T5 Lighting ( How long do i keep them on? )

roboticfish

roboticfish

Member
Hello,
So recently i purchased new High Output T-5 Aqualight fixtures from Coralife. Came with (1) 10000K 54 W T5HO / (1) Actinic 03 54 W T5HO. ( 48 Inches on a 75G Tank )
I guess my questions are, I've been running them for about 6 months now and my live rock is as plain as it was when i first turned the lights on, i dont see my coraline growing ( i have the lights on from 7AM-9AM and then 1PM-7PM total of 9 hours a day ). I'm getting some Green Algae and thats about it.
Should i upgrade the bulbs?
I know this is a loaded question without more detail please feel free to ask more questions as im not sure. ( Tank is 2 1/2 years old )
 
mr. limpid

mr. limpid

Active Member
If you had the fixture for 6 months it may be time to replace bulbs, see manufacture sugestion, not sure the type with coralife fixtures. They do have bulbs that last 12 months at twice the price. The length of time depends on what is in your tank, the time you have now is good for fish only, but if you have corals or trying to grow coraline algea I suggest leaving them on for 10 to 12 hours.
 
nikesb

nikesb

Active Member
definately get better bulbs (ATI, korallen-zucht, etc). as for coralline, keep a good balance of calcium, alk, and magnesium. ive grown coralline under regular flood lights so its not so much about lights.
for calcium u should be looking at 420-450
alkalinity 9-10
magnesium 1400.
the magnesium levels keep a balance in your system that will allow for better calcification of coralline and other hard corals.
 
nikesb

nikesb

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Limpid http:///forum/thread/385618/t5-lighting-how-long-do-i-keep-them-on#post_3382570
If you had the fixture for 6 months it may be time to replace bulbs, see manufacture sugestion, not sure the type with coralife fixtures. They do have bulbs that last 12 months at twice the price. The length of time depends on what is in your tank, the time you have now is good for fish only, but if you have corals or trying to grow coraline algea I suggest leaving them on for 10 to 12 hours.
no need for your lights to be on 10-12 hours. 8 hours is the max id ever go for all daylights. 6 hours daylights and 9 hours actinics is what i run in my tank
 
roboticfish

roboticfish

Member
I'm using
http://coralifeproducts.com/product/hoods-light-fixtures/
T5 H.O DUAL
Can i replace the bulbs with better ones not coralife brand?
Nike you mentioned ATI and Kor, these will fit?
 
nikesb

nikesb

Active Member
yes they will. just get the correct size. coralife bulbs are nothing compared to ATI and KZ
 
monsinour

monsinour

Active Member
ATI bulbs for the win. do you have a piece of rock in the tank with coraline on it already? Not sure it can grow where there wasnt any before.
 
roboticfish

roboticfish

Member
I think that's the problem, let me post some pictures.
because im almost 100% certain i have none. If i go buy a good peice of rock with good seeding on it, will it spread?
 
nikesb

nikesb

Active Member
it sure will. you can also scrape off some of the coralline off a rock and spread it around your tank
 
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