Lighting for New Setup

[holidayinn]

Hi

I am expecting my new 6foot tank to arrive next saturday. I have all filters, heaters etc from previous set-up but need to sort out my lighting.

I'm planning to keep cichlids, have a few already, at the moment not planning to go the planted route, but may change mind at a later date.

Questions:

Is T5 that much more energy efficient then T8?

If I go T5, I plan to purchase an arcadia twin electronic controller in either 54W or 36W. Which would you recommend?

I am concerned with two 54W bulbs, would there be an algae frenzy? Also, would it be too bright? It would work out at just under 1W per gallon.

 

[vizonofdisorder]

It really depends on what you are running for the algae. If you are wanting a more realistic color id got for 6500k, if you want a blue tint id go for a 10,000k. Im running a reef sun 50/50 bulb on my 40g breeder. Single T8 bulb and it looks good, has a blue tint and looks much like a salt water setup, plus it is very bright, with my white sand it is almost too bright. I guess a con is the bulb was 25 bucks but im happy with it