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6 T5's enough light? Need opinions...


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  1. #1
    jck3120 - Reefkeeper CR Member
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    James

    Default 6 T5's enough light? Need opinions...

    So I think this is my first post on here, but have been a long time MR member but finally came over from the "dark side"

    Anyways, I purchased a custom 76g rimless tank (36L x 24W x 20T) thru Reef Paradise here in Flint and was debating whether to do order the 6x39W ATI Sunpower or go with the 8x39W ATI Powermodule...for the price difference I'm leaning towards the Sunpower...and don't think I really will need the extra 2 bulbs. I had 2 Icecap 660's with 8 bulbs over it before and couldnt run all of the bulbs at the same time without everything closing up. Just wondered what you guys thought and if I would regret my decision? I want to do mainly SPS with a few LPS. Thanks

  2. #2

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    Manoj
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    Default

    Since its primarily SPS , my recommendation would be 8 bulbs, you can make do with 6 but then it would not give you much freedom with bulb combinations.

  3. #3
    Sir Patrick - Reefkeeper A2 Club Coordinator
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    Chris
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    Default

    I would feel very safe w/ 6 bulbs on that tank- but as Manoj said- Never know when the extra 2 could come in handy.

  4. #4
    jck3120 - Reefkeeper CR Member
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    Default

    From the studies I've read on RC it looks like the ATI fixtures have about a 20% better output than say a Tek fixture, so I was thinking I'd be ok...I have several nice brains and scolys that I would like to put on the sand so was just worrying about cooking them. All my SPS would be in the middle of the tank up near the top. Plus being only 20" tall I would think I should be ok??

    For bulb combo, I like a slightly bluer look and was thinking:

    Front

    ATI Blue +
    ATI Aquablue Special
    ATI Blue +
    ATI Blue +
    KZ Fiji Purple
    ATI Blue +

    Back

    What do you guys think about that? Or should I scratch the KZ and just do another Aquablue Special?

  5. #5
    CR Member
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    Default

    We run a 6 bulb T5 over 8" of water and will put SPS in there at times, and they do well, but we never really keep them in there long term, they dont grow as quickly as they will under our 400W halides, haha.
    I would go 8 if you want mostly SPS, but thats just me.
    Zach

  6. #6
    CR Member
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    Feb 2010
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    Sylvania, Oh
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    Default

    And btw we run almost the same bulb combo

    ATI Actinic Blue Plus x4, 1 aquablue spezial, and a pure actinic instead of the fiji, but I've heard the fiji subbed in there is pretty awesome too!

  7. #7
    jck3120 - Reefkeeper CR Member
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    Default

    So the more I think about it, I really think I'll regret not going 8 bulbs...plus the dimensions on the 6 bulb fixture are only 12-13" wide and the 8 bulbs Powermodule is 17.5" wide. On a 24" wide tank Im worried I wouldn't get enough light spread from the 6 bulb...What do you guys think? Figure if I'm gonna break the bank I might as well do it right? haha

    Now what bulb combo should I run? I ran 6 Blue + and 2 Aquablue Specials before and liked the color, but what do you think about switching one of the AB Specials out for a Fiji Purple?

  8. #8
    cbau45 - Reefkeeper CR Member
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    Craig

    Default

    With a 24" wide tank, i'm going to vote for the 8 bulb as well. You're corals will adjust, you might just need to acclimate them to the full lighting slowly. Maybe shorten your light cycle to start or if you're suspending it then just hang it higher to start and lower it over a few weeks. As far as color combo if you like the look you had before then i'd say stick with something similar. You'll still get great growth and color out of everything.

  9. #9
    ReeferMike - Reefkeeper CR Member
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    Default

    i think you would be fine either way, but 8 is better than 6, especially for sps. im not too familiar with either fixture besides knowing they're nice, but im sure the 8bulb fixture would give a wider spread.

    on the other hand the 6 bulb might be better for your lps which will probably be at the bottom front of the tank... the light would taper off and not be so direct on them, where as it would be just as intense on the sps which are probably towards the top-middle and top-back. its all about what you want to do, but again i think you could make either one work.

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