4ft TEK T5...which lamps to get?

Hello all...I'm ready to upgrade my Coralife PC unit to a Tek T5 unit. I'm looking at either the 4 or 6 bulb system for my 75 gallon tank. Which should I get? Also which combination of lamps? I'll be ordering from ReefGeek as their prices seem to be the best. I'm planning on keeping softies, and SPS...Would clams be an option for either of those fixtures or would they be best with MH? Thanks all!

 

If you already want SPS and are already thinking about clams get the six bulb unit. The four would be really hard to do those with. How deep is your tank?

 

get the 6 bulb with a good mix of daylight and actinics based upon the look and growth you're after.

 

I like a bluer look. Getting the 6 lamp unit isn't a big deal. I'm already going to have to buy the tank stand mounts as I have no place to hang. UVL, ATIs? I've seen a big debate going on over which is best and since I get to pick my selection from the beginning I'd like to get a decent setup...3 actincs/3 daylights?

 

I just got the 6 bulb fixture, really like it so far. My bulb combo is

UV super actinic
Geissman AquaBlue
AquaScience Blue (22,000K)
Aqua Science Blue (22,000K)
UV Actinic White
UV Super Actinic

 

Also any preference on where to order from...ReefGeek or BulkReef?

 

I would consider getting the 8x54W for your 75g. If it is too much light for your system, you could remove two bulbs and do 6x54W with two empty slots. Reason being is that you may want to upgrade to a 90g (same footprint) and the 8x54W would be perfect for that.

ITO bulb combos. You cannot lose with choices at Reefgeek.com. ATI, Giesemann and UVL are available to you. Icecap is also. See if Dr.Frag has done any PAR work with Icecap. Until I hear good things about them, I will reserve comment. I run the following....

4x UVL Superactinics
2x UVL Actinic Whites
2X UVL 75/25

Here is a link to my thread, I took pics of different bulb combos just for the heck of it.

http://www.3reef.com/forums/show-off-your-fish-tanks/pharmrjohns-90g-thread-52614-47.html#post618142

And you can keep clams under that array no problem.

 

Six lamps would be enough for the 75, 8 would be good also but you would have to literally take the Fixture completely of the tank to access it at all, as the fixture is actually a little wider than your tank. I usually recommend 1 lamp for every 3" of tank width so an 18" wide tank would need 6 lamps.

If you want more blue a 1:1 ratio of white to blue might be a good start but if you like really blue I could recommend
Back
ATI Blue+
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue+
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue+

That will be blue but have a decent kick, might be alittle blue for me but some like the ocean look and the pop. If you want you could also take out a Blue+ and add a True actinic be it UVL, ATI or Giesemann