Tek T5 light - 4 or 6 bulbs?

cy88 · 12/27/2007, 05:17 AM

Hi all,

I am looking at a tank that is approximately 21" in height, 4 ft. Should I be looking at the 4 bulbs one or 6 bulbs? They are $100 in price difference (and the extra 2 bulbs).

More important, will 4 bulbs be sufficient? Or will some corals not liking the 6 bulbs too much?

Thanks!
//Chris

Fish_wiz2 · 12/27/2007, 06:45 AM

I think you could get away with 4 bulbs but if you can buy the 6 bulb because the more bulbs=higher intensity=more growth.

MR PALM BEACH · 12/27/2007, 07:53 AM

6 bulbs, it might be one of those things you wish had got down the road. Pluse you should be able to keep pretty much everything. Im assumming there 54w bulbs?

scotmc · 12/27/2007, 07:56 AM

It really depend on what your keeping. If SPS, go with the six. If it's FOLR or LPS you could go with a four. I have six bulb with my 90. I am only keeping LPS and it's a little over kill.

cy88 · 12/27/2007, 01:21 PM

Would it be possible to take out two of the bulbs on the 6 bulbs config if it turns out to be overkill?

m2434 · 12/27/2007, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cy88
Would it be possible to take out two of the bulbs on the 6 bulbs config if it turns out to be overkill?

Depends if they are wired in parallel or in series. If they are wired in parrallel you probably can.

ahullsb · 12/27/2007, 02:04 PM

I would go with the 6 bulb. You could use a greater variety of bulbs to get look you want.

cy88 · 12/27/2007, 04:14 PM

Should I be going for 3x 6500k midday and 3x antintic? Or 4x midday and 2x antintic?

scotmc · 12/28/2007, 07:16 AM

This is what I am using.

Blue Plus
Pro Color
Super Actinic
UVL 75/25
Blue plus
Blue Plus

returnofsid · 12/28/2007, 07:20 AM

Check out www.reefgeeks.com They've got about the best T5 unit you can get in the Tek5. As for 4 or 6 bulbs, you didn't mention dimensions front to back. Go with as many bulbs as you can fit. I'm running the 6 bulb fixture on my standard sized 75. I'd have loved to go with the 8 bulb fixture but it's just too wide. Gary at reefgeeks will also give you great advice on what bulbs to choose, depending on your future coral needs. Don't think about removing bulbs, think more in terms of raising the fixture if needed.

cy88 · 12/28/2007, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by returnofsid
Check out www.reefgeeks.com They've got about the best T5 unit you can get in the Tek5. As for 4 or 6 bulbs, you didn't mention dimensions front to back. Go with as many bulbs as you can fit. I'm running the 6 bulb fixture on my standard sized 75. I'd have loved to go with the 8 bulb fixture but it's just too wide. Gary at reefgeeks will also give you great advice on what bulbs to choose, depending on your future coral needs. Don't think about removing bulbs, think more in terms of raising the fixture if needed.

The depth is 18". I think the 6 bulbs would fit lovely.

I also see that there's Nova Extreme Pro which has individual reflectors as well, but I have yet to find anyone carry it in Canada. I think I might end up with the tek since I've found someone here that carries it.

The price is around $600 with the mount, legs, bulbs, 6 bulbs fixtures. Seeing the price difference not too far off from MH fixtures, would there be any reason I should stay T5? (Other than heat)

leoslizards · 01/02/2008, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by cy88
The depth is 18". I think the 6 bulbs would fit lovely.

I also see that there's Nova Extreme Pro which has individual reflectors as well, but I have yet to find anyone carry it in Canada. I think I might end up with the tek since I've found someone here that carries it.

The price is around $600 with the mount, legs, bulbs, 6 bulbs fixtures. Seeing the price difference not too far off from MH fixtures, would there be any reason I should stay T5? (Other than heat)

I think maybe also energy costs?

dsn112 · 01/02/2008, 12:17 PM

Energy costs and heat are the reasons to go t5.

You wont need extra fans or a chiller with t5's

cy88 · 01/02/2008, 02:25 PM

I found a used 6 bulbs for $350 with bulbs. I am going for that

Deb91 · 01/02/2008, 02:46 PM

Hello, I was just going to suggest the 6 bulb because of the height. But you already found one. What did you get, and how old are the bulbs?

cy88 · 01/02/2008, 03:07 PM

6 bulbs 3 months old, 2 new bulbs (2x 12,000k, 3x super actinic, 2x super actinic plus, and 1x 10,000k). The fixture is 3 months old.

12/27/2007, 05:17 AM	#1
cy88 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 235	Tek T5 light - 4 or 6 bulbs? Hi all, I am looking at a tank that is approximately 21" in height, 4 ft. Should I be looking at the 4 bulbs one or 6 bulbs? They are $100 in price difference (and the extra 2 bulbs). More important, will 4 bulbs be sufficient? Or will some corals not liking the 6 bulbs too much? Thanks! //Chris

12/27/2007, 07:53 AM	#3
MR PALM BEACH Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Jupiter, Fl Posts: 802	6 bulbs, it might be one of those things you wish had got down the road. Pluse you should be able to keep pretty much everything. Im assumming there 54w bulbs? __________________ And I thought buying an puppy would be to expensive! Current Tank Info: 23" LCD with Windows Aquarium screen saver.

12/27/2007, 02:04 PM	#7
ahullsb Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: sacramento, ca Posts: 2,729	I would go with the 6 bulb. You could use a greater variety of bulbs to get look you want. __________________ Andy Sacramento, CA Current Tank Info: 55 gallon reef w/20 gallon sump/ER135/ 75 pounds of live rock, 4 in sandbed, 2 b&w ocellaris clowns, yellow watchman/pistol, rosy scaled wrasse, Mystery wrasse, Copperbanded Butterfly, Lighting 48" outer orbit 2 150 mh/ 4 t5 actinics

01/02/2008, 12:17 PM	#13
dsn112 Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: South Jersey Posts: 1,139	Energy costs and heat are the reasons to go t5. You wont need extra fans or a chiller with t5's __________________ I'm disturbed! I'm depressed! I'm inadequate! I got it all!! Current Tank Info: Fluval Edge w LED freshwater. Looking at doing a 20-40g long penninsula fowlr soon

01/02/2008, 02:46 PM	#15
Deb91 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Scituate,Ma. Posts: 577	Hello, I was just going to suggest the 6 bulb because of the height. But you already found one. What did you get, and how old are the bulbs? __________________ Deb Current Tank Info: None running now.

12/27/2007, 06:45 AM	#2
Fish_wiz2 Mangroves are kool. Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Chicago Posts: 5,246	I think you could get away with 4 bulbs but if you can buy the 6 bulb because the more bulbs=higher intensity=more growth.

12/27/2007, 07:56 AM	#4
scotmc Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Maryland Posts: 765	It really depend on what your keeping. If SPS, go with the six. If it's FOLR or LPS you could go with a four. I have six bulb with my 90. I am only keeping LPS and it's a little over kill.

12/27/2007, 01:21 PM	#5
cy88 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 235	Would it be possible to take out two of the bulbs on the 6 bulbs config if it turns out to be overkill?

12/27/2007, 04:14 PM	#8
cy88 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 235	Should I be going for 3x 6500k midday and 3x antintic? Or 4x midday and 2x antintic?

12/28/2007, 07:16 AM	#9
scotmc Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Maryland Posts: 765	This is what I am using. Blue Plus Pro Color Super Actinic UVL 75/25 Blue plus Blue Plus

12/28/2007, 07:20 AM	#10
returnofsid Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 3,852	Check out www.reefgeeks.com They've got about the best T5 unit you can get in the Tek5. As for 4 or 6 bulbs, you didn't mention dimensions front to back. Go with as many bulbs as you can fit. I'm running the 6 bulb fixture on my standard sized 75. I'd have loved to go with the 8 bulb fixture but it's just too wide. Gary at reefgeeks will also give you great advice on what bulbs to choose, depending on your future coral needs. Don't think about removing bulbs, think more in terms of raising the fixture if needed.

01/02/2008, 02:25 PM	#14
cy88 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 235	I found a used 6 bulbs for $350 with bulbs. I am going for that

01/02/2008, 03:07 PM	#16
cy88 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 235	6 bulbs 3 months old, 2 new bulbs (2x 12,000k, 3x super actinic, 2x super actinic plus, and 1x 10,000k). The fixture is 3 months old.