Looking to purchase T5 lighting

[Reefdad]

I am just getting a 75 up and running but I need lighting. I want to go T5 but I need to know what would be adequate. I am seeing 4 and 6 bulb setups with various wattage. What would be the minimum I could go with without having my corals suffer. Right now they are under 150 MH.

 

[zepplock]

Depends on the dimensions. I have 4x39w over my 50g (3' long, 20" deep)

Also buy from Reefgeek.com, gret service and very nice prices (thats what I did).

 

[Gomer]

I've run 4x39 over my 40g (36x15x16H) successfully. I swapped it back over for some fun (from 250MH). Tempted to get something like the 6x ATI though.

 

[MontanaBay]

how deep is the 75? I would go with mid range fixture w/o bulbs, then invest in good ATI bulbs.

I'm running a lower range fixture, with high end bulb setup, which is plenty of light for my 40, but you might want better reflectors if your tank is deep.

 

[hiepatitis]

I was thinking about getting the ATI also but the price is nuts. I'm thinking about getting the new Hamilton Belize Sun fixture instead now. MH/T5 combo with moonlights for a reasonable price.

 

[Reefdad]

[quote author=MontanaBay link=topic=6368.msg81579#msg81579 date=1234730386]
how deep is the 75? I would go with mid range fixture w/o bulbs, then invest in good ATI bulbs.

I'm running a lower range fixture, with high end bulb setup, which is plenty of light for my 40, but you might want better reflectors if your tank is deep.
[/quote][quote author=MontanaBay link=topic=6368.msg81579#msg81579 date=1234730386]
how deep is the 75? I would go with mid range fixture w/o bulbs, then invest in good ATI bulbs.

The tank is 18" deep X 16" wide X 48 long.

 

[MontanaBay]

you should be fine with 4 or 6 bulbs, if you have the money go with 6, not for intensity but so you can maximize your bulb combination, you'll be able to get a really nice color spectrum with 6x54w bulbs, that will make your corals grow and also give them a nice "pop" for aesthetics.

 

[CookieJar]

If you go with Reefgeek, which i recommend, ask about their own reflectors, which are as good or better than the icecaps and a couple bucks less. You have to call them (Greg) as I don't think they list them. He's a helpful guy if you need to talk to someone for recommendations.

 

[Reefdad]

Would the 8 light combination Nova extereme by Current be overkill?
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_AquariumPage~PageAlias~lighting_fluorescent_current_usa_nova_extreme_t5_high_output_ho_lunar.html

 

[MontanaBay]

for that money, 8bulbs and 18" of water, who cares if the reflectors aren't primo, your corals will be getting PLENTY of light. My only grip would be it comes with 8 Current bulbs, which are fine, but when you swap them with ATI's, Guies, or GE's you'll really notice a difference.

I would see if you can sell the off the Current bulbs to a LFS or a member looking for bulbs and put that money towards a Reefgeek order.

I've never configured a 8 bulb lamp, but here's a shot, maybe some of the other guys and chime in

Front
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

Cheers,

Josh

 

[Reefdad]

If I run 8 bulbs how important is the quality of reflectors. Individual versus not. And of I use high quality bulbs will any reflector work. The tank is 18" deep.

 

[Gomer]

individual as in each bulb has it's own parabolic-like reflector is VERY importat.
individual as in each reflector is an individual piece of metal per bulb, isn't.

My tek t5 has a single sheet of stamped metal forming an individual reflector region per bulb.

 

[kurplunk]

I use to run the old nova extreme 8 bulb fixture with one overhead single reflector. It was over my 135g 24" deep, but slammed to the tank top. I had good growth and color with sps. I would swap out the current bulbs. Try reefgeek and get a tek fixture, with ati bulbs. Trust me i think a 4 bulb fixture will do alot more than the 150w MH your running now.

 

[Roc]

[quote author=Reefdad link=topic=6368.msg81693#msg81693 date=1234760911]

The tank is 18" deep X 16" wide X 48 long.
[/quote]

Erik, those demensions would make the tank just shy of a 60 gal FYI

http://www.watertanks.com/calc.asp

 

[Reefdad]

Well if that is the case I am going to be pissed Roc. The guy that sold it to me said it was a 75. When I get home from work I am going to remeasure it.

Ok so I have measured the tanks inside dimensions and I was WAY OFF in my favor believe it or not. I apparently paid for a 75 gallon tank but actually by measurements I have a 90 gallon. So my internal measurements are 23h x 48L x 18.5 wide. Go figure 88.415 gallons to be exact.

 

[Gomer]

http://www.aqueonproducts.com/products/standard-aquariums.htm
75 Gallon
48 x 18 x 20

http://www.truvuaquariums.com/55galto100gal2.html
60g
48x15x18

 

[Reefdad]

[quote author=Gomer link=topic=6368.msg83088#msg83088 date=1235168203]
individual as in each bulb has it's own parabolic-like reflector is VERY importat.
individual as in each reflector is an individual piece of metal per bulb, isn't.

My tek t5 has a single sheet of stamped metal forming an individual reflector region per bulb.

I was asking about one large reflector compared to individual bulb reflectors.




[/quote]

 

[Reefdad]

I think I have made up my mind and i am going to get an 8 bulb fixture. But my next question is with that many bulbs I am sure I will be able to get great colors from my corals, So would I benefit having 6500k day light bulbs instead of 10k. Will I get better growth? ATI offers a 6000k bulb would that even be better?

 

[CookieJar]

For a long thread with a lot of info on T5 lighting, mainly on bulb types, check out the thread on Reef Central 'The T5 Question and Answer Thread'. It's a long read but you'll see it's mostly people asking about what bulb configurations. It'll give you a good idea on what bulbs to use. A good quick reference is to click on the Grim Reefer's house icon for his page that shows pics of the bulbs, has PAR readings and pictures of what different bulbs look like. He's the resident expert on that thread.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1580726

 

[xcaret]

OTA has one Orbit 8XT5 on sale, complete with bulbs, don't know if it has SLR but think the asking price is $380 but you know cash might get you a better price !!