Confused on lighting t5 t6?

The tank I bought has a strip light with 2 bulbs it says they are fluorescent and on the bulb itself it shows t6.

I read about the t5 lights and I suppose that is my best bet, can I change out the bulbs or go buy another fixture? I haven't seen any specific t5 lights in the lighting section. Would the t6 be good for anything? My lfs is terrible so it could just be that. Anyone know of a good store in south Florida?

I'm a week or so into the cycle of the tank so I want to make sure I have everything I need when I start stocking.

 

t6 is supposedly a attempt at having t5 technology fit into a standard t8 socket.

you really want T5HO.

buy something online its cheaper and a better selection

 

Any suggests where to go online? I need a 48 inch light I think have a 72 gallon bow front

 

If you need a fixture, I would go to
http://shop.aquatraders.com

 

not too contradict bloodkip
but I would try aquacave.com as I think aquatraders only carries oddysea fixtures.


I encourage you to research any fixture you consider buying, as not all are equal.
While oddysea has significantly improved over the years they wouldn't be my first choice for a display reef. although they definitely are the cheapest

First I would decide what type of corals you want to keep, then if you want T5 or halide

 

I just checked out the Aquatrader site, great prices there, I had never heard of them. There are many others to shop around, take your time and do some research, you have time. Some others are; Drs. Foster and Smith, Pet Mountain, Marine Depot, Big Als', That Fish place, Aquarium Guys to name a few. To help in your research, here is a 4 part expose' on lighting;
Facts of Lights - Part I, II, III, IV by Sanjay Joshi

 

Do I put the lights on while cycling the tank?

Will the t6 light be okay for now?

 

I have 3 tanks a 75 reef, 56 reef and 30 breeder frag and all three run Oddysea Fixture, the 56 even has one of their Halide fixtures on it. I have been running them since Day 1 on all of them, the oldest which will be 2.5 years in a few weeks.

I have had absolutely no issues with them other than needing to replace the Stock bulbs after about 6 months. I get great growth, everything in my tank including my SPS is really happy.

I am sorry but as far as I am concerned all your paying for when you buy some of those other lights is the freaking name. So I say go for it. save a bunch of money an spend it on coral.

 

I would say that the T6 will be fine for right now, but you are going to want to change them before adding corals unless you going to keep nothing but softies, zoa's and a very few LPS.

I am not sure but I think that Aquatraders still sell some T6 bulbs. If you need new ones they are not the best but they are cheap and will get you buy till you get a new light.

 

I agree, been running my Odyssea for 1 year now and no problems what so ever with it, besides replacing bulbs. +1 for saving money and spending on corals.