Lighting

[Citra]

I have a 120g (60x24x18)+sump. I have two strip lights both four feet long one is a PC with two 55w and the other is a triple tube T-8, my bulbs are long past overdue. What replacement bulbs would you suggest? My PC has an All-Glass ballast that is rated for 110w could I put two CSL 65w PC in it? My T-8 has a workhorse 5 in it. It is rated for 128w max, should I use T-8, T-12 or T-5 in it and what kind of lamps? What kind of corals would survive with these lights? I have two leather fingers, a leather vase, a colt, and some mushroom polyps and they are starting to get lessions and dissinagrate could the lights be part of the problem? I have tested the water and everyting checks out O.K. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

 

[Len]

I'd stick with the recommended wattage (55x2) because it is a different amperage. Although I think it will drive two 65x2, it's best to stick with what its designed for. There's plenty of good 55W PCs out there. I'd go with one daylight and one "true" actinic. I've liked Panasonic's bulbs (I believe Marine Depot sells them). Just make sure the pin configuration is right as some PC pins aligned in a square and some in a row.

For the T8s, it's really up to what you like and what your corals are. I'd personally start with 2 daylights and one actinic. Again, go with what it's designed for. T8 ballasts should be used for T8 bulbs only.

Mushrooms will do okay with the low light levels you have, and some soft corals like colts and a few leathers might fare okay as well. I would recommend more lights when finances afford the opportunity. At least twice the light levels you have now will be greatly appreciated by your corals and expand your selection of future corals.

Which corals are beginning to disinegrate? Mushrooms are very hardy and rarely fall apart, but many soft corals have this tendancy when the water conditions aren't favorable or they aren't getting enough light. A big water change (with high quality water such as reverse osmosis) is recommended.

 

[Citra]

Thanks for the info Len.
My leather fingers have disinegrating holes in then they are stringy and brown algee on the stems. Could the lights be a part of this problem?
My water specs are posted in my other post titled Need Help! The reason I was asking about the T-8 fixture is that the workhorse 5 ballest says on it, approved for lamp configurations of 128w,linear T-5HO, T-8, T-8HO, T-10, T-12, T-12HO lamps, when used per Fulham's wiring specs? I was wondering if it is possible to use any of these bulbs with this ballast and how would you make it HO? Which of these bulbs would give me the best light output? I was thinking of 10000K PC bulbs for my PC light fixture and in my triple tube fixture one actinic and I am not sure what two bulbs to use? Could you or anyone else reading this give me any suggestings. Thanks!