enquiry on behalf of bigglenn84 T5S and SPS

hi Guys
bigglenn84 is a new member having issues navigating the site
he has posted an enquiry about T5s for SPS on his own homepage
and has also posted in Coursters tank thread asking how to post on the forums Courster offered great advice but maybe bigglenn84 missed it

so I have started this thread on his behalf as providing he finds this
then his future navigation should be a lot easier

bigglenn84 wanted to know

would T5 lighting be adequate for SPS corals in a 90 gallon reef set up?

Steve Wright
on behalf of bigglenn84

 

I know the good T5's are capable of making SPS grow. But for faster growth metal halides would be the preference. I have T5's and if I could go back in time, I would have gotten some combination of MH's and actinic. I like a little blue in there.

Hope someone more into this can really contribute. That's just my opinion. And as far as I know, everyone that has gone to Metal Halides is very happy with that choice.
Dingo knows quite a bit on the subject. I'll point him to this thread.

 

I have quite a few friends that have t5's with SPS and have great growth and coloring. But they have very large light fixtures.

 

I run a 6-bulb t5ho on my 75G. I keep SPS (acros and montis) on the bottom middle and top of my tank. They all have great colors and grow quickly. If you purchase a well made fixture w/ SLRs and good bulbs (ATI, Geissemann, KZ) you will not have a problem keeping SPS. I would get no less than a 6 bulb fixture.

 

I have a 6 bulb on my 90. I have acros and montis from the middle up, that have great color and growing pretty well. I haven't tried anything on the bottom yet. Also added a crocea about a month ago in the middle. Kinda early to tell on the clam. The clam and one acro frag in particular have gotten significantly more color since I put them in my tank compared to the lfs's MH.

 

A 6 x 54 T5HO will work for a mixed reef tank and a 8 X 54 will work for a SPS dominant tank. Just get a high quality unit with individual reflectors and top of the line bulbs.

 

if bigglenn84 ever finds his way back to this site
I am sure, if he finds this thread he will thank you all for your help


Steve

 

your a good man steve wright.

 

I have 4 T5 bulbs on my 29gal and have SPS growing just fine. They're all in the upper third of the tank and doing great.

 

no , but I do try and keep it on my list of things to do

Steve