T-5 Lighting ? Good?Bad?

aLucidDream · #1 09/02/2005, 09:29 PM

I'm thinking of upgrading my lighting to a 48" 6X54watt strip. My question is would I be able to keep some hard corals also to add to the tank. I know most people swear by M.H. and nothing else will do but if anyone uses t-5's and keeps sps also let me know if this would be a good upgrade or not. Thanks.

Nuhtty · #2 09/02/2005, 09:48 PM

I know people who keep SPS under T5s. I wouldnt put them on the bottom, but you could do it.

Check out a 6x54w setup from Sunlight Supply (www.reefgeek.com)

kau_cinta_ku · #3 09/02/2005, 09:53 PM

^^^ that is the same fixture i am gonna go with on my 75 gal. that i am setting up.

jedimike · #4 09/02/2005, 10:24 PM

There are also some LPS corals that don't use a lot of light... brain, trumpet, and flower pot, etc. But they require lots of feeding.

aLucidDream · #5 09/02/2005, 10:48 PM

My tank now is made up of mostly softies and lps. What do you guys think about this....
http://cgi.ebay.com/T5-T-5-HO-48-6-X...QQcmdZViewItem

He has a good feedback rating..and for $249 that seems alrite to me.

I've order from reefgeek before and loved it..but the extra 100 that would save would be nice...could get a nice piece to put in there with the lights.

Suggestions?

mpcart · #6 09/02/2005, 11:52 PM

I wouldn't skimp on the lights. Supposedly, the key to the T-5s is the quality of the reflectors. The ones on that unit seem like they are too small.

I have the SLS reflectors from reefgeek - they are nice and wide and put out a lot of light.

Look at the difference in the size of the ebay reflectors vs. the SLS ones.

Here are some good threads on the subject.

T5 Reflector Threads

-Mike

swenard · #7 09/03/2005, 05:24 AM

Those look exactly like my Ice cap reflectors.

MichaelD · #8 09/03/2005, 08:01 AM

I use the 6X54 Watt T5 Tek fixture that I bought from reefgeek. One of my favorite purchases, I keep hard corals down to midrange of the tank. And LPS and softies all over. This is on my 75 gallon.

goalieman92 · #9 09/03/2005, 09:30 AM

i know a guy that has kept sps under pc in a 115.

WaterKeeper · #10 09/03/2005, 10:15 AM

Hi Luciid,

I see no problem with keeping SPS under a good set of T-5 lights. Many people do it and if one species appears to be declining you can always place it higher in the tank. Here is more on lighting in general-The Lighting Thread.

aLucidDream · #11 09/03/2005, 11:21 AM

Thanks for all the advice and links to other threads with even more info in them. I think I'm go with reefgeek as I've never had a problem before with them. Thanks all.

NorthernCF · #12 09/03/2005, 11:37 AM

I have a mixed reef 75g. I have used the Tec light for 1.5 years. Its nice.