Lighting Upgrade

[VahanM]

I have a 50 gallon FOWLR with some very cheap lights and wanted to upgrade.

I was wondering if this was a good upgrade and if I can keep corals with this type of lighting?

The link doesn't seem to work so I'll just describe it.

24 inch 2x65 Watt Current USA PowerCompact Dual Satellite Fixture

Dual Daylight 6,700k/10,000k : 1 x 65 watt
Dual Actinic 420nm/460nm : 1 x 65 watt
No. of Switches: 2
Fan: Yes
Lunar Light Moon White : 1
Product Dimensions : 24.5" x 7.25" x 2.5"
Total Watts : 130 watt
Total Amps : 0.82

[LJA]

Don't go with power compact. Everything I've been told about lighting leads me to advise HO T5 or metal halide if you can afford them.

[VahanM]

Well the problem is that I only have room for a 24" fixture.

With 24" PCs, I can get 65watts but with 24" T5s, I can only get 24watts.

[Mariner]

You could keep some low light corals with that lighting (mainly softies and LPS). To have a flow blown reef, you'll probably need about twice that wattage. T-5's or Metal Halide would be better options if you can afford it.
FWIW,
Mariner

[Mariner]

Hmmmm...what are the dimensions of your hood/top?

Oh, and FYI, I've read that T-5's provide much more useable light to corals per watt than other fluourescent type lights, maybe even more than MH.
Mariner

[VahanM]

I'll have to go home and take some measuremnts.

I'm pretty sure the tank is 36" wide. I have a cheap fixture on top which is prolly about 30" wide but the bulbs inside are only 24" which is weird.

I can prolly fit a 30" fixture.

Anyway, it seems the important thing is that T5s are better than PCs so I'll take measurements and get the corresponding T5s.

Thanks guys.

[Tswifty]

check reefgeek.com

if you purchase a t5 unit with one reflector it's basically the same as your PC unit.

you want to make sure the t5's have individual reflectors for each bulb, which greatly increases their light output.

like I said check out www.reefgeek.com I like their IceCap retrofit kits. Very easy to install in a canopy.