? about luminen hours and what recommendation of bulb for T5

[The Chefin' man]

What is the difference between luminen hours and regular hours? I am just curious when I need to change out T5 bulbs and what would you all recommend on strength of lighting a 90 gal partial reef(you know what style or type) of bulb? I do have a crocea and I would like to add a few more. I also have green bubble coral and a carnation coral oh about 6 anemones and 2 flower pot corals (that I am still trying to love and nurse back to good health) Caution! for the people that are really new to the world of salt water. Do not get Flower pot corals unless you want to work on them a lot or have them die on you. I might have a 150 dollar loss at someone elses fun.

 

[Anonymous]

Chefin Man, are you running any MHs on that system in addition to the T5s? If not, you are unlikely to have enough light to keep even one clam, let alone many. Your anenomes are also underlit, and 6 sounsds like a lot for one tank. They can crash a tank if they die and they have been known to be intolerant of others in tanks. These, however are the least of your problems......
the Goniaporas that you have (Flowerpot corals) are notoriously difficult to keep. They initially seem to do well (they like MH lights too) before deteriorating steadily after 6-12 months. It appears that the hobby literature believes that there is some essential element missing in captive systems that they need to stay alive. Good luck with getting them back to health, and document any successes here, i am sure I am not alone in wanting to see how its done.

Your dendronepthya (Carnation coral) is also near impossible to keep in captivity. I have one that is just hanging on atm, and I feed live plankton, caught at sea weekly to my system. They dont photofeed at all and like completely shaded spots in the tank. Good luck, and keep us posted!