lighting for corals?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
It is going to depend on what size tank you have, and the depth of the tank. T5 light penetrates to about 60cm (~24 inches) of depth, anything past that metal halides need to be used.

And while the ole watts per gallon isnt the best approach, you want 4+ watts per gallon. Someone may be able to come in and tell you how many lumens you need, but again, we need to know tank specs.
 
Just be sure they have individual reflectors. I have 6 T5s over my 90g tank:

FTSFeb2010.jpg
 
Not knowing you tank specs I am going to say probably not sufficient for corals.

At those prices though you could probably purchase several (3-4) and run them side by side which would likely provide sufficient light intensity.

Edit: After re-examining the link I see now that I was looking at the bulb prices and not the fixtures.
 
True though, it's always cheaper to install them into a canopy then to buy the entire fixture.
 
My dad has the same set up as the pic above, those lights will b fine, my dad has been from one extreme to the other with lights. He setteled back with those lights ur looking at. His tank is 90g and has a clam that is thriving at the bottom with those lights. But from what I understand lumes are more impostant then watts.
 
what type of canopy should i get to put the bulbs in? btw im currently running a standard 55 gal, and as far as corals, just the basics mushrooms, so zoos and maybe an anemone
 
You'll need the best lighting possible for an anemone. T5s being fine for that. You can build yourself a nice, wooden canopy to install T5 into or just get the fixture.
 
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