I'm beginning an upgrade to a 180 from my 75 and am considering going back to T5 for the new tank. The main reason is electricity cost and evaporation. Will 48" T5s be enough length to cover this tank? I will probably use a retro kit so there should be some light spill from the ends of the reflectors...right?
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48" of T5 enough for a 72" tank? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter bevoboy
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twitchy4821
Guest
Directly beneath the light there should be plenty of PAR to grow corals. On the 12 inches to either side of the light, I feel like you could grow soft corals and other things that require low light. But, don't follow my opinion only, as I am fairly new to this. I'm sure others will chime in soon enough to confirm or correct me of I am wrong.
flexrac
Guest
Honestly, it all depends on on if you will like the shadows on both sides of your tank, assuming they will be, are you using a fixture or diy with hood. that will matter as well. and the corals you keep will matter as well. if you already have the fixture, just put in the center of the tank and see wat you get. if the whole tank is lit, then you know it wil work, but you wil be limited to having most of your light demanding corals in the middle. while having less demanding light corals on the end.
know this: softies demand light as well, some more than others. zoa's (not all) demand light.
starpolyps demand light,mushrooms demand light, you will know when you see them stretching for the light, or they start to die. I had a star polyp in the corner of my tank, it was getting light but not enough, so it started to die, i have since relocated it and it's doing better, clove polyps are the same.
remember any coral you do not have to feed directly, will require light to grow.
know this: softies demand light as well, some more than others. zoa's (not all) demand light.
starpolyps demand light,mushrooms demand light, you will know when you see them stretching for the light, or they start to die. I had a star polyp in the corner of my tank, it was getting light but not enough, so it started to die, i have since relocated it and it's doing better, clove polyps are the same.
remember any coral you do not have to feed directly, will require light to grow.
thangbom4321
Guest
My bro's tank is only lit by 6 48'' T5HOs, and it is visually darker on the two ends. It's don't bother us though. It looks fine. Just don't try to grow light hungry corals there that's all.
NarnyTheGreat
Guest
I had a set up similar to this... two sides had less light than the middle. I put things like non light loving or low light. I even put mushrooms and zoas on the sides... not to far out but they did rather well. I did have to feed once a week so they had everything they needed. I think as long as you plan your placement you should be fine.
