would this t5 unit work for corals?

[dillon]

I would like to put corals and annenome's in my 55 galon tank and searching through all the lighting posts is making me dizzy. I dont think I want to run MH because as I understand they eat up electricity. So I was looking at this T5 fixture and its in my price range.

its a 4 x 54 watt unit and if I understand correctly t5's work a little differntly as far as watts per gallon. At 216 its almost 4 per gallon, but in reality it would be as good as a 4 x 65 CF unit right?

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=12772&N=2004+113175

anyway im not sure what corals I would like to keep as saltwater is all new to me, but I would like a good assortment. Just wanted to know if this fixture would be good enough for me.

thanks.

 

[dskidmore]

The real power of T5 is the parabolic reflector, that this fixture does have. Even better are the fixtures with one parabolic reflector per bulb, sending all the light straight down. I think you could keep a variety of soft corals with this lighting setup. The exact anemone species will affect how well it does under your lighting, do your research before picking one out. Also wait at least 6 months after your last major change to introduce an anemone, they require very stable water conditions.

 

[dillon]

my other option would be to build a canopy and put two of these in it
http://cgi.ebay.com/New-175-Watt-Me...756353362QQcategoryZ46314QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

but that wold put me at about 100 bucks more than I wanted to spend, plus I have to build a canopy, and I dont get the lunar lights, and I worry with the MH that I would have to add some supplemental acitinic lighting. I hate yellowish lighting.....

or mabye a vho retrofit system? http://hellolights.com/483lavhoreki.html

decisions, decisions :[/url]

 

[dskidmore]

Does that type of MH bulb require a UV shield? I never did get all the MH varieities straight.

I personally would go with the T5s. Just don't expect to be able to raise clams and stony corals under it.

 

[greenmaji]

Moguals dont need a sheild its built into the bulb, HQI's do.

T-5 NO's have similar performance as CF but with the correct reflectors can penitrate the water a bit deaper.
T-5 HO is more on par with MH light output but its not point source, lower light needing critters will need shade.