Lighting

jjboods

jjboods

Member
I have seen and read about several tanks with many SPS corals with great color and growth under T5 lighting. Some use 6 or 8 bulbs, but I saw one that only uses 4. All are 4' 54watts. My VHO are due for bulb replacement and at about $20-25 each, I'm looking at $100. For $250, I can make a complete switch to 4 54watt T5's. What are some opinions out there?
 
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dragonzim

Active Member
On a 55, a 4 bulb T5 setup should work fine for you. A 6 bulb might be a little big on that tank. I've got a 6 bulb TEK T5 fixture on my 75 and it almost covers the entire top of the tank. I think it might hang over the edges on a 55. The main thing you want to look for when getting a T5 fixture is to make sure that all the bulbs have individual reflectors. Some good brands are TEK, which makes 4,6 and 8 bulb fixtures and Aquatinics, which makes a nice 5 bulb fixture.
 
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dragonzim

Active Member
You should easily be able to fit 6 or maybe even 8 bulbs with their own reflectors in a hood as a retrofit. You can look into TEK or IceCap for retros.
 
jjboods

jjboods

Member
The hood is a unique design...double hinged. There is a 4" piece across the top back that is fixed. Then another 10" that flip up...that is where the bulbs are currently. Allows me to change bulbs without removing the whole hood. Then another 4" piece that flips up for feeding. I'd have to put the extra bulbs on the fixed back piece or the feeding lid. What is the minimum number of bulbs that would allow most tank inhabitants? 4, 5, 6, more?
 
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dragonzim

Active Member
With 4 you should be able to keep softies like leathers and zoos as well as LPS corals. With 6 bulbs you should be able to keep anything you want.
 
jjboods

jjboods

Member
I'm keeping softies now with the VHO's and could probably keep LPS's if I add a calcium reactor(which I would do with T5's and SPS anyway).
I guess there would be no reason to switch from 4 VHO's to 4 T5's?
 
wangotango

wangotango

Active Member
Originally Posted by jjboods
I'm keeping softies now with the VHO's and could probably keep LPS's if I add a calcium reactor(which I would do with T5's and SPS anyway).
I guess there would be no reason to switch from 4 VHO's to 4 T5's?
i say make the switch, you'll love the T5's. as for a calcium reactor, i really dont think it will be needed for a 75 gallon.
-Justin
 
jjboods

jjboods

Member
If I do SPS and can do clams with the T5's, I'd do the reactor just to not have to dose. I'd rather have the tank as automated as possible.
 
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