t5 lights for a 40+g

[NanoreefChris]

I want to know if the really high end t5 units (4bulb) would be sufficient to keep up to the most light demanding coral for a 40g-48g tank. (36 X 18 X 18 or 16) I am thinking about either a Tek or ATI unit. Would 4 bulbs on one of these be ok for clams and SPS? A few people have told me that 6 bulbs would be too much for a light that has really high end reflectors.

Thoughts?

 

[ricwilli]

You don't have to go high-end for a tank this size. Yes, reflectors do make a difference but with the height of your tank, you don't have to worry to much about it. I would go with the 6 bulb fixture. This way you have more spread. I actually had a 6 bulb fixture on a 20 gallon and all the corals were doing just fine. When I'm done setting up my tank, I will use the 20 gallon with the 6 bulb fixture as my frag tank.

 

[Audi0s]

Id say go big, I looked at the Tek, ATI, and Current fixtures lately, and you can really see the difference in quality. Current is cheapest, with bent reflectors, while tek and ati use individual. On reefgeek, the difference was about 100 between the tek and ati with bulbs, so I went with the ATI. My 29 bowfront is 19 tall, and you can see the difference in colors towards the bottom using my Nova Extreme, as compared to the Current Sundial over my 24 NC. Ive also heard that theres not really decent light penetration with the Nova. My ATI sunpower is coming this week! 6 bulbs would probably do the trick as well, individual refelctors or not.

 

[JRWOHLER]

I think the 4X39 is enough but 6X39 will be great if you are looking to keep SPS lower or a clam on the bottom. Most important thing I believe is bulb choice. UVL Aquasun, ATI Blue Plus, Giesseman Pure Actinic ar all superior bulbs for par and color. I will let you know how the Ice Cap bulbs work very soon it is time to rotate them in. I think that difference between fixtures is often the bulbs put in to it.

 

[ReeferNets]

Hey Nano,

I have a 36 in aquatinics 5 bulb t-5 fixture for sale but more importantly. Its blow TEK and Current out of the water, Ive had SPS under it hard to keep anemones that require high light.

ATI is awsome but too expensive.

 

[vangvace]

N-r thread that is relative to your interests

Oh and don't forget about IceCap if you can make a trip to Trenton.

 

[NanoreefChris]

wow i totally am interested now in an aquatinics fixture when i saw that they use miro reflectors. I have miros on one of my PC retros and they are incredible.

I saw an aquatinics light at richies house and it looked really nice. Im just wondering if they can be hung since i think 5 T5's could end up bleaching corals cause its so close to the water.