what lighting is suitable T5 or MH?

[blueray]

Hi All,

I have a 3ft T5 2X21W blue 2X21W white, 3ft 2XPL24W blue/white. Can I change all the T5 to white and increase the W? so that I can change the PL to all blue. is it advisable? my next question is does the corals need blue light or which is better, blue or white? thanks for the advice.

[vt_snowman87]

for 3ft, T5 High Output should be 36W i think..

[blueray]

but the tube indicate 21w/b leh.....

[vt_snowman87]

i'm not too experienced in this den.. T5 HO for 2ft is 24W, 3ft 36W, 4ft 54W..

maybe urs is T8? maybe normal output?

someone more experienced in this should help out..

cheers..

[vt_snowman87]

by the way, blue tubes is just for the luminous effect in corals..

if possible u should try ATI's series, true actinics really brings out the colours better..

[Achilles Tang]

There are pinned up threads on lighting in the New to the Hobby forum. Some in the Advanced forum.

Do a google on lighting for reef aqyariums... its a complex subject.

Different corals, plants, clams etc need diff light with diff saturation, intensity, photoperiod, and spectrum wavelengths. Its not as simplistic as just get this or get that. You have to study and evaluate your livestock vs your setup vs your budget.

Sometimes, you may even need to upgrade other equipment like your chiller to cope with extra heat.

[vt_snowman87]

^ absolutely true.. different colour temperature (the different K) will have different growth effects on ur corals as well..

those threads are very useful, i burnt midnight oil to digest and understand the interesting facts..

happy reefing blueray, congrats on finding this site, its super infomative..

[blueray]

Hi All,

many thanks for the advice and direction to find more information to the topic.

[blueray]

by the way, I found out that my existing light is low output. I intend to get a MH in 2 weeks time to set the proper lighting issue right.

[RockyBoy]

Use MH and supplement with T5. Won't go wrong.

With MH, you need chiller.

[blueray]

Hi Rocky,

I have a resun CL300. is it good enough? I have set the temperture to 26C, is it okay?