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- Jun 15, 2020
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I currently have a 48" SBox Pro from SB Reef Lights and a 48" T5 in the front as shown. My tank measures 48" long. I'm considering adding an additional 1-2 T5 bulbs on the rear of the tank for better light spread and shadowing issues. Currently, with how far up the T5 has to be mounted to allow easy access under the canopy, the LED box shades the back 1/3 of the aquascape from all T5 light. I also get considerable sunlight into the aquarium, as shown in the picture. I have enough space to fit another single T5 fixture hung behind the LED fixture, or a double fixture at an angle (like how many people run their Reefbrite LED strips on their T5 fixtures).
My questions are:
1- Should I go with a single horizontal mounted T5 or a double mounted T5 at a ~45 degree angle?
My main goal is light spread over the back 1/3 of the aquascape, not the front 2/3rds.
2- Should I go with a 48" fixture or 36" fixture?
I'm a bit concerned about light spill into the overflow, but I already have a good deal of spill from the other T5 and the LED fixture.
Would decreasing the fixture length 6" per side have a significant impact into the reduced shadowing I'm trying to achieve?
3- What bulbs would be best for SPS growth?
I would only run the fixtures for growth purposes and for pictures of corals along the back wall which I can currently only photograph well at sunrise.
My front T5 bulb is an ATI Blue+, and I've been considering another B+ or maybe a Coral+?
Thanks for any feedback you can offer as to any of those questions.
Images attached include the mounting prior to installation of the canopy wrap, current images, and an example of the sunlight coming in the front pane of the aquarium.
My questions are:
1- Should I go with a single horizontal mounted T5 or a double mounted T5 at a ~45 degree angle?
My main goal is light spread over the back 1/3 of the aquascape, not the front 2/3rds.
2- Should I go with a 48" fixture or 36" fixture?
I'm a bit concerned about light spill into the overflow, but I already have a good deal of spill from the other T5 and the LED fixture.
Would decreasing the fixture length 6" per side have a significant impact into the reduced shadowing I'm trying to achieve?
3- What bulbs would be best for SPS growth?
I would only run the fixtures for growth purposes and for pictures of corals along the back wall which I can currently only photograph well at sunrise.
My front T5 bulb is an ATI Blue+, and I've been considering another B+ or maybe a Coral+?
Thanks for any feedback you can offer as to any of those questions.
Images attached include the mounting prior to installation of the canopy wrap, current images, and an example of the sunlight coming in the front pane of the aquarium.