T5HO lighting for a 50g

I plan on setting up a 50g soon (36"x19"x19") and I'm thinking about lighting. I like T5HO lighting and my dilemma comes with deciding between 4x39w and 6x39w. I'm planning on having a mixed reef....softies, LPS, and probably SPS eventually. Would the 6x39w be overkill? Would 4x39w be enough for SPS?


Anyone use Giesseman bulbs? Any suggestions on a combination of them (or with others)?

Thanks!

 

Well, I had a 35g that was 3feet by 17" tall and 12" deep. I had 3x39 of t5ho retro with ATI reflectors on it, and it would bake some sps, and most LPS.

Even lps at the bottom of the tank would get bleached out on top from the light.

Granted, maybe it was bulb choice or other issues, but I would say my tank was an anomaly.

I would say go with 4x39, and definitely use ATI bulbs as they have more PAR than geiseman or UVl's direct competing bulbs.

For bulbs I would do 2 ati blue +, 1 ati aquablue, and probably a korallen zucht fiji purple.

granted lights are very subjective, and what one person may like for light, may be too blue or too white for another.

If 4x39 is not enough, which i doubt,you could add another 2x39 on it, if you have room.

If you are going with a teklight, maybe just go with the 6x39, and throw 2 actinic bulbs on it.
The actinics won't add much light, but will really color it up, or you can use them as a dusk / dawn light.

 

+1 on 6 for me, as many as you can at the highest wattage that will fit, would be my thinking

I have just purchased recently 2 x Geisseman lamps in the 14K spectrum - I think they where named aqua blue or maybe power blue (threw the card sleeves away)

very happy with the light output - I have 2 x 14k Aquamedic tubes of the same wattage in the same fixture and these are only 3 months old, but the Geisseman lamps are notably brighter

so yes, I will be buying another 2 and swapping out

Steve

 

The geissemans are good, just not as good at PAR as the ATI bulbs. I would say they are a close 2nd place to ATI, but the color of the ATI blue + is amazing, if you look past it's high PAR numbers.

 

I will definitely take your word for it, Its just that brand is not available to me as yet , when it is, I will be giving it a go
Steve

 

I agree with both above.... Unless money is tight and you need/want to upgrade soon. I can tell you confidently that 4 lamps will do the trick. If have them say 1"-2" off the tank you will be set. Granted 6 gives you a better blend of lamps, more wattage and the ability to tone down to 4 lamps if need be.
The lamps selected by horkn are a good blend as well, I might pass on the KZ Fiji Purple in a 4 lamp but it might fit right in whereas a 6000k might yellow the other 3 lamps out.
If going with the 6 I would do 3 Blue+, 2Aquablue+ and a 6000K of somesort, most brands put out comparable PAR on the day light.... ATI and UVL have some potent ones, as does KZ.
Are you planning on a fixture or retro?

 

I have a 58 gallon tank with a 6x39 tek and uvl's over it, great setup can keep anything you want from softies to clams

 

Thanks for all the great info so far!

I'm planning on a fixture. I've done some retro fitting for PCs in the past and it wasn't fun, so I'd rather just buy the fixture. I already have a 4x39w Tek fixture.....but I could always use it over one of my planted tanks (which I plan on getting T5HOs for anyways) if I went with 6x39w.

I can't say I won't want some clams in the very distant future.

I know I could always add another fixture or upgrade, but if I can get the best lighting now, I'd prefer that.

It seems like there are people for both fixtures....so if 6x39w isn't overkill (I could always use less I guess) then I may get that one, if the budget permits.

If anyone has bulb suggestions....I'm still thinking about those.

 

If you want lamp combo advice you need to be specific as to what you are looking for... Some list growth as top priority, others say looks. Yet to others its a blend of both....

What about YOU?