lighting ? 400watts

emilsanto · 05-05-2006, 01:03 PM

i am begining a salt water tank i have a 125 gallon tank i was looking ant a light that is 400watts useing t5 bulbs. is this enought light to keep live rock going. also what other things could i keep with this lighting beside just fish.? amones. polyup's ect. i would apprecaite help
thanks

kevinnq · 05-05-2006, 01:07 PM

what is your tank size? deepth? and what kind of corals you want to keep? mostly with anemone i heard that you must have MH, as for SPS and clams.

Geoff · 05-05-2006, 03:18 PM

Welcome to TRT!!

i have a 125g also. i do not have any experience with T5's, but 400w of flourescence would not be enough light for clams and anemones. i am guessing your tank is also 22" tall. right now i am running 2-250w MH's and 2-160w VHO's. i plan on keeping all SPS and clams. i had 400w MH's over it, but i found this to much light with a Bare Bottom tank. it was about right with a DSB tank though, which mine was before removing the sand completely before my move.

i do not know how many watts of T'5's you can cram into an 18" wide canopy, but it could be enough for keeping clams at the top of the tank. the question becomes if it is electrically smart to use that many T5's. you may very well use less watts using an MH than the T5's.

G~

ReelFreak · 05-05-2006, 04:02 PM

Dimensions of the tank, and specifics on the light will help. T5 HO w/ individual reflectors are enough for SPS and anemones.....My tank is proof of that. I have great growth from both under my T5 lights. Individual reflectors are the key here, and if you're doing a canopy use the icecap reflectors and you will be fine.

So what kind of lights are you looking at? Have a link?

emilsanto · 05-05-2006, 10:39 PM

the light i was thinking about buying is at doctorfostetersmith.com it is a 8bulb fixture using t5 bulbs ant 54watts each. i think it is made by sunlight supply. i was hopeing it would be good for live rock. ect. my tank is a 125 gallon.

emilsanto · 05-05-2006, 10:44 PM

here is the link to the light
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...04+2033+113030

Geoff · 05-06-2006, 12:54 AM

that looked like a 36" fixture. your tank is 72" long. are you going to get 2 of them? are you thinking of the 8 tube or the 4 tube version?

G~

emilsanto · 05-06-2006, 12:08 PM

i think i posted the wrong link. they also have a 48'' version with 8 bulbs.
do you think that 8 t-5's at 54watts each is enough.
thanks

ReelFreak · 05-06-2006, 02:55 PM

If you have a 6 foot tank and use a 4 foot fixture, the ends of the tank might look pretty dim....You might consider builiding a canopy and retrofitting 2- 36" retro kits to get the best coverage. Or getting 2 of the 36" fixtures....

T5 HO w/ individual reflectors is a great alternative to the heat/ cost issue associated w/ MH. That's the reason I use them personally. I like MH lights, but they won't work for me right now. I highly recommend T5 to those looking for an alternative to MH. HTH