t5 lighting suggestions?

surfnturf · 10/15/2009, 03:58 PM

I will be setting up a 75 gallon tank (48" long, 18" wide, 20" deep).

I want this to be a reef tank, with the capability to hold soft corals, LPS, and SPS. I have been debating between MH and t5 lighting, and I have decided to go with t5's. Does anyone have suggestions for a unit? I was thinking Nova Extreme Pro 6x54 watt 48" fixture.

Does anyone think I should go with something else, or is that a good choice?

Thanks

FSM · 10/15/2009, 05:32 PM

Catalina Aquarium fixtures are nice. The 4x54W fixture is on sale for $190, if you email them they will most likely give you a deal on the 6x54W version.

jusn317 · 10/15/2009, 05:39 PM

The Nova is not a bad fixture (had one), but depending on how much you're looking to spend you can't go wrong with either ati powermodule or sunpower. Have an 8 bulb powermodule on my 90, and it's amazing. Have mostly sps, and everything is growing like crazy. Definitely worth the money.

adirondack · 10/16/2009, 08:13 PM

I have a 72 gal bow, with a 6 x 54 Current USA Extreme Pro. I just couldn't afford the TEK, but I have to say it's well built, looks nice, has worked well. Supposedly the reflector is not as nice as the TEK, but I have more than enough light, and there are plenty of lamp choices to get the color you want.

inktomi · 10/16/2009, 08:31 PM

You can't do much better than an ATI Powermodule. I love mine!

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

surfnturf · 10/17/2009, 01:09 AM

ATI is definitely out of my price range. TEK is still too high for me, but if I could find it on sale or something I'd probably have to for it. NOVA Extreme Pro might have to do though

Frogmanx82 · 10/17/2009, 08:04 AM

I'm happy with the Aquactinics TX5. Its just a 5 bulb but good individual reflectors and they are arranged in a slight arc.

Chibils · 10/17/2009, 11:06 AM

The AquaticLife fixture is underrated imo. I've got an unidentified acro growing nicely 24" under my 4x54 in my 90 with two of the stock bulbs still in. Built-in fans, timer, etc. Apparently the reflectors, ballast and fans are good, which is the important part since the rest can be replaced. As a bonus, it comes with the legs.

10/15/2009, 03:58 PM	#1
surfnturf Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 118	t5 lighting suggestions? I will be setting up a 75 gallon tank (48" long, 18" wide, 20" deep). I want this to be a reef tank, with the capability to hold soft corals, LPS, and SPS. I have been debating between MH and t5 lighting, and I have decided to go with t5's. Does anyone have suggestions for a unit? I was thinking Nova Extreme Pro 6x54 watt 48" fixture. Does anyone think I should go with something else, or is that a good choice? Thanks

10/16/2009, 08:13 PM	#4
adirondack Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Greenfield Center, NY Posts: 93	I have a 72 gal bow, with a 6 x 54 Current USA Extreme Pro. I just couldn't afford the TEK, but I have to say it's well built, looks nice, has worked well. Supposedly the reflector is not as nice as the TEK, but I have more than enough light, and there are plenty of lamp choices to get the color you want. __________________ I like my coffee dark and bitter, that way it fits in well with the rest of my life... Current Tank Info: 72 gal bow reef

10/16/2009, 08:31 PM	#5
inktomi Aviator Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA Posts: 960	You can't do much better than an ATI Powermodule. I love mine! http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_...dule_Fixtures/ __________________ ----------- Check out my YouTube channel as well. Search "ReefMan". Current Tank Info: 275g AGE, 5 Radion Pro, 4 MP40

10/17/2009, 08:04 AM	#7
Frogmanx82 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 1,515	I'm happy with the Aquactinics TX5. Its just a 5 bulb but good individual reflectors and they are arranged in a slight arc. __________________ 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

10/17/2009, 11:06 AM	#8
Chibils halide loyalist Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sugar Hill, GA Posts: 2,213	The AquaticLife fixture is underrated imo. I've got an unidentified acro growing nicely 24" under my 4x54 in my 90 with two of the stock bulbs still in. Built-in fans, timer, etc. Apparently the reflectors, ballast and fans are good, which is the important part since the rest can be replaced. As a bonus, it comes with the legs. __________________ always learning Current Tank Info: 75G new world cichlid, 25G reef in planning

10/15/2009, 05:32 PM	#2
FSM Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 10	Catalina Aquarium fixtures are nice. The 4x54W fixture is on sale for $190, if you email them they will most likely give you a deal on the 6x54W version.

10/15/2009, 05:39 PM	#3
jusn317 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Akron, OH Posts: 272	The Nova is not a bad fixture (had one), but depending on how much you're looking to spend you can't go wrong with either ati powermodule or sunpower. Have an 8 bulb powermodule on my 90, and it's amazing. Have mostly sps, and everything is growing like crazy. Definitely worth the money.

10/17/2009, 01:09 AM	#6
surfnturf Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 118	ATI is definitely out of my price range. TEK is still too high for me, but if I could find it on sale or something I'd probably have to for it. NOVA Extreme Pro might have to do though