72'' Aquatic Lift T5

[christianleo]

I need some help guys. I currently have some SB Reef Lights and they are ok but not totally happy with them. Im currently thinking about going with a T5 only fixture. I currently have a 125 gallon tank. I have a choice between an 8 bulbs fixture and a 12 bulb fixture and both of them have moon lights with timers. I have a few questions if I could get some help. Can I get any ATI bulbs and place them in the fixture or do certain ones go in a certain slot in the fixture. I ask that because it says something about 420/460nn and then something about 10,000k. So im assuming that certain bulbs go in certain slots is why I ask and must you have a bulb in the slot for the fixture to work? Also what are your thoughts on this particular fixture as well? Any thoughts and input would be greatly appreciated

 

[Gareth elliott]

T5’s are t5’s you can use any bulb in the fixture you purchase.

The 420/460nm are blue light wavelengths, near UV.

Everyone has their own mix of bulbs they use. A common combo is half ati coral plus and half blue plus. Others will add in a bulb or 2 of pink or purple for their own viewing pleasure.

Not sure you would need a 12 bulb over a standard 125. Might have a lot of light overflow, as i believe thats wider than the tank.

 

[christianleo]

T5’s are t5’s you can use any bulb in the fixture you purchase.

The 420/460nm are blue light wavelengths, near UV.

Everyone has their own mix of bulbs they use. A common combo is half ati coral plus and half blue plus. Others will add in a bulb or 2 of pink or purple for their own viewing pleasure.

Not sure you would need a 12 bulb over a standard 125. Might have a lot of light overflow, as i believe thats wider than the tank.

Yes the 12 would be a bit wider but I was kinda thinking about upgrading at some point. But thank you for answering that question for me about the bulb placement. That really helped me out on that one. Some say T5's dont have a lot of shimmer to the tank but im not really worried about that as I am about good light and growth. Do you have a recommendation about how high I should mount the fixture... minimal and maximum

 

[Albertan22]

I’m guessing the language about 10k and the rest is specific to the moonlighting. A T5 fixture can accommodate whatever bulb combination you prefer.

 

[christianleo]

I’m guessing the language about 10k and the rest is specific to the moonlighting. A T5 fixture can accommodate whatever bulb combination you prefer.

That makes sense about the moonlighting. Thank you. I was hoping I could mix my own combo of lighting

 

[Gareth elliott]

Depends on what you want to keep for mounting height SPS dominate id lean towards 6-10”
Lps 10-14”
The higher the unit easier the maintenance, but more overflow.

For shimmer you can add a light bar of leds. But bulb combo can add more color pop. Actinic bulbs are good for color pop for some corals.

I going to try using 100% actinic on my current nano 12g build im starting. Mainly because i got the bulbs at a steal lol.