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Unread 11/18/2010, 01:04 PM   #1
thebanker
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4 Bulb T5 - It can be done!...?

The naysayers claim it's not enough light. They claim you can't do it. I sayeth fie on the naysayers!

I grow SPS under a 4 x 54w Current USA light. Now most my SPS isn't TOTM material, but a couple pieces are really taking off, namely a pink seriatopora, a green seriatopora, a brown/purple montipora capricornisthat is taking over my tank, a blue acropora tenuis, a green acropora (robusta sp?), and a white & green pocillopora damicornis.

Of course I have a few pieces that are languishing with slow growth, like a couple pearlberry frags, a neon yellow slimer, and pokerstars montipora. Of course some are slow growers. I know my fixture doesn't give "ideal lighting conditions" when compared to a 6-bulb Tek or overdriven Icecap fixture, but my SPS is growing regardless.

If you keep SPS and have a 4-bulb T5 fixture, post it up! I'm at work now, so I'll post some later. Talk about your bulb combo, lighting period, and other relevant info please!


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Unread 11/18/2010, 01:58 PM   #2
glennr1978
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For some reason photobucket is down right now but you can see my tank in the following link. It's by no means totm material or even ntotm material but it's not terrible. I've been using a sundial 4x's 24w T5 fixture over it for about a year. I'm running 2 ATI blue+, 1 ATI aquablue special, and 1 UVL aquasun. I suppose the other "relevant info" about my tank is that it is all but completely automated. I've got it set up to perform small wc's automatically every 3 hours 24/7, and all dosing is automated as well. All I have to do is feed the fish .

http://http://reefcentral.com/forums....php?t=1734803


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Unread 11/18/2010, 05:32 PM   #3
thebanker
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Quote:
Originally Posted by glennr1978 View Post
For some reason photobucket is down right now but you can see my tank in the following link. It's by no means totm material or even ntotm material but it's not terrible. I've been using a sundial 4x's 24w T5 fixture over it for about a year. I'm running 2 ATI blue+, 1 ATI aquablue special, and 1 UVL aquasun. I suppose the other "relevant info" about my tank is that it is all but completely automated. I've got it set up to perform small wc's automatically every 3 hours 24/7, and all dosing is automated as well. All I have to do is feed the fish .

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1734803
Fixed the link for ya. My firewall at work blocks stuff, but I'll check it out for sure!



Last edited by thebanker; 11/18/2010 at 06:00 PM.
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Unread 11/18/2010, 05:51 PM   #4
glennr1978
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Oops. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1734803 should work now .


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Unread 11/19/2010, 01:44 AM   #5
MeVsTheWorld
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I've never really heard ppl say it couldn't be done, but here is my tank of 2 yrs running on 4 T5's. 3 ATI blu+ & 1 Fiji purple running from 1:30 - 10:00.



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Current Tank Info: Almost Skimmerless 40g breeder w/ 20g sump-cryptic zone T5 & Powerbrite viewed mixed reef
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Unread 11/19/2010, 01:56 AM   #6
zaheda
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I dont see any pics, Im very interisted to see.


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Unread 11/19/2010, 05:29 AM   #7
sahin
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Subscribed! I am going to run a 6x24watt Sunpower on my new Rimless 47G. If a 4 tubed non ATI unit can grow healthy and colourful SPS then my unit should do just as well if not better.

So please post your 4 tubed T5 lit tanks. It be good if you can post closeup photos of SPS showing good colour. Many thanks.


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Unread 11/22/2010, 04:43 PM   #8
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Bump!


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Unread 11/28/2010, 11:38 AM   #9
sahin
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New bump! There must be a few more 4 bulb T5 setups out there...?


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Unread 11/28/2010, 06:07 PM   #10
dg3147
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Photobucket


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Unread 11/28/2010, 09:43 PM   #11
Ocean Mang
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My Son has a 46 gallon Bowfront. We are in search of a 4 bulb T5 fixture right now to grow some SPS. I will post pics when we get it going.


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Unread 11/28/2010, 09:53 PM   #12
bigdoug
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nice!


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Unread 11/28/2010, 09:58 PM   #13
The Grizz
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Hi all, I have never posted here but was told about this thread because I am have some issues. I have an 8' L x 22' W x 18" D tank that has been running since April of this year. Everything was move into it from a 155 BF that was up and running for almost a year. For lighting I have 4 - 4 bulb 54W T5 Odyssey fixture running all kz bulbs, Coral Lights, New Gens, Super Blue and Fiji Purples all new in August.

My problem is that I am losing calms 4 in the last 3 months and can not seem to keep any SPS AT ALL. Any ideas or suggestions.


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Unread 11/28/2010, 11:52 PM   #14
thebanker
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Grizz it might not be your lights. I would post a thread about it in the invertebrate forums, and also it would be good to know your water parameters so we can better help you.

On another note, I accidentally broke my iPhone, which was my digital camera, so i haven't been able to get pics of my tank. D'oh! I'll get some pics soon.


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Unread 11/29/2010, 02:17 AM   #15
Laurier
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http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1801186

40 breeder with a 4bulb tek. Love this guys tank for some reason and keep going back to that thread now and than


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Unread 11/29/2010, 10:02 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Laurier View Post
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1801186

40 breeder with a 4bulb tek. Love this guys tank for some reason and keep going back to that thread now and than
Absolutely stunning. A true testament to what you can do with a 4 bulb tek. He even has a clam on the sand bed!


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Unread 11/29/2010, 11:28 AM   #17
Manwolf
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I just got new bulbs for my tek 4 bulb fixture for my 30g. I got 2 ATI Blue+ 1 ATI


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Unread 11/29/2010, 02:41 PM   #18
MikeandNicole
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We had a 20g tall with a 4 bulb T5 and our SPS grew very well and had great color. We just had to be more conscious of coral placement.


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Unread 11/29/2010, 06:11 PM   #19
THE JOEY
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I have a 6 buld NEP. Everyone says that the TEK 4 bulb w/SLR has more par. If that is true you will be able to keep any SPS. Here is a pic of my tank.




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Unread 11/30/2010, 12:55 AM   #20
thebanker
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Here are pics of my 55G reef.


FTS November 2010


Right Side


Left Side


The same ORA pink birdsnest, May 2010


FTS, May 2010


Current FTS
(obviously some things have died plus I did some reaquascaping)


And for all wondering, it's a Current USA Nova Extreme with ATI and Wavepoint bulbs.


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Unread 11/30/2010, 12:58 AM   #21
thebanker
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THE JOEY, nice looking tank. I'm excited about all the good submissions.


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Unread 12/10/2010, 06:07 PM   #22
Christian J
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This is a great topic, but don't forget that a tank's width and height makes a lot of difference.

The tank of Frank Esser is pretty well known: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2006/2/aquarium --dimensions are not mentioned but volume seems to be 80 gallons. Also it's skimmerless.


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Unread 01/18/2011, 12:06 PM   #23
redwingrob40
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Those are some nice looking tanks!!! Looks like I will be going with T5 when it is time to buy lighting for my new 55!


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Unread 01/18/2011, 12:33 PM   #24
thebanker
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If you have a "standard" 55 that is very tall, you may not want just a 4-bulb T5 unless you compensate with equally tall aquascaping.

My 55 pictured above is squatter, with less water between the light and the coral.


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Unread 02/10/2011, 06:43 AM   #25
mengyang_neo
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This is my tank with ATI sunpower 4 x80W T5.(1 x aquablue, 2 x blueplus and 1 x purple plus)
My tank is 5 x 1.5 x 2ft.


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