4 Bulb T5 - It can be done!...?

[thebanker]

The naysayers claim it's not enough light. They claim you can't do it. I sayeth fie on the naysayers!

I grow SPS under a 4 x 54w Current USA light. Now most my SPS isn't TOTM material, but a couple pieces are really taking off, namely a pink seriatopora, a green seriatopora, a brown/purple montipora capricornisthat is taking over my tank, a blue acropora tenuis, a green acropora (robusta sp?), and a white & green pocillopora damicornis.

Of course I have a few pieces that are languishing with slow growth, like a couple pearlberry frags, a neon yellow slimer, and pokerstars montipora. Of course some are slow growers. I know my fixture doesn't give "ideal lighting conditions" when compared to a 6-bulb Tek or overdriven Icecap fixture, but my SPS is growing regardless.

If you keep SPS and have a 4-bulb T5 fixture, post it up! I'm at work now, so I'll post some later. Talk about your bulb combo, lighting period, and other relevant info please!

 

[glennr1978]

For some reason photobucket is down right now but you can see my tank in the following link. It's by no means totm material or even ntotm material but it's not terrible. I've been using a sundial 4x's 24w T5 fixture over it for about a year. I'm running 2 ATI blue+, 1 ATI aquablue special, and 1 UVL aquasun. I suppose the other "relevant info" about my tank is that it is all but completely automated. I've got it set up to perform small wc's automatically every 3 hours 24/7, and all dosing is automated as well. All I have to do is feed the fish .

http://http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1734803

 

[thebanker]

For some reason photobucket is down right now but you can see my tank in the following link. It's by no means totm material or even ntotm material but it's not terrible. I've been using a sundial 4x's 24w T5 fixture over it for about a year. I'm running 2 ATI blue+, 1 ATI aquablue special, and 1 UVL aquasun. I suppose the other "relevant info" about my tank is that it is all but completely automated. I've got it set up to perform small wc's automatically every 3 hours 24/7, and all dosing is automated as well. All I have to do is feed the fish .

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1734803

Fixed the link for ya. My firewall at work blocks stuff, but I'll check it out for sure!

 

[glennr1978]

Oops. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1734803 should work now .

 

[MeVsTheWorld]

I've never really heard ppl say it couldn't be done, but here is my tank of 2 yrs running on 4 T5's. 3 ATI blu+ & 1 Fiji purple running from 1:30 - 10:00.

 

[zaheda]

I dont see any pics, Im very interisted to see.

 

[sahin]

Subscribed! I am going to run a 6x24watt Sunpower on my new Rimless 47G. If a 4 tubed non ATI unit can grow healthy and colourful SPS then my unit should do just as well if not better.

So please post your 4 tubed T5 lit tanks. It be good if you can post closeup photos of SPS showing good colour. Many thanks.

 

[sahin]

Bump!

 

[sahin]

New bump! There must be a few more 4 bulb T5 setups out there...?

 

[dg3147]

<a href="http://s774.photobucket.com/albums/yy22/david_gutkin/NP%20pellet%20update%20and%20FTS/?action=view&current=IMG_0446.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i774.photobucket.com/albums/yy22/david_gutkin/NP%20pellet%20update%20and%20FTS/IMG_0446.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[Ocean Mang]

My Son has a 46 gallon Bowfront. We are in search of a 4 bulb T5 fixture right now to grow some SPS. I will post pics when we get it going.

 

[bigdoug]

nice!

 

[The Grizz]

Hi all, I have never posted here but was told about this thread because I am have some issues. I have an 8' L x 22' W x 18" D tank that has been running since April of this year. Everything was move into it from a 155 BF that was up and running for almost a year. For lighting I have 4 - 4 bulb 54W T5 Odyssey fixture running all kz bulbs, Coral Lights, New Gens, Super Blue and Fiji Purples all new in August.

My problem is that I am losing calms 4 in the last 3 months and can not seem to keep any SPS AT ALL. Any ideas or suggestions.

 

[thebanker]

Grizz it might not be your lights. I would post a thread about it in the invertebrate forums, and also it would be good to know your water parameters so we can better help you.

On another note, I accidentally broke my iPhone, which was my digital camera, so i haven't been able to get pics of my tank. D'oh! I'll get some pics soon.

 

[Laurier]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1801186

40 breeder with a 4bulb tek. Love this guys tank for some reason and keep going back to that thread now and than

 

[CUNAReefer]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1801186

40 breeder with a 4bulb tek. Love this guys tank for some reason and keep going back to that thread now and than

Absolutely stunning. A true testament to what you can do with a 4 bulb tek. He even has a clam on the sand bed!

 

[Manwolf]

I just got new bulbs for my tek 4 bulb fixture for my 30g. I got 2 ATI Blue+ 1 ATI

 

[MikeandNicole]

We had a 20g tall with a 4 bulb T5 and our SPS grew very well and had great color. We just had to be more conscious of coral placement.

 

[THE JOEY]

I have a 6 buld NEP. Everyone says that the TEK 4 bulb w/SLR has more par. If that is true you will be able to keep any SPS. Here is a pic of my tank.

 

[thebanker]

Here are pics of my 55G reef.

FTS November 2010

Right Side

Left Side

The same ORA pink birdsnest, May 2010

FTS, May 2010

Current FTS
(obviously some things have died plus I did some reaquascaping)


And for all wondering, it's a Current USA Nova Extreme with ATI and Wavepoint bulbs.