I have read several topics about T5's and sps, but I havent found a thread that addresses my issue. I would like to keep and have thrive some of the more brightly colored sps, I would really like a Strawberry Shortcake Acro and a few others. Now my question is, Is 6 80w T5 bulbs enough light for any sps? My light set up consist of 6 80w T5 Geisemann bulbs with individual reflectors, powered by Icecap 660-009 ballasts. All the lights are on timers (not that it matters). I have water proof endcaps and cooling fans. So what do you think? I can borrow a par meter from my brother if needed, but how much par do the crazy bright sps need? Any ideas or avenues to research appreciated.
Can T5's grow most sps?
- Thread starter ibefishy
- Start date
Dog boy Dave
New member
They will do fine under those lamps. If they do not thrive its not your lights.
brannock_16
Member
I think you should be pretty well off with most SPS. I currently run a 48 inch Tek T5 system and am successfully keeping Tyree Pink Lemonade, Neon Green Slimer, Red Caps, Tyree Undata, Tyree Sunset Monti, Tyree Reverse Sunset Monti, Tri Color Nana, and many others that I am forgetting.
I will not that the majority of my SPS are higher up in the tank to maintain their colors and PE. But other than that everything is growing and maintaining their colors very nicely.
I will not that the majority of my SPS are higher up in the tank to maintain their colors and PE. But other than that everything is growing and maintaining their colors very nicely.
Right on thanks. I have several sps already, but I really want some of the beautifully colored high end sps. Not so worried about water quality as I was the lights. I didnt want to spend a bit of money on the sps I always wanted to have it dull because of inadequate light.
Hey brannock hows Idaho? I used to live out there on West Chariton by that dive burger place that had the wagon wheel on the sign(forget the name). Still have some friends out there, but wife wanted to be closer to our families, so back to cali we came. I sure miss Idaho though.
Hey brannock hows Idaho? I used to live out there on West Chariton by that dive burger place that had the wagon wheel on the sign(forget the name). Still have some friends out there, but wife wanted to be closer to our families, so back to cali we came. I sure miss Idaho though.
Essencereef
In Memoriam
LOL. You can keep ANY sps colony under just about any T5 fixture given enough bulbs are provided. The 6 bulbs you are talking about can fry any colony 
An ATI Powermodule can bleach even the most sun-craving corals. Look at LEDs, they are usually not even close to T5 intensities yet they can bleach corals
An ATI Powermodule can bleach even the most sun-craving corals. Look at LEDs, they are usually not even close to T5 intensities yet they can bleach corals
Hyperion1337
Active member
yup. I have a few frags that have doing phenomenal in PE and growth for the past 2 months. Plus my Strawberry Shortcake ( I believe (check out my ID thread i just posted up)) went from a nub to a fully encrusted coral.
defchild84
New member
How big is your tank again?
GSMguy
New member
Same here, also they grow horizontally instead of vertically.
Tony B (UK)
Important cool title
My sps grow like weeds. Here's my tank thread which is lit using 8x54w T5 tubes: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1936405
Ocean Drive
New member
homemade fixture with 9X39 Watt by Aquamedic tubes... on 9 tubes. In Italy the energy is very expansive and unfotunately it's the only one limit for reefkeepers.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2114167
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2114167
