4bulb T5 vs 6bulb T5

[hit_the_gap]

Hi everyone,
i have been reefing now for about a year and a half. So far i have had no significant issues (knock on wood). Currently i am running a 4 bulb T-5 (54 watt) light system. i feel like i am getting pretty decent growth with my LPS, soft corals, and even my SPS (monti, birds nest, and acros). the growth on the monti's is actually really good. I was thinking about upgrading my lighting to a 6 bulb system. if i could find a relatively cheap 6 bulb 54 watt T5 system, should i expect my corals to thrive even more, or are my expectations unrealistic? if the growth of my corals would significantly increase and thrive with a 6 bulb setup, i may go for it, but if it won't have a significant impact, then i may just keep my existing 4 bulb setup.

just looking for input. although i hear great things about LED, i am not looking to do that anytime soon and i am not interested in growth of T-5's vs halides, etc. Thanks!

 

[FLipp]

6 bulb can only help, will just have to lower the time you're running them for.
consider adding a reef brite LED, goes well w a 6bulb.

 

[Reefing Madness]

6 lamp wouldn't hurt you any, and woukd also give you more color options.

 

[Rob&Gab]

i just went from a 4bulb with shot reflectors to a brand new in box ATI 8Bulb 48" with no problems all zoas/ SPS and ANemones are responding to it nicely. !

 

[KoleTang]

Tank size?

 

[Mufasa31]

Reflectors are the key. You want to make sure you have quality individual reflectors.

 

[Rob&Gab]

Hi everyone,
i have been reefing now for about a year and a half. So far i have had no significant issues (knock on wood). Currently i am running a 4 bulb T-5 (54 watt) light system. i feel like i am getting pretty decent growth with my LPS, soft corals, and even my SPS (monti, birds nest, and acros). the growth on the monti's is actually really good. I was thinking about upgrading my lighting to a 6 bulb system. if i could find a relatively cheap 6 bulb 54 watt T5 system, should i expect my corals to thrive even more, or are my expectations unrealistic? if the growth of my corals would significantly increase and thrive with a 6 bulb setup, i may go for it, but if it won't have a significant impact, then i may just keep my existing 4 bulb setup.

just looking for input. although i hear great things about LED, i am not looking to do that anytime soon and i am not interested in growth of T-5's vs halides, etc. Thanks!

also what is your tank size that might help us a bit in answering youtr question. also what type of T5 Fixture did you get and what did you have before the 6bulb. ??

 

[hit_the_gap]

the tank is 72 gallon box front. my existing 4 bulb light is a current nova.it has individual reflectors on it.i don't have the 6 bulb yet. i was just wondering if the upgrade from 4 to 6 bulb would be worth it.

 

[Rob&Gab]

It will give you more light and PAR yes. What type of fixture are you planing on getting. maybe a few of us here can help you choose the best fixture for your type of tank. What other types of coral do you have? are you heavy SPS/ or heavy LPS Softys? cause not all LPS needs very crazy light but can live in it. Hope we can help!

 

[veselym]

I have a 6 bulb T5 Aquaticlife fixture over my 75G and it is a lot of light...granite I only have LPS, but I did have to hang it about 10-11 inches off the surface because it was bleaching my chalice which is on the bottom

 

[hit_the_gap]

not sure about the fixture. i am looking for something used. open to suggestions. i have been trolling Craigslist because i don't want to break the bank.

i have a very even mix of spa, lps, and soft. probably 60+ corals.
10-15 various kinds of zoas (nothing special) and a few different kinds of mushrooms (ricordea, blue, purple, read mushrooms), GSP, hammers, and torches.
JF jack o Lept (lps) xmas favai, some brain corals, war coral.
encrusting monti's and digi's, psamma's, procilla's, various birds nests, and a few acros).

 

[hit_the_gap]

oh and i have a few chalices as well

 

[shred5]

Reflectors are the key. You want to make sure you have quality individual reflectors.

Agreed more light with t-5 = better reflectors.

Need to know the size of the tank... The amount of bulbs is decided by the width of the tank.. More bulbs does not help necessarily it just gives you more coverage.

You want to get a good fixture watch for ATi fixture used on the forums. They are awsum and with so many people jumping on leds there are pretty many out there.

 

[hit_the_gap]

So i upgraded to a 6 bulb Aquaticlife fixture. I got a good deal on a used one so i jumped on it. So now that i have this new light, i am looking for some suggestions and help.
Acclimation: what and how should i do this? obviously i dont want to shock my existing corals so what is the best way to introduce the new light system without causing problems? should i decrease the amount of time the lights are on? filter the light somehow? please try to be as detailed as possible since this stuff is very unfamiliar to me.

second is Bulb Combos: so the guy i bought the light from had a bunch of unused bulbs (random brands). I also have some bulbs that i would like to use, but my question is what combo should i use? what configuration (2 whites, 2 actinics, 2 whatevers, etc?)
this is what i have available.
(2) Aquatic Life 10K
(2) Aquatic Life 420/460
(5) Giesemann Actinic +
(2) Giesemann AquaBlue Plus
(1) UVL Actinic White (12K)
(1) UVL 50%50% (Pink bulb)
(1) ATI AquaBlue Special
(1) ATI Blue Plus
(1) Kotallen-Zucht.de Fiji Purple

Thank you all in advance.