T5 and LPS, SPS and Softies

[ramtmac]

Can you use t5 lighting for LPS, sps and soft corals? I have a mix of them in my tank and in need of new lights.
i have a 125 gal and was thinking of an ..
8 bulb set (4) 36" acintic; (4) 36" daylight) or is that too little?
Or would a 4 bulb set be more economical? (2) 72" acintic and (2) 72" daylight? or is that even too little?

I did consider MH bulbs, but i'm trying to keep electricity costs low, and not have to worry about water temp swings in the summer (I live in texas).

Additionally, I dont know much about what the K means (i.e. 14000k, 10000k).. so a quick explanation of that would be helpful. I know it has to do with the color of the light?

thanks!

[ramtmac]

hm..

[tiburone9162003]

T5s are fine for the corals, if u think they will need more light like sps, move then up more..

[ramtmac]

any suggestions on what is more economical... 8 bulbs or 4?

[tiburone9162003]

I have 4 n everything looks great, I have a 55g tank , so the lighting fixture it's 48"..

[theatrus]

T5HO bulbs stop at 60". With only two bulbs over the tank at any point, you would be fairly low light. I would suggest 6-8 bulbs for your 125g (that is, at any one point there are 6-8 bulbs across the tank. If you use 36" fixtures, thats 12-16 bulbs total). An important note: You want individual reflectors per bulb and active fan cooling in your fixture. ATI fixtures are the best in quality and performance.

If you don't want SPS, 4-6 bulbs would be preferred.

The K(elvin) is the color temperature, higher numbers are bluer. Bulb quality is important - stick to ATI, Giessmann, UVL, GE.

There is a large selection of bulbs out there to get the look you want. Most people will start building up from a mix of ATI Blue+ bulbs, and add or substract some Aquablue Special or Daylight bulbs, with a Purple thrown in (really brings out the red).

[Giglamesh]

k ratings give an indication of bulb colour, higher the k rating the bluer the light.
this is just a general statement as each manufactures bulbs are likely to have different colours even if there k rating is the same

got in just before me

[tiburone9162003]

Umm forgot u got a 125g tank , I'll need more lighting for sure, but t5 will do the job..

[BobNY]

I am setting up a 125g. I spent tons of time reading through the T5 owners thread. Using what I learned there I decided on a ATI 60" 6 bulb fixture with an assortment of ATI bulbs. With this setup on a 125 the general consensus is you should be able to keep just about anything.

[bigreentractor]

i have been told that t5s will work on my 180 for LPS corals so I think you will be fine as long as you do get a multiple bulb fixture.

[rtparty]

Here is the skinny, a good T5 setup will let you keep ANYTHING you want. The ATI fixtures are just as powerful as 400w MH setups.

Over a 125, you need a GOOD setup. No Ebay special or Current USA stuff. A 6 bulb Tek or 6 bulb ATI is what you need.

[RocketSurgeon]

http://home.comcast.net/~stevelarsen...55241857aa7f39

[ramtmac]

Thank you so much. I had done reading but there is just so much out there. I will now start my shopping for lights or retrofit kits.
Thanks again. Cleared up alot of questions

[Everyones Hero]

You can check in here & get some great advice from Grim on how many bulbs to run, what combination of bulbs, & what order to run them in:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...06461&page=317

If you don't want to dish out the cash for a complete fixture you can buy the retrofit kits & build them into your canopy. For the last couple of years I've been going through www.reefgeek.com for my bulbs.

I have a 4x54w setup over my 75g & after about 6 months time I've had montiporas triple in size.

[aleonn]

With proper wattage and coral placement, T5s would work for you. I got a Tek Light 8x80W for my 180 gallon. For your tank I'd probably get 6 lights but you can't go wrong with 8

[BobNY]

Great Link RocketSurgeon.
Thanks!