48" 75g T5 lighting for SPS

E

ericdamangus

New member
I am in the process of starting a 75g mixed reef. I will want to keep a good amount of SPS though. Will a Current USA Nova Extreme Pro T5 Aquarium Lighting Fixture, 6X54 Watt be adequate for my tank?

I'm new to T5s as my last fixture was DE MH's with PC actinics. Could anyone give me advice on what lights I should use and which order in the fixture for best combination of color and growth for SPS? I've heard ATI and Geiisman are the best brands.

Thanks for your help!
 
The Nova should be fine over a 75. You could probably also use a 4 bulb fixture if oyu went with one of the ATI fixtures.

In my 6 bulb, I use:
Front
ATI blue +
Fiji purple
ATI blue +
UVL actinic white
ATI blue +
ATI blue +
Back

It's a little more red than I want. I'm going to try either a aquablue special in place of the UVL or a UVL 75.25 instead of the fiji purple.
 
I use the same fixture over my 90 gallon and my sps is growing well. I use the same bulb combo as Ben with the exception of the uvl actinic - I use a 12k blue special.

Check out the t5 thread over in the lighting forum - lots of useful info.
 
The 6xT5 will be a nice fit for a mixed tank. You will need to keep SPS in the top 2/3rds though - down lower you might have coloring issues.

The t5x4 doesn't seem to penetrate as deep as the 6xt5 (I have both and used a par meter - same bulbs) - both running 4 lights - wither I have a bad ballast in the 4x, or the 6x has a bettter ballast/reflector/cooling.

I've read in a couple places the ATI can do SPS through 24", even 30 for lower light SPS.

for bulbs I like:
4x ATI Blue +
1x geissman mid-day
1x Fiji

if you are ever in Syracuse let me know, I have two T5 setups you can take a look at.
 
that grimreefer t5 Q&A thread in the lighting and filtration is awesome. even though i'm happy w my combo, i check that thread every now and then to see what's new.
 
Wow, that was fast. Thanks a lot everyone. It sounds like I should have no problem using the 6xT5s over the 75. I used to hear only DE MH's for sps. It sounds like I should have the same growth and color with t5s?

Also now that it sounds like i got my fixture all set, the next biggest question is flow. I am completely lost when it comes to flow.

I was thinking about using a mag 7 or mag 9 return pump. Then inside the tank I really don't know where to start. I've heard a lot about the vortech mp's but they are so expensive. Since I will be starting with all frags, will 2 koralia 4's work for sufficient flow?

Underneath the tank I will have a 20L with DIY baffles. I really want to do this tank right from the beginning. Does anyone have any other advice? This is my first tank w/ SPS. I've always had LPS dominated tanks.
 
In my honest opinion, I would reconsider the Current NEP. T5's are becoming very popular, but there's a lot of crappy fixtures out there (the Current Nova being one) that don't use true individual reflectors, use non-spec low-quality ballasts, and include lack-luster bulbs.

As mentioned before, ATI fixtures are light powerhouses, but that type of quality doesn't come cheap. If you are looking for a reliable and long-lasting fixture in the NEP price range, consider a 6-Bulb Tek. You can likely get away with a 4-Bulb, but the extra two bulbs allow you to adjust the color spectrum to your liking without sacrificing PAR. With the Tek, you can pick whatever bulbs you'd like and it still ends up being cheaper than the Current. A bulb combo like the one listed below would give you a nice 20K look and still allow you to grow SPS on the sand. :smokin:

(From front to back):

-ATI Blue Plus
-ATI Blue Plus
-KZ Figi Purple
-ATI Blue Plus
-ATI Aquablue Special
-ATI Blue Plus

Again, this is just my opinion but it's coming from someone who has experience with almost every T5 fixture (and bulb) on the market. HTH! :)
 
I agree with Johny that there is a large range of quality in fixtures. Stay away from single reflectors (one big reflector for all the bulbs. At minimum get a pressed sheet with individual reflectors (Tek AND Nova has these - but be careful not all Nova fixtures do).

Get what you can afford. I would love an ATI fixture - too much coin for me right now. I have a Nova 6xT5 because the price was right - the Tek are said to be slightly better - though they offer no cooling.

To say Nova fixtures are junk might be a little over the top. I'm growing SPS with no issue with them - then again that isn't to say there aren't better fixtures. For the price the fixture does the job. If you are going to buy new go with Tek, if you can afford ATI you will not be disappointed.

regardless of what you get, make sure to get good bulbs. the current bulbs I would say are considerably below the rest. I picked up a new current nova extreme 6xt5 fixture with no bulbs for $200 shipped - hard to say no!

Then again your are talking with a guy that drives a malibu - it does the job, then again if you can afford a mercedes you will not be disappointed :)
 
Thanks everyone for the info. I actually got an incredible deal on the NEP so i'm going to stick it out for at least one cycle of the bulbs and maybe dump it when I need to replace them.

Based on the grim reefer webpage this is what i've came up with for a 15k look:

For a 6 lamp Tek or Nova Pro

1. ATI Blue plus
2. UVL Actinic White
3. ATI Blue plus
4. GE 6500K
5. ATI Blue plus
6. ATI Blue plus

Grim also says: You could make the color slightly bluer by moving the Actinic White and GE lamps back one slot so 2 blues are in front. For a more blue look replace the GE lamp with an Aquablue, less blue replace a blue with an Aquablue.


For the best color and growth, 15K is what i'm looking for right? Also the fixture comes with two switches. What should my dawn/dusk time period be and how many hours should I run it daily? I'm assuming switch1 controls 1,3,5 and switch2 controls 2,4,6.
 
Congrats! I have two and both are growing SPS with no issue. I would encourage replacig the current bulbs as soon as possible!
 
I use a fiji purple in place of actinic and 12k in place of the GE and get a nice blue color.

The switches control 2 and 4 bulbs. I put my 2 on for an hour before the 4 and an hour after the 4 go off. I run my lights for 13 hours total.
 
I'm a little confused about the lighting pattern grim reefer recommends:

1. ATI Blue plus
2. UVL Actinic White
3. ATI Blue plus
4. GE 6500K
5. ATI Blue plus
6. ATI Blue plus


Is the timer supposed to be setup to have 1,3,5,6 come on for 10 hours and the 2&4 to come on for 6-8 hours in between? Or is it visa versa? and should 10 hours of t5 lighting be sufficient? (I used to run my halide/pcs on about the same pattern).
 
The 2 should come on first and go off last to simulate sunrise and sunset. The 4 bulbs should come on in between.

I run mine as follows:
2 bulbs on - 9:30am
4 bulbs on - 10:30am
4 bulbs off - 9:30pm
2 bulbs off - 10:30pm

My 2 bulb setup contains the blue plus. Not sure about 10 hours but I'm probably going a little long on the lighting with 13 hours.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

A
How to Install Linear Actuators for Easy Lifting of Your Reef Tank SPS Light
Replies
4
Views
889
oreo57
oreo57
t0mmy108
Kessil light options for a Waterbox Marine X 90.3
Replies
2
Views
541
BuckeyeFish
BuckeyeFish
shackscs
Current Loop Led Lighting needed
Replies
4
Views
782
shackscs
shackscs
W
FS: ATI 36" SunPower T5 6x39W Fixture - SOLD
Replies
2
Views
465
waterman78
W
H
Moving Tank Breakdown Fast Sale
Replies
3
Views
825
OldReefGuy
O
Back
Top