t5 for my 150 gal

I have a nova pro extreme 48" for the 150 gal tank i am setting up. I plan on making this a reef tank. Will I be able to provide enough light for the tank with this fixture, particularly at the bottom of the tank or will I need to get additional lighting? I am not sure exactly what types of bulbs are in there or when they were last changed. I know there are a mix of actinic and some type of blue lights. Can i test with any type of light meter to check my output and spectrum or should i just bite the bullet and replace them all with something I know?

 

It depends on a couple of things- What exactly do you plan to keep, and is it a 4- or 6-bulb fixture? i.e., with softies and most LPS, a 4-bulb T5HO will be fine, but for more light-hungry SPS, you will probably need at least 6 bulbs or a 4-bulb T5/MH combo light.

 

Thanks Mr Bill. It is a 6 light set up. I will probably be doing Softies and LPS to start. This is my first foray into SW and I'm jumping in with both feet, however I also want to go slow enough that I am doing things right. I am hoping to have everything collected to begin putting it all together in a month or so. Any advice is always welcome!!

 

+1 6 bulb should be fine!!8)

 

I built a 6 bulb T5 for my 90...running 4 blue and 2 white.. I am soon to replace the whites(15k) with LED..When the bulbs are new, all seems to be well, but I have used numerous brands and ratings..and after about 6 months I can see the difference down deep on the SPS....I replace regular after a year...plus side is they are cool and inexpensive to purchase and to run....but they do need replaced annually....LED was not available when I did my DIY....been reading,thinking about LED.......... JMO : )
one more thing...buy new lights....I would..then you know.

 

The fixture should do the trick. Definitely replace the bulbs with top of the line bulbs. I suggest buying 3 ATI Blue Plus, 2 ATI Aquablue Specials and 1 ATI Purple Plus.

 

+1 to this

 

sounds like a good plan. Thanks!