Reef Lighting - T5 lighting options for corals

[dbg]

Hello everyone,
I am new to corals, and I have a 6 lamp T5 HO fixture above my 90 gallon tank. I know that sps and lps corals have different lighting requirements, and that lps generally require less lighting than sps, which is probably what I will have without employing a MH lamp; however, I am unsure on what bulbs to use in my fixture. Currently, I am planning on using 3 10K Daylight bulbs and 3 420nm Actinic bulbs.

I have heard some say that using purple bulbs is better, and there are definitely a multitude of different bulb types that one can buy. Does anyone have experience using T5 HO bulbs to grow coral? If so, what have you found to be the best bulb combination?

Thanks!

-Dylan

 

[Wrx5803]

I have a 6bulb ati sunpower over my 100 gallon and run 5 ati blueplus and 1 ati aquabluespecial and love the color and growth. I have a mixed reef. Just place coral in different areas depending on there needs

 

[KoleTang]

My current combo:

Blue+
Purple+
Blue+
Blue+
Coral+
Blue+

I'm going to switch the Coral+ for a Reef-Spec Blue White and add some Royal Blue and Violet LEDs to supplement sunrise/sunset.

Reef Aquarium Lighting - Lamps and lamp combinations

Also, check out ReefGeek.com for bulbs and spectrum graphs.

 

[dbg]

Thanks, guys! The combinations that you list though... they don't make the tank look too blue??

 

[Trenbolone]

Geisemann, ATI, and Korallen-Zucht make some of the best quality and highly respected t5 bulbs on the market.

Korallen-Zuch Fiji Purple or Coralight are great bulbs
ATI Aquablue special is another great bulb

As for keeping SPS under T5's, it is completely possible. However, there are certainly factors that contribute to successful keeping of high light corals under T5. Reflector quality, number of bulbs, bulb quality, depth of tank, coral placement etc are all important. At 6x54w (Since I'm assuming your 90g is 48" long") you could conceivably keep some SPS in your tank if the fixture is of good quality and everything else within the tank is on point. An 8x54w fixture would suit SPS better, but again it's not impossible.

Also...food for thought, if you are considering metal halide, why not switch to LED instead? Less electricity, less heat, cheaper maintenance etc. Most quality LED fixtures are more than capable of utilization on an SPS reef tank.

 

[Vwtbug]

I have 4 bulb ati I grow every coral great . Currently I'm switching to a reef breeders 48 inch led photon . Should be hear n2 days.499.00

 

[dbg]

As for keeping SPS under T5's, it is completely possible. However, there are certainly factors that contribute to successful keeping of high light corals under T5. Reflector quality, number of bulbs, bulb quality, depth of tank, coral placement etc are all important. At 6x54w (Since I'm assuming your 90g is 48" long") you could conceivably keep some SPS in your tank if the fixture is of good quality and everything else within the tank is on point. An 8x54w fixture would suit SPS better, but again it's not impossible.

Also...food for thought, if you are considering metal halide, why not switch to LED instead? Less electricity, less heat, cheaper maintenance etc. Most quality LED fixtures are more than capable of utilization on an SPS reef tank.

Thanks for the info! My fixture is actually 6x39W, but it keeps the tank quite well lit. If I am able to get the $$$ together, I would definitely entertain the idea of getting LED over MH.... the heat that they produce is not something that I would really want to deal with.

 

[Trenbolone]

So your fixture is 36" then. Is the tank 36" as well? A trio of Kessil pendants would work wonderfully - depending on tank depth you MIGHT be able to get away with using 150 over the 360 pendant. If not, a trio of 360 pendants is only around $1,200. Still cheaper than most quality MH fixtures.

 

[Big E]

Just buy 3 ATI coral+ and 3 ATI blue+. You can color any acro, zoa, lps ect. you want with this combo and it gives you a nice bright look with a tinge of blue.

There is no need to spend 1000+ right now on LEDs or any other new fixture.

You can referece pics of my corals with the coral+ and blue + combo here---
https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/member-tanks/102035-75g-sps-dominant.html

This thread is kept up to date if you want more pictures--
Top down shots - Page 6 - Reef Central Online Community

 

[Trenbolone]

There is no need to spend 1000+ right now on LEDs or any other new fixture.

Agreed, simply providing the gentleman with ideas as he mentioned a potential upgrade in the future.

 

[fungia_fiend]

My 6 bulb combo (all ATI bulbs) is (from front to back): Blue+, Purple+, Blue+, Blue+, Coral+, Blue+

 

[dbg]

Thanks for the advice everyone. Hopefully I'll have some coral pics soon! =)

 

[dbg]

Just buy 3 ATI coral+ and 3 ATI blue+. You can color any acro, zoa, lps ect. you want with this combo and it gives you a nice bright look with a tinge of blue.

There is no need to spend 1000+ right now on LEDs or any other new fixture.

You can referece pics of my corals with the coral+ and blue + combo here---
https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/member-tanks/102035-75g-sps-dominant.html

This thread is kept up to date if you want more pictures--
Top down shots - Page 6 - Reef Central Online Community

The acros you have are gorgeous. Are they difficult to take care of?

 

[Big E]

Thanks..............they aren't difficult if you're patient and keep things simple.