Lighting questions

[dtassoul]

Recently purchased a 4 blub Finnex T5 fixture for my 46 gal bow front.
I was trying to move from a 96w PC fixture in order to start keeping SPS corals as well as an occasional clam.

Right now just keep a variety of brains and mushrooms and well as LR and a few fish.

I'm fearing a was a little compulsive and should have at least bought a 6 bulb fixture or gone to the 175w MH that I was eyeing up for some time.

Any thoughts what I should do lightwise to start keeping SPS's?

[REMF]

See this thread, it will increase your light output 2x http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=738984

[dtassoul]

So do you think that if I were to retro fit the finnex with the individual reflextors there would be enought light to keep clams and SPS's?

[jimbo045]

MH seems safe for SPSs and Clams I say.

[REMF]

Your tank should be 21" deep right, do you run a bare bottom or do you have substrate? If you have a substrate bottom - how much, i.e. 2in sand then the light would only need to go 19" to the bottom. With good reflectors you could easily keep Clams and SPS, you might need to move them up some in your tank but you would have no problem. See these thread’s on T5 growth http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=728429.
http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=700454

[dtassoul]

It's about 17" after about 2.5" of sand.

I am planning on getting the tek reflectors to retrofit to this hood.

I just want to make sure that I'm not wasting my money by doing that versus just trying to sell it and get a new hood all together.

You do know that I have a 4 bulb T5 fixture right?

Thanks for the help

[dtassoul]

It's about 17" after about 2.5" of sand.

I am planning on getting the tek reflectors to retrofit to this hood.

I just want to make sure that I'm not wasting my money by doing that versus just trying to sell it and get a new hood all together.

You do know that I have a 4 bulb T5 fixture right?

Thanks for the help

[REMF]

IMO I would retro the hood first with good Ice Cap reflectors and see how you like it, you could always add 2 helios (sp) individual T5 light strips 1 in front and 1 in back, not sure how you would mount them but I’m sure it could be done. Just be sure to get the HO with individual reflectors. Then you could do a 6-bulb configuration however you like. The original 4-bulb fixture might be enough by itself? But it’s your money man.