T5 Retrofit Questions

[G8trBait16]

Hey y'all,

I am looking to get a T5 retrofit kit for supplement my 2 - Hyrda 52 HD's on my SPS dominated tank. I only have room for 2 bulbs right now. A few questions below, since I have never used T5's before:

1. My tank is 48", would it be better to get 2x54w 48" or 2x39w 3ft?
2. What kind of bulbs/color are best for SPS corals?

I am going to try to somehow attach the T5's to the Hydra's not sure exactly how yet, but will find a way.

Thank you for all of the help!

 

[themcnertney]

Well I am adding (2) 24" 2 bulb fixtures. I ordered ATI Aquablue Special and Blue Plus. The bulbs will be here today. I can shoot a pic if you're interested.

I would do 2X54w @ 48" with ATI bulbs. For the bulbs, well that is your preference.

 

[G8trBait16]

Yes sir that would be great. Thank you for the help

 

[gotwins86]

I recently added a t5 bulb to my 4ft 75 Gallon to compliment my leds. I ended up going a cheaper route and bought a Sunblaster NanoTech fixture off of Amazon. Added a ATI Blus Plus bulb, really liking the results. I suggest either 2 Blus Plus or 1 Blue Plus and 1 Coral Plus.

 

[ksfulk]

Mine was on a 72" tank, but I chose to use the 60" Miro T5 retrofit with my Hydra 26s. The "end game" for this was to hang it all in a canopy eventually, but I ended up changing light fixtures before I got that far. My thoughts are to go as big as you can with the T5s - the purpose of retrofitting them is to smooth out and fill in the shadows left by the LEDs. I'd go 48" it it were mine.