Lighting 40 gal pillar

[ThatGuy]

Tieing in a 40 pillar to my system. Just seeing if anything would grow with only a 2 bulb 24 watt t5s(coral wise) or is it just not enough. Don't really want to invest in lighting as of now.

Josh

 

[natesreef]

What are the dimensions of it? You might be able to put some softies or LPS in there.

 

[redfishbluefish]

Regardless of the dimensions, two 24 inches T5’s over any 40 gallon tank would be pretty dim. I’m assuming this is a narrow, deep tank.

 

[ThatGuy]

What are the dimensions of it? You might be able to put some softies or LPS in there.

18Wx16lx32h

Regardless of the dimensions, two 24 inches T5’s over any 40 gallon tank would be pretty dim. I’m assuming this is a narrow, deep tank.

thats kind of what I figured. They are HO if that makes any difference but probably not much. My though was if I couldn't put anything down low I'd just put a large softie at the top of the rock work and put some algea's in there.

 

[natesreef]

I really don't think you'd be able to put much in a tank of that size with such little lighting. If you do upgrade the lighting, one of the Kessil, or Orphek cannon Led's would probably do the job well.

 

[downbeach]

Definitely and unconventional idea, but why not mount a couple of LED strips along the sides of the tank. You would have to use your imagination and McGyver skills, but might be interesting.

 

[jsciarrino]

what about keeping the T5's with all Actinic bulbs and adding 2 par38 Leds from home depot that should do it.
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...d=10053&langId=-1&keyword=par38&storeId=10051

 

[redfishbluefish]

what about keeping the T5's with all Actinic bulbs and adding 2 par38 Leds from home depot that should do it.
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...d=10053&langId=-1&keyword=par38&storeId=10051

I don’t believe 5000 Kelvin would do much for coral growth.

 

[JRWOHLER]

A number of the concentrated LED spots would work pretty nicely though...the ones that look like cans.

 

[jsciarrino]

http://www.amazon.com/Maxtra-Par38-...?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1333638287&sr=1-3
how about this?

 

[panmanmatt]

I have 2 of these over my 30 cube and love them.

http://www.rapidled.com/7-led-par38-bulb/

 

[ThatGuy]

Sounds like if I don't get some better lighting my options go in the way of NPS. But i don't think that would work well either as this tank is right next to a window and will probably get 3-6 hrs of sunlight.
If I go the LED way is that on top of the 2 T5HO or is that by itself?

 

[panmanmatt]

I am running mine by themselves. I only have a couple soft corals in that tank as of yet but they are doing great so far. I mounted my lights on yo-yos so I can adjust the height of them.