Enough T-5's for SPS?

jimi thing · #1 12/25/2007, 05:35 PM

I have a pretty shallow tank (14.5") and I'm running 6X39w T5 HO's with SLR's. The lights are about 4" off the water line.

I was planning on going softies and some LPS only but I got a good deal on a monti cap frag and green slimer frag. Both frags are high on the rocks.

So, do you think the lighting will be alright or should I get 2 more T5's?
Thanks!

Corndork2 · #2 12/25/2007, 05:47 PM

Your fine for aboutr anything with 6x T5 and 15in depth. The SLR's also give you a serious boost. Whats your current bulb combo?

jimi thing · #3 12/25/2007, 05:51 PM

Here's the configuration of the bulbs

jimi thing · #4 12/25/2007, 05:55 PM

4) 10K
2) ACT 03

jlt23 · #5 12/25/2007, 05:55 PM

I have a 3' tank that is only 14" tall, with 4 x39 T5's w/SLR. Everything looks great. My monti caps and green slimmer look good and they are mid to high on the rocks. Good luck.

jimi thing · #6 12/25/2007, 08:43 PM

Cool, thanks!

Corndork2 · #7 12/25/2007, 11:48 PM

The only thing see as a problem is that you have 6 T5 but they are in parallel pairs...almost making it 3x80w T5, some sps might need more

barjam · #8 12/26/2007, 01:16 AM

That will not be good enough to do SPS adequately. Some will grow but won't look that good (but perhaps good enough for your tastes). Things to try (really high) would be montis although you may find that cap's color will be dull and you will be unable to color up purple digi so avoid that. Some acros may grow ok but the color will be bleh.

If it were me I would remount the lights as tight in as possible and directly over the sps. The spacing you have will really, really, really cut down on intensity.

jimi thing · #9 12/26/2007, 01:28 AM

If I were to add one more act 03 would that help? I was thinking tha I wanted a little more blue, as the tank is a little yellow.

jimi thing · #10 12/26/2007, 01:32 AM

The ballast's that I have will handle 2 more 39w, so if I were to add one more on each side would that be enough?

barjam · #11 12/26/2007, 02:13 AM

Is your water clear? Check that first when a tank looks yellow.

Of course more lights would help, 4 T5 over an area is minimum in my opinion for SPS. For SPS you want your bulbs to be as tight as possible (reflectors overlapping or at least touching) and your SPS directly under that preferably centered.

Grim's current recomendation for a 4x fixture (which your upgrade would be 4x2) would be something like this:

Blue Plus
Actinic
daylight
Blue Plus

That would be decent par and very, very blue.

jimi thing · #12 12/26/2007, 03:34 AM

Thanks for the info!