55 gallon w/4 T5?

thriceanangel · 03/03/2006, 07:11 PM

I have a 55 gallon that I am setting up for a reef tank (newbie). I ordered a fixture with 4 T5s and I was wondering what the consenses was on making it an sps/lps tanks under these lights. The tank is 18" deep. I have read threads here in fact that say that the 4x 54w lights are fine for sps and maybe too much for lps softies. But that thread was a while ago. Does anyone else have any info on this size tank:lighting configuration?

Drewpy · 03/03/2006, 07:13 PM

light is perfect... sps upper half, softies and lps any where, and low light mushrooms and such low in the tank

philagothos · 03/03/2006, 08:07 PM

It's perfect as long as it has the individual reflectors. It will also depend to an extent on what bulbs you have. Current actinics are about worthless. The Aquablues and Blue+ are pretty good.

reelfreak · 03/03/2006, 08:19 PM

Tek T5 4x54w fixture is what I just added over my 55 long tank.....Incredible amount of light from a slim fixture w/ very little heat. It bleached a few of my LPS when I switched from PC lights, but they are coming back now.

As stated before ONLY get individual reflectors, and get good German bulbs. D&D is what I have and like them alot.

thriceanangel · 03/03/2006, 08:41 PM

What do you mean when you say that the current actinics are about worthless? Do they put out less light? Or do things not fluoresce?

reelfreak · 03/03/2006, 08:53 PM

If you are considering the Current Nova extreme T5, I have heard and read the bulbs are just so-so, and there is only one reflector....

I know the price seems better because bulbs are included in that fixture, but you might want to spend extra and get a TEK. Most wind up replacing the Nova bulbs, and the single reflector doesn't take full advantage of the T5 bulbs....

I ALMOST bought the Nova, but was warned by some local reefers.....I love the Tek, as do most Tek owners. HTH

philagothos · 03/03/2006, 10:53 PM

I didn't mean to be misleading about the actinics. The ones available now are not the greatest in the world. In the next couple months URI (maker of the famous actinic VHO) is expected to release a T5 actinic to rival their VHO actinics. So, if you can wait for theirs, all the better.

lunner · 03/03/2006, 11:40 PM

For my 55gal long, i got some Tek T5 4bulbs retro w/ ice cap reflectors upgrade from reefgeek. The are great! Its better to spend a bit more now then having the need to upgrade later...

03/03/2006, 07:11 PM	#1
thriceanangel Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: South Livonia, NY Posts: 1,729	55 gallon w/4 T5? I have a 55 gallon that I am setting up for a reef tank (newbie). I ordered a fixture with 4 T5s and I was wondering what the consenses was on making it an sps/lps tanks under these lights. The tank is 18" deep. I have read threads here in fact that say that the 4x 54w lights are fine for sps and maybe too much for lps softies. But that thread was a while ago. Does anyone else have any info on this size tank:lighting configuration?

03/03/2006, 07:13 PM	#2
Drewpy Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Mid coast, Hope, Maine Posts: 861	light is perfect... sps upper half, softies and lps any where, and low light mushrooms and such low in the tank __________________ drew Current Tank Info: 46 gallon bowfront, t5 ho 4 x 39 tek fixture, turboflotor 1000 multi, hob refugium

03/03/2006, 08:19 PM	#4
reelfreak Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Atlantic Beach , Florida Posts: 1,096	Tek T5 4x54w fixture is what I just added over my 55 long tank.....Incredible amount of light from a slim fixture w/ very little heat. It bleached a few of my LPS when I switched from PC lights, but they are coming back now. As stated before ONLY get individual reflectors, and get good German bulbs. D&D is what I have and like them alot. __________________ From the forest itself, comes the handle for the axe Current Tank Info: 125g / 6x80 T5s 90w LED Hybrid DIY, Apex, WAVs,Skimz SM161,Tunze Osmolator

03/03/2006, 08:53 PM	#6
reelfreak Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Atlantic Beach , Florida Posts: 1,096	If you are considering the Current Nova extreme T5, I have heard and read the bulbs are just so-so, and there is only one reflector.... I know the price seems better because bulbs are included in that fixture, but you might want to spend extra and get a TEK. Most wind up replacing the Nova bulbs, and the single reflector doesn't take full advantage of the T5 bulbs.... I ALMOST bought the Nova, but was warned by some local reefers.....I love the Tek, as do most Tek owners. HTH __________________ From the forest itself, comes the handle for the axe Current Tank Info: 125g / 6x80 T5s 90w LED Hybrid DIY, Apex, WAVs,Skimz SM161,Tunze Osmolator

03/03/2006, 08:07 PM	#3
philagothos Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 756	It's perfect as long as it has the individual reflectors. It will also depend to an extent on what bulbs you have. Current actinics are about worthless. The Aquablues and Blue+ are pretty good.

03/03/2006, 08:41 PM	#5
thriceanangel Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: South Livonia, NY Posts: 1,729	What do you mean when you say that the current actinics are about worthless? Do they put out less light? Or do things not fluoresce?

03/03/2006, 10:53 PM	#7
philagothos Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 756	I didn't mean to be misleading about the actinics. The ones available now are not the greatest in the world. In the next couple months URI (maker of the famous actinic VHO) is expected to release a T5 actinic to rival their VHO actinics. So, if you can wait for theirs, all the better.

03/03/2006, 11:40 PM	#8
lunner Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 305	For my 55gal long, i got some Tek T5 4bulbs retro w/ ice cap reflectors upgrade from reefgeek. The are great! Its better to spend a bit more now then having the need to upgrade later...