New Mushroom Added

[Sunshine]

I just bought a small Red Mushroom rock. My light is a 40 watt T-8. Is that enough light for it ?
My light fixture will hold 2 bulbs. One is just the light that came with it. Should I buy another light, and if so, what kind.

Thanks

 

[dcantucson]

I don't think it would do very well, with such low light.
You should consider upgrading so you can expand you corals.

 

[Sunshine]

What should I get ?

 

[dcantucson]

For corals a good combination of T5 and MH lights are best.

 

[Sunshine]

What's a MH light ?

 

[dcantucson]

Metal Halide
There are many different brands of these combo lighting systems.

Current USA Outer Orbit HQI + T5 HO + Lunar Light Fixture

 

[KidJ57]

+1 DC

If you're not ready for the cost of all that just yet and don't plan on doing any hard corals for a while, then you can get away with a good power compact T5 for around $180 new or possibly might be able to find a good used deal from someone on this site/craigslist or something.

 

[Sunshine]

Can I just buy a T5 bulb for my fixture I already have ? Keep my T8 and take the other florescent bulb out and put in a T5 ? I'm not putting anything else in there, just that mushroom for now.

 

[dcantucson]

You might be able to get away with that T8 lighting for just a mushroom. They are pretty hardy. If you try it place it high in your tank.

As for the switching of the bulbs I think you'll need a different fixture. Just not the same animal.

 

[daugherty]

mushrooms are lower light corals so they prob will do ok if they are at the top of the tank. t5's will not work with a t8 they are different wattages. if you have a ton of light mushrooms dont do very well. in my old tank they melted away from the light.

 

[Melosu58]

Dont forget VHO`s. That`s what I use. Four VHO bulbs.

 

[Bifferwine]

I don't think that light will be strong enough even to keep mushrooms. It's less than 1/2 watt per gallon. And I know that the "watt per gallon rule" has wiggle room, but that's just so low on the end that I don't think it's a possibility.

 

[KidJ57]

+1 daugherty, DC, & Biff...even though daugerty and Biff differ. :lol:

T-8 and PC's also use different sockets and ballasts; while the lighting chemical is the same (phospherous), the power source and its application/dispersion are what's different.

Biff is probably right, but as daughtery and DC mentioned, you might have a chance to get away with it if you keep it AT THE TOP

 

[Sunshine]

How about if I get another 40 watt T8 like I have ?

 

[Bifferwine]

Then you will still have less than one watt per gallon. It's just not going to cut it, I'm afraid.

 

[Sunshine]

T5's won't fit in my fixture ?

 

[KidJ57]

T-5's will not fit you current housing (I don't know if that's what you mean by fixture)

 

[KidJ57]

T-8's use a dual end bi-pin socket, while most t-5, power compact i have seen use a single sided socket

 

[Sunshine]

Well, that leaves me with a dilemma...... I must think on this one....

 

[KidJ57]

Well, that leaves me with a dilemma...... I must think on this one....

I had the same one about 3 months ago...pulled out the credit card :frustrat: and bought myself a t-5...I'm not getting MH's nor coral that require it till I get a larger tank.