6ft light coverage

[xrayjeeper83]

I'm gathering parts for an up and coming 180 build and have a lead on a 8 bulb 54watt T5 set up and wondering if that will give good coverage? The tank will be nems, softies, and some LPS, very little chance of any Sps going in.

 

[maddmaxx]

is this retro fit kit? cause 54w T5 bulbs are only 48" long..a standard 180g is 72" long

 

[xrayjeeper83]

No I don't think so. I knew the two foot difference. I guess I should have worded it that will I be able to make up that foot short on either side if I raised it up some?

I have LEDs over my 75 and T5s over my 20Long(which has 4 24watt T5s and has plenty of coverage) and I like the T5 much better. so I'm leaving that way for the 180

 

[Stomatopod1701]

I would say you could get an led fixture to handle the 24 inch section on the 180 that the t5s don't cover. A razor, hydra, photon 24/16/value fixture, kissel, Vega and many others would work. it would also let you see why grows certain corals better, t5 or led.

 

[GrampaDon]

I'm gathering parts for an up and coming 180 build and have a lead on a 8 bulb 54watt T5 set up and wondering if that will give good coverage? The tank will be nems, softies, and some LPS, very little chance of any Sps going in.

If the price is super cheap and its of good or better quality. I'm going to say go for it. And IMO i believe you could keep most anything you want in the tank with that light.

PS. I use a 4ft on my 5ft tank now. And will use it on my soon to be 6ft tank.
I will have a couple SPS in the center where there is higher PAR and LPS n zoas everywhere else.

 

[xrayjeeper83]

Tek elite with ATI bulbs? I know ATI is good but don't know about tek elite

 

[GrampaDon]

TEC was/is considered a great budget alternative to a ATI light fixture.
It is now discontinued but was selling a 8X54 for around 5-600$.
So if the one you are looking at now is in pretty good or great shape and the bulbs are near new [3mo or less] you should expect to pay 200-250 tops
Otherwise hold out for a 5ft or 6ft 8 bulb light. Just my 0.2

 

[degibson84]

I went with a 72 inch fixture that had offset 60 inch bulbs for total coverage

 

[xrayjeeper83]

So it would be to small. Darn

 

[gone fishin]

I use the aquatic life 72" 12bulb T5 on mine.

 

[xrayjeeper83]

Alright, I'll keep an eye out for a 72".