Minimum lighting question

[psariandras]

Would two T5s on a 55 gallon be sufficient to keep any kind of mushroom or soft coral?

 

[oscar83]

2 t5s would be enough for some shrooms and some lower light zoas. u can probably get away with some other softies if placed at least half way up under the lights

 

[Amphiprion]

Assuming they are T5 HO with individual reflectors, then yes, I agree.

 

[oscar83]

yeah i didnt think of that, i assumed they were possibly because i just finished (like 5 min ago) retrofiting my bros single t8 hood with dual teklight ho t5's. i guess it was still stuck in my head... btw, holy heck those things are bright! haha

 

[psariandras]

how much of a difference will it make to have one internal reflector?
I cannot find a setup with individual reflectors on ebay, do setups with individual reflectors go for more than several hundred dollars? If so, I may have to stay with FOWLR. Seems like the ones I have found, even the 300 or 400 dollar ones, do not have individual reflectors.
What are some models that have individual reflectors, so I can google them?



Thanks a bunch for the advice.

 

[Mr.Firemouth]

Best T5 HO made...http://www.aquactinics.com/images/Solar_Flare.pdf

 

[archer772]

Will you need a fixture or do you have a canopy to retrofit lights into

 

[ChangDriX]

i got a marineland t5's ho with 216 watts over my 55 i've got no problems with keeping mushrooms or other softie corals.

 

[Grins]

how much of a difference will it make to have one internal reflector?

You're cutting the amount of light from the bulbs by at least 1/2 by using only one internal reflector.

 

[psariandras]

I will need a fixture