do i have enough light

[tim.hunt7]

hey im just setting up my 48x24x24" reef tank and currently i am running 8x54watt t5HOtubes will this be enough to support most corals ihave 2 spare 54watt units if i need them i also have about 90kg+ of LR including what is in my sump do you think this is enough

[dannable]

The general rule is about 3 watts per gallon. That is a 120 Gallon Tank? So at 3 watts per gallon you should have around 350 Watts. 8 x 56 is over 450 watts so you should be just fine IMO.

90lbs of live rock is fine, as long as you are skimming and have lots of flow.

[tim.hunt7]

90KG not pounds of LR and i have about 3000g/hr running trough and at the moment i am just waiting for my skimmer to arrive any particular one you recommend for in sump and what about cucumbers can i keep them if i have a skimmer or will the skimmer remove to much nutrience the the cucumber needs

[Dubbin1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11988095#post11988095 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dannable
The general rule is about 3 watts per gallon.

Thats an old rule and really means nothing.

[mwmp5]

I just went through this when I upgraded from a 36 bow fron to a 90 gal 48"x 18"x 24". I purchased the same thing 8 - 54watt- T5s. My LFS has a display tank they have up and running for three years ( same tank you have ) , and they only run 6 - 54watt- T-5's. I think you will be more than fine, and they have all kinds of coral in theirs.

[zeblisik]

I would add a MH.
The problem with T5 and CF and such is....(please excuse my lack of finesse with this explanation, but this is how I understand it)

....that the light comes from the entire length of the bulb, therefore its intensity is low as compared to MH, its light source comes from a single point.... which is optimal for animals needing very intense light, such as stony corals and clams.

This is not to say that they wont survive or even prosper under your t5s.