Lighting Opinions - T5's on 24" Tall Tank?

[alohami]

I am going to be getting a 65g tank that is 36L x 18D x 24H. I am thinking about going with a Tek 6 x 39w fixture, but my concern is if that will be strong enough to penetrate a tank that is 24" tall. I don't plan to be SPS heavy at all, maybe a few here and there, if that. Mainly, I'd like to do a variety of softies, LPS, but I would eventually like to have a clam and an anemone.
I'd like to avoid halides if at all possible, but I don't want to do T5's and have them not be enough. So I'd like to get some opinions on whether you think this would be sufficient for what I want to do.

 

[rs1831]

I had aquactinics on a 70 gallon and I didn't feel like it was enough light. The only t-5 that I feel would be enough would be an ATI fixture.

 

[wangotango]

Since you don't plan on keeping many SPS, then you should be fine. Keep the softies towards the bottom and everything else in the upper 3/4.
I've seen 30" deep tanks lit with normally-driven T5ho with SPS at all levels without any problems.
-Justin

 

[alohami]

Originally Posted by rs1831
http:///forum/post/2512836
I had aquactinics on a 70 gallon and I didn't feel like it was enough light. The only t-5 that I feel would be enough would be an ATI fixture.
Oh, you just had to tell me about the ATI's, didn't you?! I have heard of them but never really checked them out. Wow, they are sweet. I can't believe they have a fixture with up to 10 bulbs in a 36"!! They might be a little out of my price range though. I'd have to save up a lot of pennies.

 

[alohami]

Originally Posted by WangoTango
http:///forum/post/2512847
Since you don't plan on keeping many SPS, then you should be fine. Keep the softies towards the bottom and everything else in the upper 3/4.
I've seen 30" deep tanks lit with normally-driven T5ho with SPS at all levels without any problems.
-Justin
Thanks, that's kind of what I was thinking too, but I just don't want to sink $500 into a fixture thinking it will be enough and then want to upgrade later, you know? I'm still in the planning/saving stage, so it will be awhile before I do anything, but I just want to get as much input as possible!

 

[wangotango]

I think you'd be fine if you used some lower K bulbs from a good brand, like the UVL aquasun to help with the penetration. You'll want some bluer bulbs to balance out the color, but don't go crazy with just actinics.
-Justin

 

[coachklm]

I have a 36" 8bulb ATI and will never go with anything else.. and my second 36" 8 bulb should be here next week...lol yeahhhh

6-8 bulbs for a 24" deep tank is plenty

I dont do well with mushrooms anymore but my sps are happy.

 

[alohami]

CoachKLM, so you currently have the 8 bulb ATI? May I ask how many gallons and how deep your tank is, and what configuration of bulbs you're using? Also, about how far off the surface do you have it?
I'm seriously considering going with a version of the ATI. Does anyone know if it has legs available, or does it have to be suspended from the ceiling?
Honestly, I don't want so much light that I can't keep mushrooms and other softies happy. I intend to have way more zoos, mushrooms, and a variety of LPS more so than SPS. The only high light things I hope to keep is an anemone and clam.
So I'm trying to figure out the perfect happy medium!