T5 enough?

[SnowManSnow]

So I have a shallow 80 that is 16" tall.

Would a 6 lamp sun power ATI be enough light? Or should I go 8 lamp?

Only asking bc of the shallow depth

Thanks,
B

 

[SnowManSnow]

This is a new sps tank

 

[creefer01]

I would think you'd be fine with either. I had a 36" 6 lamp sunpower over a rimless 40B and had no problem growing anything, even at the bottom of the tank.

 

[Acromaniac]

I have an 18" high tank and have a 6 bulb sunpower, while I can grow everything, I wish I had an 8 bulb

 

[SnowManSnow]

Acro..... Yea I know the feeling of just wishing you'd sprung for $75 more

 

[ajcanale]

Assuming the dimensions are 24x48x16: The 6 bulb fixture will be absolutely sufficient. That said the 8 bulb would give you slightly better coverage and more options on bulb variety. IMO at the end of the day I'd go with the 6 bulb to save in cost (moreso bulb replacement and the extra wattage savings than initial fixture cost). If the tank was wider or deeper I'd get the 8 bulb. Really can't go wrong either way though. The biggest choice is the combination of bulbs

 

[SnowManSnow]

Now to find a used one

 

[joshky]

I have the same tank and I went with the 8 bulb, I'm sure the 6 bulb will work fine but I was always scared I'd regret it down the road. If you do go 6 bulb you still have an option should you regret it down the road, you can add 2 reefbrite strips to your fixture. They screw onto the ATI fixture and don't look like an afterthought.

 

[DiscusHeckel]

I would definitely advise an 8-tube configuration (preferably powermodule).

 

[rburns24]

I would definitely advise an 8-tube configuration (preferably powermodule).

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+1
The formula for coverage is 3" per bulb.
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[shih87]

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+1
The formula for coverage is 3" per bulb.
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I am not familiar to the formula.
Can you detail a bit? Is 3" width or depth? If width, with what depth associate to?

 

[sahin]

If your tank is 24" front to back, I'd definitely go with the 8 tube version.

 

[SnowManSnow]

Well, things have changed a bit a reefer friend is going to resale me a fixture I sold him some time ago. It is 7 lamps driven by vue660 ballasts I installed myself.
I'm happy w this development