T5 lighting on 58 gal tank - how much ??

[j-123]

hi,,

wow ,,, a ton of info on the T-5 lighting post ... need some help on deciding how many lamps for my tank...


i am new to reef keeping,,, already purchased the tank:

58 gal,, 36"L x 18"d x 21"H

note: will have a few inches used for sand bed


after reading post i see you can have too much or too little lighting..

i will at first be keeping the soft easier to keep corals,, sounds like these require less light,,,

later would like to move on to other corals and have enough light for them also... little vague at this point ,,, but would like some flexability in my lighting system...


i am looking at fixture with individual reflectors,,

first choice:

AQUACTINICS ,, 5 lamp,, t-5 ,,, 39watt
sounds like it runs cooler with internal fan -- so puts out more light also


second choice ...

TEK 6 or 8 lamp t-5 ,, 39wat lamps
has no fan


are these in the ball park?? too much ?

any comments where to start would really help out ??

thanks !!!

[lessthanlights]

I just bought a 6x39 Tek for my 40 breeder and that might be pushing it. I would stay away from the 8x39- you're probably going to bleach them. But you could run the 8x39 with only 4 or 6 bulbs and that will allow you to have more light later.

[j-123]

that's a thought,,, not lamp up till i need more light,,,

i was hoping the AQUACTINICS ,, 5 lamp,, t-5 ,,, 39watt would work,,,

it looks like a highly effeicient fixture... anyone think this would work on 4 lamps at first ,,, then later add a lamp if needed ?

thanks

[Henry Bowman]

Just email Tom at aquactinics. He'll help you out and can more directly answer your question regarding 4 lamps first....

FWIW, go with the aquactinics unit