Looking to Upgrade Lighting

tank1483

tank1483

Member
I have a 55gal running 260W PCs currently. For corals, all I have is some green zoos, a frogspawn and a kenya tree. I am looking into upgrading my lighting but am not sure if I should go with 48" 4x54 T5, 6x54 T5, or a couple of 150W MH.
I guess my goals would be able to keep some SPS but would like a nice mix of SPS, LPS and Soft Corals. Maybe a clam also.
Any suggestions?
Thanks!
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
You can get away with the T5HO...I'd get the 6 bulb for a 55G, and make sure they have the individual reflectors
 
wangotango

wangotango

Active Member
A good four-bulb fixture with individual reflectors and good bulbs (not a Nova or Wavepoint) would be enough.
-Justin
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
Originally Posted by WangoTango
http:///forum/post/3214648
A good four-bulb fixture with individual reflectors and good bulbs (not a Nova or Wavepoint) would be enough.
-Justin
LOL....the last time this question was posted by someone, I swear everyone said 6 would be better

I give up
 
stanlalee

stanlalee

Active Member
Originally Posted by meowzer
http:///forum/post/3214659
LOL....the last time this question was posted by someone, I swear everyone said 6 would be better

I give up


with an entry level fixture like those mentioned (current usa, aquatic life) a 6 bulb would likely be better especially with the stock bulbs but anything from a TEK on up a 4 bulb will EASILY be more then enough to keep anything. Typical PAR readings for quality 4 bulb T5 fixtures with quality bulbs are roughly equivalent to an average quality 250w set up (or in the case of a 55g with 4ft coverage 250w x2). now thats not saying they are equal to lumenarc reflected 250w XM10k's but they'll do anything a 250w sunpod or typical 250w retrokit can do.
 
spanko

spanko

Active Member
Originally Posted by Stanlalee
http:///forum/post/3214707
with an entry level fixture like those mentioned (current usa, aquatic life) a 6 bulb would likely be better especially with the stock bulbs but anything from a TEK on up a 4 bulb will EASILY be more then enough to keep anything. Typical PAR readings for quality 4 bulb T5 fixtures with quality bulbs are roughly equivalent to an average quality 250w set up (or in the case of a 55g with 4ft coverage 250w x2). now thats not saying they are equal to lumenarc reflected 250w XM10k's but they'll do anything a 250w sunpod or typical 250w retrokit can do.
Stan, those PAR readings, are they at the water surface - directly under bulbs or what? The reason I ask is I am wondering about the ability of the T5's to penetrate the water the way MH does. In other words are they good off the tank but do they lose PAR faster through the water column than MH?
 
wangotango

wangotango

Active Member
There is a thread on the other big forum that has PAR vs depth measurements comparing T5ho and halides. From what I remember, up to about 24" deep or so they are very similar, but after that the T5 begin to drop off much faster than the halides did.
That being said, I've seen a very nice 30" deep SPS dominated all T5 tank.
-Justin
 
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