T5s for a 20 long

[CJ]

I have kept a RBTA successfully for some years under a Current USA satellite fixture with 130Watts of PC. 65W 10k/6.5K and 65W 420/460nm.

I would like to change my lighting to T5s mostly for coloration purposes.

I have a 20 long so I would need a 30" fixture. These fixtures only come with 24" bulbs, 24 watts either 2 or 4 bulbs.

My tank is 12" deep and the light is one inch above the tank. How many 24" T5 bulbs would I need to equal the PAR of my 130watts of PC? I want to make sure that my anemone survives the change.

Thank You.

[DC_40gallon]

4 I think, 39watts each.

I'm new to the lighting game, learning a lot myself. I have a 40 breeder and we have a 36 inch Current USA PC (2x 96watts each). I haven't decided if this is enough light or if I should sell it and go T5 or MH.

It's a reef tank with clowns and scissortail goby's.

[RokleM]

4 I think, 39watts each.

I'm new to the lighting game, learning a lot myself. I have a 40 breeder and we have a 36 inch Current USA PC (2x 96watts each). I haven't decided if this is enough light or if I should sell it and go T5 or MH.

It's a reef tank with clowns and scissortail goby's.

4 bulbs yes, 39w no.

24" bulbs are 24w. 36" are 39w. There would be some major overhang and light spill if 36" bulbs or fixture was used. Some manufactures do make a 30" fixture that has 24" bulbs in them. What type of budget are you looking at?

[CJ]

Thank you for the replies.

My budget is open. I'm mostly concerned about getting enough light. 130Watts of PCs seems like an awful lot compared to 96 Watts of T5s? My RBTA is happy but my zoos look awful under PCs.

The only fixture I found with more that 24Watt per bulb is a 30" Coralife with 27 1/2" bulbs with 31 watts. But that would only be 62 Watts of light. I would need 2 fixtures giving me 124 Watts. I did consider this but am concerned that the bulbs being different lengths than the standard may be more difficult to find. Not sure about the quality of that fixture either.

[emoore]

With good reflectors 96W of T5 will put much more light into the tank than 130W of PCs. Don't get hung up on the wattage, it is not important. What is important is the amount of light going into the tank.