T-5 Fixture for 75 gallon

sharkboy11 · 09/22/2009, 02:58 PM

Im planning on setting up a 75 gallon tank. I have been looking around at 4x54w and 6x54w T-5 fixtures. Does anyone have any recommendations or experiences with them? I plan on my tank being SPS dominant

James77 · 09/22/2009, 03:02 PM

whats your budget like?

sharkboy11 · 09/22/2009, 03:05 PM

300-400, maybe more. I d rather do it right then buy a cheap fixture and have it break on me.

James77 · 09/22/2009, 03:37 PM

ATI Sunpowers are some of the best fixtures, similar performance to the Powermodules. Reefgeek gives a decent discount on the bulbs when you buy them with a fixture, and they have the best performing bulbs(ATI, Giesemann, UVL).

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_...ower_Fixtures/

If thats a bit steep, Teks are good. They lack active cooling- but you can do a fan mod on them fairly easily.

sharkboy11 · 09/22/2009, 07:26 PM

the ATI fixtures a little out of my price range, any other recommendations. I would get a retro kit but I have no experience at all in electric wiring.

James77 · 09/22/2009, 07:45 PM

The wiring is very easy, the connections just slide in.

Teks are good, even without the active cooling, and they are more in your price range. Nova Extreme Pros are supposed to be pretty decent fixtures, though I have never had one.

Also keep your eye on the Used equipment forum. There was 4x39 watt Powermodule that came with 6 bulbs that just sold for $350 shipped. They are rare, but you can get a good deal on them in that forum.

Frogmanx82 · 09/22/2009, 07:55 PM

The best budget fixture is widely regarded to be the Current Nova Extreme SLR (single light reflector), its a 4 bulb unit. The Extreme Pro has 6 bulbs.

I just got the Aquactinics TX5 but its $462 with no bulbs so maybe not in the budget. Sure is hard to do a reef tank with a budget. Most people don't want to add up what they spent. ;p

sharkboy11 · 09/22/2009, 07:58 PM

haha yeah im trying my best to get the best quality for the money I have. Do you think a 4 bulb fixture with SLR will be enough for SPS in a 75gallon?

Imzadi · 09/22/2009, 08:23 PM

Current Nova Extreme Pro... IMO, one of the best budget setups. Price is right.

sharkboy11 · 09/22/2009, 08:28 PM

they defiantly look like they are in my price range and the 6 bulb fixture looks nice

http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/cat...oducts_id=4742

Think that would be enough for SPS? How are the bulbs that come with them?

James77 · 09/22/2009, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sharkboy11

Think that would be enough for SPS? How are the bulbs that come with them?

Probably average. You could email Scott and see if he could give you a break on higher quality ones. Can't hurt to ask

Yes that will be fine for SPS.

sharkboy11 · 09/22/2009, 08:50 PM

I appreciate all the help James

Which retailer is scott?

James77 · 09/22/2009, 08:52 PM

Aquarium Specialty

bjhubb · 09/22/2009, 09:17 PM

Aquactinics TX5

Nerdy Nudi · 09/22/2009, 11:54 PM

please consider performance to price.

a 4 bulb sunpower will produce as much or more than a 6 bulb tek. the active cooling alone helps the lamps produce better and live longer.

as Ive mentioned quite a few times, $200 in this hobby is nothing. you easily waste that much on food and test kits over a year, not tomention livestock that only lives for a few weeks or months.

spending an extra hundred or two on better equipment that will perform better, make your livestock healthier and have a higher resale value, is a no brainer.

09/22/2009, 02:58 PM	#1
sharkboy11 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 249	T-5 Fixture for 75 gallon Im planning on setting up a 75 gallon tank. I have been looking around at 4x54w and 6x54w T-5 fixtures. Does anyone have any recommendations or experiences with them? I plan on my tank being SPS dominant

09/22/2009, 03:02 PM	#2
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	whats your budget like? __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater

09/22/2009, 03:37 PM	#4
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	ATI Sunpowers are some of the best fixtures, similar performance to the Powermodules. Reefgeek gives a decent discount on the bulbs when you buy them with a fixture, and they have the best performing bulbs(ATI, Giesemann, UVL). http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_...ower_Fixtures/ If thats a bit steep, Teks are good. They lack active cooling- but you can do a fan mod on them fairly easily. __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater

09/22/2009, 07:45 PM	#6
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	The wiring is very easy, the connections just slide in. Teks are good, even without the active cooling, and they are more in your price range. Nova Extreme Pros are supposed to be pretty decent fixtures, though I have never had one. Also keep your eye on the Used equipment forum. There was 4x39 watt Powermodule that came with 6 bulbs that just sold for $350 shipped. They are rare, but you can get a good deal on them in that forum. __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater

09/22/2009, 07:55 PM	#7
Frogmanx82 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 1,515	The best budget fixture is widely regarded to be the Current Nova Extreme SLR (single light reflector), its a 4 bulb unit. The Extreme Pro has 6 bulbs. I just got the Aquactinics TX5 but its $462 with no bulbs so maybe not in the budget. Sure is hard to do a reef tank with a budget. Most people don't want to add up what they spent. ;p __________________ Exodus 8:2 Check my homepage for tank pics and details. Current Tank Info: 90 gallon, 2x maxspect R420R LED, 4 Ocellaris Clowns, Yellow Eye Kole Tang, Flame Angel, Foxface Rabbitfish, Banggai Cardinals, Azure Damsel, rock flower anemone, cleaner shrimp, serpent star

09/22/2009, 03:05 PM	#3
sharkboy11 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 249	300-400, maybe more. I d rather do it right then buy a cheap fixture and have it break on me.

09/22/2009, 07:26 PM	#5
sharkboy11 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 249	the ATI fixtures a little out of my price range, any other recommendations. I would get a retro kit but I have no experience at all in electric wiring.

09/22/2009, 07:58 PM	#8
sharkboy11 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 249	haha yeah im trying my best to get the best quality for the money I have. Do you think a 4 bulb fixture with SLR will be enough for SPS in a 75gallon?

09/22/2009, 08:23 PM	#9
Imzadi Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 1,038	Current Nova Extreme Pro... IMO, one of the best budget setups. Price is right. __________________ If you don't agree with me, that's fine... just go, think about it some more, and come back when you do. Current Tank Info: 120g Freshie, 55g salty with a 2/3 BeanAnimal. BA METHOD - TESTIFY! I am a DIY Disaster, but I am saving money! Damsel FREE since 07/08/09!

09/22/2009, 08:28 PM	#10
sharkboy11 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 249	they defiantly look like they are in my price range and the 6 bulb fixture looks nice http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/cat...oducts_id=4742 Think that would be enough for SPS? How are the bulbs that come with them?

09/22/2009, 08:50 PM	#12
sharkboy11 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 249	I appreciate all the help James Which retailer is scott?

09/22/2009, 08:52 PM	#13
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	Aquarium Specialty __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater

09/22/2009, 09:17 PM	#14
bjhubb Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Amarillo, TX Posts: 230	Aquactinics TX5

09/22/2009, 11:54 PM	#15
Nerdy Nudi Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 473	please consider performance to price. a 4 bulb sunpower will produce as much or more than a 6 bulb tek. the active cooling alone helps the lamps produce better and live longer. as Ive mentioned quite a few times, $200 in this hobby is nothing. you easily waste that much on food and test kits over a year, not tomention livestock that only lives for a few weeks or months. spending an extra hundred or two on better equipment that will perform better, make your livestock healthier and have a higher resale value, is a no brainer.