60g cube t5 question

Blade*13 · Jul 9, 2017

I'm piecing together my 60g cube sps zeovit tank and want to do a t5 fixture and was wondering if I should use the 6 bulb or 8 bulb light. I'm leaning towards the 8 bulb because the footprint is 24x24, but also considering the 6 bulb with a reefbrite strip on the front and back. Any suggestions or recommendations are greatly appreciated

NickNiz · Jul 9, 2017

I would personally go with the 6-bulb fixture with the reefbrite strips... I had a RSM250 previously and found that the 5 or 6 T5 bulbs were more than enough for anything I put in it, but you may want more opinions as I'm not experienced with SPS lighting demand. The addition of the LEDs are appealing though.

saltyfilmfolks · Jul 9, 2017

If you mont the fixture at 12in a six bulb is more than sufficient. In fact, becarful with leds as they can add a lot of power you may not need.

Aqua fire/medic · Jul 9, 2017

I had a 60 cube with a 6bulb
ATI fixture. More than enough par.

acro-ed · Jul 13, 2017

I have a 60 cube and went with the ATI 8 bulb, and have 2 of the led "retro" bulbs in there (so 6xt5 and 2x led strip). This way I don't have the extra strips hanging off of the side of the fixture. I don't know that I really "needed" the 8 bulb fixture, but it works great.

I think you would be perfectly fine either way.

I'm totally sold on the t5/led combination as well. That is what I am running (in different forms) on both of my tanks.

Blade*13 · Jul 13, 2017

acro-ed said:
I have a 60 cube and went with the ATI 8 bulb, and have 2 of the led "retro" bulbs in there (so 6xt5 and 2x led strip). This way I don't have the extra strips hanging off of the side of the fixture. I don't know that I really "needed" the 8 bulb fixture, but it works great.

I think you would be perfectly fine either way.

I'm totally sold on the t5/led combination as well. That is what I am running (in different forms) on both of my tanks.

Do you have any pictures of the tank with both led and t5s on? And do you by Vance have any par readings?

acro-ed · Jul 13, 2017

I'm Ed, not Vance

.....but, no, unfortunately I don't have PAR #'s. I would really like to rent/borrow a PAR meter though.

Here are some pics I took with my cellphone the other day. I just shot these for the heck if it, so not the greatest pics....

Velcro · Jul 13, 2017

I'd go 8 bulb. If it's too much light use some actinics.

Blade*13 · Jul 13, 2017

acro-ed said:
I'm Ed, not Vance
.....but, no, unfortunately I don't have PAR #'s. I would really like to rent/borrow a PAR meter though.

Here are some pics I took with my cellphone the other day. I just shot these for the heck if it, so not the greatest pics....

Looks good! What bulbs do you run?

Blade*13 · Jul 13, 2017

Velcro said:
I'd go 8 bulb. If it's too much light use some actinics.

This is kinda what I was thinking

acro-ed · Jul 13, 2017

3x blue+ and 3x coral+ with the 2 led retro bulbs.

Velcro · Jul 14, 2017

Blade*13 said:
This is kinda what I was thinking

It's really not much more for the 8 bulb and it will have better resale imo. Also the 8 has more space if you decide to retro some LED inside of the fixture (nanobox$.