How much is to much (1 Viewer)

[NarnyTheGreat]

I have a 60 gallon 24 x 24 x 25 tall cube.

I am looking to keep sps, clam, etc... I currently have a 24" 4 bulb aquaticlife fixture and was thinking of getting another 4 bulb and adding it to the tank. Would an 8 bulbs be to much for this tank?

 

[NarnyTheGreat]

Anyone??? Bump

 

[webster1234]

With a 25" deep tank and 24" wide, I wouldn't think a 4 bulb T5 would be enough for SPS and a clam long term. So you would be fine with a second light. 24" is a lot of width for a 4 bulb to cover. I would think 6 bulbs might be better but you can always give 2- 4 bulb fixtures a try since you already have one. If you feel like the light is too intense, you can raise them up a bit. I have the same 4 bulb Aquaticlife fixtures over my QT tanks and the tanks are only 12" wide and 18" deep, so coverage wise, you would most likely be fine.

 

[NarnyTheGreat]

Thank you. That is just what I wanted to know.

 

[Andrew_B]

25" is a pretty deep tank for t5s. Even with 8 bulbs, penetration may still be an issue for the clams down on the sand bed. You may need to resort to leds or a single 400w MH

 

[NarnyTheGreat]

Really? 400w mh? I thought that a 400w mh would BAKE my sand?

 

[James Lynch]

I have a 6 bulb t5 on my 24 inch deep tank and my clam is doing fine on the bottom.

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[Andrew_B]

General info by Marine Depot
Metal Halide Bulb Information

They say 250w up to 24", 24" and deeper go to 400w. And with wanting SPS, I'd go with the 400 route and raise/lower if needed. I've read those same numbers on other pages as well. Obviously a 250w would work if you used better than "stock" ballasts/reflectors

 

[NarnyTheGreat]

Wow, I never would have thought a 400w mh would work for this tank.

The next problem I have is that I really dont like just the mh look. I love T5's color choices.

 

[James Lynch]

Try a combo light so you can have a mix of them.

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[webster1234]

Try a combo light so you can have a mix of them.

I really like the combo lights but he said his objective was to add to his existing T5 setup. If you want to spend a little extra, the combos are nice, and the MH will give you the shimmer that you don't get from the T5's alone (if you like that). Also, do you have a chiller on you tank? If you run MH (or even 8 T5's) there's a chance you are going to run into heat issues. My 4 bulbs are borderline on my tanks regarding heat and I have them about 14" above the surface.

 

[NarnyTheGreat]

I really like the combo lights but he said his objective was to add to his existing T5 setup. If you want to spend a little extra, the combos are nice, and the MH will give you the shimmer that you don't get from the T5's alone (if you like that). Also, do you have a chiller on you tank? If you run MH (or even 8 T5's) there's a chance you are going to run into heat issues. My 4 bulbs are borderline on my tanks regarding heat and I have them about 14" above the surface.

Right now, I have to run a heater on my tank and its stable at 76 degrees. I dont think I will have a heat issue with the t5s but I know I will with the mh as they get so hot. I do not have a chiller hooked up to this tank nor do I want one.

Even if the T5s get it up to 78 I am ok with that. Stability is key I think. I might just suck it up and get a 6 bulb but I dont know... I dont think I will make any decisions on the light until after NextWave. I could always win/find something there lol.

Also, Narny is a SHE

 

[webster1234]

You might come out better buying a 6 bulb T5 and selling your 4 bulb than you would buying another 4 bulb. People are always looking for those 24" 4 bulbs for QT tanks etc.