t5 question

[flboyinohio]

How many watts do should i have in a t5 unit for softies and maybe an anemone in a 55? I have a sweet deal waiting but I dont want to buy it if it wont help, its a HAGEN dual bulb with one powerglo and one lifeglo... kinda need help ASAP

 

[jpc763]

I don't think a 2 bulb t5 fixture is enough for an Anemone. The softies, probably. I have an Anemone under a 4x54w t5 fixture.

 

[dragonzim]

You will need at least a 4 bulb, or better yet, a 6 bulb T5 fixture with individual reflectors to keep an anemone healthy in a 55

 

[gmford1979]

i don't agree with them. i have a 55 gal. tank with the 2 bulb Nova T5. i bought a carpet anemone and it more than tripled in size in about 5 months. it did really good, but i had to sell it b/c it got too big for my tank. i could probably come up with a pic if you want. everything that i have had in there has done great with the light.

 

[drewdog82]

I guess it all depends. I had a 4x54 Nova T-5 fixture over my 55. All of my corals did great (hammer, zoos, moon, shrooms, toadstool) and even my flame scallop did great....but I didn't have good success with BTA's or an LTA. One of my BTA's lasted about 6 months and then slowly shrank away. I know that many ppl recommend getting individual reflectors when it comes to T-5 lights. Tek does have them and also the nova extreme pro also....

 

[flboyinohio]

Thanks everyone, what if i used the t5 dual and a 135 watt PC?

 

[wangotango]

I don't think the Hagen fixture use HO-T5, just standard-output. You want to use high output bulbs.
Personally I'd ditch the PC and go straight T5. 216w-270w would be ideal.
-Justin

 

[flboyinohio]

Thanks Justin,
In your opinion what do you think would be better for my tank? I am thinking of porbally not doing corals but I would like an anemone so would a retrofit under a canopy be any different then just t5's fixture on legs?

 

[reefraff]

If your tank hasn't been up and running at least 6 months I wouldn't try an anemone. Realistically if you commit to feeding it a few times a week you can keep an anemone under pretty low light. Two good T5's would be enough for an anemone if it can be under the lights while also being a ways up on the rocks.
My tank is 22" high and I had 2 BTA's hide behind the rocks because of the light my 6x54 system was putting out but it is a high end German unit. The Nova's and Coralife stuff aren't in the same league.