Thinking about upgrading to t5s need some help

Right now I am running a 96 watt pc fixture on my 20 gallon tank getting about 4.8 watts per gallon. I have been looking around for a t5 fixture that will give me the ability to handle some different corals since I don't have the money to get my 75 going. I figured I would just upgrade my 20 gallon for the time being. My Lfs has a 156 watt wave point t5 fixture 4 x 39 watt, that would put me roughly at 7.6 watts per gallon. Is that too much for a 20 gallon or would it be sufficient? I don't want to spend the extra money if it's not going to work out for me. Just let me know what you think, I would appreciate it very much. Thanks in Advance

 

BossHog

IMHO - no its not to much light for a 20 gallon tank
it naturally depends what you want to keep in there, some corals as you know, come from under overhangs or in caves so they naturally would prefer not to have this much light intensity

the wattage increase is a bonus with the T5s as is the fact with reflectors the light can be sent where you want it, rather than with PCs where some of the light goes in the direction of its parallel glass tube

worth doing IMHO

Steve

 

The 4 x 24W would be sufficient for any coral you would want. Just put in them in an appropriate place in the tank. You could do clams also again putting them in the appropriate place based on their needs and lifestyle. Just do not get the purple bulb (actinic) they do not put out enough usable light to help your corals.