Lighting question

[untoldlegacy]

i was wondering about getting some more light for my reef, currently i have a 28 watt coralife fixture with a 10k daylight and actinic, im looking at either getting another on of these fixtures for 100 bucks, or getting a 192 watt PC fixture for about the same(2 - 96 Watt bulbs - (1) daylight and (1) actinic), i have a 30 gallon tank would the extra watts help my tank or are t5's better?
-U.L

 

[Grins]

T5s with individual reflectors are infinitely better if you are comparing which puts out stronger light.

 

[untoldlegacy]

so with these fixtures one being 28 watts and the other 192 watts the t5 is better?

 

[Grins]

if it has individual reflectors yes. However nothing on your current stock needs high light. You might be fine with HO or VHO.

 

[untoldlegacy]

well heres my lights model
http://www.elmersaquarium.com/h107_aqualight_T5.htm
its the 30" model i dont think its individual is it still ok?
this is the power compact
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=250151624903&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=015

 

[Grins]

What is that you're trying to accomplish?

 

[untoldlegacy]

i just dont know if the light is strong enough for my frogspawn and slipper so i was gonna get another one and i wanted to know which would be better for my tank

 

[Grins]

I think the slipper needs high light. Not sure. I'd be surprised that you could accomplish that with it on the sand under POs.

 

[untoldlegacy]

i was told slippers where low-moderate lighting, right now im at 1 WPG with the new coralife fixture id be at around 2.3 and with the other one id be at 7.6 which seems kinda high to me but im not sure, i also target feed all my corals cyclopseeze at least once a week (sometimes twice) is 2.3 WPG good or should i go with the 7.6?

 

[Grins]

Hmm I just doublechecked and LiveAquaria lists it as high light http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=488
but MarineDepotLive shows it as intermediate:
http://www.marinedepotlive.com/tongue-coral---polyphillia-species-corals--large-polyp-stony.html

Go figure there would be conflicting advice about something in the hobby huh?

I'm over 9 watts per gallon with my 250s but I'm also getting ready for clams and have some SPS. I'm familiar with the model you have now and because it is a T5 you have to look at the watts a bit different because it is an energy efficient bulb. However, because it doesn't have individual reflectors the same bulbs will have less intense light than ones that did have them.

Personally if your corals are OK right now I'd leave the lights be if there are other things you have budgted and then keep an eye out with local reefers to see if anyone has a unit for sale. There are bargins all the time and a small tank like yours should be able to score a single light fixture at a good rate.