6 bulbs or 8 bulbs

[redtigrinus]

Hi,

I'm shopping for lighting for a Red Sea Reefer XL 525 that will be sps dominant. I'm not sure if I should go with a 6 or 8 bulb because in addition to the T5s I'll be running 2 reefbrite tech strips.

The tank is 59"x22"x22".

Also what length do you think? 48" or 60"

Vote in the poll!

Thanks.

 

[jduck]

6 bulb width 13.4”
8 bulb width 17. 5”
2x 1.75" for reef brite
So looks like Width wouldn't be an issue.

How do you like to run your tank?
Since you have the leds to run morning and evening, May not need the extra 2 bulbs. Unless you want to blast everything.
But I would probably go with the 80w.

 

[redtigrinus]

6 bulb width 13.4”
8 bulb width 17. 5”
2x 1.75" for reef brite
So looks like Width wouldn't be an issue.

How do you like to run your tank?
Since you have the leds to run morning and evening, May not need the extra 2 bulbs. Unless you want to blast everything.
But I would probably go with the 80w.

Not sure what you mean by "How do you like to run your tank?" I dont really want to blast anything too much. I do want to keep some LPS, but I want to make I have plenty off light for SPS growth, but not so much that I fry the few LPS.

 

[nwkermit]

8 bulbs with 2 e5 and 6 t5; sell the reefbrite

 

[redtigrinus]

Not sold on the E5 yet, plus I like the UVA reef brite. I'd probably go 6 bulb with reefbrite before going 8 with the E5 and no reefbrite.

 

[Kershaw]

If you go 8 youdon't have to use the other 2 bulbs. I would rather have not need then need and not have.

 

[redtigrinus]

If you go 8 youdon't have to use the other 2 bulbs. I would rather have not need then need and not have.

I considered this too

 

[reefknight]

I have had a 60"L x 30"W x 25"H display for over 5yrs and have an ATI PM 10 x 54w fixture. I use two lamps for dawn/ dusk and the other 8 for main lighting. When I used all 10 lamps, even at 12" from the water surface, I would irritate and burn LPS and zoas on the sand bed. I am in the process of changing myself. Creating a floating canopy with T5 retro (6x 54w) and 2 Kessil A360we's. I love the shimmer and the color that they produce. I am a believer that hybrid systems are the best way to go, especially for SPS keepers who do not want to return to metal halide.