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View Full Version : will 4-39watt T5's be good enough for a 16" tall sps tank?

mic209
08/30/2007, 01:07 PM
I'm will be puting together a 40 gallon breeder for sps. I really want to go with a T5 set up rather than halides.
eagleONE
08/30/2007, 01:48 PM
I think you should be fine. Perhaps you can overdrive them.
neyugn0w01
08/30/2007, 03:31 PM
That should be way more then enough.
lvreefer
08/30/2007, 04:22 PM
The only problem might be light coverage from front to back. But as far as depth, and as long as you get a good setup (quality reflectors & bulbs), it should be plenty.
ChiiBear
08/30/2007, 04:35 PM
Check this thread:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1169341&perpage=25&pagenumber=20

Ask Grim Reefer, he is the king of T5.
GSMguy
08/30/2007, 07:22 PM
plenty of light
trueblackpercula
08/30/2007, 07:55 PM
I would have to diagree and say that halides are a better choice.
Michael
barjam
08/30/2007, 10:35 PM
He asked if it would be good enough, which it would be.
mic209
08/30/2007, 11:43 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10672815#post10672815 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by barjam
He asked if it would be good enough, which it would be.

Well, i am also considering a single 250w halide, but i think the T5's will cover the lenght of the tank better. That and i want to try something different
five.five-six
08/31/2007, 01:43 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10673075#post10673075 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mic209
Well, i am also considering a single 250w halide, but i think the T5's will cover the lenght of the tank better. That and i want to try something different

go with the 250, you will be much happier it is only ~ 60 watts more on your bill but you will get about twice the light and less heat transfer to the tank. just mount the light high at least 10"
mic209
08/31/2007, 06:11 AM
will a single 250 cover the lenght of the 3 foot long tank?
lvreefer
08/31/2007, 10:10 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10673738#post10673738 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mic209
will a single 250 cover the lenght of the 3 foot long tank? You will have to spend a lot of money on the reflector, but a lumenarc or lumenmax will give you a good light spread.
GSMguy
08/31/2007, 10:12 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10673357#post10673357 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by five.five-six
go with the 250, you will be much happier it is only ~ 60 watts more on your bill but you will get about twice the light and less heat transfer to the tank. just mount the light high at least 10"


thats false... where do you get twice the light figure from?
DidYouSayReefer
08/31/2007, 11:30 AM
I am running 3 overdriven T5 HOs and I just added some Montis and Acros. I also have individual reflectors. I have had the Monti for 2 weeks and it has the same color as it did under the metal halides in the LFS. As far as metal halides, they put out about the same lumens per watt as T5 HO. It is just easier to get more light in a small space with halides. I do like the ripple effect though.