, 4 x 54W (not link)

    I would get 5 0r 6 bulbs but my 55 is only thin. the water is about 18" deep?!?! so what do you think?? what corals will I be limited too? and what anenomes will work for me??

    Mike
     
    Strickland_673, Apr 10, 2009
    Strickland_673, Apr 10, 2009
    #1

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  2. papareef

    papareef Feather Duster

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    Depends on what kinds of corals your planning to have later.If it's mostly softies you'll do fine.If you get into sps,your going to want to have 6 tubes.
     
    papareef, Apr 10, 2009
    papareef, Apr 10, 2009
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  3. sostoudt

    sostoudt Giant Squid

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    i dont think you will be very limited, but stony corals will need to be up high in the tank.
     
    sostoudt, Apr 10, 2009
    sostoudt, Apr 10, 2009
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  4. GuitarMan89

    GuitarMan89 Giant Squid

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    You will be able to keep a lot of stuff, placement however will be important. You will be able to keep several sps types, I would stick with montiporas and other easy to care for ones.
     
    GuitarMan89, Apr 10, 2009
    GuitarMan89, Apr 10, 2009
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  5. That Guy

    That Guy Aiptasia Anemone

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    being a standard 55 is only 13" front to back...a 6 lamp tek light wont do you any more good. To be honest i think you will have no issues with any corals assuming you choose the right lamps.... at least not in the lighting department.
     
    That Guy, Apr 10, 2009
    That Guy, Apr 10, 2009
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  6. PharmrJohn

    PharmrJohn The Dude

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    I agree with That Guy. You will rock with the TEK and UVL lamps. Nothing you can't keep with that combination (IMHO of course).
     
    PharmrJohn, Apr 10, 2009
    PharmrJohn, Apr 10, 2009
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  7. Strickland_673

    Strickland_673 Fire Shrimp

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    Ok so now another question.

    what type of bulbs? specific brand name?

    when it comes to the who bulbe thing I will definently have to order online. The only thing I have around here is hagen and stuff like those. So I'm not up to speed on what type of bulbs are the best and what it all means.

    thanks for the awesome answer KARMA for all!!!!
     
    Strickland_673, Apr 11, 2009
    Strickland_673, Apr 11, 2009
    #7
  8. sostoudt

    sostoudt Giant Squid

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    readings by grim reaper -RC
    this is from a kinda old post 2003 i think, so there maybe newer par charts out there
    ATI

    Sun Pro 357
    Aquablue 336
    Blue Plus 311
    Actinic 137

    D&D/Giesemann

    Midday 325
    Aquablue 324
    Actinic Plus 264
    Pure Actinic 157

    UVL

    Aqua sun 345
    Actinic White 293
    Super Actinic 210

    AquaZ

    Sun Pro 285
    Ocean Pro 323
    Blue Pro 266

    Helios

    Daylight 309
    Super Blue 225

    Current Sun Paq

    Daylight 10K 272
    Blue 252

    GE Daylight 340


    but ofcourse these reading will vary by ballast but you can use it as a general guide.
    there PAR readings more is better
     
    sostoudt, Apr 11, 2009
    sostoudt, Apr 11, 2009
    #8
  9. Strickland_673

    Strickland_673 Fire Shrimp

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    So what combo's are people running? and got pics?

    thanks again!
     
    Strickland_673, Apr 11, 2009
    Strickland_673, Apr 11, 2009
    #9
  10. Screwtape

    Screwtape Tonozukai Fairy Wrasse

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    Screwtape, Apr 11, 2009
    Screwtape, Apr 11, 2009
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