can i keep sps corals with only 4 T5 HO bulbs on 75 gallon.

[troyvang]

can i keep sps corals (monti cap, birdsnests, and miilipora) on a 75 gallon tank 48x18x21? Only have 4 bulbs right now and they are stock lighting (2 10k, 2 actinic) odyssea fixture. thanks.

 

[kyles 90g reef]

how many watts are total?

 

[mcfeefer]

lighting

lighting

I do not think that is near enough light. A 6 bulb would be the least I would try.

 

[troyvang]

54 Watts each so 216W total.

 

[MATT CLOWNS]

I dont think that is enof.i was going to buy a odyssea,but after talking to every one ,i went with on that had indovig rafleters and good bulbs.i have 4 on a 40 breeder and after today i will have 6 39 watts on my 40 breeder,that is all i can fit so it will have to do

 

[MATT CLOWNS]

If you need more light i have a 250 watt mh (diy) for $20 and i am not that far away.410-6008

 

[dmorazan]

I had those

I had those

I had 2 those in my 135, I had them both on one side and a 250 mh on the other I think you are shy. those lights are good for softies or fish only not sps. now if you change the ballast maybe but not those ballast they are cheap.

 

[returnofsid]

6 bulbs would be much better. Does you fixture have a parabolic reflector or ICR (individually contoured reflector)?

If a parabolic reflector, it's worthless. The key to T5HO is the individual reflectors or ICR, that wrap around each bulb, in a ' gull wing' configuration.

4 bulbs with quality reflectors, will allow you to grow some SPS, as long as they're kept high in the tank.

 

[troyvang]

looks like i need an upgrade then before i can keep sps.

 

[powderhound]

i kept sps just fine in my 75 with a current nova 4 bulb fixture for over a year until i upgraded. just keep them in the top half of the tank, and dont expect great growth, they will grow just not fast.

 

[ganjero]

Yes you can, what fixture are you using?

 

[troyvang]

im using the odyssea t5 fixtures. it is individual contour reflectors similar to the sundial. 4x54 watts. As of right now just stock bulbs. Im only planing on keeping monti caps, monti digitas, and birdsnest. yes and most sps will be on the highest spot in the tank. i am also planning to buy better bulbs for this fixture.

 

[ganjero]

mmm, odyssea is very low end. Maybe you could get away with montis, but that company makes really crappy stuff.

 

[SaltyBrine]

you change them out for some good ATI Blue+ and Aquablue special bulbs..I would think you could keep them midway and up in the tank. next question do you got enough flow

 

[troyvang]

you change them out for some good ATI Blue+ and Aquablue special bulbs..I would think you could keep them midway and up in the tank. next question do you got enough flow

only got 2 koralia 3. not sure if that will do?

 

[SaltyBrine]

no that is def no where near enough. in a 75 id probably want atleast 3000gph if its a mixed reef. I am pushing about 2200gph in my 30breeder and I think sometimes I need more flow.

 

[rogersb]

I have a no name 4 bulb t5 fixture with individual reflectors and I am having no problems keeping sps with my blue special and blue plus bulbs. My growth is most likely minimal in comparison with MH or a 6 bulb fixture, but I do have growth.

 

[smokenax]

if you overdrive them with an icecap 660 ballast you maybe able to keep sps.

 

[Cassidy1016]

I have a 75 running on 4 t5s and I have a birdsnest on top which is doing great and I have a blue milli which I had to move lower in the tank due to too much light alot of my stuff gets bleached if it's to high in the tank and my rocks really are not that close to the top so I think you will be fine.

 

[TotalVapor]

yes you can keep SPS under 4 T-5's if you keep the SPS towards the top.

Just like any other time you start in the middle and move up slowly over a week or so. This is so you do not shock the coral.

Of course a 6 bulb fixture is always better and the biggest you can put on a 75 with multi reflectors.