I have a question about t-5 lighting.

[hemmer]

Generally compared to regular flourescent fixtures the t-5's have less watt output. Since they are t-5 is less watts required for corals, and also better?

 

[hemmer]

I am thinking about getting this. I have a 45 gallon tank so that would be about 3.5watts per gallon.

36" T5 HO AQUARIUM LIGHT CICHLID T-5 REEF LIGHT 3FT#U72 - eBay (item 360150156780 end time May-25-09 19:48:22 PDT)

 

[mtlion]

I have a sundial T-5 with actinic, daylight, and moonlight LED's with built in timers and I love it!

 

[Justin1989]

Wattage isnt everything in this case. T5 are more intense and will penetrate the water greater than T8's will. The set would be fine for quite a few corals. Others will have better responses. My tank has a total of 5.8watts per gallon.

 

[hemmer]

Ok. Mostly i just want mushrooms and maybe a toadstool and those say low to moderate lighting. I think 3.5w should work for those.

 

[melosu58]

Moved to General Hardware and equipment discussion. I agree with Justin as far as intensity. WPG is a very broad rule that has become quite outdated but it`s sometimes easier to convey to newbies than intensity or par.

 

[hemmer]

Well i went with that 156w 36" t-5. I think is should be a huge upgrade from my 24" 65w under canopy coralife pc. My tank dimensions are 36x12x24-high. So its a tall 45 gallon, but i feel the lighting should be perfect.

 

[hemmer]

I started reading reviews on this thing and people say the old ones catch fire. How do i know if i have the old magnetic ballast or the new electronic one?

 

[hemmer]

nevermind i looked at the page i bought it from and it says electronic.

 

[Justin1989]

Generally since you have recently ordered it; it should be a new ballast. You shouldn't have to worry in my opinion. If the catching fire was a common problem it would have been fixed and never used the old again.