how many t5's

[sea student]

We want to start adding some mushrooms and softies to our work tank that has 2 ocellaris. It is a 25 gallon, same footprint as a 20T, but even taller. We need to go pretty cheap, looking at the Nova Extreme 24 inch. Do you think the 4 bulb, 96 watt, or the 2 bulb 48 watt, or neither? Looking to spend under $200 and want it to be plug and go. We also wants one that fits in our canopy. We also have a glass top. Thanks!
Also, any 3rd fish that would go with the clowns. We had a Royal Gramma and it was too stressed by them.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+16770&pcatid=16770

 

[VacavilleFC3S]

eehh it's going to be close if it's taller than your normal 20H, i'd go with individual reflectors, which is not going to be as cheap. really you can't cheap out in this hobby or your just going to be kicking yourself in the butt

 

[sea student]

I think they do have single light reflectors now:
"The popular Nova Extreme T-5 Fixtures are now enhanced with a contoured single lamp reflector (SLR). A single polished reflector is specially formed to cradle each individual lamp to direct over 99% of the T-5 lighting into the aquarium."
Is there another fixture you would recommend for this size tank? Thanks!

 

[woodiecrafts]

If it was me, I would go with the 4 x 96 watt out of those two choices. If it seems like it is too little light, you could always raise them up higher in the tank, or you could shade them a bit if necessary. If you only go with the 2 bulb 48 watt then I think you will be dissapointed in the long run and have to add supplimental lighting as well. Just my .02 cents, I am sure there will be alot of other opinions on the lighting.

 

[sea student]

I went ahead and ordered the 4 bulb fixture. Now trying to decide if I want to change out the bulbs. It comes w/ 2 actinic and 2 10K.

 

[sbcaes]

personally i woudlve gone with the hellolights 100$ fixture. better than most... and at a even better price point

 

[sea student]

We got our lights up and running on Monday. I am pleasantly surprised with the color and brightness of the stock bulbs. A lot of employees and clients are noticing that the tank looks brighter and bigger.

 

[redfishsc]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14158255#post14158255 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sea student
I went ahead and ordered the 4 bulb fixture. Now trying to decide if I want to change out the bulbs. It comes w/ 2 actinic and 2 10K.

I have the exact same model, and it's MORE THAN PLENTY for a 25G. I have a 25G sitting empty right now, but I also have a 10g nano that has the same light.

I grow SPS and all sorts of other goodies in my nano.

I personally would have NO problem at all putting that same light on the 25g and trying to grow even SPS in it. Maybe not on the bottom, but certainly mid and upper.


As a side note, I removed one of the 10,000K bulbs and replaced it with a UVL Super Actinic. Basically I have the two blues it comes with, one 10,000K it comes with, and the Super Actinic.

The tank looks GREAT and it's plenty of PAR.

 

[sea student]

Thanks for sharing your experience. It's great to have both viewpoints. After seeing the brightness and color, I was pleasantly surprised.
Now to see if our tank survives the ice storm power outage. We did our best to keep things going, but too soon to say if the livestock will make it.