T5 setup for an anemone tank...

Fish_N_A_Box · Jul 23, 2020

Looking for ideas on T5 lighting on a Nuvo 40. (24x20x20)

The rock setup is basically a single large coral top at 17" in diameter near enough. (mushroom shaped)

I had two AI Primes, but this created bad shadowing, especially in the front due to the mounts they make not being long enough.

I have the option of 4 bulbs, 5 bulbs or 6 bulbs and I can control the lights individual or in groups. (using sunblaster nanotech T5 units)

The tank is primarily nems (Rose BTA's, Rainbow, Black Widow, Malu, Corkscrew). The tank will also house softies at the bottom such as leathers, kenya trees, sinularia, GSP and zoas. All of which seem to do well if a Nem goes walk about or settles in next to them.

I should note that I don't want a consistent "blue" tank. Though in the evening/night I won't mind it as we'll be in the living room and want to see the colors pop.

I'm looking for both coral growth and for the nems to color up the best.

thanks,
Joe

Mastiffsrule · Jul 23, 2020

Hey joe,

I am not familiar with keeping nems or their lighting needs. For your coral a 6 bulb T5 would be great. You could also look into a 4 bulb hybrid and use the 2 prime if you still have them mounted in the hybrid unit.

I have a 6 bulb over my 180. I run 2 ATI coral +, 2 ATI blue +, and 2 Giesmann actinic. It’s a fairly common mixture, but you can mix it as you like. There are a few good t5 vids showing color comparison you can google.

@Ron Reefman can help with the nem part for lighting needs

WIReefer · Jul 23, 2020

I have two nems in my tank, lighting is a 6 bulb sunpower they love the light they are thriving. Fixture is mounted 9 inches above water.

PacoPetty · Jul 23, 2020

Mastiffsrule said:
Hey joe,

I am not familiar with keeping nems or their lighting needs. For your coral a 6 bulb T5 would be great. You could also look into a 4 bulb hybrid and use the 2 prime if you still have them mounted in the hybrid unit.

I have a 6 bulb over my 180. I run 2 ATI coral +, 2 ATI blue +, and 2 Giesmann actinic. It’s a fairly common mixture, but you can mix it as you like. There are a few good t5 vids showing color comparison you can google.

@Ron Reefman can help with the nem part for lighting needs

Which T5 fixture are you using?

PacoPetty · Jul 23, 2020

Fish_N_A_Box said:
Looking for ideas on T5 lighting on a Nuvo 40. (24x20x20)

The rock setup is basically a single large coral top at 17" in diameter near enough. (mushroom shaped)

I had two AI Primes, but this created bad shadowing, especially in the front due to the mounts they make not being long enough.

I have the option of 4 bulbs, 5 bulbs or 6 bulbs and I can control the lights individual or in groups. (using sunblaster nanotech T5 units)

The tank is primarily nems (Rose BTA's, Rainbow, Black Widow, Malu, Corkscrew). The tank will also house softies at the bottom such as leathers, kenya trees, sinularia, GSP and zoas. All of which seem to do well if a Nem goes walk about or settles in next to them.

I should note that I don't want a consistent "blue" tank. Though in the evening/night I won't mind it as we'll be in the living room and want to see the colors pop.

I'm looking for both coral growth and for the nems to color up the best.

thanks,
Joe

Following

Mastiffsrule · Jul 23, 2020

PacoPetty said:
Which T5 fixture are you using?

My set up is a bit odd. I have a 180 in my living room that had AI HD 52’s over them. Aquatic Life came out with the hybrid. I got the 61” which has a 2 bulb T5 fixture on each side and space in the middle to mount the LED‘s. I had it set up that way for a while but did not like the look. I pulled the HD 52’s and put them over my 60 gallon and contacted AquaticLife. They sent me a stand alone 2 bulb fixture which I fit into the space meant for the LED. So it has 3 fixtures

So. Short answer is I have an Aquatic Life 6 bulb T5 which technically I do not think they actually make. ATI does make 6buld T5 fixtures that are nice. If I was thinking about hybrid at the start I would have gone ATI

PacoPetty · Jul 23, 2020

Mastiffsrule said:
My set up is a bit odd. I have a 180 in my living room that had AI HD 52’s over them. Aquatic Life came out with the hybrid. I got the 61” which has a 2 bulb T5 fixture on each side and space in the middle to mount the LED‘s. I had it set up that way for a while but did not like the look. I pulled the HD 52’s and put them over my 60 gallon and contacted AquaticLife. They sent me a stand alone 2 bulb fixture which I fit into the space meant for the LED. So it has 3 fixtures

So. Short answer is I have an Aquatic Life 6 bulb T5 which technically I do not think they actually make. ATI does make 6buld T5 fixtures that are nice. If I was thinking about hybrid at the start I would have gone ATI

Thank you!

Ron Reefman · Jul 24, 2020

BTA's can have some good color fluoresce under blue leds. If you haven't already, you might look at Rock Flower Anemones as they fluoresce as well or better than almost anything you can put in the tank.

You said,"The tank will also house softies at the bottom such as leathers, kenya trees, sinularia, GSP and zoas."

Zoas should be fine. I would avoid the kenya tree coral. I had some of that and as it grew, it chased a couple of Condy anemones under the rocks!

Chibils · Jul 24, 2020

Depends on the color spectrum and look you're trying to achieve. With 6 bulbs in a 20" deep tank there are a lot of different color/bulb options available to you. ATI Coral Plus and Blue Plus are a good foundation as they are high-PAR bulbs that are very popular. Korallen-Zucht Fiji Purple is a popular one for bringing out red coloration; you only need one. ATI Actinic or Giesemann True Actinic for obvious reasons. If you prefer a more "natural" white light, you could try 3 Coral Plus, a Blue Plus, a Fiji Purple, and an actinic. If you like a more blue light, swap a Coral Plus for a Blue Plus. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable can chime in on that.