38 gallon recommended t5

prosper · 07/20/2017, 08:10 AM

I set up my first tank about 40 days ago and so far I have been running a single bulb fluorescent, (obviously not enough light to grow corals)...

as far as coral selection goes I plan to have
a couple acros
a plating Monti, I like the growth pattern, don't really care about the color
Tons of euphylia
anemone (I know its not a coral but I'm just putting it there so its included in the lighting needs.)
war coral,
maybe a blasto
various other lps and maybe some softies

would a 4 bulb t5 produce enough par for these inhabitants, I will be running 2 ATI blue plus and 2 ATI coral plus. I know that most sps need around 250 par minimum and most lps around 150 minimum. now the tank dimensions are 36x13x19... I am not able to fit a 6 bulb fixture... should I Go ahead and order the light?

also just curiously, why do different corals need different light or no light if they all host xoxanthellae?

Bill Nye · 07/20/2017, 09:10 AM

Depending on your budget a 4 bulb sunpower would work well. I have a 6 bulb sunpower over my tank and I love it.

prosper · 07/20/2017, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Nye

Depending on your budget a 4 bulb sunpower would work well. I have a 6 bulb sunpower over my tank and I love it.

ill look into it

prosper · 07/20/2017, 09:25 AM

im 15 so I think 600 bucks for a light is out of the budget

LQT · 07/20/2017, 09:28 AM

What are the dimensions of your 38 gallon tank?

mcgyvr · 07/20/2017, 09:40 AM

Yes a 4 bulb fixture is sufficient

mcgyvr · 07/20/2017, 09:42 AM

A 4 lamp 24" sunblaze is $125 here..
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/sun-bl...ht-supply.html
That would work just fine for your needs..

I run a 24" fixture on my current 36" tank and it works great..

prosper · 07/20/2017, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

A 4 lamp 24" sunblaze is $125 here..
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/sun-bl...ht-supply.html
That would work just fine for your needs..

I run a 24" fixture on my current 36" tank and it works great..

your right I looked at the ati. sun power, wait the 24 is adequate?

and do you have any sps?

prosper · 07/20/2017, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LQT

What are the dimensions of your 38 gallon tank?

38x19x13

Potatohead · 07/20/2017, 04:00 PM

A four bulb Sunpower would be just fine. I am not sure about cheaper fixtures, it could be borderline for acropora.

mcgyvr · 07/21/2017, 04:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prosper

and do you have any sps?

yes

prosper · 07/21/2017, 08:24 AM

ok I'm more into the lps regardless so in a month or so ill try an acro. or something and see how it goes from there, thanks!

07/20/2017, 08:10 AM	#1
prosper Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Posts: 107	38 gallon recommended t5 I set up my first tank about 40 days ago and so far I have been running a single bulb fluorescent, (obviously not enough light to grow corals)... as far as coral selection goes I plan to have a couple acros a plating Monti, I like the growth pattern, don't really care about the color Tons of euphylia anemone (I know its not a coral but I'm just putting it there so its included in the lighting needs.) war coral, maybe a blasto various other lps and maybe some softies would a 4 bulb t5 produce enough par for these inhabitants, I will be running 2 ATI blue plus and 2 ATI coral plus. I know that most sps need around 250 par minimum and most lps around 150 minimum. now the tank dimensions are 36x13x19... I am not able to fit a 6 bulb fixture... should I Go ahead and order the light? also just curiously, why do different corals need different light or no light if they all host xoxanthellae?

07/20/2017, 09:28 AM	#5
LQT Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Fairfield, CT Posts: 1,516	What are the dimensions of your 38 gallon tank? __________________ - Leon (aka - Water Dog) Deep Blue 57 Edge ATI Acro Garden Build Thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=25573384#post25573384 Current Tank Info: DeepBlue 57 Edge

07/20/2017, 09:40 AM	#6
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Yes a 4 bulb fixture is sufficient __________________ Who me?

07/20/2017, 09:42 AM	#7
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	A 4 lamp 24" sunblaze is $125 here.. http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/sun-bl...ht-supply.html That would work just fine for your needs.. I run a 24" fixture on my current 36" tank and it works great.. __________________ Who me?

07/20/2017, 09:10 AM	#2
Bill Nye Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: RI Posts: 627	Depending on your budget a 4 bulb sunpower would work well. I have a 6 bulb sunpower over my tank and I love it.

07/20/2017, 09:25 AM	#4
prosper Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Posts: 107	im 15 so I think 600 bucks for a light is out of the budget

07/20/2017, 04:00 PM	#10
Potatohead Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Vancouver Posts: 1,596	A four bulb Sunpower would be just fine. I am not sure about cheaper fixtures, it could be borderline for acropora.

07/21/2017, 08:24 AM	#12
prosper Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Posts: 107	ok I'm more into the lps regardless so in a month or so ill try an acro. or something and see how it goes from there, thanks!