t5 for sps

[zaheda]

I was wondering how deep can a t5 punch down to be able to keep a sps happy. Would one have to add more bulbs the deeper the tank?

 

[FragFarm]

define "happy" I often ask my corals if they are happy but they never reply?

 

[zaheda]

The corals showing good colour and there polyps fully extended with good growth rate.

 

[FragFarm]

well then I have had "happy" corals on the base of a 700 deep system with either ATI or Giesmann lamps in single reflectors. If you check the members tanks you will see many people with the same results.

 

[BuckeyeTodd]

It depends on what fixture you have, the ati fixtures give more par than the rest. I bought tek because I keep LPS in the lower third of my tank, and I didn't want to fry them

 

[rocke_reef]

I have a 120G 48x24x24 and the light over the top about 8" and, I have SPS on the sand.
I LOVE MY ATI Powermodule..

 

[Tony B (UK)]

I have sps about 18inches under the water's surface

 

[zaheda]

Does anybody have sps 28 inches from the top?

 

[n0rk]

I know of several full SPS tanks > 800mm deep keeping stuff at the bottom with Powermodules it depends on the quality of the fixture and your tubes...

 

[zaheda]

Ok, so it is possible with good quality t5 in 800 deep tanks.

 

[batt600]

If you get a ATI power module you will be good

 

[zaheda]

What makes the Ati so good. I was thinking of using Alanod reflecters with good quality ballast. As people say the ATI bulbs has the best par so I will use them. Will it be the same than as the Powermodule? It will bve hard finding the ATI bulbs in South Africa but the Giesemann is available at many lfs.

 

[n0rk]

What makes the ATI so good is many things - they're actively cooled with an effective air channel that maintains the tubes at their optimal operating condition, their reflectors are incredibly effective, their ballasts are good quality, they have an acrylic shield to allow them to be placed as close as possible to the water, and their tubes are amongst the best... in sum total they're an expensive unit but live up to their hype successfully.

 

[justinkarl]

i have 120 gallon with 8 bulb ati i have them on the sand bed

 

[zaheda]

Ok, Nork I understand much better know, in t5 ATI maybe the best around. I guess the Giesemann and Aquamedic t5 pendants are also well made with satifactory par numbers.