Tek 5 Question?

[akrimmel]

i have a 75rr with 30gal breeder sump that i am setting up. i want to go with tek 5 HO fixture and i can't decide on a 6 lamp or 8 lamp fixture. regardless with either one i don't think that i would be limited by lighting for whatever i decide to go with on corals. any advice or suggestion will be appreciated.

 

[Reggae Fish]

6...I think 8 would be WAY too much...You will freak when you see how bright they are...I just went with T5's 6x54 and I can't say enough about them!

Everything looks and is growing fast and looks healthy as can be!

 

[akrimmel]

i was only saying 8 incase i want to go with more aquablue or actinc to make it spacelike for my corals?

 

[akrimmel]

what did you pay for yours reggea and what type is it?

 

[Reggae Fish]

Check your pm's...You already asked all about mine brand, cost, where, etc..but you didn't like the finnex because no individual reflectors

 

[akrimmel]

you are correct, sorry had to empty out everything got to full, thanks.

 

[mpcart]

I'd go with 6. It will give you plenty of light and lots of options for bulb combo's. I run 2 blue +, 2 aquablues, and two sunlights.

-Mike

 

[drgabe]

I'd go with 6 - 3 blue, 3 blue+
Or switch one or two with the new t5 VHO super actinic. Though the jury is still out on this new bulb (see the lighting forum).

You could also do 6 t5's and then add 2 VHO actinics for the "pop".

 

[akrimmel]

keep em coming i see that 6 seems to be the favorite

 

[Reggae Fish]

I think all would agree that 8 would be overkill...You just need to find what spectrum you like but 6 will be plenty for a 75...
I know you're in illinois but if you make it this way, let me know and you can check mine out

 

[chadfarmer]

for 55.00 more get the eight you can run only six

you cant add more bulbs to the 6 bulb light

 

[chadfarmer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7553626#post7553626 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Reggae Fish
6...I think 8 would be WAY too much...You will freak when you see how bright they are...I just went with T5's 6x54 and I can't say enough about them!

Everything looks and is growing fast and looks healthy as can be!

he is family to me -- he knows what they look like

dont do the icecap now a 8 bulb icecap would be too much

 

[JustFin]

I have a 75 with a 6 bulb fixture, and right now I'm not using 2 of the bulbs because of overheating plus 6 bulbs is overkill for my tank right now since it is LPS & soft corals- I'm running 2 actinics on the outside, a GE sunlight type bulb, and another that's name escapes me but the spectrum is white like a 10,000K type.

I'm almost certain with the brightness of the 6 bulb you could keep anything light demanding- SPS, clams, anemones, etc. I think the 8 bulb would be too much, plus an 8 bulb fixture would give you even more heat issues than I'm experiencing and make a chiller an absolute must have

 

[Reggae Fish]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7555956#post7555956 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JustFin
I have a 75 with a 6 bulb fixture, and right now I'm not using 2 of the bulbs because of overheating plus 6 bulbs is overkill for my tank right now since it is LPS & soft corals- I'm running 2 actinics on the outside, a GE sunlight type bulb, and another that's name escapes me but the spectrum is white like a 10,000K type.

I'm almost certain with the brightness of the 6 bulb you could keep anything light demanding- SPS, clams, anemones, etc. I think the 8 bulb would be too much, plus an 8 bulb fixture would give you even more heat issues than I'm experiencing and make a chiller an absolute must have

You're running hot with T5's??? If I'm not mistaken they are the coolest running bulbs?

Is your fan working correctly? I had to turn my heater up on my 6x54 on my 72 gallon

It shouldn't be overheating...

 

[akrimmel]

yeah thanks for the info JustFin but like reggae said might be something you are over looking. that fixture shouldn't be the source of your problem unless you got it from earl at the swapmeet. just kidding.

 

[mpcart]

I run a fully enclosed canopy with a single PC fan. With that setup, my 6x39W T5 retro's increase the water temperature 3 degrees from the lights off temp (78F to 81F). If I don't run the fan, then temp will increase another 2-3 degrees.

T5's might be cooler than MH, but they can still heat up the water.

-Mike

 

[akrimmel]

how high off the water are you?

 

[akrimmel]

did i meet you at lazy river with farmer and myself at the table,mpcart?

 

[akrimmel]

i reread and saw you are doing enclosed, i would have no doubt that is why why you have the spikes in temps.

 

[Reggae Fish]

I am also running a enclosed canopy with just 2 small openings in the back...My T5's run cooler than my PC's did