T5 over AGA 65 SPS tank

[pete620]

I'm planning a 65 gallon (36Lx18Wx24T) SPS reef and would like to light it with T5's. I have a 3-4 inch sand bed so the tank is only 20 to 21 inches deep. I would like to be able to keep clams on the sand bed.

I'm looking into getting either a 6 bulb TEK light or a 5 bulb Aquactinics fixture. Would either of these units provide enough light for clams?

Thanks in advance.

[Chibils]

imo, if the 5-bulb Aquactinics can't do it, there's not much that can. They're some of (if not the) best T5s out there.

[flyguy7150]

I think you can as long as each bulb has individual reflectors, at least thats what i've gathered from reading these forums.

[Myka]

Either of those should do the trick provided you're changing your bulbs often enough (6-8 months for daylights, 12 months for actinics), use good brand bulbs (Giesemann), clean your reflectors and bulbs regularly, and use a good spectrum (I would suggest 2 actinics [add a third if you go for the TEK], 1 AquaBlue+, and 2 Midday Giesemann). I have problems with over-lighting some of my LPS in my SPS/LPS 33 gallon tank with only 2 bulbs that only have a single reflector.

[kodyboy]

aquatinics hands down

[Myka]

If I am remembering both fixtures are made by Sunlight Supply (I know the TEK is for sure). The Aquactinic is a nicer looking fixture by far as the TEK fixture is rather industrial looking. The mechanics of the fixtures are the same. They both have pros and cons:

Aquactinic is nicer looking, but has only 5 bulbs.
TEK is industrial looking, but has 6 bulbs.

What do you want more? Output? Looks? That should really be your only deciding factor as it's the only thing that makes these fixtures different from one another.

[etrigo29]

negative on the Aquatinics being made by sunglight supply

[pete620]

Thanks for all the replies. I'm probably going to go with the TEK for the extra bulb. I've read that the fan in the Aquatinics allows the bulbs to run at a lower temperature which increases efficiency. I figured I could add a clip on fan to blow on the TEK and provide the same results. What do you guys think?

[etrigo29]

i loved my tek but Grim (resident expert on T5) told me that hte reflectors on the Aquatinics are superior and out weight the extra bulb. I'm doing the ATI Powermodules......amazing looking and superior to pretty much any HO t5 out there.

[Aquactinics]

etrigo29,

Sorry to jump in on this thread but I wanted to clear up a misconception. The Tek fixtures are made by Sunlight Supply while the TX5 (5 lamp fixture you've been talking about) is made by us, Aquactinics. Aquactinics is the company's name, not the fixture name. Again, sorry to jump in here.

Thank you,

Tom
Aquactinics

[hoyta]

Originally posted by Myka
Either of those should do the trick provided you're changing your bulbs often enough (6-8 months for daylights, 12 months for actinics), use good brand bulbs (Giesemann), clean your reflectors and bulbs regularly, and use a good spectrum (I would suggest 2 actinics [add a third if you go for the TEK], 1 AquaBlue+, and 2 Midday Giesemann). I have problems with over-lighting some of my LPS in my SPS/LPS 33 gallon tank with only 2 bulbs that only have a single reflector.

One of the best things about T-5s is that you do not have to change bulbs as regularly as Mhs and pcs. 6-8 months for t-5s is false, as you can go up to 1.5 years with them. Same with actinics.
Go with the Aquatinics fixture- its looks great, and works even better.

[KaniRyde]

ATI Powermodules is the best out there but you will pay 2-3x as much.

[barjam]

hoyta, I have read 18-24 months for whites, 12-18 for blues.

[kurplunk]

I keep clams at the bottom of my 135g with an 8 bulbl tek T5 system[IMG][/IMG]

[kurplunk]

I've been running my actinics for 16 months now.

[pete620]

Does the Aquatinics have mounting legs? I don't want to hang it from the sealing. If it does have legs, and the reflectors make it as good as a 6 bulb TEK ficture I may just go with the Aquatinics.

[kodyboy]

you can buy legs for the aquactinics but it is designed to be placed right on top of the tank (you do not need legs)
the 5 bulb aquactinic is probably equal to the six bulb tek

[etrigo29]

Originally posted by Aquactinics
etrigo29,

Sorry to jump in on this thread but I wanted to clear up a misconception. The Tek fixtures are made by Sunlight Supply while the TX5 (5 lamp fixture you've been talking about) is made by us, Aquactinics. Aquactinics is the company's name, not the fixture name. Again, sorry to jump in here.

Thank you,

Tom
Aquactinics

Didn't ever say that Tom

I said "negative on the Aquatinics being made by sunglight supply" just trying clarify. You perhaps might have meant to address it to Myka

[Linkblaze]

I've been considering this fixture as well for my 100g bowfront. Can a fixture like this be set on top of a bowfront, or does it have to be hanged?

[pete620]

Look at Tom's (Aquactinics) gallery in his above post and he has a picture of one on a 26g bowfront.

[hdyoung]

Ahhh. You are where I was 2 years ago. I went with the 6 bulb TEK fixture over my 65 gallon SPS.

From what I've read, there are other fixtures that are better then the TEK, though I have had fine success with my lighting. I will agree that the tek fixture is kinda blocky and doesnt add much to the aesthetics of my system.

I used the bulbs for 24 months before replaceing them. I probably started seeing unhappy corals around 22 months or so. Did my growth rate slow down prior to that? I have no idea. Possibly.

[pete620]

hdyoung do you mind posting a picture of your tank? I'm also looking for ideas on aquascaping and such, and I have not found many pictures of 65 sps tanks. I'd also like to see how the corals look under t5 lighting.

kodyboy thanks for the replie, I did not realize the TX5 could be set ontop of the tank.kodyboy

[Akrite]

Will a T5 unit be as bright as a MH unit?

[kodyboy]

mine is brighter than my old metal halide, but that would all depend on bulb choice

[ArizonaReefer]

Could someone give me recomendations on what 8 bulbs to select?