Lighting on a 55

I recently set up a new 55. Much of my equipment I just moved from my previous tank.

The 55 Tank is 36"x19"x21"
The lights are the Current USA Sundial 30" T5's (basically 24" bulbs)

Bulb Configuration:
2x 24 watt 10K T5 HO Fluorescent Lamp
2x 24 460nm Actinic T5 HO Fluorescent Lamp

I have them mounted 3" from the water. Do you think that is sufficient light to support.
Xenia
Hammer Coral
Frogspawn
Torch Coral
Zoe's
Plate Coral

Thanks!

 

Here are some pic's just for reference.

 

Are they new bulbs?

 

I purchased the fixture about 1.5-2 months before my last tank crashed. The fixture itself is about 1.5 years old but it was really only used for about 2 months.

 

yeah for the most part..that pushing it tho with corals on the sand bed in a 21" deep tank..

you only have 96w..i have 78w of t5s over a 20 gallon that is 10" deep..

in a tank that deep, you would be better off with stronger lighting, but you dont have to upgrade them, i just think you will get better growth and be able to keep higher light corals and also be able to place corals wherever..

if i had that tank i would run 1 250 halide and use those t5s for supplement lighting..

those lights will keep those corals but your prolly gonna have to have them in the middle to top half of the tank..but just give it a shot, your corals will let you know if you dont have enough lights..

 

^Agreed.

 

That is concerning. With my rock layout everything is set to be low in the tank. I had thought about some MH but I want to keep the full hood and that would most likely not be possible with the heat.

 

I have a standard 55. I have all the same corals you want to keep with the exception of the plate coral. I have 4 bulb 48" t5 fixture from current USA. All my corals are doing great. Just food for thought.

Edit: forgot to mention I change my bulbs every 8 months.

 

How deep is your tank?

 

The fixture will be more than sufficient for your needs.