saltwater reef lghting

[stevej]

hey everyone i hve A 35 gallon rectangle saltwater tank.its a 36x18x12. rite now it has been running for a month. i know i cant get anemones yet but is t5 HO 6700 k lighting enough for my soon to b reef tank?

 

[matar]

i dont think so....i think that 10k and above are better white lights....also you should run an atinic blue.....you probably would need about 140 watts if not more split between 50/50. i think anenomies need reasonably high lighting...as well as most corals.... the light that you have sounds like one for freshwater planted.

 

[Lorna]

T5 lighting would be fine in that tank for anemones but as stated you will need probably a higher k rating such as 10,000 or higher. Actinic lighting is not required, some add it for aesthetic value only but isn't necessary, 10K is still quite yellow and to get optimum color from your corals for viewing you may want to go to a 50/50 type to give more blue light or a higher spectrum such as 15K.