New fixture...general lighting question

[ScubaPrawn]

Hi, I'm considering upgrading from a FOWLR to a mixed reef tank w/ 2x150w HQI and 5x54w T5's. With that fixture on a 60x18x26 tank would I be limited in my choice of corals?

Thanks.

[ScubaPrawn]

bump

[solitude127]

You'd probably be limited to mostly LPS and softies. For that tall of a tank, 150w might have a hard time getting that deep.

[ScubaPrawn]

Thank you, I appreciate your input.

Anybody else?

[sirreal63]

A lot will depend on the fixture, the bulb and what T5 combination you choose. You probably will not be able to keep sps on the sandbed but with 10K halides and high par T5's (ATI Blue +) you can keep most corals happy, the more light demanding ones will need to be higher up.

Interesting fixture with 150's and 5 T5's, what is it?

[ScubaPrawn]

Thanks for the reply. It's actually 4 T5s. It's an outer orbit 60''

I plan on using 3 T5 ATI Blue plus, 1 ATI special, and two 14K 150w MH. Does it matter that my halides will be 14K rather than 10k?

[sirreal63]

Which 14K bulb and is it an electronic ballast or HQI? Different bulb and ballast combination's will have a different par.

[ScubaPrawn]

Blah, seems like I'm still over my head with this.

It's HQI, for the bulb I guess I could buy whatever brand gives me the best chance for coral growth.

[sirreal63]

Phoenix has high par but is very blue looking, if it were me, I would use a 10K and let all the T5's balance out the color.

[ScubaPrawn]

Thanks, I guess I'll go with phoenix 2-150w 10k, 3-54w ATI blue +, and 1-54w ATI special, or maybe 4 blue +.

That should be enough for SPS especially if put them near the top right?

What about clams on the bottom?

[sirreal63]

Phoenix is a 14K bulb, probably the best 10K bulb is XDE, pretty high par for a 150 watt bulb.

[ScubaPrawn]

Ok I'll have to look into XDE bulbs.

[solitude127]

For you T5's I'd look into adding an ATI P+ instead of the ATI Special (I'm assuming that's and Aquablue)