55 gallons T5's not enough?

ReefKeeperRob · 01/06/2009, 11:37 PM

I've had my tank set up long enough to where I feel comfortable trying some corals now. I'm told that my light - Current USA Nova SunDial T5 Aquarium Lighting Fixture, 4X54 Watt, 48 inch - is not adequate for sps corals? I'm told that if I upgrade the bulbs I might be able to get away with it.

What would you do if you were me?

nikon187 · 01/06/2009, 11:49 PM

I would def upgrade the bulbs as the stock ones kinda lack in blue.. You should be able to keep some sps corals with that light but there are many other factors to growing sps other than light. Proper flow and water chemistry are just as important.

ernordstrom · 01/07/2009, 04:30 AM

keep em in the upper third of the tank. They will be fine. here are some pics of mine...

I have T-5's albeit they are overdriven on icecap ballast. The bulbs definitely make a difference in par. The current bulbs just don't perform compared to the ATI bulbs. Take a look herer. http://tfivetesting.googlepages.com/par
good place for bulbs is reefgeek.com . I am sure many here can attest to their excellent service. Their is also an extensive T5 Q&A thread that has a wealth of knowledge...Good luck.

strangenames13 · 01/07/2009, 07:13 AM

I have the same light on two seperate tanks. With good bulbs you should be fine.

ReefKeeperRob · 01/07/2009, 02:32 PM

Sounds good, I'll be ordering some new bulbs this week then. Good to hear I don't have to completely replace my lighting.

01/06/2009, 11:37 PM	#1
ReefKeeperRob Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 291	55 gallons T5's not enough? I've had my tank set up long enough to where I feel comfortable trying some corals now. I'm told that my light - Current USA Nova SunDial T5 Aquarium Lighting Fixture, 4X54 Watt, 48 inch - is not adequate for sps corals? I'm told that if I upgrade the bulbs I might be able to get away with it. What would you do if you were me?

01/06/2009, 11:49 PM	#2
nikon187 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 4,717	I would def upgrade the bulbs as the stock ones kinda lack in blue.. You should be able to keep some sps corals with that light but there are many other factors to growing sps other than light. Proper flow and water chemistry are just as important. __________________ ----------------- Current Tanks: New 210 custom 84 x 24 x 24, 60g sump, SWC 250 extreme with bubble blaster 5000, 2 vortech mp40, 2 vortech mp10, 12 T5, Water blaster 5000, warner marine bio pellets, 60g clownfish cube, red carpet anemone with a 25g sump,SRO octopus 1000sss, 250w radium, lumenarc large.

01/07/2009, 04:30 AM	#3
ernordstrom Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: JAX,FL Posts: 266	keep em in the upper third of the tank. They will be fine. here are some pics of mine... I have T-5's albeit they are overdriven on icecap ballast. The bulbs definitely make a difference in par. The current bulbs just don't perform compared to the ATI bulbs. Take a look herer. http://tfivetesting.googlepages.com/par good place for bulbs is reefgeek.com . I am sure many here can attest to their excellent service. Their is also an extensive T5 Q&A thread that has a wealth of knowledge...Good luck.

01/07/2009, 07:13 AM	#4
strangenames13 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: south florida Posts: 48	I have the same light on two seperate tanks. With good bulbs you should be fine.

01/07/2009, 02:32 PM	#5
ReefKeeperRob Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 291	Sounds good, I'll be ordering some new bulbs this week then. Good to hear I don't have to completely replace my lighting.