Lighting

[mcm13yn]

Newbie here, 2 weeks into cycle for a 135 gal display tank w/50 gal sump. Pics posted here http://maast.org/forums/album.php?albumid=159

I have 4 retrofit T5s installed and I'm being told this is not enough for LPS from the local shops. I only have room for 2 more T5s, but I'm considering 2 250w hqi MH (double ended) if I can find them at a reasonable price. What is enough lighting? Is my current setup enough for SPS? Any suggestions?

[recoiljpr]

Newbie here, 2 weeks into cycle for a 135 gal display tank w/50 gal sump. Pics posted here http://maast.org/forums/album.php?albumid=159

I have 4 retrofit T5s installed and I'm being told this is not enough for LPS from the local shops. I only have room for 2 more T5s, but I'm considering 2 250w hqi MH (double ended) if I can find them at a reasonable price. What is enough lighting? Is my current setup enough for SPS? Any suggestions?

Without exact par levels in your tank no one can give you a certain answer, only opinions. So my opinion is you do not have enough light with just 4 T5s on a 135 for a SPS tank. On most tanks under 24" T5's penetrate enough to give enough par to SPS if you have enough of them. I don't primarily run T5s others on this board can tell you how many they think you would need.

As for MH, with a lumenbright, you would probably need 3 lamps (they focus the light into a narrower beam) whereas with a lumenarc reflector, 2 may possibly be enough, but i'm not positive. Juast as with T5's reflectors with MH make a huge difference. I would not skimp on them if you go MH.

I personally run 2 X 175W 10K mogul base MH on my 65 gallon using lumenbrights mounted about 13" above the water with 2 actinics T5s for supplementation. A 250w will have the penetrating power, the only question would be the reflector and how high they will be mounted off of the water.

What kind of reflectors do the bubls you are getting have?
What K bulb would you want to run?
Do you have any cross bracing on your tank, or is it euro braced or a brick?

I see your in NB, you are more then welcome to come by anytime and take a look at my lighting setup if you'd like. PM me and i'll give you my address.

[ErikH]

Whenever you come by tomorrow???? You can see my tanks. I have T5 and Halides, so you will be able to see why metal halides are just gorgeous. If you own your home, do like Ace and put in some solartubes! Holy cow they are the bomba.

[Crazyeyes]

Check out sanjays info.
http://www.manhattanreefs.com/lighting (http://www.manhattanreefs.com/lighting)
This helped me out on what lights to get hope that it helps you.