[jimw369]

OK. Im gonna stick my neck out here and voice my opinion on all this light stuff we see day after day here on RB. Hope what I say makes a little sense and doesnt offend too many people.

From day 1 we are bombarded with MH, MH, MH lighting. Need I say more? Most of us starting out want to keep softies, leathers, some LPS. Well...isnt that what we see posted all the time?

I have had 3 lights, one from Aquatraders 216W T5, the current 8x54 (with the single reflector) and now the Tek light 8x54 T5 HO (w/individual reflectors)

Fact 1) The best groth rates I had was with the cheap Aquatraders light with 10K bulbs. Mostly low light stuff, shrooms, leathers

Fact 2) The current light 8x54 was a good light and obviously much brighter than the aquatraders. You have problems, lookout, customer service for me was worse than bad.

Fact 3) You cannot compare the tek light with the individual reflectors with the current light with one large single reflector. Sorry, they are not even close. You are getting what you pay for. I wish I had something that I could measure the light differences between the two so it just wasnt me talking off the top of my head. But I got them both and there are in different leagues.

Now for the most important part of what I have to say. How much light do you need?
I got this tek light 4 inches off the water inside a canopy. 6 inches below that a crocea doing what appears to be great for a month now, problem is I cant get all my other stuff far enough away from the light. Its TOO BRIGHT! I am forced to build ledges with LR so I have some darker areas to put all the stuff (softies,leathers,LPS...s ound familiar). Go read your books and see all the stuff that does best in low to moderate light. There is a ton of stuff. Now Im saying I cant have it.

You have to answer what you plan on putting in your tank and that will dictate what light you need. Shoot, you go aquatechnics retro(SP) T5s You got to have enough light to do anything. But do you want it?

And Nativevaman this is for you!!! T5s are here!! MH are gonna be going out!! Unless the LEDs get cheaper I am going to keep investing in T5 ho or VHO lighting.

[NATIVEVAMAN]

Jim, I couldnt agree more.The idea of a tank with high,medium and low light critters is a mistake.Far more planning is required to keep from frying some and starving others.However this condition exists with all aquarium light forms,and there is no perfect light source for all levels.There may be a point at which low and medium light critters or medium and high light critters can be kept.but high and low light critter would be a mistake.
And yes metal halide will soon be a dead issue.Going the way of wash boards and caprpet beaters lol.

[Lowej82]

Would 384 watts via 4 x 96 power compacts over my 29 be to much would I be dealing with these issues? 13.2 wpg, Should I remove 2 of them for 192 watts 6.6 watts per gallon.
I got these for my 55, cant wait to get that setup to get my feet wet so I would like to hang them over my 29.

[jimw369]

Lowe: I dont know. I have never had PC lights so I cant say. I am sure there are others here that can help with that question.

Nativevaman. Yes,Yes,Yes!!!More planning on the critters would make it easier to pick the correct light. What happens when starting out is we equate the quality of light with the amount of light. We are always told get more light so we will not have to upgrade a year later. I can so relate to having both low light specimans and high light specimans in the same tank. My fault. I now play games inside my hood trying to block light to the left side of my tank to help the lower light items. It works but I would never set it up that way on purpose so Im dealing with it.

One other thing. You spread 6-8 T5 HO or VHO over a 20-24inch wide tank, there are NO DARK SPOTS!

[NATIVEVAMAN]

Thats one of the drawbacks to mh.It is a point source ligh and gives heavy shadows.Try screen wire over the spots you want to darken.Use dowl rods to support them.Its easier if you want to do a large area.

[jimw369]

Gotcha covered

[Jason L]

I agree here . I have got the Sunlight Supply Tek 5 lights now on my tank
now 8 54 wat. The best !

[glampka]

Originally Posted by Lowej82

Would 384 watts via 4 x 96 power compacts over my 29 be to much would I be dealing with these issues? 13.2 wpg, Should I remove 2 of them for 192 watts 6.6 watts per gallon.
I got these for my 55, cant wait to get that setup to get my feet wet so I would like to hang them over my 29.

That's way too much for a 29. I have 192 watts on my 30 & that is bright enough.

[Lowej82]

ok thanks Ill run 1 unit.

[wesley6610]

Originally Posted by glampka

That's way too much for a 29. I have 192 watts on my 30 & that is bright enough.

Is this a good lighting system for a 75 gallon LPS and soft coral tank?

https://diyreef.authsecure.com/shop/...eb9b6700859ec4