T-5 reccomendations

[Dvon0605]

I've never had any experience with T-5's. I want to get a fixture for my 70 gallon oceanic tech tank. I figure it's cheaper to get t-5's instead of metal halides and a chiller. What 36" fixture do you guys reccomend? What bulbs? I want to keep lps, zoos, rics, and a few sps. Thanks

Deven

 

[primetime]

Deven,
Did you want a retro fit kit or a fixture? How many bulbs? Need to know how wide your tank is. Reefgeek has a wide selection of both.

As for bulbs, always get more than you need to get the look you want,look at 2@ATI blue+, UVL Super Actinic, ATI ProColor, UVL AquaSun, GE 6500K and Geismann Aquablue +. With these bulbs and individual reflectors, you can keep any type of corals and clams you want. Do you want a bluer look, looking for mainly growth? Or a combo of the two.

My current light config is:
Front to Back
ATI Blue+
UVL Super Actinic (Dusk Dawn)
Aqua Blue+
ATI Blue + (Dusk Dawn)
Pro Color
ATI Blue + (Dusk Dawn)

Hope that helps.

 

[philv]

have 4X54w icecap retro fit that I got from reef geek in my 75 gallon, keeping lps, sps, and a clam with no problems

 

[Photobret]

How deep is your tank? On my 36x18x18 I have the Teklight 6 x39w fixture system and it rocks. Good enough for anything with that amount of light. Max depth would be 24" Or keep SPS near the top. Overdriving your bulbs is the next step for deeper SPS dominant tanks.

 

[Dvon0605]

My tank is 24" deep. I was looking for a fixture

 

[adam1121]

Hey deven, guess who this is....

"I wanna take a minute and hijack this thread to talk about how much MAX convention is gonna suck and how involved i am talking crap on it with this here keyboard"

Heres a hint,

Its your favorite person.

Now back on topic lol, when did you get the new tank?

 

[Kenfuzed]

If you can afford it go with the Aquactinics fixture. One of the best designs around with an outstanding reflector.

 

[Mark82]

I have the Aquactinics tx5 5x54 on my 55 and it's been working great for me.

 

[Dvon0605]

I got it on tuesday. I love oceanic tech tanks!

 

[Dvon0605]

Anyone have experience with the nova fixtures? I'm not planning on keeping acros, so would the 4 x 39 watt fixture be a good choice? I'm kind of tight on money right now. Dimensions of my tank is 36x18x25. Thanks

Deven

 

[danyen]

IMO, Tek lights have the most bang for the buck in T5's. They have great individual reflectors, and they are cheaper than most other fixtures with that feature. Plus, on a Tech tank it would look very clean open top with the tank brackets. I use Tek's myself, and I've even been thinking about upgrading to the tech tank. Whatever you do, buy something with individual reflectors... that is the key to success with t5's. They aren't that great without the reflectors IMHO

 

[Dvon0605]

I would love to get the tek lights, but they are pretty pricey brand new. Maybe I'll shop for a used one

 

[danyen]

I saw a set on thereeftank. The guy's in Corona, asking $325 for a 36" 6 bulb new in box. not exactly cheap, but better than retail. Sunlight Supply also makes the sun blazes. They have a 2' and a 4', but no 3' if i recall. Same reflectors, same ballast, and a good deal cheaper. I saw them in use at amazing aquariums in Orange and they looked pretty clean.

 

[Photobret]

The Novas are ok, just the most important part, the reflector isnt really that good. The tank will be fine for softies and lps but not SPS. Either save your money or just go with that setup and leave SPS alone for now. One thing I have learnt from reefing in my short experience is go large on lighting as you will want to replace it later if you dont. I have a 36" HQi+PC fixture for sale if you are interested.

Coming back to T5 though, I still recommend the Teklight 6 x39w. Dont go cheap on lighting though!