What size t5 48"

[Maxwell881]

I have a 75 gallon tank with live rock a couple of small soft corals and fish. I currently have a pc light setup right now, but I really want to go to the T5 HO 48" setup. What is overkill and what is not enough. I would like to have SPS corals, (which I believe are the hard corals) along with fish, live rock and softies. I know that there are 4,6, and 8 bulb setups available. What is the best way to go for the setup that I am looking to run. Thanks

[tropicana]

The 8 is not overkill... I have Overkill 800w MH over a 55g.

[CoryDude]

Go w/the 8 bulb config. You'll regret anything less if you want to attempt SPS.


The 8 is not overkill... I have Overkill 800w MH over a 55g.

Wow! Bet that lights up the room! What size chiller do use to handle the heat load?

[coraline79]

Go w/the 8 bulb config. You'll regret anything less if you want to attempt SPS.


I am no seasoned sps pro, but I am successfully keeping green monti caps and a green slimer under 78w Glo 36" in my 30 long tank. I had 2 Glo's on there 4 bulbs ttl, and I took one off because I found that the tank wa doing fine w/o it, and I didn't need the excess heat. I think 6 would give you great results.

I dont know what your depth(front to back)is on your tank, but 8 is going to be a tight fit. with them that close they are going to produce a lot of localized heat, reducing the life of your bulbs. Why don't you run 2 MH 175's/250's and 2 48" t5ho retro's w/ individual reflectors. That will put you at a total of 450-600 ttl watts. + you will have room for some fans in your canopy.

You are going to spend as much on the 8 x t5's alone, and they will get you around 432 watts. I know there are some differences, but if you can afford it why not have the best of both worlds.

[alton]

6 lamp with individual reflectors. The 8 lamp will be wider than your aquarium. Some one here on MAAST did very well with 6 lamps on his 75. I have attached a fixture to give you a width.

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~action~view~idProduct~SL2119~idCategor y~FILTFIT58U~category~48in_Units~vendor~.html

[lt1z28]

I grew sps with a 5 lamp fixture over a 55 gallon. 6 bulbs will be enough for a 75 gallon. Make sure you get a quality fixture with good reflectors such as tek or aquactinics. Get good bulbs such as ATI, KZ, and Giessman (sp?).

[CoryDude]

Who's the best candidate in '08, how to raise your kids, and how to light your tank; 3 topics guaranteed to get a wide array of responses. Whether you go w/4,6,8 (who do you appreciate) just keep in mind where you think you'll be w/the hobby down the road. The 6-8 bulb configuration will allow for a deeper tank should you decide to go bigger in the future.

[Bill S]

I have 4 on my 55. It will grow cap and slimer. But for real SPS growth, I'm not sure that 6 will do. MAYBE with good reflectors and a committment to keep it clean. MAYBE.

[Maxwell881]

I appreciate all the info that you guy's have shared with me on this topic. I am now for sure going to pick up a T5 HO fixture, and I will probably go with a 6 bulb setup. Oh by the way, my tank size is 48" x 20" x 18". Here are a couple of pics of my tank in it's current state.

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o62/Maxwell881/th_P1030775.jpg (http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o62/Maxwell881/P1030775.jpg)
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o62/Maxwell881/th_P1030812.jpg (http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o62/Maxwell881/P1030812.jpg)
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o62/Maxwell881/th_P1030813.jpg (http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o62/Maxwell881/P1030813.jpg)

[Jamie]

That's a really nice looking tank.

I run 6X80 watt T5HO's over my 150 and every coral that I have put in there (Softy/LPS/SPS) has done extremely well. I've actually been running 5 for sometime now because I broke an endcap...still everything is growing great.

You will be very happy with your new lights. One great thing about the T5s is that with 6+ bulbs you can completely customize the color combination of the bulbs. I have all Geissmans and am very happy. They give a PAR relatively close to that of MH with only a fraction of heat. With your tank only being 20" deep, I think they will be perfect.

[Jamie]

Oh...and though I run...and would recommend...individual reflectors, it looks like you don't have an enclosed canopy. You may be happier with an all in one unit like you have now.

[ErikH]

I have 6 T5s that I just bought today. I havent gotten reflectors yet, but they're crammed under the lid with a 250w PFO mini so I am hoping they will fit. They're only 36" but evenly light the tank, and my old setup wasn't as near as bright! It's whiter than I want, but I can change all of that. :)

[Maxwell881]

I am actually in the middle of building a completely enclosed hood for the tank. I think it will be better that way for the T5 light. When I finish the hood I will post pics and let you guys see what it looks like.