Light Question

[kingsord0]

There is a T5 fixture on Ebay that I was thinking of ordering.

Link --> Here

I have a few questions first.

1. Is this a good light?
2. Is it worth the price?
3. What type of coral could it support.

The light would be going on a 55 Gallon tank.

 

[acronuts]

It should work, just no SPS or clams at the bottom. Generally, it suffices for SPS and Clams at the top, but they thrive better under halides. Everything else should be happy.

 

[kingsord0]

Ok. So I would be able to possibly have some SPS if placed at the top of the tank.

Still is that a good price for the lights?

 

[Toddrtrex]

I personally would pass on it. The key to T5s, is using individual reflectors, which that unit doesn't appear to have.

 

[BlastoEric1589]

its a good price, but id pass on SPS and clams all together. they should really be under halides. its great for brains at any depth, and soft polyps like palys and zoas. skip xenias too, theyre strongly photosynthetic and need intense lighting.

IME, shell out the money for one fixture that will do everything instead of buying small and upgrading. halides are a fail safe, unless youre trying to do nonphoto softies or something

 

[afboundguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14719994#post14719994 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Toddrtrex
I personally would pass on it. The key to T5s, is using individual reflectors, which that unit doesn't appear to have.

I'd also pass on it... It prob also has crappy bulbs that don't put out that much PAR so you'd have to upgrade the bulbs and that's about $100 right there...

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14720057#post14720057 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BlastoEric1589
its a good price, but id pass on SPS and clams all together. they should really be under halides. its great for brains at any depth, and soft polyps like palys and zoas. skip xenias too, theyre strongly photosynthetic and need intense lighting.

I have clams and SPS under my T5 lighting and I'm getting good growth and comparable PAR readings to others in my local club who have MH's... I do keep my SPS and clams in the upper half of the tank...

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14720057#post14720057 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BlastoEric1589
IME, shell out the money for one fixture that will do everything instead of buying small and upgrading. halides are a fail safe, unless youre trying to do nonphoto softies or something

Def shell out the extra money... Also IMO it's worth buying from a good online supplier over ebay... That way if there's ever a problem they're much more inclined to fix the problem...