Question about T5 HO

tjnitro

tjnitro

Member
Now that everyone has helped me decide that I need a T5 HO light for my standard 75 gallon aquarium I have new questions.
I have seen lights with different number of bulbs in them. what one would I need for my 75 gallon tank to make it a good reef tank. also there are two different kinds of bulbs in each light. They are usualy mixed how would you suggest doing that?
Any help would be great.
 
coastie81

coastie81

Member
Originally Posted by tjnitro
http:///forum/post/3145294
Now that everyone has helped me decide that I need a T5 HO light for my standard 75 gallon aquarium I have new questions.
I have seen lights with different number of bulbs in them. what one would I need for my 75 gallon tank to make it a good reef tank. also there are two different kinds of bulbs in each light. They are usualy mixed how would you suggest doing that?
Any help would be great.
I would go with either the nova extreme pro model or TEK. They both are good lights for the money. The bulb number doesn't matter a whole lot, but I would say get atleast 6. The main concern to look at with T5's is make sure they have individual reflectors and not just 1 big reflector. just my .02
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
DIY it yourself and save cash. lol. Then again, I've always used NOVA and it's been very good, even without individual reflectors. Good luck! (by the way, I also agree with 6 and up) If you can, try and get 460nm actinics, and not just 420nm, the colors will POP more!
 
truperc

truperc

Member
Originally Posted by tjnitro
http:///forum/post/3145294
Now that everyone has helped me decide that I need a T5 HO light for my standard 75 gallon aquarium I have new questions.
I have seen lights with different number of bulbs in them. what one would I need for my 75 gallon tank to make it a good reef tank. also there are two different kinds of bulbs in each light. They are usualy mixed how would you suggest doing that?
Any help would be great.
First, I am not sure what you consider a good reef tank.
What you want to keep in the tank is the determination on how much light you need.
At the end of the day, your corals need a certain level of PAR.
This is achieved by your lights, and your placement of the corals in the tank. e.g. the higher in the tank the more PAR they get.
Here are some links.
Explanation
http://tfivetesting.googlepages.com/bulbs
Suggestion
http://tfivetesting.googlepages.com/combinatio
Par readings
http://tfivetesting.googlepages.com/par
 
C

cmaxwell39

Guest
I agree that you need to decide what all you want to keep in the tank. If you are wanting a lot of sps then you will want to go with at least a NEP or TEK. I would even look at bumping up to an aquactinics fixture. The TX5 will would probably work really well over that tank as well. It only has 5 bulbs, but the cooling and reflectors are much better than on the NEP or the TEK.
Also, spend some money and get good bulbs. It is worth it. THe Nova comes with bulbs, but I would change them out. ATI, Giessman and UVL are good brands to start with. Actual bulb choice will come down to what kind of color you want out of your fixture.
T5's are very good lights, and with the right fixture and the right bulbs can equal the output of a lot of metal halides, but do your research so that you know what you want out of your fixture. Shopping for lights can be frustrating, but remember, most of the time you get what you pay for.
 
big

big

Active Member
I agree with most all here. One little issue about the reflector not reflectors on the N.Ex.Pro ....... It is a good light well worth the bucks. But the reflector in question is made from one well shaped reflective sheet,not individual ones.....(Unless they have changed the design since I bought mine.)..
This is not an issue to worry about.The sheet is well designed for optimal reflectivity .As a matter of discussion, the shaped parabolic sheet may provide better PAR values than individual reflectors are capable of providing if both are of equal reflective material ............Yes I know everyone always says "individual reflectors , but that statement may have exceptions such as in the case of the reflector on the N.Ex. Pro.
Also someone said it has lunar lights.......If it does now that is an upgrade since I bought mine, mine does not, no big deal to me.
 
fraggle rock

fraggle rock

Member
SOrry , youre right the Pro doesnot have moonlights, it is now made with individual reflectors, as well as the some of the smaller extreme fixtures, the 8 lamp 48" extreme is still with the german parabolic. it also apperas that the smaller extrems no longer have moonlights, this is from the current site today. So watch what you buy make sure its the assembly run with the features you want, not last years model off someones back shelf.
 
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