Is this really enough light?

I have a standard 65g 36x18x24. Right now I have a and older Coralife 2x150 DE HQ1 fixture with 14k Phoenix bulbs. I also have a Catalina 2x39w T5HO fixture mounted on the tank. It has one True Actinic and one Blue+ bulb.

Recently I have been reading people recommending 250w HQIs for tanks 24" deep. I want to be able to keep whatever I want, wherever I want. I hate having to worry about if I have enough light to do what I want.

So, is my light setup enough to allow to do whatever I would like? If not what would my limitations be?

 

What exactly do you want to grow...sounds like you have good lighting for your tank size. I'm just curious.. what exactly are you looking to have in your tank that you think your current lighting wouldn't suffice....hard coral...soft coral...both? To much light can spawn unwanted algae blooms.I.M.O you should be fine...


90 GALLON DISPLAY
IN DISPLAY TANK;

180 LBS FIJI PREMIUM LIVE ROCK
90 LBS LIVE SAND
(3) 50 GPH POWERHEADS
(2) 1300 GPH POWER HEADS

30 GALLON SUMP
IN SUMP;
40 LBS LIVE SAND
55 LBS FIJI PREMIUM LIVE ROCK.
PHOSBAN REACTOR(150)
10 WATT U.V STEROLIZER (DONT HAVE AN ICK PROB)BUT JUST IN CASE
CORALIFE SUPER SKIMMER(150)
CORALIFE SUPER SKIMMER(65)
THEY WORK GREAT FOR ME!
(ELITE) 200 WATT HEATER
LIGHTING IN DISPLAY;
T5 NOVAS 48 INCH(6 BULB FIXTURES)
48 INCH MARINLAND L.E.D REEF LIGHTING(18k)
48 INCH (24) BLUE LED MOONLIGHT

LIGHTING ;
IN SUMP
30-90 WATT FLOOD LAMP

(MY UNDERWATER KIDS)...SAILFIN TANG,YELLOW TANG,YELLOW HEAD ANGELFISH,DIAMOND WATCHMAN GOBY,(2) BLUE GREEN CHROMIS
(4) ATLANTIC SEA ANENOMES,(20) MEXICAN TURBO SNAILS,(6)CERITH SNAILS,(10)RED LEGGED HERMIT CRABS,(10) BLUE LEGGED HERMIT CRABS,

IN SUMP;
(2)GREEN EMERALD CRABS
(5) BLUE LEGGED HERMIT CRABS
(5) RED LEGGED HEMIT CRABS

GOOD WATER QUALITY AND GOOD WATER MOVEMENT IS THE KEY!!!

TO tHoSe WhO rOcK...WiTh A fiLTeR sOcK.....
>>>>>>> I SOLUTE YOU <<<<<<<<

iMa bE 90 YEaRs OLd DoIn a 30% wAtEr ChAnGe...jUsT HaNd ME My CaNe aNd My SYPhON HoSe....IMa bE rOcKiN TilL I dIe...

 

I know I am going to want to keep a clam on the sandbed. I am not sure exactly which direction the tank is going yet as far as other types of coral.

 

You should be Ok...t5's are pretty strong and youll be amazed on the intensity that it gives off...I find at times...some of my soft corals move away from the light as the day progresses...and when the lunar lights turn on they make their way back to their spot...but I'm sure your clam will be just fine with that light...

90 GALLON DISPLAY
IN DISPLAY TANK;

180 LBS FIJI PREMIUM LIVE ROCK
90 LBS LIVE SAND
(3) 50 GPH POWERHEADS
(2) 1300 GPH POWER HEADS

30 GALLON SUMP
IN SUMP;
40 LBS LIVE SAND
55 LBS FIJI PREMIUM LIVE ROCK.
PHOSBAN REACTOR(150)
10 WATT U.V STEROLIZER (DONT HAVE AN ICK PROB)BUT JUST IN CASE
CORALIFE SUPER SKIMMER(150)
CORALIFE SUPER SKIMMER(65)
THEY WORK GREAT FOR ME!
(ELITE) 200 WATT HEATER
LIGHTING IN DISPLAY;
T5 NOVAS 48 INCH(6 BULB FIXTURES)
48 INCH MARINLAND L.E.D REEF LIGHTING(18k)
48 INCH (24) BLUE LED MOONLIGHT

LIGHTING ;
IN SUMP
30-90 WATT FLOOD LAMP

(MY UNDERWATER KIDS)...SAILFIN TANG,YELLOW TANG,YELLOW HEAD ANGELFISH,DIAMOND WATCHMAN GOBY,(2) BLUE GREEN CHROMIS
(4) ATLANTIC SEA ANENOMES,(20) MEXICAN TURBO SNAILS,(6)CERITH SNAILS,(10)RED LEGGED HERMIT CRABS,(10) BLUE LEGGED HERMIT CRABS,

IN SUMP;
(2)GREEN EMERALD CRABS
(5) BLUE LEGGED HERMIT CRABS
(5) RED LEGGED HEMIT CRABS

GOOD WATER QUALITY AND GOOD WATER MOVEMENT IS THE KEY!!!

TO tHoSe WhO rOcK...WiTh A fiLTeR sOcK.....
>>>>>>> I SOLUTE YOU <<<<<<<<

iMa bE 90 YEaRs OLd DoIn a 30% wAtEr ChAnGe...jUsT HaNd ME My CaNe aNd My SYPhON HoSe....IMa bE rOcKiN TilL I dIe...

 

What type of clam? Crocea? Clams need like a lot of light. I'm not sure a 150 would have enough punch for a clam on the sand bed of a 24" tank, even with the T-5s. It may survive, idk, but it's not a lot of light for it. I would also question "keeping whatever wherever". There are some corals that like lots of light and some that don't. Often you can acclimate them, but sometimes you can't. I have a 250 on a 24" cube and it is still difficult to keep certain corals from bleaching.