Type of lighting for a mixed reef?

HELPLEASE · 04/25/2010, 01:08 PM

I want to start a 75 gallon mixed reef 48X18X21 tall. I would like to put sps, a bubble anemone, Maxima clams, and soft corals in it. What type of lighting should i use?

Bugzme · 04/25/2010, 03:47 PM

t-5's are nice lights and you can keep some sps with them

scolylover · 04/25/2010, 04:24 PM

YEs t5 are perfect for both sps and lps.. I just place my sps up high and lpc on the sand or even on the rocks but on the lover 1/4 part of the tank

1morecoral · 04/25/2010, 05:37 PM

I'm growing sps under t5 also. I even have some at mid tank level and they are growing. You don't get the heat transfer to the tank like metal halide, easier on the power bill and the bulb selection is great as well. I have an ATI Sunpower and it seems to be a quality fixture.

nickman · 04/25/2010, 06:43 PM

I have always used halides but have beem looking to make the switch to T5s for a couple years now after being very impressed with the color and growth of corals in other reefers tanks who run T5 set-ups.
are you looking for a complete fixture or a retrofit set up? either way, just be sure to get high quality, single reflectors to get the most out of each bulb.

HELPLEASE · 04/25/2010, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scolylover

YEs t5 are perfect for both sps and lps.. I just place my sps up high and lpc on the sand or even on the rocks but on the lover 1/4 part of the tank

do you know if i would be able to keep anemones and clams with t5's?

sbeason · 04/25/2010, 07:09 PM

You absolutely can keep both clams and sps with T5's. I have both including RBTA's as well that I have maintained for several years. -Steve

HELPLEASE · 04/25/2010, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbeason

You absolutely can keep both clams and sps with T5's. I have both including RBTA's as well that I have maintained for several years. -Steve

What fixture would you recommend. i was looking at http://cgi.ebay.com/48-Reef-Aquarium...item3efec1ee0f

sfboarders · 04/25/2010, 09:54 PM

6x54w T5's should work good for a mixed reef for your tank.

dmorazan · 04/25/2010, 10:17 PM

MH are good with some t5's for color

AKG10 · 04/26/2010, 11:44 AM

I like 250w HQI metal halides because you only have to replace a couple bulbs every year, but if you have heat issues and high electric rates t5s would probably be a better choice.

HELPLEASE · 04/26/2010, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickman

I have always used halides but have beem looking to make the switch to T5s for a couple years now after being very impressed with the color and growth of corals in other reefers tanks who run T5 set-ups.
are you looking for a complete fixture or a retrofit set up? either way, just be sure to get high quality, single reflectors to get the most out of each bulb.

A complete system

HELPLEASE · 04/28/2010, 03:45 PM

So if i get t5s what bulbs should i get?

04/25/2010, 01:08 PM	#1
HELPLEASE Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 7	Type of lighting for a mixed reef? I want to start a 75 gallon mixed reef 48X18X21 tall. I would like to put sps, a bubble anemone, Maxima clams, and soft corals in it. What type of lighting should i use?

04/25/2010, 10:17 PM	#10
dmorazan Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Fresno ca Posts: 115	Mh MH are good with some t5's for color

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04/25/2010, 03:47 PM	#2
Bugzme Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: salt lake,utah Posts: 234	t-5's are nice lights and you can keep some sps with them

04/25/2010, 04:24 PM	#3
scolylover Moved On Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 51	YEs t5 are perfect for both sps and lps.. I just place my sps up high and lpc on the sand or even on the rocks but on the lover 1/4 part of the tank

04/25/2010, 05:37 PM	#4
1morecoral Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: St.Pete., FL. Posts: 126	I'm growing sps under t5 also. I even have some at mid tank level and they are growing. You don't get the heat transfer to the tank like metal halide, easier on the power bill and the bulb selection is great as well. I have an ATI Sunpower and it seems to be a quality fixture.

04/25/2010, 06:43 PM	#5
nickman Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 134	I have always used halides but have beem looking to make the switch to T5s for a couple years now after being very impressed with the color and growth of corals in other reefers tanks who run T5 set-ups. are you looking for a complete fixture or a retrofit set up? either way, just be sure to get high quality, single reflectors to get the most out of each bulb.

04/25/2010, 07:09 PM	#7
sbeason Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: O'fallon, MO Posts: 1,101	You absolutely can keep both clams and sps with T5's. I have both including RBTA's as well that I have maintained for several years. -Steve

04/25/2010, 09:54 PM	#9
sfboarders Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 1,402	6x54w T5's should work good for a mixed reef for your tank.

04/26/2010, 11:44 AM	#11
AKG10 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Columbus, WI Posts: 54	I like 250w HQI metal halides because you only have to replace a couple bulbs every year, but if you have heat issues and high electric rates t5s would probably be a better choice.

04/28/2010, 03:45 PM	#13
HELPLEASE Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 7	So if i get t5s what bulbs should i get?