t5 54w bulbs

reefgroupie · 08/18/2009, 09:03 PM

I was wondering if two t5 54w bulbs would be enough light on a 55 gal tank to run a reef?

jwalker314 · 08/18/2009, 09:16 PM

ultimatly i believe it depends on the corals you plan to have, but from what i've read, no that will not be enough. i think you need anywhere from 4-8 watts per gallon (correct me if im wrong) and you would be getting around 2 watts per gallon for that setup.

willwork4frags · 08/19/2009, 05:58 AM

It does depend a lot on the fixture. Type of ballast and does it have individual reflectors. These help more than you think. But as stated above, it all depends on what you want to keep. It would still be pushing it for softies and LPS IMO.

Ohiomom · 08/19/2009, 06:32 AM

You would be able to keep only the most basic of corals IMO. Would say 4 bulb unit at the least which is what I have, but I do not keep any really llight demanding corals..with 6 you could keep most things with correct placement. hth

sam11909 · 08/19/2009, 09:34 AM

I asked my LFS this exact qusetion (He uses t5's for most of his sps,lps, and most other types of coral),and he said for a tank with few pieces of sps and clams I would only need a 2 bulb. I went ahead and did the 4 bulb to be sure. It also depends on your bulb choice.

And remember it doesn't matter the wattage as much as it matters the par and t5's are pretty intense lighting. Now I have to wear sunglasses when I look at my tank!

ziyaadb · 08/19/2009, 09:37 AM

NEVER EVER LISTEN TO YOUR LFS EVER EVER EVER

bunzaroo · 08/19/2009, 09:43 AM

I would have to disagree to a point. I have a 72g bowfront, with a 4 lampt T5 Icecap setup. I have several SPS and clams growing like crazy. It all depends where the lamps are in relation to your high light demanding corals. I have my SPS/clams right below the lamps at about 12 inches. Where the lights deon't penetrate as well, is usually in the front of the aquarium. There I keep several LPS and even a derasa clam. You can't go by the watts per gallon. having said that I beleive in your case a 4 lamp setup would definately be better. The diffrence in pricing isn't that much.
Good luck.

wickedfish · 08/19/2009, 09:45 AM

Agreed with above. I have a 120 and i run 6 t-5's with a few corals and soft corals. No problem.

jlemoine2 · 08/19/2009, 09:47 AM

I think 4 bulbs would be fine on a 55 gallon (assuming individual reflectors). If you plan on keeping clams or sps, you should consider forking out for the IceCap ballasts.

An LFS may be able to get away with 2 bulbs, but they usually do not keep most of their inventory long enough for corals and clams to suffer from low-light conditions.

sam11909 · 08/19/2009, 09:59 AM

Go with the 4 bulb (if it has reflectors) most 6 bulb fixtures won't fit over an average 55G width wise.

fishview · 08/19/2009, 10:09 AM

With two bulbs, you should able to keep softies. 4 bulbs with individual reflectors, you should able to keep most stuffs. I had 4 bulbs on my 90, and it was not enough for SPS. Now they are over drove by icecap 660.

bunzaroo · 08/19/2009, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jlemoine2
I think 4 bulbs would be fine on a 55 gallon (assuming individual reflectors). If you plan on keeping clams or sps, you should consider forking out for the IceCap ballasts.

An LFS may be able to get away with 2 bulbs, but they usually do not keep most of their inventory long enough for corals and clams to suffer from low-light conditions.

This is correct. I have the Ice cap 660 ballast which overdrives the t5 essentially it makes a 54 watt T5 perform at about 75-80 watts. The bulbs don't last as long but that is a compromise. Invidual reflectors is also amust as it maximizes the light that reaches your aquarium.

singold · 08/19/2009, 11:20 AM

I agree, 4 bulbs minimum

jeffnsa · 08/20/2009, 09:29 AM

i run two bulbs (w/reflectors), and added a 28w actinic just for the color. i have had no problen with softies and a few lps and the tank looks great to me. the corals are thriving and i run a bare mininum tank.

two bulbs can work but four would be better.

08/18/2009, 09:03 PM	#1
reefgroupie Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: huntsville, al Posts: 3	t5 54w bulbs I was wondering if two t5 54w bulbs would be enough light on a 55 gal tank to run a reef?

08/19/2009, 06:32 AM	#4
Ohiomom Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 1,586	You would be able to keep only the most basic of corals IMO. Would say 4 bulb unit at the least which is what I have, but I do not keep any really llight demanding corals..with 6 you could keep most things with correct placement. hth __________________ .....Sandra “Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect. It means that you've decided to look beyond the imperfections.” Current Tank Info: 75 galllon reef, T5HO love em!

08/19/2009, 09:34 AM	#5
sam11909 Maxi Mini Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 1,039	I asked my LFS this exact qusetion (He uses t5's for most of his sps,lps, and most other types of coral),and he said for a tank with few pieces of sps and clams I would only need a 2 bulb. I went ahead and did the 4 bulb to be sure. It also depends on your bulb choice. And remember it doesn't matter the wattage as much as it matters the par and t5's are pretty intense lighting. Now I have to wear sunglasses when I look at my tank! __________________ Samuel A reef aquarium is simply an aquarist's best try of painting a small section of the ocean and containing it in a glass frame. Each new coral adds a new color or brush stroke to the painter's toolbox. Current Tank Info: The Stair-Stepping Nano System Last edited by sam11909; 08/19/2009 at 09:44 AM.

08/19/2009, 09:47 AM	#9
jlemoine2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Boise, Idaho Posts: 200	I think 4 bulbs would be fine on a 55 gallon (assuming individual reflectors). If you plan on keeping clams or sps, you should consider forking out for the IceCap ballasts. An LFS may be able to get away with 2 bulbs, but they usually do not keep most of their inventory long enough for corals and clams to suffer from low-light conditions. __________________ -James Current Tank Info: 120 gallon reef w/ 40 gallon frag tank.

08/19/2009, 09:59 AM	#10
sam11909 Maxi Mini Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 1,039	Go with the 4 bulb (if it has reflectors) most 6 bulb fixtures won't fit over an average 55G width wise. __________________ Samuel A reef aquarium is simply an aquarist's best try of painting a small section of the ocean and containing it in a glass frame. Each new coral adds a new color or brush stroke to the painter's toolbox. Current Tank Info: The Stair-Stepping Nano System

08/18/2009, 09:16 PM	#2
jwalker314 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Landenberg, PA Posts: 421	ultimatly i believe it depends on the corals you plan to have, but from what i've read, no that will not be enough. i think you need anywhere from 4-8 watts per gallon (correct me if im wrong) and you would be getting around 2 watts per gallon for that setup.

08/19/2009, 05:58 AM	#3
willwork4frags Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 52	It does depend a lot on the fixture. Type of ballast and does it have individual reflectors. These help more than you think. But as stated above, it all depends on what you want to keep. It would still be pushing it for softies and LPS IMO.

08/19/2009, 09:37 AM	#6
ziyaadb Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: South Africa - JHB Posts: 733	NEVER EVER LISTEN TO YOUR LFS EVER EVER EVER

08/19/2009, 09:43 AM	#7
bunzaroo Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Miami,FL Posts: 617	I would have to disagree to a point. I have a 72g bowfront, with a 4 lampt T5 Icecap setup. I have several SPS and clams growing like crazy. It all depends where the lamps are in relation to your high light demanding corals. I have my SPS/clams right below the lamps at about 12 inches. Where the lights deon't penetrate as well, is usually in the front of the aquarium. There I keep several LPS and even a derasa clam. You can't go by the watts per gallon. having said that I beleive in your case a 4 lamp setup would definately be better. The diffrence in pricing isn't that much. Good luck.

08/19/2009, 09:45 AM	#8
wickedfish Moved On Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Southbay Posts: 2,167	Agreed with above. I have a 120 and i run 6 t-5's with a few corals and soft corals. No problem.

08/19/2009, 10:09 AM	#11
fishview Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Morganville, NJ Posts: 93	With two bulbs, you should able to keep softies. 4 bulbs with individual reflectors, you should able to keep most stuffs. I had 4 bulbs on my 90, and it was not enough for SPS. Now they are over drove by icecap 660.

08/19/2009, 11:20 AM	#13
singold Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Lake Saint Louis, Missouri Posts: 1,827	I agree, 4 bulbs minimum __________________ "If there is no wind.....row." Current Tank Info: 75gal Reef w/29gal Refugium

08/20/2009, 09:29 AM	#14
jeffnsa Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: san antonio,tx Posts: 150	i run two bulbs (w/reflectors), and added a 28w actinic just for the color. i have had no problen with softies and a few lps and the tank looks great to me. the corals are thriving and i run a bare mininum tank. two bulbs can work but four would be better.