75 Gal with T5 lights - how many bulbs?

Ratpack · 12-10-2007, 05:06 PM

I am planning my 75g display and have all but decided on T5 lighting because it is too hot in S.C. without a chiller to run MH I believe. My plan is mostly LPS and softies. However, I would like to try a few SPS and perhaps a RBTA. My aquascaping plan will allow for these to be in the top half of the tank. So my question is, how many bulbs should I get? I am looking at the TEK fixture and they go up to 8, but do I really need that many?

ninjataco777 · 12-10-2007, 05:10 PM

my friend has the outer orbit fixture, with 2x150w halides, and 2x120w actinic pc's. that would be excellent lighting, and i know people with it, they dont use chillers, it has 3 built in fans, plus the halides will give you an advantage if you want clams, and with the RBTA even though they need less light then most anems.

Frankie · 12-10-2007, 05:18 PM

8 with the proper bulb mixture works fine over a 75 with sps. I have seen some pretty intense tanks with just t5's.

DrHank · 12-10-2007, 07:37 PM

I agree with both choices. I've had T5s but I missed the shimmer you get with MH. For a T5 only set up I'd go at least 6 with individual reflectors, 8 if you plan on many SPS or clams. Again though, MH rules, I'd go with a pair of 250w 14Ks and be done with it..

prow · 12-11-2007, 06:22 PM

depending on the ballast and reflector 6 should do. my tank is a sps dominated tank with a few clams. i use 6 T5 bulbs on it, nothing else. check my chronicle, next week i plan to update it, but all the corals have doubled+ in the past 6 months

lcstorc · 12-11-2007, 06:31 PM

I would get as many as will fit. Preferrably with individual reflectors. That should allow you to keep most anything particularly if they are HO or VHO lights.

Flamehawk · 12-20-2007, 02:06 AM

(4) T5's on IceCap 660 with quality brand bulbs (ATI has more PAR) and quality parabolic reflectors. Hope this helps, JOHNNY

Melanie · 12-20-2007, 06:07 AM

I have a 72 gallon with 4 bulbs (54 wt. X 4). It really limits me. If you are going with T5s, and you have plans of an anemone and perhaps SPS you should go ahead and get at least 6 bulbs.

waucedah_joe · 12-20-2007, 01:10 PM

I also have a 75 gal. display. About 5 months ago I upgraded my 260W PC lighting to a Tek T5 6 bulb fixture and have been very happy with the results so far. Had to give my GSP the boot it just exploded in growth. Admittedly I don't have very light demanding corals yet. Also, this fixture nearly covers the entire width of the tank. An 8 bulb fixture might be wider than your tank. One thing about the Tek that they mention as a feature is that it has no fans. While making for a very sleek and quiet package, mine runs HOT which I'm told will shorten the life of the bulbs. FWIW Great thread over at RC on bulb selection for optimum color / growth too.

Whiskey · 12-20-2007, 03:02 PM

If you are going with the Tek fixture (great choice) I would go with 6 bulbs,.. only if you are going to use allot of "True Atinics" would I consider the 8 bulb fixture.

I have a tank with the same footprint as yours, but it's only 12" wide rather than 18,.. (mine's a 50G) I used the 4 bulb retro and was able to keep SPS quite happy.

Whiskey

Jake · 12-20-2007, 10:57 PM

I have a 75G with 4-T5s with individual reflectors and it fills the entire canapy area in width and length. I am not sure how other fixtures get 6 or 8 bulbs except that they must have smaller reflectors. I don't remember the brand I have without looking it up. I have been happy with it but I have not had anything else to compare it to. I do like the shimmer of MH though....
On the temperature topic, I do not run a chiller, have a full canapy hood, and live in Florida. So T5s can get by in FL without a chiller.

prow · 12-21-2007, 12:27 PM

what wattage bulbs can you fit? i have 6 T5 bulbs on my 120gal, growing clams and sps all over the place bottom top. my photoperiod is 10 hours but only 5 hours with all six on.

360reefer · 12-23-2007, 04:05 AM

I agree that 6 with individual reflectors would be plenty.Anymore bulbs and you may be lighting the floors behind or in front of the tank.Stick with ATI,UV and GE6500k bulbs.They have the best PAR,well actually ATI has the best-est PAR.

prow · 12-23-2007, 11:26 AM

i posted this on the PC and T5 confusion thread. but here is a 80gal running with just 4 x54w T5's.

Advanced Aquarist's Online Magazine - Feature Aquarium: The Aquarium of Frank Esser

heinz would like this one as he uses the balling method for sups.

Ratpack · 01-13-2008, 01:36 PM

Nice tank and he says he only has 4 T5 bulbs. I went ahead and got a TEK fixture with 6 bulbs, so hopefully I can keep some SPS too.

12-10-2007, 05:06 PM	#1 (permalink)
Ratpack Limpet Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Lexington, SC Posts: 127 View Gallery Karma Komment	75 Gal with T5 lights - how many bulbs? I am planning my 75g display and have all but decided on T5 lighting because it is too hot in S.C. without a chiller to run MH I believe. My plan is mostly LPS and softies. However, I would like to try a few SPS and perhaps a RBTA. My aquascaping plan will allow for these to be in the top half of the tank. So my question is, how many bulbs should I get? I am looking at the TEK fixture and they go up to 8, but do I really need that many?

12-10-2007, 05:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
ninjataco777 Scopas Tang Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: south jersey Posts: 470 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: 75 Gal with T5 lights - how many bulbs? my friend has the outer orbit fixture, with 2x150w halides, and 2x120w actinic pc's. that would be excellent lighting, and i know people with it, they dont use chillers, it has 3 built in fans, plus the halides will give you an advantage if you want clams, and with the RBTA even though they need less light then most anems. __________________ "Take the warning labels off and let the problem solve itself" RS Nano Club My 29 Gallon Oceanic Biocube Reef Chronicle http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...c-biocube.html ANTI-WALDO ANTI-BIO-BALL ANTI-CARRIBEAN BRISTLEWORM

12-10-2007, 05:18 PM	#3 (permalink)
Frankie Angel Girl's Daddy Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: The End Of The World Posts: 7,099 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: 75 Gal with T5 lights - how many bulbs? 8 with the proper bulb mixture works fine over a 75 with sps. I have seen some pretty intense tanks with just t5's. __________________ Visit my aquarium -->New Horizons By Frankie Bruce: Today's meeting is Step 5: Bring a fish friend. Everyone brought a fish friend? DIY=DO IT YOURSELF! If we ignore the environment maybe it will just go away....

12-10-2007, 07:37 PM	#4 (permalink)
DrHank Golden Moray Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Crestview, FL Posts: 2,251 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: 75 Gal with T5 lights - how many bulbs? I agree with both choices. I've had T5s but I missed the shimmer you get with MH. For a T5 only set up I'd go at least 6 with individual reflectors, 8 if you plan on many SPS or clams. Again though, MH rules, I'd go with a pair of 250w 14Ks and be done with it.. __________________ Jim Dr Hank's 210 Build: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...nks-tanks.html Dr Hank's 155 Bowfront:http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...-bowfront.html

12-11-2007, 06:22 PM	#5 (permalink)
prow Manta Ray Join Date: May 2005 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 3,854 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: 75 Gal with T5 lights - how many bulbs? depending on the ballast and reflector 6 should do. my tank is a sps dominated tank with a few clams. i use 6 T5 bulbs on it, nothing else. check my chronicle, next week i plan to update it, but all the corals have doubled+ in the past 6 months __________________ "He who sees things grow from their beginnings shall have the finest view of them" ........Aristotle........ "The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad." - Salvador Dali my chronicle........ http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...al-system.html

12-11-2007, 06:31 PM	#6 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 18,412 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: 75 Gal with T5 lights - how many bulbs? I would get as many as will fit. Preferrably with individual reflectors. That should allow you to keep most anything particularly if they are HO or VHO lights. __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.

12-20-2007, 02:06 AM	#7 (permalink)
Flamehawk Tubeworm Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 30 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: 75 Gal with T5 lights - how many bulbs? (4) T5's on IceCap 660 with quality brand bulbs (ATI has more PAR) and quality parabolic reflectors. Hope this helps, JOHNNY

12-20-2007, 06:07 AM	#8 (permalink)
Melanie Golden Moray Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Naples, Florida Posts: 2,120 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: 75 Gal with T5 lights - how many bulbs? I have a 72 gallon with 4 bulbs (54 wt. X 4). It really limits me. If you are going with T5s, and you have plans of an anemone and perhaps SPS you should go ahead and get at least 6 bulbs. __________________ My Reef Journey Latest Recap My Videos My Flickr Photos Pres. of Dork Club I love ScubaDrew and North East Coral! Read why HERE...

12-20-2007, 01:10 PM	#9 (permalink)
waucedah_joe Midas Blenny Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Iron Mountain, MI area Posts: 113 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: 75 Gal with T5 lights - how many bulbs? I also have a 75 gal. display. About 5 months ago I upgraded my 260W PC lighting to a Tek T5 6 bulb fixture and have been very happy with the results so far. Had to give my GSP the boot it just exploded in growth. Admittedly I don't have very light demanding corals yet. Also, this fixture nearly covers the entire width of the tank. An 8 bulb fixture might be wider than your tank. One thing about the Tek that they mention as a feature is that it has no fans. While making for a very sleek and quiet package, mine runs HOT which I'm told will shorten the life of the bulbs. FWIW Great thread over at RC on bulb selection for optimum color / growth too.

12-20-2007, 03:02 PM	#10 (permalink)
Whiskey Just some guy, you know? Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 850 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: 75 Gal with T5 lights - how many bulbs? If you are going with the Tek fixture (great choice) I would go with 6 bulbs,.. only if you are going to use allot of "True Atinics" would I consider the 8 bulb fixture. I have a tank with the same footprint as yours, but it's only 12" wide rather than 18,.. (mine's a 50G) I used the 4 bulb retro and was able to keep SPS quite happy. Whiskey __________________ I'm the guy that ruined it for everyone. I say, what occurs to me to say, when it occurs to me to say it, much more I cannot say. Stop by and welcome me to RS,.. this takes you direct to my new pics: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...tml#post356787

12-20-2007, 10:57 PM	#11 (permalink)
Jake Serpent Star Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 227 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: 75 Gal with T5 lights - how many bulbs? I have a 75G with 4-T5s with individual reflectors and it fills the entire canapy area in width and length. I am not sure how other fixtures get 6 or 8 bulbs except that they must have smaller reflectors. I don't remember the brand I have without looking it up. I have been happy with it but I have not had anything else to compare it to. I do like the shimmer of MH though.... On the temperature topic, I do not run a chiller, have a full canapy hood, and live in Florida. So T5s can get by in FL without a chiller. __________________ 75 Gal Setup 4/07 Fish: Purple Tang 6", Solarensis Fairy Wrasse, Pajama Cardinal, Two Ocellarous Clowns, Neon Goby, Two Firefish Inverts: Several Blue leg hermits, 4 Tubo Snails, 4 Nassarius Snails, 5 Zebra Turbo snails, 5 Trochus Grazer snails, 1 cleaner shrimp, 1 feather duster Coral: Frogspawn, Cynarina (pinkish - cool), African Blue Zenia, Long White Polyp Tip Leather, Pink Pavona, Blue, Green, Orange Recordia, Orange Monti Cap, Green Star Polyp, Zoo Cat Eye, Green Clove Polyp.

12-21-2007, 12:27 PM	#12 (permalink)
prow Manta Ray Join Date: May 2005 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 3,854 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: 75 Gal with T5 lights - how many bulbs? what wattage bulbs can you fit? i have 6 T5 bulbs on my 120gal, growing clams and sps all over the place bottom top. my photoperiod is 10 hours but only 5 hours with all six on. __________________ "He who sees things grow from their beginnings shall have the finest view of them" ........Aristotle........ "The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad." - Salvador Dali my chronicle........ http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...al-system.html

12-23-2007, 04:05 AM	#13 (permalink)
360reefer Tunicate Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Clarksville,Tn Posts: 18 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: 75 Gal with T5 lights - how many bulbs? I agree that 6 with individual reflectors would be plenty.Anymore bulbs and you may be lighting the floors behind or in front of the tank.Stick with ATI,UV and GE6500k bulbs.They have the best PAR,well actually ATI has the best-est PAR. __________________ The needs of the many outweighs the needs of the few Dominick AGA 210g. reef/Aquactinics Constellation/Lifereef custom sump and refugium(65g. total)/Panworld return/SVS-24 skimmer w/mag9.5/Reef Fanatic ATO Anthias fanatic currently keeping-dispar,barlettorum,carberryi,evansi,squamipinnis, tuka,pulcherrimus, paravirostris.

12-23-2007, 11:26 AM	#14 (permalink)
prow Manta Ray Join Date: May 2005 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 3,854 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: 75 Gal with T5 lights - how many bulbs? i posted this on the PC and T5 confusion thread. but here is a 80gal running with just 4 x54w T5's. Advanced Aquarist's Online Magazine - Feature Aquarium: The Aquarium of Frank Esser heinz would like this one as he uses the balling method for sups. __________________ "He who sees things grow from their beginnings shall have the finest view of them" ........Aristotle........ "The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad." - Salvador Dali my chronicle........ http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...al-system.html

01-13-2008, 01:36 PM	#15 (permalink)
Ratpack Limpet Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Lexington, SC Posts: 127 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: 75 Gal with T5 lights - how many bulbs? Nice tank and he says he only has 4 T5 bulbs. I went ahead and got a TEK fixture with 6 bulbs, so hopefully I can keep some SPS too.

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