Hey folks!
I'm converting my 200g reef tank into a planted aquarium and need some lighting advice. The tank is a corner-shaped pentagon (acrylic), and is a 30" deep. My current light set up is 8 X T5s overdriven with two Ice Cap 660's. I also have 2X 48" VHO's. The T5s are different lengths because of the shape of the tank: 2X24W, 2X39W, and 4X54W. They are all on individual reflectors. It was enough light to support a thriving reef full of acroporas, even all the way at the bottom of the tank.
My plans for this tank are to use pressurized CO2 with a reactor in line with a canister filter, and go with moderate lighting. Some of my favorite plants are the anubias species, which I think can tolerate lower light, but I really am just getting started and don't know much about freshwater plants.
Can you all advise me on what would be considered "moderate" lighting over this tank, considering the T5's are being overdriven? My thoughts were to knock it back down to 4XT5s--two 36" and two 48". I could even keep the two VHOs as well (they are on an Ice Cap 430 ballast).
Also, can you advise me on a good T5 bulb manufacturer and spectrum? Thanks!
I'm converting my 200g reef tank into a planted aquarium and need some lighting advice. The tank is a corner-shaped pentagon (acrylic), and is a 30" deep. My current light set up is 8 X T5s overdriven with two Ice Cap 660's. I also have 2X 48" VHO's. The T5s are different lengths because of the shape of the tank: 2X24W, 2X39W, and 4X54W. They are all on individual reflectors. It was enough light to support a thriving reef full of acroporas, even all the way at the bottom of the tank.
My plans for this tank are to use pressurized CO2 with a reactor in line with a canister filter, and go with moderate lighting. Some of my favorite plants are the anubias species, which I think can tolerate lower light, but I really am just getting started and don't know much about freshwater plants.
Can you all advise me on what would be considered "moderate" lighting over this tank, considering the T5's are being overdriven? My thoughts were to knock it back down to 4XT5s--two 36" and two 48". I could even keep the two VHOs as well (they are on an Ice Cap 430 ballast).
Also, can you advise me on a good T5 bulb manufacturer and spectrum? Thanks!