Which T5/Halide for my 55 softie tank, help!

[Logzor]

Please vendors and brands have you had good experience with?

I have been considering a tek light, are these a good buy? I am unsure if this unit will fit on my tank because the 4 bulb is 11 inches wide while my tank is just over 12. Do they make one of these mounted on legs?

My tank is a standard 55 gallon that is 48 inches long and around 13 inches wide.

I DO NOT have a sump so the fixture needs to be on legs or small enough that my CSS has room.

I am keeping mostly softies and LPS. My budget is somewhere at 500 or less.

What light would be a good investment? Please post a link!

Thanks

[Logzor]

Any recommendations on brands/vendors?

[rlabriola]

i use 150w XM 15k's on my mixed tank...all works well

[Logzor]

Could you link me to the vendor? I am looking for a trustworthy one that sells quality units.

[bbehring]

current Nova extreme http://www.petstore.com/ps_viewitem.aspx?idproduct=CU01122

catalina makes a good T5 fixture. I used one before I switched to MH/T5 combo. http://cgi.ebay.com/48-T5-SOLAR-REMOTE-CONTROL-HYDROPONIC-LIGHTS-6-X-65K_W0QQitemZ230187336642QQihZ013QQcategoryZ46314QQcmdZViewItem

[dzeadow]

I would look at something w/ individual reflectors if you're going with t5's. The Nova doesn't have that feature so you'd be losing a lot of potential. I have one of those fixtures and I'm getting my icecap retro kit on Monday and the nova will sit in the closet until I get my nano going.

[bbehring]

dzeadow, I agree. The Catalina T5 fixtures do have individual reflectors. They also offer a 12 lamp unit which seems to be good. I have used the 6 lamp version and it was a good solid fixure. The unit I had came with moonlights, 2 fans built in and 3 cords for good timer control.

[ChemE]

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f26/cdl1051/RC/55_lighting.png

[Logzor]

I plan on shopping at premiumaquatics.com since they are close to me.

They have a tek light, the nova extreme, as well as a few others. Would it be worth it to spend the extra money for the tek light? There are a few others here that I do not know much about.

I would go with the tek light but it is 11" wide and this would probably not leave room for my skimmer unless i bought the $60 legs for it.

Not to mention this unit does not come with bulbs.

[WangoTANGo]

I'm running the Aquactinics TX5 fixture on my 55 and couldn't be happier. SPS, LPS, and clams all doing good.

-Justin

[Logzor]

That unit is a bit out of my price range. I really like the tek light, it is a bit cheaper and will fit my tank, not to mention it has individual reflectors.

I will have to get the bulbs separately. I want the color to pop and have great growth for my softies and sps.

What bulb combo should i get?

I believe this information is in that huge T5 thread but it is too many pages to navigate easily.

[OGZ123]

you should take a look at saltycritter , offer a really good service. I just bought an aquactinics t5 from them. Fast shipping, low cost!

[ChemE]

The bulb combo I posted is the one I recommend; the coloration of corals in my tank is phenomenal. Even brownouts that I buy from Inland Aquatics color up and look awesome. I can't complain about my growth rates either.

[Logzor]

I went ahead with the tek light t5 4x54. This was the best option because I need to put it on legs and can not hang it from the celling.

I went with 2 blue plus, 1 super actinic and 1 aquasun. I forgot that you had posted those or I may have modified it some.

Thanks though.

[bbehring]

post some pics when you get it installed and keep us updated on your coral growth from time to time.

[Logzor]

Will do. It should arrive on friday.

[Logzor]

As promised here is my 55 with the tek lights. Very happy with the results, they are bright as hell.

http://fc04.deviantart.com/fs23/i/2007/314/f/b/november_10th_by_Logzor.jpg

The tank was started at the beginning of September.

[carb850]

Picture is not showing up for me. BTW, I think the 4 bulb TEK should be a great choice for your setup.

[Logzor]

Sorry the pic did not work. You can search logzor on deviantart.com and see the progression of my tank.

Here is the link:

http://logzor.deviantart.com/art/november-10th-69477903