Looking for T5 recommendation

spicytuna · 01/14/2014, 11:00 AM

Hello everyone,

I'm in the process of building my next system and want to run an ATI Sunpower. I ask in this forum, because I want the opinions of sps keepers, as this system will be predominately sps. My tank is a 65g rimless 20"x36"x21".

The internal dimensions of the tank are 19.25"x35". I'm leaning towards running a 6x39 setup, which is 35"x9.5", however will this be enough for me to have a successful sps system? OR will I later be wishing I had spent the money and went for an 8x39 setup which is 17.5"x35".

Jettareefer · 01/14/2014, 11:10 AM

I don't currently run a ATI sunpower, but I do use ATI bulbs in a 4x96 48 inch tek elite T5HO with great results! I would go with the 6 bulb I think you'll have plenty more than enough light to grow anything anywhere.
-Addison

PeTe PoLyP · 01/14/2014, 11:28 AM

The six bulb will be adequate, but you will be wishing you had an 8 bulb soon. You have more options on bulb combinations with an 8 bulb to tweak the look you desire. If the extra cost doesn't bother you then I would recommend an 8 bulb. I have a cheap 6 bulb t5 over a 30x12 tank and I have no issues with lack of light. At first I had a 4 bulb, no issues with lack of light there either. I upgraded so I could have more options with bulb combinations. If I could find an 8 bulb t5 that wasn't over $500 more I would be using that for my new setup. 6 bulb t5 for under $200 to me will be just fine.

rtparty · 01/14/2014, 01:33 PM

6 bulb is more than enough. 8 bulbs will be too much. You only need 8 bulbs when the tank is wider than 24" front to back. A great rule of thumb is 1 bulb for every 3" front to back. With ATI fixtures I've found you can even go to 1 bulb for every 4" if you don't plan on packing SPS in every corner.

More bulbs doesn't really mean more PAR. That's a common misconception with T5s. More bulbs is like adding fabric to your blanket. All you've done is make the blanket bigger, not thicker or warmer. (Let's not get all technical and smart by saying you can fold the blanket in half and all that. That isn't my point lol.)

The bigger blanket means more people can now fit under the blanket and receive maximum warmth. That is how T5s work for the most part. More bulbs cover a larger area with maximum PAR for your corals. The two outside bulbs have very little, if any, effect in the middle of the tank.

acabgd · 01/14/2014, 02:13 PM

I would say 6 as well. It gives you enough possibilities to experiment with different bulbs. An 8 bulb fixture would just add cost (bulb changes).

Saltwatercoral2 · 01/14/2014, 03:09 PM

I ran a 36" 6 bulb ATI fixture over a 48 x 24 x 17" tall reef that had SPS in it and it was plenty of light.

spicytuna · 01/14/2014, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtparty

6 bulb is more than enough. 8 bulbs will be too much. You only need 8 bulbs when the tank is wider than 24" front to back. A great rule of thumb is 1 bulb for every 3" front to back. With ATI fixtures I've found you can even go to 1 bulb for every 4" if you don't plan on packing SPS in every corner.

More bulbs doesn't really mean more PAR. That's a common misconception with T5s. More bulbs is like adding fabric to your blanket. All you've done is make the blanket bigger, not thicker or warmer. (Let's not get all technical and smart by saying you can fold the blanket in half and all that. That isn't my point lol.)

The bigger blanket means more people can now fit under the blanket and receive maximum warmth. That is how T5s work for the most part. More bulbs cover a larger area with maximum PAR for your corals. The two outside bulbs have very little, if any, effect in the middle of the tank.

Thank you for the great analogy. While browsing through many threads here on RC about T5, I found many of your post to be quite useful. I have ultimately decided on a 6x24 setup. Light spill is a huge factor too me as this tank is rimless with no canopy.

Thank you to all who replied. I appreciate the information.

01/14/2014, 11:00 AM	#1
spicytuna Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 532	Looking for T5 recommendation Hello everyone, I'm in the process of building my next system and want to run an ATI Sunpower. I ask in this forum, because I want the opinions of sps keepers, as this system will be predominately sps. My tank is a 65g rimless 20"x36"x21". The internal dimensions of the tank are 19.25"x35". I'm leaning towards running a 6x39 setup, which is 35"x9.5", however will this be enough for me to have a successful sps system? OR will I later be wishing I had spent the money and went for an 8x39 setup which is 17.5"x35". __________________ 6g rimless cube, 2g sump, tunze silence, osmolator, ledio led

01/14/2014, 11:10 AM	#2
Jettareefer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Plano,TX Posts: 323	I don't currently run a ATI sunpower, but I do use ATI bulbs in a 4x96 48 inch tek elite T5HO with great results! I would go with the 6 bulb I think you'll have plenty more than enough light to grow anything anywhere. -Addison __________________ 50 gallon custom starfire planet rimless, trigger systems crystal 30 elite, Reef Octopus 202s, Ati sunpower 6x39w with sbreef bars, 2 low boy frag tanks. Kalk driven.

01/14/2014, 01:33 PM	#4
rtparty Raise The Reef! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Utah Posts: 7,404	6 bulb is more than enough. 8 bulbs will be too much. You only need 8 bulbs when the tank is wider than 24" front to back. A great rule of thumb is 1 bulb for every 3" front to back. With ATI fixtures I've found you can even go to 1 bulb for every 4" if you don't plan on packing SPS in every corner. More bulbs doesn't really mean more PAR. That's a common misconception with T5s. More bulbs is like adding fabric to your blanket. All you've done is make the blanket bigger, not thicker or warmer. (Let's not get all technical and smart by saying you can fold the blanket in half and all that. That isn't my point lol.) The bigger blanket means more people can now fit under the blanket and receive maximum warmth. That is how T5s work for the most part. More bulbs cover a larger area with maximum PAR for your corals. The two outside bulbs have very little, if any, effect in the middle of the tank. __________________ 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+

01/14/2014, 11:28 AM	#3
PeTe PoLyP Registered Member. Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: under the sea Posts: 381	The six bulb will be adequate, but you will be wishing you had an 8 bulb soon. You have more options on bulb combinations with an 8 bulb to tweak the look you desire. If the extra cost doesn't bother you then I would recommend an 8 bulb. I have a cheap 6 bulb t5 over a 30x12 tank and I have no issues with lack of light. At first I had a 4 bulb, no issues with lack of light there either. I upgraded so I could have more options with bulb combinations. If I could find an 8 bulb t5 that wasn't over $500 more I would be using that for my new setup. 6 bulb t5 for under $200 to me will be just fine.

01/14/2014, 02:13 PM	#5
acabgd Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Belgrade Posts: 1,086	I would say 6 as well. It gives you enough possibilities to experiment with different bulbs. An 8 bulb fixture would just add cost (bulb changes).

01/14/2014, 03:09 PM	#6
Saltwatercoral2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 1,617	I ran a 36" 6 bulb ATI fixture over a 48 x 24 x 17" tall reef that had SPS in it and it was plenty of light.