Lighting Question Help Needed

Hello everyone, I am starting to put together a 55 gallon reef tank and I am wanting to o with the T5HO lights but did not know how many bulbs would be needed to grow most corals. Also what are some of the budget T5 lights that also work well also.
Thanks Justin

 

I have T5s on my 55 gallon as well and I am using a 4 bulb setup with two white bulbs and two actinic blues. I am a bit limited to not putting a clam or elegance in the tank because I understand they like being in sand and I dont think that gets enough light for them. Other than that my setup is working fine.

I would prefer to have a couple of MH lights suplimented wiht T5 Actinics but $$$

 

Sorry to come off hasty Jason but I am late for work...I just can't pass on a T5 question... :-D

4 bulbs or 5 bulbs WITH individual reflectots will grow most corals on a 55. SPS throughout if thats what you want. I would look into Tek and the TX5.... The Tek being more affordable but the TX5 having fans and comes with the splash shield and so on.
Honestly I don't care for the Currents Nova or the Nova Extreme Pro. Even though the pro have SLRs they don't even cover the WHOLE bulb it only covers maybe half of it so you are still wasting light and energy.
Remember bulbs make a difference as well, not only does brand matter but so does spectrum.

I would love to keep going BUT I really need to go... I trust the others here to help you out!! ;-)

Happy lighting!!

 

you wand 4 watts per gallon. so add those bulbs up to around 220 watts.

oddysea is the cheapest brand you can get, i wouldn't really recommend them except for a planted tank or if the wattage is around 6 watts per gallon. with t5 proper bulb spacing and good reflectors are important. give scenario1313 a pm i think he is selling a t5 setup that he is replacing with halides.

 

Well, individual reflectors are a must IMO. There are three brands out there that I like.

This is the most expensive and probably the among the best ITO quality. It comes with high quality bulbs. Yes, the kind of bulbs you get make a difference.

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5...module_T5_High-Output_Fixture_w!_Bulbs_by_ATI

I like this for it's quality and affordability. When the time arrives this is brand I am going to get. High quality bulbs come with.

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5...t_Fixture_w!_Bulbs_(Black)_by_Sunlight_Supply

This last selection will give you more power as it is a 6x54W. The 4x54W does not come with individual reflectors. However, the bulbs it comes with are not high quality. Also, it is a definite third on the overall quality as a fixture scale. Still solid though.

Current USA Nova Extreme Pro T5HO Aquariuim Light Fixtures

Then down the line......all the way down is the Odyssea brand. Ewww. The reason I say Ewww, is that I own an odyssea fixture. Please don't tell anyone. I am ashamed. So fair warning. Odyssea fixtures are really cheap, and fraught with problems.

 

The most important feature of a T5 fixture are the reflectors,single light reflectors being the best. The best ones are parabolic, ATI fixtures use parabolic, silver coated reflectors and are arguably the best fixtures out there. I have a 55 and use a Nova Extreme fixture, not a great fixture, I didn't know any better when I started out. My advice would be to spend the money now and not regret it later. Even if that means saving up for the light. Too many new hobbyists buy a bargain brand fixture and then become frustrated when they can't keep the corals they really want, myself included, or when it breaks in a year or two.

Consider my situation, I would love to upgrade, but can't afford it right now, surprise surprise. However, if I would have bought a good fixture, such as a Tek 6x54 T5 HO fixture which I can get for $350, I would be saving money in the long run because now, I would not only have spent the $200 on the fixture I have now, but also the $350 on the new fixture, totaling $550 vs. $350 to begin with. Just keep this in mind when deciding and don't go off and get the cheapest fixture possible.

 

Thanks for all the input on these light I am a college student and dont have any local fish stores near where i am in school at. Keep it Comin