Is 3xt5 (39w) Enough For Sps & Clam?

[panlee]

Is 3xT5 (39W) enough for SPS & Clam for a 36 x 18 x 24 tank? Water depth is about 18". I am thinking of 1 white, 1 white-blue and 1 actinic blue.

Or should I be better getting 4xT5 (39W) in 2xwhite and 2 actinic blue combination?

Would 6xT5 (39W) be too much?

Thanks

[bwilly]

maybe some clam experts.

but got some been keeping it alright with fluroscent..

u know, somehow it happens.. it does.

for myself I know dare venture when I got my MH..

won't want to hurt the clams..

they are so cutie..

guci.. guci..

u can try placing them near the light source n monitor.

start with a cheap clam.

[FuEl]

I would suggest more white in your lighting. SPS and clams are'nt really deep water species. You can still have some blue though, for aesthetic purposes.

[Mellow]

dun think 3 t5's would be enuff for sps if u want a healthy growth and colouration.. 6 t5s would be a better choice... but if that's the case, i thought it's more feasible to invest in a 250w or 400w MH..even a 150w would be better IMO, supplementing it with actinics and such...

[panlee]

One reason I choose T5 instead of MH is the heat. Have not plan for a chiller. And I do not plan to drill the ceiling for the lights.

[Mellow]

i'm using 250w MH for my 3 feet...managed to keep temp between 26-28 with my fan....i suppose my air con helps also..heh...

[Morgan]

You should try it out and feedback your results in about 9 months.......whether you are sucessful or not.

If the clams and sps you are keeping are growing very well and maintaining their colours.............think alot of the guys here will switch to T5 from MH. Saves alot of money.

If you are unsucessful then you already know the result.

[Maxima]

BTW I've 9 X 39W T5 and it is not successful, even at 5 inch from water. Your SPS will survive and clam are fine as well, but you might end loosing some colors to some species. There's an option to overdrive it. In US, there are some reefers driving 54W to 80W or more? You might want to try over driving your 39W to 54W x 6 tubes = 324W ...that's a decent number to start with for SPS. I currently run 800W on my 3.5 X 2.2 x 2ft tank....lots of differences in coloration. If you are looking at hitting 10w/g, T5 are definitely short the VHO capability.

Max

[Mellow]

that's alot of wattage for your tank size... really hard core!!! haha... my parents will scream with 800w... making alot of noise with my 250w already...

[Maxima]

Has to add my 2 unit of 39W T5 that has just been over-driven to 50W/unit using a 58W IC controlled & dimmable e-ballast. So total is 800W MH + 100W T5 = 900W $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Max

[Coral_ClamS]

hey i also want a clam and sps tank .

but intend to do a 36 x 22 x 25 tank[wat's recommended width?]

wan to use 3 T5 actinic + 1 T5 daylight[all 39 watts wan]

2 actinic frm 6.30-8am{for viewing]

1actinic +1daylight frm7.30-12noon[for photoperiod]

1 or 2 250watt DE MH frm 12-6pm[for photoperiod]

1actinic +1daylight frm6-7.30pm[for photoperiod]

2 actinic frm7.30-10.30pm[for viewing]

total photoperiod=12hrs

total lights on=16hrs

total electricity bills for lighting/31 days=$1.7+$2.3+$7.5/$15

=$$11.5/$19 only

total electricity bills for my 3ft only$50-%70++[cheap or not?]

any suggestion/comments for my lighting combinations

ANd my average E billls

does anyone think this combination would be successful??

[Coral_ClamS]

Or maybe anyone think i should be using 400watts wan?

6500k is it the blue one and 20kk is it the white one?

still so confused with lightings[catching up with more knowledge]

BTW T5 will produce considerabale amount os heat or not

ALL LIGHTINGS THINK 8 INCHES ABOVE TANK[10' ABOVE WATER LEVEL]

i mean hot until chiller have to start working around 28deg C

planing to use Reef Relief...........

what's the wattage for 1/2 hp wan anyone know?????

[Dispar_Anthias]

Is 3xT5 (39W) enough for SPS & Clam for a 36 x 18 x 24 tank? Water depth is about 18". I am thinking of 1 white, 1 white-blue and 1 actinic blue.

Or should I be better getting 4xT5 (39W) in 2xwhite and 2 actinic blue combination?

Would 6xT5 (39W) be too much?

Thanks

BTW for ultra maxis...... at least 250 watt of Mh is needed

[Chris]

Coral Clam,

You lighting arrangement is so complicated. Is it worth the effort? You need lots of timers Also, your whole tank's top will be covered all around. Will heat from lights be trapped?

Why not just use actinic and MH. Actininc on and off one hour before MH and after MH?

For MH 2 x 250W is good enough for almost all things, even acro. Unless very special colours.

[Dispar_Anthias]

Coral Clam,

You lighting arrangement is so complicated. Is it worth the effort? You need lots of timers Also, your whole tank's top will be covered all around. Will heat from lights be trapped?

Why not just use actinic and MH. Actininc on and off one hour before MH and after MH?

For MH 2 x 250W is good enough for almost all things, even acro. Unless very special colours.

yah maybe with what chris suggest you save more space

[chey42]

would a 150w MH and 2 T8 white and a actinic suffice for sps and clams ...

[SpiderOne]

u got to put the t8 and actinic at the sides.. after u get the pendant i dun think there will be much place for u to put your t8's

[chey42]

u got to put the t8 and actinic at the sides.. after u get the pendant i dun think there will be much place for u to put your t8's

that one can arrange one ... hehe ...

[Dispar_Anthias]

would a 150w MH and 2 T8 white and a actinic suffice for sps and clams ...

Yes will suffice clam if you place them high....... Imo sps will turn brown under those lighting