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09-23-2007, 08:28 PM
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#1 (permalink)
| | Plankton
Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: illinois Age: 25
Posts: 3
Karma: 1
 |  T-5 Lighting. How many bulbs?
Hello everybody,
I have been wanting to buy a 48 inch T-5 lighting system for my 120 gallon tank. I want to stick with just T-5 bulbs. I plan to keep mostly soft corals in the tank. I might eventually try to put some hard corals in there but as of now I am thinking just soft. Would a six bulb set up work with the soft corals or would it be better to go with the eight? I look for to hearing what you guys have to say. Thank you ahead of time. | 
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09-23-2007, 08:56 PM
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#2 (permalink)
| | Zoanthid
Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: valencia,pa. Age: 34
Posts: 1,134
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i'm a big advocate of t5 lights but your tank may be a bit deep for them.just something to check into.also when buying,individual reflectors make a big difference.i would put as many as will fit.
_________
55 gallon reef with 4x54 watt t5,29 gallon sump,red monti cap,1blue echinophyllia,trumpet,red lobo,2 toadstools 1purple and 1neon,gsp,xenia and yellow xenia,red ,many mushrooms,2 giant frilly shrooms,cabbage coral,yellow polyps,many zoos,1 orange and one neon green nepthia,duncans,cladiella | |
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09-23-2007, 09:01 PM
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#3 (permalink)
| | Giant Squid
Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: TN Age: 31
Posts: 3,609
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I would go with a 8x54w set up. Splurge and get the tek light 8x54w with the individual reflectors cause you will need it for the bottom. _________ Got Questions? Need Answers?
"Believe those who are seeking the truth; doubt those who find it." Andre Gide  | |
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09-24-2007, 03:32 PM
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#4 (permalink)
| | Plankton
Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: illinois Age: 25
Posts: 3
Karma: 1
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I wanted to buy the tek lights because I have heard great things on here. They sound like a great alternative to MH. I just wanted to make sure that the 8 bulb set-up was what I should get before I paid the extra money.
I saw a thread on here about which lights to put in the system.
I do know the tank is 24 inchs deep but I figured I could keep corals that need less light toward the bottom of the tank. If you have any other thoughts let me know.
Finally, has anybody used the optional stand or hanging system with these tek lights? I would like to get the stand but do not think that would work since I have a canopy on the tank. Thanks again!!! | |
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09-24-2007, 03:48 PM
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#5 (permalink)
| | 3reef Sponsor
Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Va/Ct
Posts: 4,172
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Just mount them onto the canopy thats what i did with several sets just get the distance correct between the endcaps when mounting them or the bulbs will arch and burn the caps very unforgiving systems Tec is about as good as any of them.. I'm just not a fan personally I have a 4x54 w and using the reflectors and still the 22 inch tall tank looks dark on the very bottom to me ...But its just used to pre quarantine and hold zoo's and mushrooms and other softies until they are safe to go into our quarantine systems . _________ Some of the world's greatest feats were accomplished by people not smart enough to know they were impossible (Doug Larson) | |
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09-24-2007, 03:52 PM
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#6 (permalink)
| | Giant Squid
Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: TN Age: 31
Posts: 3,609
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Once you factor in your substrate, the tank is no longer 24"s deep. | |
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09-24-2007, 03:52 PM
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#7 (permalink)
| | Torch Coral
Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: St. Paul/Woodbury, Minnesota Age: 49
Posts: 1,181
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Go with MH's for a 120g. I have an 8 bulb T-5 light on my 75g and its adequate but I don't think it would be good on a 120g. _________ 75g reef with Nova Extreme 8 bulb HO T-5 lighting, refuge, Remora skimmer, DSB, Seio powerheads, Acro's, LPS corals, assorted zoo's & mushrooms, Yellow Tang, Maroon Clown, Blue Cleaner Goby , Cleaner, Fire and Sexy Shrimp, Coco Worm, T.Crocea Clam, Derasa Clam
120g FOWLR, 260w Orbit power compact lights, Remora Pro skimmer, 30g DIY Sump/Refuge, DSB,Seio Power heads, Powder Blue Tang, Purple Tang, Flag Fin Angel, False Eye Puffer, Copperbanded Butterfly and a Moorish Idol  | |
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