T5 Question

SUPERHERO2943 · 01/16/2012, 05:11 PM

I recently purchased a used Oceanic 90 Gallon tank with a 30 gallon sump. Came with live sand and live rock. Only came with a crappy on bulb light. I have no previous experience with T5s but am trying to get good light with low heat.

With three inches of sand I'm estimating that the tank is 22-23 inches deep.

In anyone's opinion, will 6 54w T5s give me enough light on this tank to keep most anything? I am looking at the 48", 6 lamp, Aquaticlife fixture.

Thoughts?

msayani2 · 01/16/2012, 05:17 PM

IMO - go for a quality fixture - atleast a TEK old style fixture or an ATI sunpower (recommended)

I have done some research on this topic though and will be ordering an ATI Sunpower myself for my 120g.

The configuration should be a 6 54 w .. That should be good for SPS and LPS and anything else you can imagine. Keep in mind that the ATI puts out more PAR than the TEK so you need to put it up higher as it may bleach your corals..

If you are keeping a FOWLR or softies with fish and some LPS .. Id recommend a TEK 6x54w or 4x54w from ATI.

Maybe someone else can also chime in. Word of advice - the T5 Q/A thread on Reefcentral should be of more help.

Froggy · 01/16/2012, 05:33 PM

Over a 90 gallon a quality 6 bulb T5 fixture will allow you to keep anything you want. I have heard some concerns with the Aquatic life built in timers failing. I would prefer to add my own timers that are easily replacable without affecting the fixture. I would also prefer a fixture that I can pick the bulbs I want up front instead of getting what comes with the aquatic life. Quality bulbs make a HUGE difference.

The general consensus is that ATI units are one of if not the best T5 fixtures have to offer. Most recommend the Sunpower as its performance is barely under the Powermodule at a reduced price. ATI set the standard for proper bulb cooling as well.

Tek T5 units are also very good. You can also grow anything in a 90 under a 6 bulb Tek. The original Tek has no active cooling so you will want to at least add an exterior fan to help with that. I personally have a 8 bulb original Tek over my 120 and have zero complaints. They perform very well and all of my SPS are responding well. Tek makes a model with cooling fans, Tek elite, but I would just get an ATI sunpower if I spent the money for the elite.

Back to your original question, yes you can keep any and everything under a quality 6 bulb T5 on a 90 gallon.

You may want to search or post in the T5 Q&A thread. There is tons of info on fixtures and bulbs/combos to effectively use.

Joe

SUPERHERO2943 · 01/17/2012, 10:48 AM

Thank you both for your input. I greatly appreciate it.

Travis

divewsharks · 01/18/2012, 08:53 AM

if you put a sunpower over a Tech 90, you can keep anything you want, including clams and such on the sandbed. No question!

01/16/2012, 05:11 PM	#1
SUPERHERO2943 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 81	T5 Question I recently purchased a used Oceanic 90 Gallon tank with a 30 gallon sump. Came with live sand and live rock. Only came with a crappy on bulb light. I have no previous experience with T5s but am trying to get good light with low heat. With three inches of sand I'm estimating that the tank is 22-23 inches deep. In anyone's opinion, will 6 54w T5s give me enough light on this tank to keep most anything? I am looking at the 48", 6 lamp, Aquaticlife fixture. Thoughts? __________________ Pain is the greatest teacher. The only problem is that no one wants to attend class. Current Tank Info: Oceanic 90 gallon reef. Center overflow box. 30 gallon sump. 80 pounds of live sand. 80 pounds of live rock. 1 yellow tang. Work in Progress.

01/16/2012, 05:17 PM	#2
msayani2 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Dubai, UAE Posts: 114	IMO - go for a quality fixture - atleast a TEK old style fixture or an ATI sunpower (recommended) I have done some research on this topic though and will be ordering an ATI Sunpower myself for my 120g. The configuration should be a 6 54 w .. That should be good for SPS and LPS and anything else you can imagine. Keep in mind that the ATI puts out more PAR than the TEK so you need to put it up higher as it may bleach your corals.. If you are keeping a FOWLR or softies with fish and some LPS .. Id recommend a TEK 6x54w or 4x54w from ATI. Maybe someone else can also chime in. Word of advice - the T5 Q/A thread on Reefcentral should be of more help. __________________ msayani2 Current Tank Info: 135G FOWLR/softies tank, 30G Sump, JNS sk2 skimmer,GEO 618 , Vertex RxU 2.0 GFO reac, 2xTunze 6105/Tunze 7096, 2x Kessil A360WE, Sicce 4 return pump

01/16/2012, 05:33 PM	#3
Froggy Reef "Hobbyist"...right!? Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Canton, MI Posts: 2,160	Over a 90 gallon a quality 6 bulb T5 fixture will allow you to keep anything you want. I have heard some concerns with the Aquatic life built in timers failing. I would prefer to add my own timers that are easily replacable without affecting the fixture. I would also prefer a fixture that I can pick the bulbs I want up front instead of getting what comes with the aquatic life. Quality bulbs make a HUGE difference. The general consensus is that ATI units are one of if not the best T5 fixtures have to offer. Most recommend the Sunpower as its performance is barely under the Powermodule at a reduced price. ATI set the standard for proper bulb cooling as well. Tek T5 units are also very good. You can also grow anything in a 90 under a 6 bulb Tek. The original Tek has no active cooling so you will want to at least add an exterior fan to help with that. I personally have a 8 bulb original Tek over my 120 and have zero complaints. They perform very well and all of my SPS are responding well. Tek makes a model with cooling fans, Tek elite, but I would just get an ATI sunpower if I spent the money for the elite. Back to your original question, yes you can keep any and everything under a quality 6 bulb T5 on a 90 gallon. You may want to search or post in the T5 Q&A thread. There is tons of info on fixtures and bulbs/combos to effectively use. Joe __________________ Hello, my name is Joe and I am a reef addict. ......Hi Joe.......... Current Tank Info: 120 gallon mixed reef with TBS live rock, 8 X 54 watt TEK T5's, Euroreef RS250 skimmer

01/17/2012, 10:48 AM	#4
SUPERHERO2943 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 81	Thank you both for your input. I greatly appreciate it. Travis __________________ Pain is the greatest teacher. The only problem is that no one wants to attend class. Current Tank Info: Oceanic 90 gallon reef. Center overflow box. 30 gallon sump. 80 pounds of live sand. 80 pounds of live rock. 1 yellow tang. Work in Progress.

01/18/2012, 08:53 AM	#5
divewsharks Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 1,905	if you put a sunpower over a Tech 90, you can keep anything you want, including clams and such on the sandbed. No question!