lighting

[slater666]

hope someone can give me some advice? i am changing lighting using 3 40 watt h/o flourescents 6500k and one coralife 50/50 plus a 40 w actinic. will this be enough for 55 gal dim: 48x20x12wide.thanks for any suggestions :?:

 

[ChrisRD]

What are you planning to keep in the tank?

 

[slater666]

I have right now 1 large gorgonian 1 colt coral 1 exenia button mushrooms bubble coral 1 anemone 2 damsels

 

[monkeyboy]

I'd be curious to know the wattage on the HO lamps since they don't make HO anymore (just normal output and VHO). Also, what kind of anemone is it?

 

[slater666]

sorry not h/o regular all 40 watts all together 180watts. the enenome is a sebae clown fish.

 

[liquid]

Personally I think you're pushing your luck having a bubble coral and anemones under 3 normal output flourescent bulbs. IMO that's not enough light for them.

Shane

 

[slater666]

well as i said it is not an anemone it is a pecular clown fish. as for the bubble coral it is doing great under just 2 40w 6500 and 1 20 watt actninic. also as i said i will be adding 1 more 40w 6500 a 40 watt actinic and the coralife 50/50.

 

[ChrisRD]

IMO you'll be fine to keep lower light stuff like mushrooms, zooanthids, etc. Once you add the extra lighting, if you use good reflectors and get the lamps close to the water you'll probably be OK with some moderate light stuff as well (like the Bubble Coral) higher in the tank. IMO you should target feed the Bubble Coral frequently.

BTW, if you're using regular 48" 40 Watt T-12 fluorescent lamps look for the GE Ultra Daylight lamp (6500K). It's one of the most intense NO lamps in that size and they are cheap and commonly available.

 

[slater666]

i actually have sylvania f40/865D 6500ks 2 right now and will be upgrading soon thanks for all the input.