Recommendations on t5 for a 120G

andrzadr000

andrzadr000

New member
Im slowly building a 120 mixed reef tank. I was wondering what would be some good t5 fixture. No metal halides to expensive :(. I was thinking of ati 60" 6x80w sun power. What do you guys think. tank is 72" long. Also can you guys explain the whole bulb combo abbreviation.
 
In second place you can get the Tek fixture I believe they're was a 6 x80 fixture can be had for cheap if you can find one.
 
No not as good but still a very good light, the Tek Elite has fans. Sunlight Supply has exited the market and left everyone in the lurch but there are deals to be had, I just purchased a Maristar II. You are up in Washington and I believe that there headquarters is up there or at least a shipping facilities you could call them and see if they have any lights left over. Another good way to get a light cheap is used but you do not have the 50 post and 90 days, that is easily remedy. You could buy a used ATI fixture.
 
AquaMedic and ATI are better than the Tek. They are worth the extra money.

If you are interested, I can show you a really good case where 150W HQI is actually quite a bit cheaper to run, with more light, than a 8 bulb T5 fixture... this includes energy and bulb replacement.

For the bulb abbreviations, go to the manufacturers sites and look at the bulbs - they are pretty easy. BP = Blue Plus, CP = Coral Plus, etc. ATI, Giesmann, AquaMedic are good places to start with... all make good bulbs, but figuring out the right combo will be totally up to you.
 
moondoggy4 said:
No not as good but still a very good light, the Tek Elite has fans. Sunlight Supply has exited the market and left everyone in the lurch but there are deals to be had, I just purchased a Maristar II. You are up in Washington and I believe that there headquarters is up there or at least a shipping facilities you could call them and see if they have any lights left over. Another good way to get a light cheap is used but you do not have the 50 post and 90 days, that is easily remedy. You could buy a used ATI fixture.
Click to expand...

Ok thanks. I found an ATI 6x 80 60" for 597.00 and it comes with a hanging kit. The tel is 500 plus 27.95 for a hanging kit. So it seems aliitle more money and you get an aewesome fixture. So what I've read.

One question is a 60" long enough for a 6ft tank.
 
jda said:
AquaMedic and ATI are better than the Tek. They are worth the extra money.

If you are interested, I can show you a really good case where 150W HQI is actually quite a bit cheaper to run, with more light, than a 8 bulb T5 fixture... this includes energy and bulb replacement.

For the bulb abbreviations, go to the manufacturers sites and look at the bulbs - they are pretty easy. BP = Blue Plus, CP = Coral Plus, etc. ATI, Giesmann, AquaMedic are good places to start with... all make good bulbs, but figuring out the right combo will be totally up to you.
Click to expand...

Ok thanks. How can it be cheaper? You have my attention.
 
I would just get the normal (no dimming) ATI Sunpower.
Yes a 60" fixture is great on a 72" tank.

Set the fans to 9v and add bulbs.
 
andrzadr000 said:
Ok thanks. How can it be cheaper? You have my attention.
Click to expand...

The 150W AquaMedicOcean light is post 12 is about 480 watts to run and you only change 3 bulbs every 2 years for about $55 each.

8x80 is 700 wattage and then about 200 a year in bulbs if you go with a best of breed like 14K Phoenix.

The fixture is cheaper too.

The 250W version is about 850 watts (so more than the 8 bulb T5), but also a ton more light.

If you use the pendant, your tank would stay cool - if you wrap it up in a canopy, then watch out if you don't have good fans, but this is true of any type of light.
 
Tank is 72x18x20? correct. 6x80w is all you need and is plenty powerful. Nothing compares to the build quality of ATI either.
 
jda said:
The 150W AquaMedicOcean light is post 12 is about 480 watts to run and you only change 3 bulbs every 2 years for about $55 each.

8x80 is 700 wattage and then about 200 a year in bulbs if you go with a best of breed like 14K Phoenix.

The fixture is cheaper too.

The 250W version is about 850 watts (so more than the 8 bulb T5), but also a ton more light.

If you use the pendant, your tank would stay cool - if you wrap it up in a canopy, then watch out if you don't have good fans, but this is true of any type of light.
Click to expand...

Would three 150 mg be enough light?
 
The beauty of the ATI fixture is that you can change your bulbs the way you want and play with spectrum. The MHs are great lights, but you'll have more limitations with the spectrum. Plus, the MHs are spot light and the T5s will "wrap around" and you have less shading.

It comes down to taste and money.

I had MHs for a while and I love it too, but I can tell you that I really like the ability to change the spectrum when I want. You change one bulb and makes a big difference. By the way, you change only the positions of the existing bulbs and you'll see how different you can get the look of the tank and supply the species' needs in the tank.

People say there is no need to change T5 bulbs every 12 months.
I do believe that T5s need to be changed and I've noticed spectrum changes after 10 months of use.
I change my bulbs every 12 months.
It doesn't hurt too much on my pocket because the tank looks so great and that's the best I can get out of lights for the tank, so... it's worthy.
It won't get boring either because I can change the look every years without have to worry too much with the quality of light, once we've got so many choices of wonderful bulbs available.

Grandis.
 
A. Grandis said:
The beauty of the ATI fixture is that you can change your bulbs the way you want and play with spectrum. The MHs are great lights, but you'll have more limitations with the spectrum. Plus, the MHs are spot light and the T5s will "wrap around" and you have less shading.

It comes down to taste and money.

I had MHs for a while and I love it too, but I can tell you that I really like the ability to change the spectrum when I want. You change one bulb and makes a big difference. By the way, you change only the positions of the existing bulbs and you'll see how different you can get the look of the tank and supply the species' needs in the tank.

People say there is no need to change T5 bulbs every 12 months.
I do believe that T5s need to be changed and I've noticed spectrum changes after 10 months of use.
I change my bulbs every 12 months.
It doesn't hurt too much on my pocket because the tank looks so great and that's the best I can get out of lights for the tank, so... it's worthy.
It won't get boring either because I can change the look every years without have to worry too much with the quality of light, once we've got so many choices of wonderful bulbs available.

Grandis.
Click to expand...
Sounds like t5 is gonna be a good choice for me. I'm pretty sure I'm gonna get the six. bulb ati
 
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