First reef tank..65 Gallon!!! [Archive] - Reef Central Online Community

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Hopestar075

01/07/2006, 03:04 PM

I was wondering if I am going in the right direction so far with the equipment that I have purchased?

65 Gal AGA with over flow kit

Coralife super skimmer 65 gallon
160 gallon mix of Reef crystals
2-- maxi-jet power heads model 1200
Nova Extreme T-5 Fixtures w/Lunar Lights
-36" total 156 watts 4-39 watt bulbs lunar lights
1 Refractometer

I plan on eventually buying a TBS pakage when I get all of the equipment hooked up and ready.

Will the T-5 lighting be enough for most corals?

Let me know what you guys think! Thank you !!

P.S. Very excited!!!:rollface: :D :rollface:

MAreefer1

01/07/2006, 03:06 PM

<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"> <big><big>To Reef Central</big></big>

I wouldnt suggest doing SPS with that light...it might not be enough

Hopestar075

01/07/2006, 03:09 PM

Thanks!!
Can I upgrade that specific lighting system?

MAreefer1

01/07/2006, 03:16 PM

nope, i dont think you can upgrade the light...but you will do great with LPS and sofites...GSP with thrive:D

In the future I would suggest buying a MH fixture, but not now...because what you got is great!

but if you bought the light through a store maybe you can return it and save up a little bit more for MH:D

Hopestar075

01/07/2006, 03:22 PM

thank you again! The T-5 is being shipped and is on its way maybe I will look at a swap.

MAreefer1

01/07/2006, 03:26 PM

yeaop thats a good idea:D

NewMariner

02/21/2006, 09:06 PM

Hopestar,

Did you recieve the Nova Light? Im looking at purchasing that exact same model for my 46g bowfront.... How do you like it?

YoungReefer

02/21/2006, 09:14 PM

Well you CAN grow sps in your tank even though everyone may say NO!! It has been done and there is a tank of the month that uses T-5 lighting with sps corals and clams. I'll try and find the thread for it.

YoungReefer

02/21/2006, 09:45 PM

Here you go!!!!! Enjoy http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-03/totm/index.php

IslandCrow

02/21/2006, 09:53 PM

You probably don't want to start off with SPS right away anyway. I know it's a constant learning experience with me to keep my softies and LPS corals happy and healthy. Not that you can't keep those corals with MH lighting, but you may not want to invest the money this early on. Also, I've heard many claims that T-5 lighting can be just as good or even superior to MH. Of course, I haven't seen any real proof to actually substantiate that.

YoungReefer

02/21/2006, 10:53 PM

There are tons of threads where people compare outputs of T-5 to MH and I don't understand a whole lot but most of it I do. If you search you will find those that support both and those that favor the other. but hey if worse comes to worse go with MH with T-5 Supps!!!!!!!!! May be overkill but I love the idea of it!!! Wish I had the funds to pull of that.