marine lighting help

[chrisgregg]

hi all im not that new to marine fish but i am new to marine reef keeping just started to get into my corals but getting confused with how to light had a t8 now got 1x t5 and today i got a marine glo bulb blue 20w is this just for night time use or do i use it with my t5 at the same time or am i going very wronge only got 2 x leathers and a sponge upto now thanks:D

[Reef bloke]

If your t5 is a white tube then use your blue actinic at the same time,you can leave the actinic on for an hour or so after the white has gone off to wind the tank down for the night.
Id also stick my neck out and say you could do with another t5 tube as you sound a little under lit for leather corals.
Sorry to add my 2 pence worth as i know im not marine lighting just thought id try and help.

[chrisgregg]

yes i have noticed that it hasnt been open much polys to feed but it is only a 3ft jewel tank and very bright with the 18000k power glo might look into getting another just for safe keeps when i stock up on corals