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#1
10/24/2007, 12:21 PM
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Is this enough T5
I have a 30g reef tank and was hoping I have enough light. I have had corals for a while but they just aren't growing like I had hoped, so here is what I have. 2X24w T5 ho 10000k bulbs and 2X18w NO actinic bulbs. Is this enough to stimulate zoanthid and soft coral growth?
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#7
10/24/2007, 01:54 PM
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I think you're going to be fine for your livestock choices. Does each bulb have an individual parabolic reflector? Personally, I would go with as many T5 as you can fit under there. Possibly 3. You should be able to keep just about anything that you want in there besides high light demanding corals (IE Acropora). You might be able to do fine with some Montipora placed high in the middle.
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Travis Stevens |
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#9
10/24/2007, 04:28 PM
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Wow. If he doesnt have enough...then I DEF. dont have enough. I only have 2 bulbs in my lighting fixture. Its by CoralLife....it has a T5 28W 48inch 10,000K, and a T5 28W 48inch True Actinic 03 Blue.
My tank is a 55g of typical dimensions. So far, I only had a brain coral that came on some live rock, it did well for about 6 months and then over a period of about 2 weeks completely died. I also have some sand polyps, a sun coral (doesnt need light) and two small ricordea polyps...all seem to be doing OK. Do you guys think I should get more light? The problem is that I have a canister filter because I have to have one for space. I cant stretch lights across the top, except for in the front. Should I try suspending them over the filter? |
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#10
10/25/2007, 10:07 AM
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You will probably need more light because you don't have individual reflectors. Is you fixture High Output? Even if it is you will need more light. You should probably build a canopy and hang T5 High output retro-fit in it. that would keep it off your filter. I looked up those freedom filters, I have never seen anything like that before. How do they work?
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#11
10/26/2007, 10:04 AM
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Actually, its a funny thing...when I got into this hobby I knew nothing, so the space I had created for my tank was actualy a bad thing. I fabricated a steel bracket that bolted into the studs of my addition to my house. I wanted the tank sort of suspended in the air above my bar. Well, come to find out, that sort of eliminated the possibility of doing alot with my tank, as far as plumbing. I also had no access to the back of the tank, or the sides, because it hugs the wall, and it surrounded by cabinets. So, I went to my LFS and they told me about the Freedom Filter. It had basically everything I needed, skimmer, bio, mech & chem filtration all in one, and it says that they can handle up to a 300g full reef system (mines only 55g and its not a reef tank).
So, I bought it and everyone told me I was a fool, it was a canister, hang in the tank type deal, and it would be a 'nitrate factory'. Can't tell you how many times I heard that. So its been 10 months, and I have never had a single bit of nitrates/nitrites, ammonia, or algae or anything bad. My water has had perfect readings on phos, calcium, pH, salinity, etc. So, I guess I am one success story. Everyone else I have talked to has had similar luck. There is actually a HUGE fish store south of here that started using them individually on alot of thier display tanks cause they're so easy to use. I would recommend one to anyone. They take up no more room than a regular overflow box, and you dont have to do anything accept a recommended charcoal bag swap once a month or so. I even talked to a guy who took the guts out and filled it with live rock rubble, and hes had nothing but success. I keep some clownfish, chromis, mandarin goby, some shrimp, crabs, snails, etc.....never had a problem. I had a brain coral type thing die recently but I think it was a lighting issue, like you said. I'm gonna look into it for sure! Thanks! |
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