Only t5 lighting?

[hkgar]

Anyone using only t5's over their tank? I currently have 4 ATI t5's (80W each) and 3 250W Radium MH. I am thinking of possibly only doing t5's and adding 2 more. The tank is a 180 G, (72x4x24).

What are the pros and cons with respect to SPS coral growth?

 

[cFloor]

The only downside would be you'd lose that shimmer that you get with MHs. You might also want to go with 8 t5s over your tank but they are great for growing and coloring up SPS.

 

[hkgar]

I might be able to do 8. Space is a bit tight. With the reflectors I currently have they would take up 23 inches horizontal, the canopy, at the narrow spots is only 22. Tilting the reflectors a bit might work.
Right now I have 2 Coral Plus and 2 Blue Plus. What combination of 6 or 8 lights might work best?

 

[Uncle Luke]

Defenetly shoot for 8 bulbs. 4 is not enough imo. You may be able to get away with 6 and that's being generous. What fixture are you running or is it retro?

 

[Reel North]

I use an ATI 8x80 over my 30" wide tank.

I found it grew my sps better than the 3x250w radiums.

I use 4 blue plus and 2 coral plus and 2 purple plus.

 

[phenom5]

I have 6x80 over my 72x24 tank. Color is great, growth isn't, but it has nothing to do with the lights.

Currently I have 4x Blue+ and 2x Coral+, but I am going to explore some different options next round of tubes.

 

[Joke]

8 would be best!
But 6 can do the trick.

 

[scrapz]

your tank is 4' wide? You're going to need liek 10-12 bulbs if you're only doing t5s.

Edit: read 180g, so must be 24" wide. 6 Bulbs would be fine @ 8-10" above the waterline. I would opt for 8 bulb so you can ower it to 4" and still get full coverage

 

[Art13]

i have a 30 inch deep tank with an 8 bulb, right now about 15 inches over the tank, i get 300-350 par on the top rocks which are a little above the halfway mark in my tank, and 150-200 down the front of the rocks into the sand. If i lowered the light i'm sure i could get some higher numbers.

 

[Gmerek2]

6 with two reef brights is how I would do it. All preference. 8 would work great but then you can't get the LED actinic look after dark to stretch out the viewing hours and get that color pop view

 

[hkgar]

I do not want any LED's.

And, yes, the tank is 24 inches wide. Sorry for the typo

 

[swk]

I use t5 only. I LOVE it, as do the coral.

I would do 1 bulb for every 3" of width. 8 bulbs!

 

[hkgar]

I use t5 only. I LOVE it, as do the coral.

I would do 1 bulb for every 3" of width. 8 bulbs!

What bulbs and combination are you using?

I am doing retrofit and will need two more ballasts. I now have two Workhorse 7 ballasts and am considerint ATI ballasts. Any opinion on ballasts to drive 80 W t5's?

 

[swk]

What bulbs and combination are you using?



I am doing retrofit and will need two more ballasts. I now have two Workhorse 7 ballasts and am considerint ATI ballasts. Any opinion on ballasts to drive 80 W t5's?

I would go with ati ballasts if that's an option. For bulbs I actually prefer geisseman I currently use the following from front to back:

Gman actinic blue. (Blue+ essentially)
Ati blue +
Gman super purple
Gman actinic blue
Gman aquablue azure (a white bulb)
Gman actinic blue


The actinic blue and blue+ are very similar. I find the actinic blue to be slightly less green in appearance than ati's blue+ bulb.