Grom Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 I'll soon be upgrading my bio-cube 29 to my 40 gallon breeder.I want to keep soft coral lps and sps in the 40 gallon.My concern is that the tank is only 16" tall and that a 6 bulb T5 fixture will burn up the soft coral and a 4 bulb T5 fixture will not be enough light for the sps Also i found T5/led online but cant seem to find any reviews on it,what do you guys think? Thanks Link to comment
cdr5y7 Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 so raise the 6bulb up a little bit. Link to comment
bananahands Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 Go for the 4 bulb. You'll just have to keep the Sps in the upper half of the tank as most do anyway. Link to comment
Grom Posted February 4, 2011 Author Share Posted February 4, 2011 Go for the 4 bulb. You'll just have to keep the Sps in the upper half of the tank as most do anyway. I plane to keep them up high anyway,Im leaning toward the Aquatic life fixture Link to comment
Mudfish Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 Will you have a canopy? Are you reasonably DIY proficient? If so, then retrofits would perhaps be your best option. They would give you the ideal combination of high quality materials, wide choice and low price. Link to comment
Grom Posted February 4, 2011 Author Share Posted February 4, 2011 Will you have a canopy? Are you reasonably DIY proficient? If so, then retrofits would perhaps be your best option. They would give you the ideal combination of high quality materials, wide choice and low price. I'm not going to put a canopy on it,had one on my 125 gal reef and didn't like the way it looked. On the 40 gallon i want the open top look Link to comment
Pickle010 Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 I think the 6 bulb would be fine... I ran a 5 bulb with no issue and would of added another bulb in a heart beat. Link to comment
Paleoreef103 Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 I'll soon be upgrading my bio-cube 29 to my 40 gallon breeder.I want to keep soft coral lps and sps in the 40 gallon.My concern is that the tank is only 16" tall and that a 6 bulb T5 fixture will burn up the soft coral and a 4 bulb T5 fixture will not be enough light for the spsAlso i found T5/led online but cant seem to find any reviews on it,what do you guys think? Thanks The 6 bulb thing only applies to fixtures with really good reflectors. A six bulb tek will be too powerful for softies and some LPS, but a current nova extreme pro will not. I don't know about how good the aquatic life fixtures are, but when you are only going for four T5s, you can end up underpowered if you pick a fixture with poor reflectors. Link to comment
Drew220 Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 Growing SPS and a clam just fine with my cheapo Fishneedit 4 bulb t-5. I use good bulbs though. Link to comment
Slafav Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 I grow Acros in my 70 with a four bulb T-5 unit. Just get good bulbs. Link to comment
HiImSean Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 i had a Nove Extreem Pro over my 40b and was rather nice Link to comment
Grom Posted February 5, 2011 Author Share Posted February 5, 2011 i had a Nove Extreem Pro over my 40b and was rather nice If i decide to go with the 6 bulb fixture its gonna be the nova extreme,I'll mod a R2 on it,maby switch 1 of the 10,000ks with a figi purple. I still cant decide if i want the 4 or 6 bulb Link to comment
Slafav Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 Get the six bulb if you have the money for it. It will cover more of the tank and you can just move it higher off the surface of the water if you need to. Also gives you two more color choices to really get a good balance of growth and aesthetics. Wished I had two more bulbs for some 10000K's. Link to comment
nanoreefsurf Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 I have a 6 bulb ATI sunpower, arguably the best T5 fixture in existance... and my softies DO NOT have any problem whatsoever with the high light. I think thats bs. The only coral that may be getting bleached is my green birds nest. Go either 4 or 6 bulbs, it will make no difference. if you want you can even swap out a bulb or 2 with a lower par output bulb. Link to comment
ajmckay Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 I light mine with a 250W MH.... works nicely :-) I think either a 4 or a 6 bulb T5 would be fine. Just vary your rocks so that some corals can have less light/more light. Link to comment
Grom Posted February 8, 2011 Author Share Posted February 8, 2011 I light mine with a 250W MH.... works nicely :-) I think either a 4 or a 6 bulb T5 would be fine. Just vary your rocks so that some corals can have less light/more light. funny you should mention that,That fish Place has 36"Metal halide on sale for 50% off pluse free shiping. Halides were never an option because of the price,this is a sweet opportunity if your looking for Halides Link to comment
B.C. Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 Growing SPS and a clam just fine with my cheapo Fishneedit 4 bulb t-5. I use good bulbs though. +1 I dont have a clam.4 sps pieces and all are growing on the stock bulbs. Link to comment
Trolldoll Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 I have the Nova Extreme Pro but I changed the bulbs out. Here is a good price on it. http://www.petmountain.com/product/aquariu...e-pro-t5ho.html Link to comment
Grom Posted February 8, 2011 Author Share Posted February 8, 2011 I have the Nova Extreme Pro but I changed the bulbs out. Here is a good price on it. http://www.petmountain.com/product/aquariu...e-pro-t5ho.html Thanks for the link.Your tank is amazing,which bulb combo do you use Link to comment
Trolldoll Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 Thanks. The bulbs really do make a huge difference. When I switched over I didnt acclimate and burned up a birdnest. Better color and growth. 3 ATI BLUE+ 1 ATI 12000K AQUABLUE 1 UV ACTINIC WHITE 1 GE 6500K Link to comment
Grom Posted February 8, 2011 Author Share Posted February 8, 2011 +1I dont have a clam.4 sps pieces and all are growing on the stock bulbs. Thanks for the input Link to comment
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