20" Aquatic Life T5 fixture? 2 bulb or 4 bulb lamp??

Ok, so I think I have decided on the 20" AquaticLife T5 HO Lamp... but I don't know if I should get the 2 bulb fixture or the 4 bulb fixture? I do not like SPS corals and will just be sticking with Softies and LPS (the corals I have are listed below in my "signature"). Obviously the 2 bulb fixture would be cheaper than the 4 bulb... and when my tank use to be a 33gal I had a 2 bulb T5 fixture and all my corals did great. As of right now on my 10gal I have 2 screw in type 50/50 CP's with a blue LED strip and all the corals are doing great and growing nicely... so is there really a need for a 4 bulb T5 fixture for the corals that I am keeping? For a 10gal without SPS would a 4 bulb fixture just be overkill? Especially since all my corals are used to lower PC's lighting levels? I'm not too good with the lighting stuff quite yet lol but I'm getting there. Any input would be great thanks!

 

I think a 2 bulb fixutre would be fine for your 10 gallon. If you ever plan on getting a larger tank you may want a 4 bulb fixture. You can always just run 2 bulbs in it. But for now I don't see why a 4 bulb fixture would be needed.

 

I think 4 bulb would be too much for what you are wanting to keep, that being said, you could always have more blue/50/50 type accent on the tank without really hurting anything. Might be fun to experiment with different types of bulbs/spectrums, especially if the 4 bulb had independent switches/cords for each set of bulbs. Or you could also add LED's to accent if you went with the 2 bulb option.

 

Yea... I have a blue LED accent lighting strip right now with my PCs, so i can always remove them and place them onto the fixture if I get the dual. I found someone online who is willing to sell the four bulb one for $80 (he hasnt gotten back to me yet. If he does today I will be ging to pick up the 4 bulb fixture tonight)... but if I was the dual I'll have to order it online $99+tax and shipping. So, I could just use more actinic in the fixture if I get the 4 bulbs fixture? I have NNOOOO idea what mix of bulbs I should do if I get the 4 bulb fixture lol. and need help with that also. What do you guys think? cause If i can just get the 4 bulb fixture for $80 and just use more actinic so it won't be overkill, I would definately do that cause it would be cheaper.

 

Definitely only need the 2 bulb fixture.

 

I too have a 10 gallon tank, and I am looking to switch to T5 lights. I currently have just a fluorescent fixture.
I would like to get a T5 fixture and run daytime bulbs during the day, and actinic bulbs at night. I have found fixtures with two bulbs and have either two separate power cords, or two separate switches.
Would running one bulb at a time be sufficient for a 10 gallon? Or should I get a four bulb system?

Not trying to hijack your thread, sorry.

 

There is no need for the lights to be on more than 10 to 12 hours a day. Any longer and you risk algae outbreaks and excessive stress to your animals. Whether you can get away with one bulb or not depends on the corals you plan to keep.

 

Thanks, I ended up ordering the dual bulb fixture.