Poll: (2)-400W hallides with T5 actinics overkill on a standard 75G?

[Jay Fortay]

Just like the title states... I am building my new 75G and I am used to overkilling for when it comes time to upgrade tank size. I want to be able to keep SPS wherever I want in the tank, but I also love my ricordeas. Would it be severe over kill to do 2-400 watt halides with 2 48" T5s over my 75G tank? I have been doing some research on the T5s....... just let me know what YOU think. Thank you.

[crossi92]

I would go with just T5's...but it's your electric bill.

[Jay Fortay]

yeah I hear you on the electric bill... Will I be able to keep SPS and clams at any depth with a proper T5 setup, and if so what would that be?

[crossi92]

Yes you can, without a doubt!

You need a setup with individual reflectors, I went with an Icecap SLR setup. It's amazing!

[Jay Fortay]

Where from?

[aninjaatemyshoe]

If you are going to go with 2 400W MHs, don't even bother with 2 T5s. Whatever the color of the MHs, that will be the color of the light in the tank. The T5s will make no noticeable difference to the color. You won't see any "pop" from actinics if that is what you are shooting for. IMO even those fixtures with 250W MH and 2 actinic T5s are a waste. I've ran a 250W MH with two T5s on the Icecap ballast and barely noticed a change to the color. So yeah, no point.

There is definitely no need for such high powered lighting over a 75 gallon tank. IMO a lot of people go way overboard on the lighting, even with "light-loving" corals.

[ReefRockerLive]

I'd save the money on the electric bill and get some T5 lighting on that tank. You can do any coral with 6x54w T5 bulbs on the 75g. For fixtures, if you have the funds, go for an ATI or Fauna Marin fixture. Far brighter than the Tek light or Aquatinics. JMO

[crossi92]

reefgeek.com

[barjam]

I say skip the T5s and go with 2x250 (I had T5s for 1.5 years and didn't like them). aninjaatemyshoe is right about the MH overpowering the T5s. I have two T5s for supplemental on mine and I can barely tell when they are on.

You can do any coral with 6x54w

That is not enough for some corals (some SPS) if you want good color. I had some purple tip acros that wouldn't color up within just a few inches of a 4x54 T5 unit with good reflectors (the lights were packed in as tight as they could be and the coral was directly under the lights). Within a week changing over to MH these corals had purple tips. I don't think just adding two more T5 bulbs would have done this.

[Jay Fortay]

The t5s would be for dawn/dusk only. i just worry that if I upgrade tanks again I would be in the market for 400s again. If it is super overkill to the point of being detrimental then I won't do it.

[chrissreef]

You can use 400w and put them really high.

if the bulbs don't hurt your pocket... the chiller will!!

I had 2x250's and 3 T5's about 12" off the water on my old 75 and loved it. I don't think 400w would have made much difference. I didn't have a chiller, just a lot of fans and my tank would hit 86-88 in the summer. The corals/fish didn't seem to mind but I don't think I'd do that again without a chiller.

[Jay Fortay]

Okay i just looked at the poll results, what would be the best mix of halides and t5s, if I decide to go that route.

thank you crossi, reefrocker, and aninjaatemyshoe, I will look into those options.

[Jay Fortay]

thanks Chris.

[notenoughtanks]

I've had excellent sps grwoth and color from 175w over my 75, supplemented by 2 vho actinic. eihter xm10k or iwasaki 15k. no need for the 400's, plus you would need at least 80 gallons of sump for it to no cook.

[oct2274]

two 175 watt iwasaki 15k's with 2 T5HO would be plenty of light over a 75. you need good T5 reflectors like the icecap slr's. Each T5 reflector is 2.5 inches, so the rest of the space over the tank you can use for a good reflector for the halides that will fit between the bulbs. The iwasaki 15k bulbs have more output then alot of 250 watt bulbs so they are a great choice.