Best 6 bulb t5 combination? - Pics please!

[justinky]

What do you all think the best 6 bulb combination is, if you have pics show please! Also how high would you hang it on a 42 by 24 by 18 tank? And last but not least, switching from LED to T5s should I notice any negative reaction from my Acropora?

 

[justinky]

Also my brother thinks a 48" sunpower fixture on a 42" tank is overkill and I should go with the 36" fixture. I disagree on this completely but just for his sake what do you all think?

 

[k4ndyk1ng]

Go for the 36" t5 fixture

 

[justinky]

Go for the 36" t5 fixture

Why do you say the 36"? I'm scared the sides won't get enough par or coverage with the 36".

 

[markalot]

Stay 48". Overkill is good. For a 24" deep tank I would do 8 bulb, not 6. If price is an issue then a 36" 8 bulb is better than a 48" 6 bulb in my opinion.

I run a 60" on a 72" tank and the sides still have decent PAR.

 

[justinky]

Stay 48". Overkill is good. For a 24" deep tank I would do 8 bulb, not 6. If price is an issue then a 36" 8 bulb is better than a 48" 6 bulb in my opinion.

I run a 60" on a 72" tank and the sides still have decent PAR.

Thanks Mark,

My tank is only 18" deep. If you mean 24" wide then I figured with my aquascape being minimalistic and centered in the tank the 6 bulb fixture would be enough coverage with width, would 8 be completely necessary? I do know 8 bulb combos are a lot nicer but $$ is honestly the issue with it.

 

[markalot]

Thanks Mark,

My tank is only 18" deep. If you mean 24" wide then I figured with my aquascape being minimalistic and centered in the tank the 6 bulb fixture would be enough coverage with width, would 8 be completely necessary? I do know 8 bulb combos are a lot nicer but $$ is honestly the issue with it.

Yea, sorry, I meant 24" front to back. How much is the 36" 8 bulb vs the 48" 6 bulb? 6 would work but I think lighting front to back is more important than the sides. Just my opinion though.

 

[justinky]

Yea, sorry, I meant 24" front to back. How much is the 36" 8 bulb vs the 48" 6 bulb? 6 would work but I think lighting front to back is more important than the sides. Just my opinion though.

Only a $30 difference, but the bulb maintenance goes up.

My aquascape is dead center of the tank, the back and front is empty. If 8 bulb is a must have even with this aquascape then I will just buy the proper 48" 8 bulb unit.

 

[markalot]

It might work. I only have 18 inches front to back and the 6 bulb is just about 18" wide. My concern would be upgrade ability if you ever go with a bigger tank.

Beautiful tank and aquascape, very impressive looking!

 

[justinky]

It might work. I only have 18 inches front to back and the 6 bulb is just about 18" wide. My concern would be upgrade ability if you ever go with a bigger tank.

Beautiful tank and aquascape, very impressive looking!

Thanks for all your help Mark, appreciate it.

and thanks, the tank is starting to come back around after a crash in November due to bad carbon.

 

[mhucasey]

The 36" will be fine. If you go 48 you will have tons of light spill off the sides. With your scape you will cover fine.

 

[Bpb]

+1 don't get a light that has a bigger footprint than your tank. That's silly.

 

[ryanrid]

aesthetically the 48" will look ridicules, you wont have SPS to the edge of the glass so the 36" is the perfect size, unless upgrade plans are in the near future.

 

[wheelman76]

+1 a 48" fixture on a 42" tank will look ridiculous.

 

[EvMiBo]

I'm running 50/50 ati blue + and ati coral + and like it. I run a 36" 8 bulb sunpower on my tank (48" long). 36" 6 bulb will be just fine for your tank.

 

[Wangspeed]

36" 6 bulb and a blue LED strip like from 21ledusa.com. No T5 is a substitute for royal blue LEDs, IMO.

 

[1MP3R1AL]

My favorite is: blue+, purple+, actinic, coral, blue+, blue+
Check out this thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2096816

 

[Denadai]

Today I think the best is 3x blue , 2x purple and 1x white

But, here is 3x blue 2x white and 1x purple

Here is 4x blue 2x white and 2x purple

 

[justinky]

Thanks everyone for the input so far!


Very nice Denadai

Anyone know how high the ATI sunpower should be above the water to get the best coverage? Also if I should notice any effects on my acros that have been under LED?

 

[Denadai]

Thanks everyone for the input so far!


Very nice Denadai

Anyone know how high the ATI sunpower should be above the water to get the best coverage? Also if I should notice any effects on my acros that have been under LED?

5" should be enough above the water

About effects I think everything will be fine