Lighting

[BruceJr]

Hey all --

After reading and researching reef tanks for about 5 years I dove in and have maintained my current tank for the past year.

I have a thing for soft corals cant seem to get a real good answer on lighting. Right now I have current nova's new 48in t-5's, the tank looks great, but I hear that the PC'S are better.

I'm in the middle of building a hood with a 36 in 196watt coralife strip in the rear and 2 150 - 10K mh up front.

The Lighting is going to be raised about 10in above the water.

ANY THOUGHTS WOULD BE GREAT!!!!

(oh yeah the tank is 75 gallons)

Thanks
TugboatBRuce

[pink_floyd]

IMO.. T5's are a lot better than PC's

[lvreefer]

Originally posted by pink_floyd
IMO.. T5's are a lot better than PC's

I agree 100%
Do not take a step back with PC's. I think most people do not understand the amount of useable light produced by T5 bulbs. So what I believe happens is they either shock there corals when upgrading or just choose too much light for the tank. Since you are using halides as your main source of lighting, the T5’s or PC’s will probably be in the actinic range. By far the T5’s will produce a better supplemental actinic light source.