t-5 lighting suggestions for a 75g (wanting clams!)

Radioheadx14 · 10/25/2007, 09:43 AM

I have a 75g tank right now. i have a pretty low light tank now... 4x28 NO t-5 bulbs, 2x10k 2xactinic. My protopalys are growing fast... but i want to upgrade my lighting so i can add some cooler corals and maybe a clam or two. What kinda of 5t setup should i go for? i was thinking a 4-6 56w bulb fixture. So what do you guys think? I could possible use on of the double light fixtures i have now for extra actinic.

spanglish · 10/25/2007, 11:58 AM

Nova extreme makes an economical t5 (4 bulb 54w)
I would recommend "individual reflector upgrade"
Look on reefgeek.com

ganjero · 10/25/2007, 12:07 PM

Minimum a tek fixture. Dont waste your money in the nova, it doesnt have individual reflectors and that makes a huge difference, plus teh ballast in not that great either.
You could also build a canopy and get a really nice lighting sytem with ice cap ballasts and individual reflectors.
For fixtures I recommend:
1. ATI powermodules
2. Aquatinics (solar flare first, constellation second)
.
.
.
.
.
8. TEKs
.
.
.
.
20. Nova

But like I said if you do a retrofit that can be as good as the ATIs or maybe better.

Good Luck.

BTW I currently have a constellation, I love it.

Just My opinion.

TWallace · 10/25/2007, 12:25 PM

You didn't mention what type of clam you wanted to keep. If it's derasa or squamosa, the nova extreme is more than adequate. If it's crocea or maxima, you'd want at least a Tek fixture with individual reflectors. I kept 3 croceas under 4 x 54w Tek T5 for 10 months before I switched to MH. 2 of the 3 looked great under the Tek fixture, while one lost some color and has gotten it back under MH.

Radioheadx14 · 10/25/2007, 12:28 PM

I was going to go for individual reflectors and i dont know if i want retros because i dont like the look of a large bulky canopy. I would want a fixture that you can either hang or attach with legs to the tank... That being said, i have already looked at brands... but how many bulbs do i need? would 4 54w be enough? seeing that 2 of them would be 10k and 2 would be actinic? or could i get a 4 fixture, make 3 10k and 1 actinic and use one of my current 2x28w actinic fixtures to supplement?

I guess my real question is how much t5 10k-20k light do i need in my 75g for clams and some stony corals? 2x54w, 3x54w 4x54w?

thecichlidpleco · 10/25/2007, 12:42 PM

Nova parts have broken on me within days, and the thing is so compact and jammed together, even if you get them to send you replacement parts within the warrenty, it is basically them saying good luck and have fun taking this apart.

Radioheadx14 · 10/25/2007, 12:52 PM

I'm leaning toward the tek fixtures... They are within my budget and have individual lectures... and they dont seem to have as bad of a rep as nova..

I want to get some crocea clams...

kslick · 10/25/2007, 05:05 PM

go with the Tek fixtures, individual reflectors and better lights. I also would go with the 6 bulb fixture, if that is in the budget.

If you plan on going with SPS at all, then the 6 would be better.

reefergeorge · 10/25/2007, 05:43 PM

Does anyone know if you can change out the tek ballasts for an icecap, if they are remote? I was thinking of getting a tek fixture but would like to overdrive the bulbs.

liquidlunch · 10/25/2007, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Radioheadx14
I was going to go for individual reflectors and i dont know if i want retros because i dont like the look of a large bulky canopy. I would want a fixture that you can either hang or attach with legs to the tank... That being said, i have already looked at brands... but how many bulbs do i need? would 4 54w be enough? seeing that 2 of them would be 10k and 2 would be actinic? or could i get a 4 fixture, make 3 10k and 1 actinic and use one of my current 2x28w actinic fixtures to supplement?

I guess my real question is how much t5 10k-20k light do i need in my 75g for clams and some stony corals? 2x54w, 3x54w 4x54w?

I ran 4x54w over my 90 for a year. It "maintained" sps and had some growth. I added 2 more bulbs and another ballast last month and things seem better. (4) bulbs are on an IceCap 660 and the other (2) are on an IceCap430. I would run 3 or 4 T5's for fishonly and 6 or 8 for corals,clams,etc over a 75/90gal

Radioheadx14 · 10/25/2007, 08:25 PM

So if i went with a 6 bulb t5 ho fixture, and had 3 actinic and 3x10k then that would be good for sps and clams and stuff?

jski711 · 10/25/2007, 08:34 PM

yes that would be just fine i run a 6 bulb tek and have sps growing on the bottom of my tank. IMO overdriving the bulbs is worthless unless you are running 4 bulbs over a 75-90g tank. get a 6 bulb tek fixture you won't be disappointed.

3 actinic plus
1 6500k
1-11k
1-pure actinic

all giesmann bulbs

Tangweed · 10/25/2007, 08:48 PM

I have 276 watts of T5s on my 58gal is that enough for clams? Half actinic half day light.

Radioheadx14 · 10/25/2007, 08:52 PM

What if i went with the 4 bulb tek and had 2x10k day and 2 actinic... and then used another one of my 2x28 NO t5 fixtures as extra actinic lighting? the 4 bulb is within my budget, the extra 200 or so for the 6 fixture may be too much for my wallet.

that would make 108w of day and 168 actinic... is that enough to grow clams and sps?

plyle02 · 10/25/2007, 08:56 PM

I have croceas on the bottom glass thriving under tek t5 fixture 6 bulbs. Also have a thriving sps tank. Should not be a problem for really any light demanding inhabitants..... JMO....

Tangweed · 10/25/2007, 08:56 PM

That's the watts I have on my tank and set up. I have the calcium / kh thread up. You can see my lighting in the thread.

jski711 · 10/25/2007, 08:56 PM

well i'll tell ya right now that the "NO" bulbs aren't going to do much of anything. if its a crocea or maxima it would need to be higher in the tank but a derasa or squamosa would be fine in the sand. good luck man.

jake

demonsp · 10/25/2007, 08:59 PM

You want individial reflectors for sure and be sure your tank is more mature before adding clams.

Also kinda of important, before you start the new lights dont use the main light at your regular lighting time. Start with a few hours then raising time as you go. Less stress on fish and mainly coral and less chance of a algea bloom.

Radioheadx14 · 10/25/2007, 09:00 PM

Hmmm, so if i had a crocea sitting on a shelf in the middle of the tank... then the 4 bulb with half and half should be enough?

Radioheadx14 · 10/25/2007, 09:07 PM

Yeah i probably wont get the lights for a couple of months but i want to plan now so i can start planning my spending habits... then after i get the lights, i might wait a little longer and then try out a clam. I am still learning the parameter balancing act with dKH and Calcium etc.

killingseed · 10/25/2007, 09:19 PM

4 bulb , i would try to a min of 5 like the Aquatinics one they have or even 6 to 8 bulb 4 is not a lot of light. its only like 216. i personal not sure i'd even call that at starter kit other then for fish or soft corals. get the watts some. i have 450w mixed t5's and couple MH's and it makes a diffences.

10/25/2007, 09:43 AM	#1
Radioheadx14 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 1,601	t-5 lighting suggestions for a 75g (wanting clams!) I have a 75g tank right now. i have a pretty low light tank now... 4x28 NO t-5 bulbs, 2x10k 2xactinic. My protopalys are growing fast... but i want to upgrade my lighting so i can add some cooler corals and maybe a clam or two. What kinda of 5t setup should i go for? i was thinking a 4-6 56w bulb fixture. So what do you guys think? I could possible use on of the double light fixtures i have now for extra actinic.

10/25/2007, 11:58 AM	#2
spanglish Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: DFW Texas Posts: 788	Nova extreme makes an economical t5 (4 bulb 54w) I would recommend "individual reflector upgrade" Look on reefgeek.com __________________ " I quit drinking weeks ago! No one noticed, but I guess that's a pretty good indicator that I conducted myself quite well when I was drunk. " Current Tank Info: 90 G Bowfront, 30G refugium,T5's,Euroreef 100,1 true perc, 1false black, 1 ember blenny,Eight Line Flasher Wrasse, Mandarin,various LPS

10/25/2007, 12:42 PM	#6
thecichlidpleco Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Ann Arbor Posts: 1,227	Nova parts have broken on me within days, and the thing is so compact and jammed together, even if you get them to send you replacement parts within the warrenty, it is basically them saying good luck and have fun taking this apart. __________________ knowledge is power, power leads to abuse, study hard, be evil Owning a tank is like being with that girlfriend who could care less about you, but you couldn't stand being without her. Current Tank Info: 125 Reef, (3) 250w aquamedic oceanlights ETSS 600 skimmer, mag12 return, (2) Tunze 6055's with 7095 controller, 100 gallon sump

10/25/2007, 05:43 PM	#9
reefergeorge Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: St Louis MO Posts: 4,222	Does anyone know if you can change out the tek ballasts for an icecap, if they are remote? I was thinking of getting a tek fixture but would like to overdrive the bulbs. __________________ $35-50 for a <1" frag of some stupid named thing that came from a colony you bought for $40-60 wholesale and chopped into 20-40 pieces? No thanks. "JasonH" Current Tank Info: 125 aggressive reef, DIY led lighting, swc cone skimmer, 33 gallon sump, posiden Ps3 return.

10/25/2007, 08:48 PM	#13
Tangweed Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Mohnton, PA Posts: 1,002	I have 276 watts of T5s on my 58gal is that enough for clams? Half actinic half day light. __________________ Thanks! Jeremy Current Tank Info: 90 gal with 40 gal breeder sump / fuge, Octo skimmer, lights and some water.

10/25/2007, 12:07 PM	#3
ganjero saiperchémibatteilcorazon Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 4,027	Minimum a tek fixture. Dont waste your money in the nova, it doesnt have individual reflectors and that makes a huge difference, plus teh ballast in not that great either. You could also build a canopy and get a really nice lighting sytem with ice cap ballasts and individual reflectors. For fixtures I recommend: 1. ATI powermodules 2. Aquatinics (solar flare first, constellation second) . . . . . 8. TEKs . . . . 20. Nova But like I said if you do a retrofit that can be as good as the ATIs or maybe better. Good Luck. BTW I currently have a constellation, I love it. Just My opinion.

10/25/2007, 12:25 PM	#4
TWallace Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Seattle Posts: 1,464	You didn't mention what type of clam you wanted to keep. If it's derasa or squamosa, the nova extreme is more than adequate. If it's crocea or maxima, you'd want at least a Tek fixture with individual reflectors. I kept 3 croceas under 4 x 54w Tek T5 for 10 months before I switched to MH. 2 of the 3 looked great under the Tek fixture, while one lost some color and has gotten it back under MH.

10/25/2007, 12:28 PM	#5
Radioheadx14 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 1,601	I was going to go for individual reflectors and i dont know if i want retros because i dont like the look of a large bulky canopy. I would want a fixture that you can either hang or attach with legs to the tank... That being said, i have already looked at brands... but how many bulbs do i need? would 4 54w be enough? seeing that 2 of them would be 10k and 2 would be actinic? or could i get a 4 fixture, make 3 10k and 1 actinic and use one of my current 2x28w actinic fixtures to supplement? I guess my real question is how much t5 10k-20k light do i need in my 75g for clams and some stony corals? 2x54w, 3x54w 4x54w?

10/25/2007, 12:52 PM	#7
Radioheadx14 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 1,601	I'm leaning toward the tek fixtures... They are within my budget and have individual lectures... and they dont seem to have as bad of a rep as nova.. I want to get some crocea clams...

10/25/2007, 05:05 PM	#8
kslick Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 253	go with the Tek fixtures, individual reflectors and better lights. I also would go with the 6 bulb fixture, if that is in the budget. If you plan on going with SPS at all, then the 6 would be better.

10/25/2007, 08:25 PM	#11
Radioheadx14 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 1,601	So if i went with a 6 bulb t5 ho fixture, and had 3 actinic and 3x10k then that would be good for sps and clams and stuff?

10/25/2007, 08:34 PM	#12
jski711 Moved On Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Arlington Heights Posts: 1,781	yes that would be just fine i run a 6 bulb tek and have sps growing on the bottom of my tank. IMO overdriving the bulbs is worthless unless you are running 4 bulbs over a 75-90g tank. get a 6 bulb tek fixture you won't be disappointed. 3 actinic plus 1 6500k 1-11k 1-pure actinic all giesmann bulbs

10/25/2007, 08:52 PM	#14
Radioheadx14 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 1,601	What if i went with the 4 bulb tek and had 2x10k day and 2 actinic... and then used another one of my 2x28 NO t5 fixtures as extra actinic lighting? the 4 bulb is within my budget, the extra 200 or so for the 6 fixture may be too much for my wallet. that would make 108w of day and 168 actinic... is that enough to grow clams and sps?

10/25/2007, 08:56 PM	#15
plyle02 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Lake Helen, FL Posts: 5,526	I have croceas on the bottom glass thriving under tek t5 fixture 6 bulbs. Also have a thriving sps tank. Should not be a problem for really any light demanding inhabitants..... JMO.... __________________ Perry "Anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die" ~Buddha~ Current Tank Info: 50 Gallon AIO Cube, Aquamaxx WS-1 Skimmer, LED/ Hybrid 4x24 watt t5

10/25/2007, 08:59 PM	#18
demonsp Moved On Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: el paso tx Posts: 7,634	You want individial reflectors for sure and be sure your tank is more mature before adding clams. Also kinda of important, before you start the new lights dont use the main light at your regular lighting time. Start with a few hours then raising time as you go. Less stress on fish and mainly coral and less chance of a algea bloom.

10/25/2007, 09:00 PM	#19
Radioheadx14 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 1,601	Hmmm, so if i had a crocea sitting on a shelf in the middle of the tank... then the 4 bulb with half and half should be enough?

10/25/2007, 09:07 PM	#20
Radioheadx14 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 1,601	Yeah i probably wont get the lights for a couple of months but i want to plan now so i can start planning my spending habits... then after i get the lights, i might wait a little longer and then try out a clam. I am still learning the parameter balancing act with dKH and Calcium etc.

10/25/2007, 09:19 PM	#21
killingseed Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: El Paso , TX Posts: 2,714	4 bulb , i would try to a min of 5 like the Aquatinics one they have or even 6 to 8 bulb 4 is not a lot of light. its only like 216. i personal not sure i'd even call that at starter kit other then for fish or soft corals. get the watts some. i have 450w mixed t5's and couple MH's and it makes a diffences.