T-5 lighting

[jhawkor]

Do you guys think a four bulb 48 inch Tek T-5 fixture is enough light for a mixed reef (including SPS) in a 75 gallon tank?

 

[dougers31]

I would say so but you want to keep most of your sps in the upper half of the tank. Just make sure you change your bulbs out every 8-10 months:)

 

[Reef Breeders Verified Sponsor]

I would go for a 6 bulb at least.

 

[REEFKEEPER10]

Yeah I would go 6 to 8 bulb and make sure to run good bulbs like ATI.

 

[jhawkor]

I can't decide what light I want, lol. I'm a college student, so I don't have a ton of cash to spend, but I'm thinking about just saving up for two Kessil a350's...Or I could go with with a cheaper t-5 fixture and have more cash to spend on coral.

 

[REEFKEEPER10]

How much you wanting to spend on the fixture itself. Because I run two quad T5 fixture and I only spent $200 for bother. They aren't the best but work for me. I just need to replace the bulbs with better ones. Check out aquatraders.com

 

[feh]

I can't decide what light I want, lol. I'm a college student, so I don't have a ton of cash to spend, but I'm thinking about just saving up for two Kessil a350's...Or I could go with with a cheaper t-5 fixture and have more cash to spend on coral.

Don't skimp on lighting.

 

[mfinn]

I can't decide what light I want, lol. I'm a college student, so I don't have a ton of cash to spend, but I'm thinking about just saving up for two Kessil a350's...Or I could go with with a cheaper t-5 fixture and have more cash to spend on coral.

Buy good quality equipment the first time, so there won't be a second time.

 

[returnofsid]

I ran a 6 bulb Tek5 fixture, over a 75 mixed reef, but predominately SPS/Clams, for several years, with great success. That same 6 bulb Tek5, along with a 4 bulb Tek5, is now over my 200 Deep Dimension. I can grow SPS on the sand bed of the 27" deep tank. The 4 bulb would work, as long as it's a quality fixture with a good electronic ballast, ICR reflectors and quality bulbs, but a 6 bulb fixture would obviously work better.

 

[Reef Breeders Verified Sponsor]

I can't decide what light I want, lol. I'm a college student, so I don't have a ton of cash to spend, but I'm thinking about just saving up for two Kessil a350's...Or I could go with with a cheaper t-5 fixture and have more cash to spend on coral.

There are some high quality yet cheap fixtures out there for LEDs, which will save you $ in the long run

 

[MyReefToYours]

I have to agree, I think you'd be much better off with a 6 bulb fixture. Be sure to use good quality bulbs and you'll be happy you did.

 

[jhawkor]

There are some high quality yet cheap fixtures out there for LEDs, which will save you $ in the long run

What LED's do you recommend? My max budget is probably $800. I do really like the Kessil a350's...