Another T5 question
 

Jenn's tank has now been upgraded from the 20L to a 50 GC (pretty much the same as a 40B). I was going to use MH and VHO's, but have decided T5's are the best route for her tank. I'm looking at the 6 bulb Tek Light fixture from reefgeek. For bulbs, I was thinking (3)-ATI Blue Plus, (2)-UVL/URI Super Actinic 03, and (1)-UVL/URI Actinic White. This is primarily a softie tank with some zoas and LPS. Does this sound like a decent combination? I'm running (2) ATI Blue Plus, (1) UVL Super Actinic, and (1) UVL Actini White over the acans and like it a lot. TIA.

If it helps, I only have 4 t5's on my 75 gallon tank and lps and sps in it. You may not need that much light. I have 1 white, 1 blue +, and 2 uv.

Wait till I get my T5s in and I'll let you know in about 3 weeks... :lol:

I think that sounds like a good combination. It sounds like you pretty much already know that you like it. Maybe a safe bet would be buying an extra actinic white, just in case there is too much blue.

Brandon

I was wondering if 4 would be enough... I've got one of the cheapo 4 bulb fixtures over it now and it doesn't seem like it is enough (one flat reflector for all four bulbs, placed closely together in the fixture). I know the individual reflectors will through more light, though... Hmmm.

I have the 4 bulb tek over my 65 and it's plenty of light. I'd tell ya the bulb combo if I had it memorized. :)

I agree that 4 bulbs with individual reflectors would probably be plenty for that tank. Then you could use the same bulb combo you have now.

If you go with six bulbs, I think the look you'll get will be quite blue (you are adding a blue + and an actinic to your current setup). If it were me, I'd drop one of the blue pluses and add an aquablue. You could order 7 bulbs (the six you mention, and an aquablue as the 7th) and then you could experiment.

Im using a 4 bulbs on a 50g with a single reflector, and its too much light for it, anything above halfway up bleaches. Im going to get 2 2 bulb units and spread it out some and hopefully this wont happen then. Im running 2 actinics and 2 12,000K ATI bulbs.

a friend has a 6 bulb tek light over her 40 gallon breeder with almost the same bulbs and everything was bleaching

she ran the extra 2 lights on the sides for dust and dawn only

(we had to move the light 12 inches over the tank so stuff would live)

I will drop back to 4, then, on her tank:). I wondered how much extra light the individual reflectors would throw... The 4 is a litte cheaper, too:).

Would 6 bulbs be too much for an SPS frag tank (40B, also)?

One more... What is the consensus on Current Nova Extreme vs the Tek light? The Current Nova is cheaper, but there may be a reason...

from what i've read gary...the nova's dont have individual reflectors....and thats the power of T5s....so i would say tek > nova

I figured it had to be something like that... Tek's it is:).

Thanks all. Jenn's tank is rocking right now, so new color can only be good:).

The new Novas have a single reflector bent into individual reflectors. In my opinion, it may be slightly less par, but I don't think the corals will care a whole lot. I think the Tek may do the same, anyway... one reflector with bends around each bulb.

I just saw the new Novas at Emerald Bay this evening and I think they look really good! I thought about getting one, but decided not to as I'm planning on getting dimmable IceCap T5 ballasts when they come out along with the dimmer module for my Aquatronica. :)

Brandon