how many t-5's???

sponge man · 02/07/2007, 10:17 AM

i am planning on replacing my 2-96 watt vho's with t-5's. my tank is a 40 breeder. (36 x 18 x 16) i would like keep my leathers but add a few lps and a few sps. should i use 4 or 6 bulbs?

WallyBackm · 02/07/2007, 10:32 AM

I have a 72 that I ran 6 bulbs over without the individual reflectors. I got the SLS Tek unit wiht 6 bulbs and individual reflectors and the difference is simply amazing. I think with 4 bulbs AND individual reflectors you would be fine.

dwdenny · 02/07/2007, 10:47 AM

I am planning a a 4X39w on my 40g breeder A 6X39w would be a SPS dominated tank. Depending on what color you like I would look at Aquablue, 2 blue+, and 1 UVL Super actinic should be a 14KK-20KK look. HTH

GSMguy · 02/07/2007, 11:51 AM

use as many as you can use more blue bulbs and 15k bulbs

4 bulb icecap retro should work really well

David Grigor · 02/07/2007, 12:58 PM

Going retro vs. getting a fixture will give you the better options. If retro you can always start out with 3 or 4 bulb setup with good quality reflectors and add more bulbs later if and when needed. Hate to see you get a 6-8 bulb setup when a 4 would likely do for now. You can always get more later ( prices generally get cheaper with time or at least stay the same ) once you get some experience with T5s and your coral collection grows/additions you will know if you can benefit from more or not.

02/07/2007, 10:17 AM	#1
sponge man Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: cape cod, mass. Posts: 54	how many t-5's??? i am planning on replacing my 2-96 watt vho's with t-5's. my tank is a 40 breeder. (36 x 18 x 16) i would like keep my leathers but add a few lps and a few sps. should i use 4 or 6 bulbs?

02/07/2007, 10:47 AM	#3
dwdenny Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Edinburg, Texas Posts: 1,369	I am planning a a 4X39w on my 40g breeder A 6X39w would be a SPS dominated tank. Depending on what color you like I would look at Aquablue, 2 blue+, and 1 UVL Super actinic should be a 14KK-20KK look. HTH __________________ "Attitude determine altitude" Visit MAAST.org just click the "Red House" Current Tank Info: 40g Breeder in the works

02/07/2007, 11:51 AM	#4
GSMguy Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Northern New Mexico Posts: 17,420	use as many as you can use more blue bulbs and 15k bulbs 4 bulb icecap retro should work really well __________________ Nick. Conehead. Shallow Reef club. Current Tank Info: 48"x27"x14" Envision Acrylic rimless, 6x39w ATi Sunpower, Custom ATB Deluxe Skimmer, 4x tunze nano stream,ATB flowstar 1500, ACJR, Tunze osmolator.

02/07/2007, 12:58 PM	#5
David Grigor Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Brooklyn Center, MN USA Posts: 4,951	Going retro vs. getting a fixture will give you the better options. If retro you can always start out with 3 or 4 bulb setup with good quality reflectors and add more bulbs later if and when needed. Hate to see you get a 6-8 bulb setup when a 4 would likely do for now. You can always get more later ( prices generally get cheaper with time or at least stay the same ) once you get some experience with T5s and your coral collection grows/additions you will know if you can benefit from more or not. __________________ Neptune Systems 2016 Marine Aquarium Hobbyist of the Year Current Tank Info: 180g mixed reef show tank Last edited by David Grigor; 02/07/2007 at 01:03 PM.

02/07/2007, 10:32 AM	#2
WallyBackm Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 206	I have a 72 that I ran 6 bulbs over without the individual reflectors. I got the SLS Tek unit wiht 6 bulbs and individual reflectors and the difference is simply amazing. I think with 4 bulbs AND individual reflectors you would be fine.