Lighting for softy only tank?

[Readywriter]

Ive been out of the hobby for a long time. Last reef I had was a 30 gal softie only tank (xenia and other lower light stuff) running power compacts for lighting and it was hands down my favorite.

Im planning on recreating it as best I can in a 75 gal. What lighting would you guys put on it that would be good but not overkill?

 

[Spare time]

What sort of features, mounting options, and budget are you looking for?

 

[YOYOYOReefer]

I would go t5 will be closeset to what you had. but much better and will allow you to keep most anything. Would get 4 or 6 bulb setup for a 75

 

[RedoubtReef]

I second going with T5

 

[Cichlid Dad]

+ 1 for t5. I just did a par check on my t5 using a 6 bulb 4ft over a 75. Fixture is a grow setup used in indoor grows found on Amazon for 135.00. 160 par throughout the middle of the tank 80 to 100 par on the sand bed. Light is 13 inch off the water.

 

[Readywriter]

Thanks everyone. T5's do seem like the way to go for this tank. I just took a look on amazon, thats a pretty big price difference. Whats actually different about them? Im guessing the reflector and water tight bulb sockets. But if thats it thats nothing a little diy cant fix.

 

[RedoubtReef]

Reflector quality can vary greatly. If it were me, I'd look for a good used ATI fixture.

 

[Cichlid Dad]

Reflector quality can vary greatly. If it were me, I'd look for a good used ATI fixture.

I agree, that it would be better, but it's a softy tank. Look at my post above for what par these lights will give you.

 

[RedoubtReef]

I agree, that it would be better, but it's a softy tank. Look at my post above for what par these lights will give you.

true, but if he get's the bug for SPS/LPS, clams, wouldn't have to upgrade and you might get a good deal on one with sunrise/sunset ability if you want that. Either way will work for softies.

 

[mfinn]

If you have your heart set of T5's, go with a ATI fixture. Get the best one and you won't be disappointed.
If you wanted led, go with a pair of Radion XR-15's. Gen 5's are getting fairly inexpensive these days.

 

[00W]

All good advice.
I have no desire to go beyond softies .I like low lighting, low maintenance fixtures.
I run a 2 bulb fixture over my 75 with great growth and no worries. Plenty of coralline.
1 ATI blue plus and 1 reefbrite 50/50.
Cheap and effective.
That's just me.
I only run T5's. Lots of good options.
Take a look at @Cichlid Dad tanks. They look nice.

 

[Cichlid Dad]

All good advice.
I have no desire to go beyond softies .I like low lighting, low maintenance fixtures.
I run a 2 bulb fixture over my 75 with great growth and no worries. Plenty of coralline.
1 ATI blue plus and 1 reefbrite 50/50.
Cheap and effective.
That's just me.
I only run T5's. Lots of good options.
Take a look at @Cichlid Dad tanks. They look nice.

Thank you very much

 

[jda]

If you want T5, take some time and look on the local CLs, FB marketplaces or on some reef boards or eBay for good units. Plenty pop up all of the time. You can use the bulbs for at least 2 years, but if your softies don't care, use them longer.

 

[00W]

This is my 20 gallon softie only.
Cheap ebay fixture.
ATI blue plus, coral plus.
It's brighter than I like but you can see 2 bulbs is just fine.
These were all given to me by petco.
They were all going in the garbage.
I did buy the xenia. That was a mistake.
It'll grow anywhere.
I've got at least 2 years on these bulbs.
I just replace them when they burn out.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Ive been out of the hobby for a long time. Last reef I had was a 30 gal softie only tank (xenia and other lower light stuff) running power compacts for lighting and it was hands down my favorite.

Im planning on recreating it as best I can in a 75 gal. What lighting would you guys put on it that would be good but not overkill?

Either an Ai Hydra 26 or Prime Hd will do well and even a noopsyche will work well