T5 Light

[Fat Freddie]

I have a 6 lamp T5 light out put is 324watts on a 72bow front. That is 4.5 watts per gallon. My ? is, how should I treat my coral selection. Will I be able to put Acroporas in. Really if anybody has suggestions or has experience with high watt T5s I would like to hear what you have to say.
FF

[shag26272]

what kind of light is it? I just got the TEK light 6x54 and plan to keep Acros

[Fat Freddie]

Nova extreme pro. How do you like the TEK almost got one, but found the Pro on sale $350 with bulbs.

[shag26272]

Just got it today, its great so far.

[Aquarist007]

[welcome]
with the t5's many reefers have success with acropora and other sps's. Some that really want the lights place high on the reef.

[Fat Freddie]

Alright $ here $ we $ go$$$

[demonsp]

The amount of light per gallon though not 100% reliable would mean your getting 4.5 watts per gallon at the bottom and higher mid to top. I would be sure you had individuel reflectors for best light output.They sell mod kits.

I think a mixed reef would be fine with the stonyes mid to high range and softies anywhere.

[Fat Freddie]

Well I don't think I would be getting 4.5 at the bottom but if some of the people i talk to are right then T5 light emits a fuller spectrum than an mh. I'm not saying it's true, I have yet to have any new mh to test this myself. ??? Is it purity of light or intensity, and is one better than the other if only one is available???

[Capt_Cully]

What you have to be concerned about it PAR (Photosynthetically Active Radiation) more than just Watts per gallon. Many reefers are switching to T5's from MH's because they are cooler, have better spectrums to choose from and combine. They are also finding that with the right bulbs and reflectors, that they are getting bigger PAR readings than with T5's which maintains the argument that you can keep SPS and even Clams under T5's. Many MH lovers (myself included) maintain that you just don't get the "shimmer" with T5's, but lots of guys say that with the right surface turbidity you can reproduce it fine.

[Capt_Cully]

CHECK THIS OUT: pics to explain what I'm saying:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1352234&highlight=PCIALF

[Fat Freddie]

So it sounds as if T5 light might be better for the over health of the corals?? Thanks for all the info, more ? to come.