Tek T5 light - 4 or 6 bulbs?

[cy88]

Hi all,

I am looking at a tank that is approximately 21" in height, 4 ft. Should I be looking at the 4 bulbs one or 6 bulbs? They are $100 in price difference (and the extra 2 bulbs).

More important, will 4 bulbs be sufficient? Or will some corals not liking the 6 bulbs too much?

Thanks!
//Chris

[Fish_wiz2]

I think you could get away with 4 bulbs but if you can buy the 6 bulb because the more bulbs=higher intensity=more growth.

[MR PALM BEACH]

6 bulbs, it might be one of those things you wish had got down the road. Pluse you should be able to keep pretty much everything. Im assumming there 54w bulbs?

[scotmc]

It really depend on what your keeping. If SPS, go with the six. If it's FOLR or LPS you could go with a four. I have six bulb with my 90. I am only keeping LPS and it's a little over kill.

[cy88]

Would it be possible to take out two of the bulbs on the 6 bulbs config if it turns out to be overkill?

[m2434]

Originally posted by cy88
Would it be possible to take out two of the bulbs on the 6 bulbs config if it turns out to be overkill?

Depends if they are wired in parallel or in series. If they are wired in parrallel you probably can.

[ahullsb]

I would go with the 6 bulb. You could use a greater variety of bulbs to get look you want.

[cy88]

Should I be going for 3x 6500k midday and 3x antintic? Or 4x midday and 2x antintic?

[scotmc]

This is what I am using.

Blue Plus
Pro Color
Super Actinic
UVL 75/25
Blue plus
Blue Plus

[returnofsid]

Check out www.reefgeeks.com They've got about the best T5 unit you can get in the Tek5. As for 4 or 6 bulbs, you didn't mention dimensions front to back. Go with as many bulbs as you can fit. I'm running the 6 bulb fixture on my standard sized 75. I'd have loved to go with the 8 bulb fixture but it's just too wide. Gary at reefgeeks will also give you great advice on what bulbs to choose, depending on your future coral needs. Don't think about removing bulbs, think more in terms of raising the fixture if needed.

[cy88]

Originally posted by returnofsid
Check out www.reefgeeks.com They've got about the best T5 unit you can get in the Tek5. As for 4 or 6 bulbs, you didn't mention dimensions front to back. Go with as many bulbs as you can fit. I'm running the 6 bulb fixture on my standard sized 75. I'd have loved to go with the 8 bulb fixture but it's just too wide. Gary at reefgeeks will also give you great advice on what bulbs to choose, depending on your future coral needs. Don't think about removing bulbs, think more in terms of raising the fixture if needed.

The depth is 18". I think the 6 bulbs would fit lovely.

I also see that there's Nova Extreme Pro which has individual reflectors as well, but I have yet to find anyone carry it in Canada. I think I might end up with the tek since I've found someone here that carries it.

The price is around $600 with the mount, legs, bulbs, 6 bulbs fixtures. Seeing the price difference not too far off from MH fixtures, would there be any reason I should stay T5? (Other than heat)

[leoslizards]

Originally posted by cy88
The depth is 18". I think the 6 bulbs would fit lovely.

I also see that there's Nova Extreme Pro which has individual reflectors as well, but I have yet to find anyone carry it in Canada. I think I might end up with the tek since I've found someone here that carries it.

The price is around $600 with the mount, legs, bulbs, 6 bulbs fixtures. Seeing the price difference not too far off from MH fixtures, would there be any reason I should stay T5? (Other than heat)

I think maybe also energy costs?

[dsn112]

Energy costs and heat are the reasons to go t5.

You wont need extra fans or a chiller with t5's

[cy88]

I found a used 6 bulbs for $350 with bulbs. I am going for that

[Deb91]

Hello, I was just going to suggest the 6 bulb because of the height. But you already found one. What did you get, and how old are the bulbs?

[cy88]

6 bulbs 3 months old, 2 new bulbs (2x 12,000k, 3x super actinic, 2x super actinic plus, and 1x 10,000k). The fixture is 3 months old.