Sps corals under t5's?

[Mattchamp]

What sps's would flourish under 4, 54 watt t5's in a 75g reef tank?

[potterjon]

I think you could do some at the top. Try birds nest to start. Are these high output t5? Do they have individual reflectors?

[Mattchamp]

Yes they are, so would birdsnest brown out or should they retain their colour and what are some other sps's( not including montiporas)

[Laddy]

If we assume that you have means to keep alk/ca stable with the use of an automated dosing pumps or calcium reactor, along with good skimming, and low PO4......so in essence only talking about lighting at this point: yes, you'll be able to keep SPS.

I know this b/c there are countless tanks on here in that volume range with great growth. However, you'll want to consider running six over-driven bulbs, to maximize color spectrum. There are a whole lot better people than I who can comment, and who want to comment on bulb selection, however, I have run 4 T5s over a 55g, 4 T5s over a 75g, and 6 T5s over the same 75g. Two Icecap 660s driving six independent reflectored t5s is more than enough light for a 75g, and will give you good color contrast too.

[Mattchamp]

Will any acros be remotely possible with this lighting system, and btw how do you attach an image to a message?

[seamonkey84]

the biggest thing besides lights is a clean stable tank, and of course keeping Alk, cal in check, along with and a nice high flow rate.
It really depends how you have your rocks stacked. I think you'll be fine with just about any Sps as long as you keep them within 20" or so of the lights. I've kept a bunch of different acros in my ten gallon using 2x24w t5ho, and I have to be careful, its too much for some and I've bleached some do to not starting them lower.
This is a standard ten gallon with the lights 3" above tank. centerpiece is a Cali blue tort that was growing out of control (hence frag rack on right)
The color looks a bit washed, using iPhone and my lights are on the blue side.
Note the Xenia I'm using to shade the plate and one of the acans.
http://i1074.photobucket.com/albums/w413/seamonkey84/DF0E6752-95D9-4F4E-8875-1519DAEB040A-3440-000005CEDD784484.jpg
http://i1074.photobucket.com/albums/w413/seamonkey84/163ED183-D305-4020-BEE2-6615B2B63770-3440-000005CED39557E8.jpg
http://i1074.photobucket.com/albums/w413/seamonkey84/2408C387-3462-43A0-8A52-E35EDFD9B56F-3440-000005CD4DF9D5C0.jpg
Hope that helps and sorry for hijack

[Laddy]

Will any acros be remotely possible with this lighting system, and btw how do you attach an image to a message?

You need to upload to a second party, like Photobucket or Flickr, then drop in the photo link.....but you can't simply cut and paste into your posting.

Hope this helps.

[Mattchamp]

Also are there any hardy and relatively easy to keep acroporas?

[Big E]

What sps's would flourish under 4, 54 watt t5's in a 75g reef tank?

All acros will flourish under that setup anywhere in the tank.

I run 48" ATI bulbs --2 coral+ & two blue + in a 75g tank.

Make sure your are using a good fixture like ATI or Tech. Or you can DIY using ATI ballasts or ice cap.

4 inches from the bottom---

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/EdFink/rasberrybluetworedux.jpg

There are more progression, color pics here also---
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2197142

[XxreeffreakxX]

All acros will flourish under that setup anywhere in the tank.

I run 48" ATI bulbs --2 coral+ & two blue + in a 75g tank.

Make sure your are using a good fixture like ATI or Tech. Or you can DIY using ATI ballasts or ice cap.

4 inches from the bottom---

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/EdFink/rasberrybluetworedux.jpg

There are more progression, color pics here also---
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2197142

There is a big difference between running a 4 bulb ati fixture then a 4 bulb tek or 4 bulb anything for that matter. Ati is a high end fixture with top quality reflectors you don't see on any other fixtures.

For what it's worth I ran a 6 bulb tek over a 40 gallon frag tank that's 11 inch deep and I had problems at the beginning trying to keep my color because I had the fixture up to high I moved it down 6 inch and color came bac within weeks, so it sat about 5 inch above water level. Alk and cal and phosphate levels should be more important for now after you get them level and stable then add a 2 bulb retro to your lights and bam 6 bulb should be great. HTH

[redwingrob40]

All acros will flourish under that setup anywhere in the tank.

I run 48" ATI bulbs --2 coral+ & two blue + in a 75g tank.

Make sure your are using a good fixture like ATI or Tech. Or you can DIY using ATI ballasts or ice cap.

4 inches from the bottom---

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/EdFink/rasberrybluetworedux.jpg

There are more progression, color pics here also---
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2197142

Wow what kind of milli is that? That is color is amazing!!! It is nice to see that you can get colors like that witha 4 bulb fixture!!! Very Nice BigE!!

[kissman]

Threads like this make me wonder if my color is because I am running 6 HOT5's over a 55g

[kissman]

Wow what kind of milli is that? That is color is amazing!!! It is nice to see that you can get colors like that witha 4 bulb fixture!!! Very Nice BigE!!

That Rasberry/Bluberry Milli is incredible man at the colors, when i get my colors straight in my tank I think I have to get one

[Bdeppen]

I'm using a TEK 4 light with 2 ATI aquablue specials and 2 ATI Plus bulbs. Just threw in 3 monti caps, birdsnest, 2 monti digis and one acro. Only has been been one week but I'm getting good polyp extension and color seems to be coming slowly. I'm still trying to level out calc and alk using kalkwasser. I'll keep in touch and let you know how they do. I'm with you though, hope this setup is good enough to grow some nice sps!

[Bdeppen]

All acros will flourish under that setup anywhere in the tank.

I run 48" ATI bulbs --2 coral+ & two blue + in a 75g tank.

Make sure your are using a good fixture like ATI or Tech. Or you can DIY using ATI ballasts or ice cap.

4 inches from the bottom---

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/EdFink/rasberrybluetworedux.jpg

There are more progression, color pics here also---
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2197142

I hope I get colors like that from my T5s! awesome colors!:thumbsup:

[Big E]

There is a big difference between running a 4 bulb ati fixture then a 4 bulb tek or 4 bulb anything for that matter. Ati is a high end fixture with top quality reflectors you don't see on any other fixtures.

For what it's worth I ran a 6 bulb tek over a 40 gallon frag tank that's 11 inch deep and I had problems at the beginning trying to keep my color because I had the fixture up to high I moved it down 6 inch and color came bac within weeks, so it sat about 5 inch above water level. Alk and cal and phosphate levels should be more important for now after you get them level and stable then add a 2 bulb retro to your lights and bam 6 bulb should be great. HTH

I haven't used the Tech but I know a lot of people have been happy with them, so I'll defer to you on that. I run an ice cap ballast & reflectors. All the reflectors for DIY purposes have near 100% reflectivity & are top shelf. Another thing to keep in mind is that you are running 39w bulbs. The 48" bulbs are 54 watts.

For height, I run mine 7 1/2" above the water line.

ATI fixtures & my diy ice cap are probably comprable & you can buy ATI ballasts if you want to DIY.

One thing to keep in mind..........number of bulbs have nothing to do with penetration........it only affects spread.

I also mentioned the bulbs I used because they are all high par. I don't use any of the purple or antinic bulbs.

[sminker]

Miro reflectors from reefgeek are some of the best. ATI ballasts or workhorse will work. They both run the bulbs at the proper wattage. This tank started the first two and a half years with 6x80 watt. The last two years was with halides in lumenmax elite reflectors. I just switched back to 8x80 watt T5s. I missed the less heat, less electricity, and more combos of bubs available. No actinics.

http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww265/sminker/IMG_20121218_204458.jpg

[sminker]

Double post.

[kissman]

I have a 55g with T5's and have been following this thread because I am having problems with my SPS under T5's I use a Nova Extreme Pro 6x54w is it really that bad compared to the TEK and ATI? I do run all ATI bulbs

[sminker]

I have a 55g with T5's and have been following this thread because I am having problems with my SPS under T5's I use a Nova Extreme Pro 6x54w is it really that bad?

Lighting is just a part of it. Calcium, ALK, Mag, salinity, pH, PO4, nitrates, stability, flow, + more all play into the SPS game.

[kissman]

Lighting is just a part of it. Calcium, ALK, Mag, salinity, pH, PO4, nitrates, stability, flow, + more all play into the SPS game.

yep I understand thats all stable, I am just wondering about the lights

[sminker]

yep I understand thats all stable, I am just wondering about the lights

What's the issue? Are they brown or white? Do they start bleaching from the tips or base? Polyp Extension (day or night or both).

The 6x54 is more than adequate for a 55. The OP should go with 6 instead of 4. Not just for PAR but more bulbs to add to coloration.

[kissman]

I have a whole thread on my issue. I am not trying the highjack this theard. I was just reading about how highly ATI and Tek is recommended. Was just wondering if it was that much better than the fixture I am uisng.

[Outlets710]

Also please forgive me for subject doesn't exactly pertain, but I figured you guys would know best.

I thought I would be set going with a 4 bulb ATI unit on a 30 gallon but all it seems like im doing is stabilizing Sps growth, I can grow monis and birdsnest all day but but that's about it, I guess I'm just used to halides, I had 2 400 on 90 before and i couldnt frag things fast enough.
So my question is do I just need to give up trying to grow acros w my current lighting? all my parameters are on point, but the growth just isn't there. Chalices are doing grt as well but my tank has been setup for 7 months and looks as though its only been a month.

http://i1165.photobucket.com/albums/q582/outlets710/Reef%20pics/photobucket-2095-1352862360151.jpg

http://i1165.photobucket.com/albums/q582/outlets710/Reef%20pics/photobucket-3755-1348424827958_zpsa963fad1.jpg

http://i1165.photobucket.com/albums/q582/outlets710/Reef%20pics/photobucket-1178-1353969957142.jpg


http://i1165.photobucket.com/albums/q582/outlets710/Reef%20pics/photobucket-7126-1352520831415.jpg

http://i1165.photobucket.com/albums/q582/outlets710/Reef%20pics/photobucket-5744-1352520833146.jpg

[karsseboom]

Ok the QUESTION WAS NOT IF T5 could grow nice colorful Sps. We all know t5 is one of the best lighting, the question was if he could grow Sps with only 4 T5 bulbs.

[Bandos reefer]

Most sps will flourish under t5s, as mentioned lights are one of the factors that will help sps grow. Kh and Ca is a must for a balanced tank

[potterjon]

I have been running the nova extreme pro 12 bulb fixture over my 150 for several years, due to its' affordability. So it is the equivalent of a 6 bulb fixture. I can keep birdsnest in the sand basically and I have to shade my blastos etc. I think you could easily keep some sps high in the tank.

[potterjon]

For example, right now I am trying to replace my light fixture as it is getting older and I have replaced a few ballasts over the years and I do not want to replace another. Therefore I have two bulbs out on the left side of my tank. Has been that way for over a month, probably two. I was actually thinking just the other day that the colors look a little deeper on that side of the tank. I have a couple of the same coral on each side of the tank. Frogskin on both sides from the same original frag, Red digitata also. It made me wonder to be honest with you about how much light we push into our tanks. I think the op might be surprised what he can keep.

[kissman]

I have been running the nova extreme pro 12 bulb fixture over my 150 for several years, due to its' affordability. So it is the equivalent of a 6 bulb fixture. I can keep birdsnest in the sand basically and I have to shade my blastos etc. I think you could easily keep some sps high in the tank.

are you saying the 12 is the same as having a 6bulb in other fixtures?

[Outlets710]

Ok the QUESTION WAS NOT IF T5 could grow nice colorful Sps. We all know t5 is one of the best lighting, the question was if he could grow Sps with only 4 T5 bulbs.

Phenomenal observation! Well looks like his thread has sparked other questions, imagine that....

[Bandos reefer]

Ok the QUESTION WAS NOT IF T5 could grow nice colorful Sps. We all know t5 is one of the best lighting, the question was if he could grow Sps with only 4 T5 bulbs.

Yes its possible to grow sps w 4 t5 bulbs

[sahin]

What sps's would flourish under 4, 54 watt t5's in a 75g reef tank?

OP, have a look at this thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2197142

The tank owner uses 2x ATI Coral+ tubes and 2x ATI Blue+ tubes. He has EXCELLENT colour. I believe his tubes are also 54watt.

As long as you have INDIVIDUAL reflectors and some form of cooling of the T5 tubes, you will get PLENTY of PAR and can have very good results.

[sahin]

Here is another thread specifically which you may find useful: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1935318
Its about 4 T5 tube tanks.

Hope that helps. :)

[Mattchamp]

Thanks for your help, btw I picked up an acropora yesterday where should it be? right now it's on the top, and it is starting to turn a light purplish color (it was brown before) is this a good sign?

[sahin]

Thanks for your help, btw I picked up an acropora yesterday where should it be? right now it's on the top, and it is starting to turn a light purplish color (it was brown before) is this a good sign?

It is always recommended to acclimatize SPS corals by placing them on the sand and moving up slowly. Over a few days raise slowly.

If you dont do this you may cause the coral to bleach.

Are you sure your coral is turning purplish? It may be bleaching? Even with the best of tanks, brown corals can take at least a few days to colour up. It just seems to short of a time for a coral to colour up.

If you havent heavily glued it to the rock, I'd move it a little lower.

Maybe post a good photo?

[Mattchamp]

No I don't think it's bleaching because its not turning white, and the lights at the LFS I think are more intense

[greg1786]

I have a whole thread on my issue. I am not trying the highjack this theard. I was just reading about how highly ATI and Tek is recommended. Was just wondering if it was that much better than the fixture I am uisng.

I run a 4x 54 watt t5 ho nova on my 55 and all my sps have great color and pe. I recently blew a ballast and borrowed my brothers tel 4x54watt and i actually liked the nova better. The nova appeared brighter with the exact same bulbs as the tek. The tek is a great light but i like my nova. Personally i think ati is the best but after that as long as your running ati or giesseman bulbs id say nova extreme, tek, and aquatic life are all equal . They all have individual reflectors , dual power cords for individual control, built in fans to dissapate heat and well built ballasts as well. So i think if your not buying ati the other three i mentioned just comes down to personal preference. Other than those brands though for t5 ho i wouldnt suggest any others. Ive had cheaper fixtures and they are cheap for a reason lol

[sahin]

No I don't think it's bleaching because its not turning white, and the lights at the LFS I think are more intense

Thats great. Do share a photo if you can. I love seeing photos of brown SPS turning colourful. :)

[Mattchamp]

It's actually just a light tint on the coral it's still mostly light brown, but i'll try to post a picture later

[Mattchamp]

How do I photoaclimation?

[sahin]

Start the new coral at the bottom of the tank and slowly move it up the rockwork over a couple of weeks.

[potterjon]

are you saying the 12 is the same as having a 6bulb in other fixtures?
yes kissman, my 12 bulb fixture is 6 bulbs front to back, six on the left and six on the right. So it is basically the equivalent of a 6 bulb fixture.

[kissman]

yes kissman, my 12 bulb fixture is 6 bulbs front to back, six on the left and six on the right. So it is basically the equivalent of a 6 bulb fixture.


Now i understand. I thought you were saying the NEP puts out half the light as other HO T5 fixtures. I have a Nova Extreme Pro that has 6 48" 54w ATI Bulbs.

[Mattchamp]

do power heads need to be facing the coral and be blowing directly on it or can it be indirect, and can too much flow be bad for acroporas?

[Froggy]

do power heads need to be facing the coral and be blowing directly on it or can it be indirect, and can too much flow be bad for acroporas?

You want strong indirect flow around the coral. Look and see if the polyps are moving a good amount and you are fine. Acropora do not appreciate direct blasting flow constantly on it.

[ScottMcN1]

With 4 bulbs, I would stick to birds nest and monti' on the 75.

[Mattchamp]

here is a picture of my acropora can anyone identify it?https://skydrive.live.com/redir?resid=316F97EAC0C4DEA6!107&authkey=!AEYqkZnT4dTCtto

sorry, try this link

http://sdrv.ms/12Uccno

[JAustin]

Looks like Tenuis.

[Mattchamp]

also can anyone identify this coral i think it's a birdsnest
http://sdrv.ms/Rr1qkU

[kaserpick]

also can anyone identify this coral i think it's a birdsnest
http://sdrv.ms/Rr1qkU

It's hard to tell; I think it could be a Birdsnest, but it could also be a Stylophora. It needs to grow a bit more to be ID'ed more easily. Just my 2 cents. :)

As far as your lighting question goes, yes, I believe you should have no problems with good and stable water parameters and strong, indirect flow.

If that Tenius was brown at the LFS, then I'd say you're doing something right. :thumbsup:

[Mattchamp]

It was brown at the store, and thanks

[Mattchamp]

It actually has a slight purplish tint to it but the camera doesn't catch it

[kaserpick]

Well, it looks like it's doing well. :) Like I've said before, as well as others, I believe you'll be fine with your current lighting. At the very least, you should be able to have SPS thrive, in both color and growth, in the top half of the tank.

[Mattchamp]

oh and the acro has white tips is this a sign of bleaching or growth? and it is only the top most polyp that has turned white.

[Mattchamp]

Is t5's strong for acros and should they keep their colour?