Lighting

[Scarfers]

So I am looking to upgrade my 55g FOWLR lighting so I can perhaps get an anemone or a sps was wondering what would be the bare minimum in terms of wattage ? Would 108 watts be ok for some low end anemones possibly ?

I have my eyes set on a few T5 light fixtures and was wondering if anyone can recommend some good ones I can look into. Right now my eyes are fixated on a Nova Extreme SLR and coralife aqualight HO. Any help is much appreciated thanks again.

 

[MatthewScars]

http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/search.php?searchid=2893103

The search button is so awesome! And it's absolutely free to use!!!

 

[Scarfers]

im asking to get a quick response from someone with experience as to which one of the 2 fixtures they'd recommend I did plenty of searching on google

 

[MatthewScars]

Ok, tell me how this doesnt answer your question exactly...

http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/reefs-beginners/85515-lighting.html

Which ever has the most watts and looks the coolest. Go with that for NEM/SPS.The nem will pick its final position for you depending on the light intensity. It's neat.

 

[Scarfers]

hmmm it answers part of my question lol thanks though ! in a hurry

 

[Jzhou]

You should really just click the link he posted. The question you are asking has been asked and answered before. You will more than likely get better quicker input that way since most people on forums hate having to say the same thing over and over again. I would also look more into things regarding stability and water parameters. SPS can be quite finicky.

 

[Scarfers]

I did im going for 216 watts

 

[Imbarrie]

I think the larger question would be what kind of nem do you want to get?

 

[MatthewScars]

I think the larger question would be what kind of nem do you want to get?

48" inch T5 you need anything that will support six 54 watt bulbs. You can grow anything in that, doesnt matter what kind of anything.

 

[Scarfers]

mine will be with 4x54 bulbs

 

[Imbarrie]

What is the age of your system?
Anemone are challenging things to keep healthy.

A 4 bulb T5 would be the bare minimum, a 6 bulb would be better but some are too wide for a 55. The TEK would be but the Current USA would probably fit nicely. Whatever light you get, make sure you look for parabolic reflectors.

 

[Scarfers]

its from Aquatic Life

 

[Jzhou]

The Wattage per Gallon rule is too in accurate, different fixtures are better able at pentrating water than others. An example of this is how you can more then double the efficiency of t5 bulbs by simply using a reflector for each bulb. But you should be good for most Anenomes and Montis with that fixture.

 

[Scarfers]

there are individual reflectors for it yes