t5 upgrade

I'm upgrading my lighting from 4x65 watt PCs to 4x54 t5s for my 90 gallon reef. I'm not planning on doing SPS, but this should be sufficient to make all of my LPS, softies, zoos, and mushrooms right?

 

I would go with a 6 bulb setup. Four is kind of minimal, even with individual reflectors. You don't to limit yourself and placing corals with only 4 bulbs will be very difficult, you will need a high rock works.

 

I don't have the money for 6 bulbs. My corals are happy (LPS and softies) with 4 PCs. I figured that 4 t5s would be sufficient for LPS and softies, 6 for SPS. Do you really need 6 bulbs to grow open brain coral on the sand bed and leathers throughout the tank?

 

4 bulbs will be fine for softies and lps,but get a tek fixture at least.Don't be swayed with cheap no name fixtures,there just not worth it,in the long run.

 

I can get a Nova for a very good price. I think I'm going with that. 4 new 4 bulb fixture with bulbs for about 230-240 (not sure with shipping and all of that)

 

I'm not a rich man either,i'm married with 2 children,and get a disability check,once a month.I bought my 2 month old Tek 8 tube fixture off a fellow on RC.It was 275 american shipped,i would never use anything other than at least a Tek.Can a nova or coralife fixture grow acros like this ??.. NO

 

I'll look into Tek. People seem to put Tek and Nova on a similar level from the reviews I've read. Thanks

LCP

 

Do you have experience with Nova to back up what you say or just great results with Tek?

 

anyone else have input???

 

IMHO, i think you should save up for at least a 6 bulb. save up and get something better instead of settling.