need some help here

Moonstream · #1 11/18/2007, 09:44 PM

I was just wondering if it would be possible to use this light
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...2&pcatid=12772
as well as a PC coralife aqualight to light a 30g, a 40 breeder, or a 50g? the models are the 24" nova extreme and the 30" 65 watt PC. I would be keeping LPS, if there is enough light then some SPS, and softys. I have both these lights already, just laying around, if they wouldnt work over the 30g could the T5 light work okay over a 29g?

fishdoc11 · #2 11/18/2007, 11:41 PM

So how many bulbs/watts total do you allready have of PC's?
What size tank are you most likely to go with?
It's not a bad idea to try what you have first before buying something else when you are on a budget. LPS and softies will typically do pretty well under PC's.....SPS typicall won't unless you have a lot of bulbs.

Chris

reefD · #3 11/19/2007, 12:09 AM

t5s do support corals for long term but only low light corals like mushrooms and buttons. anything else wont do so well with t5s. dont get me wrong with enough wattage it would work but that many t5 bulbs can be replaced with one or two pc;s. ur sps idea with t5s isnt adaquate....if u want softies only ur good but adding stonies will create a constant hill for u to climb. its possable but complicated. id use them then upgrade when u see fit.

fishdoc11 · #4 11/19/2007, 07:12 AM

FWIW there are lots of nice SPS tanks out there run with T5's.
http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...readid=1083336
If you did decide to go with T5's Moonstream I would suggest another fixture or a retro with individual reflectors. You will get a lot more usable light to the tank that way.
Chris

Moonstream · #5 11/19/2007, 08:05 AM

I am on a budget, so I was thinking 4 40 watt bulbs, and then the 1 65 watt PC bulb. reefD I dont belive that is true, many people have clams, SPS, and touchy LPS under T5HOs. I have several LPS that are doing great under my T5HOs in my 20g. if I end up needing it I will order indivisual refelectors, or may end up just getting a 48" tank and using a diff fixture. by the way, the most likely tanks I would be egtting are 40br, 55g, 60g, and 75g. anything over the 40g I would be getting a diff light fixture.