8 Bulb T5 overkill? PAR?

[piranhaman00]

Hi,

I am starting a new build for LPS and SPS in a 40B. I am going to use T5 only for this tank. I am looking at the SunPower T5 fixtures. Would the 8 bulb 36" fixture be too much light? I imagine this thing would put out crazy PAR, I am wondering if its too much for LPS? I would like the 8 bulb so I can (obviously) have more bulbs for better customization, not so much for extra power. Any thoughts on this?

 

[VR28man]

IMO, that amount of light should not be necessary for anything besides shallow water acros. (but yes I'd recommend 6, maybe 8, if you were doing shallow water acros)

Honestly, in my limited experience, the different bulbs are mostly for the human's visual effect, and I'm not sure that they balance out in as pleasing a manner as LEDs. (I used to keep 2 coral plus and 2 blue plus before my tank crashed) I might go with all coral+ if I were doing shallow water acros.

 

[secret_reefer337]

If it is me, I’ll do max of 6. Currently I have 4 over my 120 lps/softie tank. 3 B+ and 1 purple+, but when I have 6 I did 4 B+, one purple+ and 1 coral +.

 

[dohc97]

On a 40 breeder I would do 6, I have a 24" wide aquarium and run an 8

 

[piranhaman00]

Ok thanks everyone!

 

[Twocorns]

You could always buy the 8 bulb and just use 6 of the 8? and if demand increases, use the other two bulbs with the 6.

 

[piranhaman00]

You could always buy the 8 bulb and just use 6 of the 8? and if demand increases, use the other two bulbs with the 6.

Ya this is what the current plan is. Thanks for the input!

 

[TexasReefer82]

I have a 40B SPS setup and use 4x T5 bulbs and two AI Hydras. Works great! and I suspect that the T5 is doing the heavy lifting.

I'm not sure 8 bulbs would even fit over a 40B.

I'd recommend 6 bulbs also.

 

[piranhaman00]

I have a 40B SPS setup and use 4x T5 bulbs and two AI Hydras. Works great! and I suspect that the T5 is doing the heavy lifting.

I'm not sure 8 bulbs would even fit over a 40B.

I'd recommend 6 bulbs also.
[/QUOTE

It is 17.5" wide so it would fit, but overkill I would presume.

 

[kevin_e]

I had a banging 20 gallon with a 250 watt metal halide. Granted it was SPS. Wasn't too much. Unnecessary? Anbsolutely. But it grew and colored some coral.

 

[VR28man]

I had a banging 20 gallon with a 250 watt metal halide. Granted it was SPS. Wasn't too much. Unnecessary? Anbsolutely. But it grew and colored some coral.

Yeah, the people I've known with strong acro tanks (especially the shallow water acros) have really high amounts of light. I'd definitely go with 6 and eventually 8 T5s, in that case, assuming one didn't want MHs.

 

[MrSkumfrog]

Is your 40B is 36"L x 16"w x 18"H

I had a RSR 250 that was 36"L x 20"w x 21"H
I had a 6 bulb ATI Dimmable Sunpower 11" above the rim. My PAR was an even 200 at the sandbed. The middle of the tank was 380-410. I would go with the 6-Bulb; since your reef is a few inches smaller in height and length. If you need more "pop"; you will have the room to add an SB Reef LED light strip. If you want more PAR, lower the fixture.

 

[piranhaman00]

Is your 40B is 36"L x 16"w x 18"H

I had a RSR 250 that was 36"L x 20"w x 21"H
I had a 6 bulb ATI Dimmable Sunpower 11" above the rim. My PAR was an even 200 at the sandbed. The middle of the tank was 380-410. I would go with the 6-Bulb; since your reef is a few inches smaller in height and length. If you need more "pop"; you will have the room to add an SB Reef LED light strip. If you want more PAR, lower the fixture.

Thanks for your input!

Its 18” wide and 16” tall. I think I’m gonna do the 8 bulb and just run 6 bulbs so I don’t kick myself for not getting it if needed.

how did you liked the fixture?

 

[DivingTheWorld]

At 18" wide I'd go 6 bulb. Mine is 24" wide and I use an 8 bulb. It's great for SPS, but I roast anything else (LPS, Zoas, etc.) that's not on the bottom or in the shade. I'm getting 250 PAR on the bottom, 20" deep water, 30" from the fixture. If you go with an 8 bulb though, you can remove the two middle bulbs and retrofit in LEDs if you want.

 

[piranhaman00]

At 18" wide I'd go 6 bulb. Mine is 24" wide and I use an 8 bulb. It's great for SPS, but I roast anything else (LPS, Zoas, etc.) that's not on the bottom or in the shade. I'm getting 250 PAR on the bottom, 20" deep water, 30" from the fixture. If you go with an 8 bulb though, you can remove the two middle bulbs and retrofit in LEDs if you want.

I read this as you hang your fixture 30” above the tank! Lol

But yes thanks for your input! I’d love 150 par on sand

 

[TexasReefer82]

I'm just thinking that the two bulbs on the edges would be spilling half their light outside of the tank. Kinda of a waste.

A 40b is a great tank though!

 

[dohc97]

i would agree, an 8 bulb would be waste, i almost feel i could get away with a 6 bulb in my 24" wide tank