How high is too high?... t5 placement!

[Jonathan blackwood]

So I rebuilt my canopy and it will place my 6 bulb ATI T5's about 18 inches about the water. Is that going to be ok? I am planning on adding a secondary led system as well due to all the new space I created :) but as for now, will that be ok and have enough strength for my reef ? It will be on a 72 gal bowfront.

 

[TUSI]

Fwiw I think 12" will be better but you can start at 18" and lower it later

 

[Triggreef]

Lots of variables, type of coral, rock work, placement, bulb type... IME with a par meter t5 loses a lot of par before getting to the water and doesn't penetrate as far as led. That said it is more about spectrum than par. T5 will grow the pants off led. I like my lights as close to the water as I can without getting water damage.