Thinking of downgrading to FO

[Dmitry]

So, I think I'm going to convert my tank to FO. Well, not that harsh. Basically, it's hard to dig oneself out of credit card debt with huge metal halide inspired electricity bills. So I think I'll start converting my tank to corals that don't need MH lighting. I have 110watts in T5s on the tank and that'll have to be enough. So, what do you folks suggest for a just a bit over a single watt per gallon set-up? Sun coral? Mushrooms? I'm hoping the Colt would be ok because my Clown lives in it! What else?

 

[marrone]

T-5's are pretty strong and you should be able to keep most of the same corals as you have with the MH, though the corals mayn't be as vivid. Watch out on the softies as when I had my T-5 they burned some.

 

[Dmitry]

Really? The T5s are in my light fixture. The fixture has 2 55w T5s, and 2 MHs. I'll just be keeping the MHs off. You think froggie, brain, shrooms (including rics) would be ok just under the T5s? I mean, I can help them out by turning on the MHs for an hour a day or something...

The anemones and clams will definitely have to go, though.

 

[marrone]

Look at Spikes setup as it has T-5 only. You could get rid of the MH and add a couple more T-5.

http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7670

 

[Barnacle_Blenny]

t5's all the way!!! Don't give up

 

[Deanos]

What size tank are we referring to?

 

[nanoreefer22]

What size tank are we referring to?

I believe its a 72 bow..?

 

[nycmat]

yeah as long as the depth of your tank is not over a certain amount like mine

 

[Dmitry]

The tank is 18 deep. It's a 72bow.

I'm trying to think of all these alternatives. Could one get away with using MHs for, say, 1 hour a day and the T5s the other 10? Would 1 hour be enough time for anemones and clams to catch rays to sustain themselves, or is that pushing it?

 

[stingnyc]

hi dimitry,

there are many people who have slowly cut their mh photo period to 2 hrs per day and their atinics 4 hrs. i have have reduce mine to 4 and 6, i leave my lights on longer for viewing.

-steve

 

[Dmitry]

Hmm.... I think I'll try that for a little while and see where it takes me!