t-5's on a standard 120

nomoney · 11/04/2010, 08:25 AM

Hi Guys
I have been a fan of this forum for a while now, I was finally able to register and can participate in discussions. I have received a lot of useful info from this site. I was always a metal halide guy until I started paying for the electric in my own home, now I see the benefits of using less energy!

I want to get a t-5 set up for my reef tank. I am trying to decide between a 48" 6 bulb or 8 bulb set up. What do you recommend. I plan of having a mixed reef with softies, some zoas and maybe some SPS towards the top. I would love a clam down in the sand. Any help is appreciated.

rtparty · 11/04/2010, 08:31 AM

You can get away with a 6 bulb but it needs to be a good fixture. I wouldn't try a clam under only 6 bulbs unless you get the ATI Sunpower or Powermodule.

8 bulbs would give you better coverage but could also be overkill for your situation.

cjtice · 11/04/2010, 08:47 AM

I run 6 overdriven on my 90 and can keep great color on SPS in the sand. I am also relatively sure I could keep a crocea near the bottom.

Like previously stated, go with a quality fixture with quality lamps and I am sure you could keep any sps or clam happy within the first 15 inches of depth.

Good luck!
chris

cjtice · 11/04/2010, 08:48 AM

I run 6 overdriven on my 90 and can keep great color on SPS in the sand. I am also relatively sure I could keep a crocea near the bottom.

Like previously stated, go with a quality fixture with quality lamps and I am sure you could keep any sps or clam happy within the first 15 inches of depth with a six lamp fixture.
Good luck!
chris

nomoney · 11/04/2010, 08:55 AM

thanks guys, what do you think of the tek elite series?

rtparty · 11/04/2010, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nomoney

thanks guys, what do you think of the tek elite series?

I don't own one but here is my opinion.

Not bad for the money, big disappointment in the end.

They used Workhorse ballasts, big no-no for me. WH ballasts put out about 25% less PAR then spec T5 ballasts. The fans have had issues since day one and to my knowledge the issue still isn't resolved but I haven't been following along.

I think Tek makes some good fixtures but they cut too many corners and don't listen to fact. The Elite was supposed to be the ATI killer and if anything it increased ATI's stock.

A local reefer just got the Tek Elite and I am hoping to go check it out soon.

nomoney · 11/04/2010, 09:38 AM

ok, looks like I should go with an ATI fixture, unless anyone disagrees? Seems like reefgeek has the best prices on these units, does any know of any other sites that offer more competitive prices on them?

rtparty · 11/04/2010, 09:44 AM

Reefgeek or Premium Aquatics is the place to get ATI.

You won't find them cheaper. Reefgeek is the master distributor in the States for ATI and prices are pretty much set.

You usually have to find one used to get it cheaper.

PGUY1 · 11/04/2010, 10:31 AM

I've been running 6 T5HO over a 4 ft 120 for 18 months now. It's all retros from reefgeek. It also left me room for moonlights. I run them in a canopy with two fans on the back blowing in on the ends. They are about 4 inches off of the water. All of my acros and two croceas are near the top and I've got an 8 inch derasa, acans, and other lps on the sand.

PGUY1 · 11/05/2010, 06:34 PM

trying my first picture

divewsharks · 11/05/2010, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nomoney

ok, looks like I should go with an ATI fixture, unless anyone disagrees? Seems like reefgeek has the best prices on these units, does any know of any other sites that offer more competitive prices on them?

If you want a fixture, ATI is the way to go, you can also do retro's with IC660 ballasts, also available from reefgeek.

Johnny C · 11/05/2010, 10:36 PM

I have used both the Tek Elite and ATI PM and the ATI was much nicer. I wouldn't go beyond a 48'' 6-Bulb T5 setup on your 120, especially if it's an ATI. Welcome to RC!

James77 · 11/06/2010, 06:42 AM

A 6 bulb will be more than enough for what you want to keep on the 120. You could even do SPS dominant, but an 8 bulbs would be more ideal for that.

As others have said, ATI is the way to go. They outperform all other fixtures, and have a great track record. Reefgeekis great, and offers a great price when you buy the fixtures with bulbs.

killagoby · 11/06/2010, 06:54 AM

I just got a 6 bulb ATI SunPower this week.. I've had it on my tank for only a day but it looks like an amazing fixture. The build is incredible. Well worth the $$$. We will see if my LPS's like it in about a week or so...

nomoney · 11/06/2010, 07:59 AM

Quote:

trying my first picture

Looks really nice! I think you guys have made my choice easier. Now to gather up the money

11/04/2010, 08:25 AM	#1
nomoney Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 63	t-5's on a standard 120 Hi Guys I have been a fan of this forum for a while now, I was finally able to register and can participate in discussions. I have received a lot of useful info from this site. I was always a metal halide guy until I started paying for the electric in my own home, now I see the benefits of using less energy! I want to get a t-5 set up for my reef tank. I am trying to decide between a 48" 6 bulb or 8 bulb set up. What do you recommend. I plan of having a mixed reef with softies, some zoas and maybe some SPS towards the top. I would love a clam down in the sand. Any help is appreciated.

11/04/2010, 08:31 AM	#2
rtparty Raise The Reef! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Utah Posts: 7,404	You can get away with a 6 bulb but it needs to be a good fixture. I wouldn't try a clam under only 6 bulbs unless you get the ATI Sunpower or Powermodule. 8 bulbs would give you better coverage but could also be overkill 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+

11/04/2010, 09:44 AM	#8
rtparty Raise The Reef! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Utah Posts: 7,404	Reefgeek or Premium Aquatics is the place to get ATI. You won't find them cheaper. Reefgeek is the master distributor in the States for ATI and prices are pretty much set. You usually have to find one used to get it cheaper. __________________ 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+

11/06/2010, 06:42 AM	#13
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	A 6 bulb will be more than enough for what you want to keep on the 120. You could even do SPS dominant, but an 8 bulbs would be more ideal for that. As others have said, ATI is the way to go. They outperform all other fixtures, and have a great track record. Reefgeekis great, and offers a great price when you buy the fixtures with bulbs. __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater

11/06/2010, 06:54 AM	#14
killagoby Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Monroe, NJ Posts: 2,150	I just got a 6 bulb ATI SunPower this week.. I've had it on my tank for only a day but it looks like an amazing fixture. The build is incredible. Well worth the $$$. We will see if my LPS's like it in about a week or so... __________________ How much money did you spend on that rock again?

11/04/2010, 08:47 AM	#3
cjtice Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Asheville, NC Posts: 303	I run 6 overdriven on my 90 and can keep great color on SPS in the sand. I am also relatively sure I could keep a crocea near the bottom. Like previously stated, go with a quality fixture with quality lamps and I am sure you could keep any sps or clam happy within the first 15 inches of depth. Good luck! chris

11/04/2010, 08:48 AM	#4
cjtice Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Asheville, NC Posts: 303	I run 6 overdriven on my 90 and can keep great color on SPS in the sand. I am also relatively sure I could keep a crocea near the bottom. Like previously stated, go with a quality fixture with quality lamps and I am sure you could keep any sps or clam happy within the first 15 inches of depth with a six lamp fixture. Good luck! chris

11/04/2010, 08:55 AM	#5
nomoney Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 63	thanks guys, what do you think of the tek elite series?

11/04/2010, 09:38 AM	#7
nomoney Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 63	ok, looks like I should go with an ATI fixture, unless anyone disagrees? Seems like reefgeek has the best prices on these units, does any know of any other sites that offer more competitive prices on them?

11/04/2010, 10:31 AM	#9
PGUY1 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: WILMINGTON, NC Posts: 208	I've been running 6 T5HO over a 4 ft 120 for 18 months now. It's all retros from reefgeek. It also left me room for moonlights. I run them in a canopy with two fans on the back blowing in on the ends. They are about 4 inches off of the water. All of my acros and two croceas are near the top and I've got an 8 inch derasa, acans, and other lps on the sand.

11/05/2010, 10:36 PM	#12
Johnny C Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 4,140	I have used both the Tek Elite and ATI PM and the ATI was much nicer. I wouldn't go beyond a 48'' 6-Bulb T5 setup on your 120, especially if it's an ATI. Welcome to RC!

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