How many watts of t5 lighting for a 20 gallon

[saltwaternewbie12]

tank is a20 tall.....in the cycling stage now.....How many watts of T5 lighting should I use? How many bulbs? planning to eventually grow soft and sps corals

 

[oyf709]

If we using the old "watt per gallon" to calculate, you should be need at least 6 watt per gallon. However, in a small tank as 20G, you might reconsider the combination. Lighting is not the only thing you should consider, you also need to think about the water flow. SPS need very strong flow but soft coral hate strong flow. If you are in a bigger tank you can do it simply choose to place coral at different location. However with smaller tank, you will not have that benefit. Therefore, you might have to choose either or.

 

[saltwaternewbie12]

it will be mostly softies....I was told 96 watts of t5.....sounds correct?

 

[oyf709]

I think it is more than enough. Please be on top of changing bulbs. Otherwise a year down the road, u would be start growing algae instead

 

[saltwaternewbie12]

They need to be changed every 9-10 months rights?

 

[oyf709]

Yes that's about right