Last light question...

[DrunkenSunday]

Ok I've been asking a few questions on lighting for different tanks lately. Mainly because I wasn't sure if I wanted to set up my 90g or 135g. Now I know I'm going with the 135g. I also now know for sure I don't want any sps corals. To me they are boring. After researching all diferent corals, I've come to the conclusion I only want lps, soft corals, mushrooms and polyps. And here's the kicker, I want one (probably) bubble tip anenome. So, on to my question....

I absolutely want to run t5 lights with individual reflectors at a low cost. How much wattage would you recommend?

[zy112]

What are the dimensions of the 135?

[DaveK]

Originally Posted by DrunkenSunday

... So, on to my question....

I absolutely want to run t5 lights with individual reflectors at a low cost. How much wattage would you recommend?

In my opinion, there "aint no such animal."

Typically, although it's not a hard fast rule, you want at least 4 watts of light per gallon of water. 6 would be better. To keep LPS and soft corals, you are looking at about 540 to 810 watts of light over the tank. You might get away with a bit less, but I wouldn't recommend it.

Such a fixture and bulbs isn't going to come cheep, and it's not going to be cheep to operate. Note too that you are almost in the same watt range as MH's would be. That is 2 or 3, 250w MH bulbs, for 500 to 750 watts.

I'm not trying to push MH on you, if you like T5s. There are advantages and disadvantages both ways. I simpley want to point out that good light doesn't come cheep.

[DrunkenSunday]

Originally Posted by zy112

What are the dimensions of the 135?

72x18x24

[DrunkenSunday]

Originally Posted by DaveK

In my opinion, there "aint no such animal."

Typically, although it's not a hard fast rule, you want at least 4 watts of light per gallon of water. 6 would be better. To keep LPS and soft corals, you are looking at about 540 to 810 watts of light over the tank. You might get away with a bit less, but I wouldn't recommend it.

Such a fixture and bulbs isn't going to come cheep, and it's not going to be cheep to operate. Note too that you are almost in the same watt range as MH's would be. That is 2 or 3, 250w MH bulbs, for 500 to 750 watts.

I'm not trying to push MH on you, if you like T5s. There are advantages and disadvantages both ways. I simpley want to point out that good light doesn't come cheep.

Wow....I only have about $600 to spend. Guess I might have to start thinking of going with the 90g again.

[zy112]

Well, I too am a fan of halides. But I think a lot of people will disagree with wpg when talking about T5's. I def dont think you need that many whats of T5. Honestly, if you can resist an anemone I think you will be more than fine with a T5 fixture. Still gonna cost some cash though.

Hopefully some of the T5 gurus can step in.

[DaveK]

Originally Posted by DrunkenSunday

Wow....I only have about $600 to spend. Guess I might have to start thinking of going with the 90g again.

I don't think you'll have a problem finding something for your 135 for that kind of money.

What I didn't want to see you do is go out and get some bargain fixture for "29.95" and expect it to perform like a high end fixture.

Since your tank is 72 inches long, you may want to go with two 36" fixtures. That may be a lot less expensive than something that is 72 inches long. Price things both ways. BTW, a 36 inch fixture is a lot easier to deal with.

If you think about T5s for a moment, they are in effect a PC that has been straighted out. What gives T5 their big performance advantage over PC and VHO is that T5's can get backed up by very effective reflectors. A PC, since it's bent back on itself uses something like 1/3 it's light lighting up the other half of the bulb.

If you are into DIY projects, you might be able to build yourself a fixture. Many have made very nice things here, and saved some money. If you do this make sure you use T5 specific reflectors and position them correctly. Otherwise, you loose the advantages of T5s.