T5 Lighting for 42x42x24 cube

HOBrien · 08/22/2012, 01:42 AM

Ok I am trying to figure out if I will go with 8 or 12 bulbs for this tank. The Fixtures will be 36"

It will be a mixed reef with primarly LPS, softies, and Ricordias.

HOBrien · 08/22/2012, 09:21 PM

So any written suggestions?

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sirreal63 · 08/22/2012, 09:53 PM

I would love to help, but I run mostly SPS, you could split the difference and go with a 10 bulb ATI unit. I would do the 12 bulb for SPS, not that it helps a lot.

HOBrien · 08/22/2012, 10:28 PM

Thete will probably be a fe frags of sps.

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HOBrien · 08/26/2012, 11:51 PM

Anyone else with input either via post or vote?

ologms12 · 08/27/2012, 12:13 AM

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Michigan Mike · 08/27/2012, 04:49 AM

I just got a sunpower and I like it, but for that size tank I would really consider a 400w metal halide with a lumenmax reflector. Done

Are you considering DIY T5 because I would space the bulbs out a little more than most fixtures do.
Otherwise 2 6 bulb TEK fixtures.

jdraider75 · 08/27/2012, 07:53 AM

I would do the 12 bulbs.

HOBrien · 08/27/2012, 11:25 AM

Thanks everyone so far.

rtparty · 08/27/2012, 01:10 PM

42" front to back and 24" tall? You will need at least a 10 bulb ATI Powermodule or 2 of the 6 bulb Sunpowers.

I bet a 400w mh in a big old reflector is a better choice. You will be looking at $250+ every 10-12 months to change the T5s.

I am not here to say one technology is better than the other. I've used almost every lighting tech available and they all work. It just depends on what is best for your situation.

HOBrien · 08/27/2012, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtparty

42" front to back and 24" tall? You will need at least a 10 bulb ATI Powermodule or 2 of the 6 bulb Sunpowers.

I bet a 400w mh in a big old reflector is a better choice. You will be looking at $250+ every 10-12 months to change the T5s.

I am not here to say one technology is better than the other. I've used almost every lighting tech available and they all work. It just depends on what is best for your situation.

I have never ran MH's. Dont you replace the bulbs just as frequintly with it as you dotheT5's? I also thought about running LED's for the purpose of bulb replacement.

View Poll Results: 8 or 12 T5's
8 bulb	3	42.86%
12 bulb	4	57.14%
Voters: 7. You may not vote on this poll

08/22/2012, 01:42 AM	#1
HOBrien Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Abilene, TX Posts: 1,439	T5 Lighting for 42x42x24 cube Ok I am trying to figure out if I will go with 8 or 12 bulbs for this tank. The Fixtures will be 36" It will be a mixed reef with primarly LPS, softies, and Ricordias. __________________ Heath Disabled Vet Current Tank Info: Have a Neo Nano just set up.

08/22/2012, 09:21 PM	#2
HOBrien Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Abilene, TX Posts: 1,439	So any written suggestions? Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2 __________________ Heath Disabled Vet Current Tank Info: Have a Neo Nano just set up.

08/22/2012, 09:53 PM	#3
sirreal63 Go Spurs Go!!! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Meadowlakes Texas Posts: 13,357	I would love to help, but I run mostly SPS, you could split the difference and go with a 10 bulb ATI unit. I would do the 12 bulb for SPS, not that it helps a lot. __________________ Jack No One has ever been seriously injured by using the search function. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency. Current Tank Info: Reefing the Pentagon.

08/22/2012, 10:28 PM	#4
HOBrien Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Abilene, TX Posts: 1,439	Thete will probably be a fe frags of sps. Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2 __________________ Heath Disabled Vet Current Tank Info: Have a Neo Nano just set up.

08/26/2012, 11:51 PM	#5
HOBrien Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Abilene, TX Posts: 1,439	Anyone else with input either via post or vote? __________________ Heath Disabled Vet Current Tank Info: Have a Neo Nano just set up.

08/27/2012, 12:13 AM	#6
ologms12 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 10	////

08/27/2012, 04:49 AM	#7
Michigan Mike Freedom costs a buckofive Join Date: May 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 3,002	I just got a sunpower and I like it, but for that size tank I would really consider a 400w metal halide with a lumenmax reflector. Done Are you considering DIY T5 because I would space the bulbs out a little more than most fixtures do. Otherwise 2 6 bulb TEK fixtures.

08/27/2012, 07:53 AM	#8
jdraider75 Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Davenport, Iowa Posts: 546	I would do the 12 bulbs.

08/27/2012, 11:25 AM	#9
HOBrien Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Abilene, TX Posts: 1,439	Thanks everyone so far. __________________ Heath Disabled Vet Current Tank Info: Have a Neo Nano just set up.

08/27/2012, 01:10 PM	#10
rtparty Raise The Reef! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Utah Posts: 7,404	42" front to back and 24" tall? You will need at least a 10 bulb ATI Powermodule or 2 of the 6 bulb Sunpowers. I bet a 400w mh in a big old reflector is a better choice. You will be looking at $250+ every 10-12 months to change the T5s. I am not here to say one technology is better than the other. I've used almost every lighting tech available and they all work. It just depends on what is best for your situation. __________________ Ryan Click on my user name and check out my homepage! Current Tank Info: 50g Cadlights/Giesemann Spectra (250w Radium, 2 ATI Blue Plus, 2 ATI Actinic)/2 x Vortech MP10wQD/Skimz SN123/Eheim Compact 3000+