What Lights To Buy?

Hey everyone, im starting a 75gal, and I was just wondering what type of lighting I would need to keep corals I plan on keeping LPS corals... I think? If LPS are types of corals like bubble, frog spawn, torch? I think those are LPS right? and just any beginner corals too, Im using a T5 on my 10 gal atm, should I just buy four of those and link them? or is there one very good one out there I could get that you guys know of?

 

a 6bulb T5HO fixture should be sufficient enough on that size tank to do anything from softies to SPS.

I personally would just buy one fixture for the tank vs trying to use multiples.

 

Yes, those you mentioined are LPS. LPS are less light demanding than SPS so you could probably get away with a 4-bulb T5 fixture with quality bulbs like ATI or Geissman. You would want to get one with nice individual reflectors to get the best out of your bulbs.

If you budget is not that tight, I would recommend a 6-bulb T5 fixture, that would be a nice match for your tank width. You could definitely keep LPS, Softies, and some SPS higher up. You could also keep most clams # of bulbs.

In terms of brands, here are a few I recommend, the top of the list being most expensive:

ATI PowerModule
ATI Sunpower
TEK Elite
TEK Standard
AquaticLife

Bulbs I have used in the past and recommend:

ATI Blue +
ATI AquaBlue Special
ATI Purple Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
Geissman (I haven't used any personally but they are all great quality bulbs)

Now just remember with lighting, it's so very important for a reef tank. If you get something that is "cheaper and decent" you will absolutely regret it. It's best to save up for a really good quality top-of-the-line light as you will soon find that corals are addicting. I'm sure you'll want to dabble in SPS, clams, etc and you'll need a good light to support those.

best of luck!

 

Yeah I dont really have a budget when it comes to the lights, I wanna get it right the first time, (learned from my 10 gal) some qustions I have are those fixtures u suggested can they have the day time and moon light ability? and the light bulbs you suggested, should I get all of those for, say a 6 bulb fixture? Im just confused as to which bulbs to get to have proper day time lighting for corals but also offer the moonlight effect for night time, wouldnt they usually come with bulbs if they are more higher priced fixtures?

 

Yeah the multiple ones seem like a pain, i just looked into it, but thanks! ill def look into it

 

I personally Love my Nova Extreme Pro.... Its an 8Bulb. Its got moonights built into the fixture.

The ballast did burn out on one of the runs of bulbs when i first got it, but it was free. So I couldnt complain! Just got a new ballast and it has been running smoothly for the last 7 months just fine!

 

are you sold on t5s, i use halides and love the shimmer they give you, its look like your looking into the ocean with sun rays glimmering through the water..some people say they produce alot of heat, but if you get a fixture with a built in fan then you will have no problems as long as you have AC in your house..plus it would cheaper than buying a 1000$ tek 8bulb fixture..all the lights everyone has posted are great lights, the best you can buy. But i just love the shimmer metal halides give you..

 

yeah i used to have these too and the ballasts blew..

 

What what specifically is a "T5"? I thought it was a brand, but all brands had T5 fixtures im finding out? lol so whats a T5?

 

Would this be good enough for my 75?