T5's for a 65g?

[Razzagas]

I want to be able to keep any coral/ and clams on the bottom, and was thinking about MH but i've started thinking about T5. It's a 36" tank. How many bulbs would be best? What fixture/brand?
Thanks!

[Entropy]

I would go with metal halides if you want to keep anything. T5 is nice and all, but IMO halides are better at keeping a wide range of corals, especially light lovers. If you do decide to go with T5, I would measure your tanks width (front to back), divide by three, and that is the number of bulbs I would use. :D

[dvanacker]

If done properly T5 tanks can contain any SPS and clam. I have a SPS dominant tank with T.Crocea in my T5 tank. I get great growth and colour.

[nemo g]

if you want to keep any, i hear 6 would be sufficient.

i have seen in person tanks of 21-24" (tall) with 6 bulb teks bleaching some lps and/shrooms/and ricordia.

not sure how much was due to light/water conditions/ and acclimation.

but the same 6 bulbs housed very healthy looking sps.

if you are doing retro, the asnwer is easy. get four, then two more, then two more if you need them. this is much better in contro than getting a six or eight bulb tek because you will be able to control each pair independently and thus can get the exact amount of light you need. the teks only have 2 switches. so its either 2/4 or 4/4.

nemo g
<img src="http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/116775nmav.jpg"/>

[brett7768]

i have a 65gal with 4 t5s. ive heard from a number of people that this is sufficient to keep anything you want. but if its not its no big loss, because there cheap. if you go to the longisland forum there is someone selling a really nice 36" t5 fixture for 150$!!!! so it worth a shot

[Razzagas]

i think i am going to go with the 6 T5 fixture. Were is the best place to buy it? Which bulbs should i get? i was thinking 3x Aquablue plus, and 3xActinic/Blue Plus blubs
What do you think?

[reelfreak]

I ordered the Tek T5 4*54 last week from ReefGeek, and they were very helpful with picking out bulbs....In fact they shipped the fixture that very same day w/ 2 free bulbs.

I could not find any negative feedback about dealing with them, that's why I chose them....JMO

From what I have been reading (tons of reading)...whatever you decide to do, get individual reflectors for the T5 HO's...otherwise, you might as well have PCs

[Razzagas]

I am now thinking about MH again. Would 2x250 watt MH 15k lights work for everything? if i got retro and put it in the hood with fans would i get too much heat?

[keeperofthefish]

As they guy who might sell you that setup, I'd have to say yes! Is this for a 65 with overflow? You'll need a sump definitely to help dissipate heat from the halides.

[Razzagas]

yeah, I have an overflow and a 20 g sump

[Deadmullet]

not that this helps any but i am buying the 8 bulb tek light for my existing 65. i am upgrading from PC's. I will let you know how it goes if you like.

[Razzagas]

would this be better for heat reasons? http://www.aquauniverse.com/component/page,shop.product_details/flypage,shop.flypage/product_id,1128/category_id,47/option,com_phpshop/Itemid,31/

[Razzagas]

with this fixture, would i get a centerbrace shadow?