T5 Suggestions

[Reef Pets]

I don't have much experience with T5 lighting so I thought it would be best to ask around.. I want to put T5's of a 4' X 4' tanks that is only 12 inches deep. The crate is about 10" under the waters surface where the coral will be placed. The lights must hang about 20" above the water to allow easy access. I would rather have several separate fixtures rather than one large fixture to allow me to spread the light a little more. I am thinking 3 separate fixtures that are four foot in length that are four bulb fixtures. Would 12 bulbs be adequate for the setup? I plan to keep mainly LPS and possibly some lower light SPS in this particular tank.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[wooboodoo]

You can use my fixture or similar to my for that tank I have Fauna Marin Star Fire the dimensions are 48"x24" it has 10 54w bulbs and if the light gonna be too strong you can dimm it down...

 

[returnofsid]

I'm lighting a 200DD, 48"X36"X27"deep, with a 6 bulb and a 4 bulb Sunlight Supply Tek5. This tank is predominately SPS with clams, some LPS and Zoanthids. I can grow anything I want, on the sand bed. 10 bulbs are spreading the light, just fine, front to back. I think 12 bulbs would light 48" fine, but you might get even better coverage if you replaced one of those 4 bulb fixtures, with a 6 bulb fixture.

 

[aquabull]

It may be more light than you think! Focus on quality reflectors (pun intended).

 

[skinz78]

Agreed for LPS you may have too much light. I have 6 bulbs over my standard dimension 4x2x2 foot 120g reef and I have SPS and clams on the sand. My LPS don't do too well in there.

If you are into DIY I can send you the link to the setup that I have running, just let me know.

 

[ksc]

At 30" from the fixture you aren't going to get much light out of any t5 fixture. I can get you some par numbers from my ATI Sunpower @30" if you'd like.

 

[returnofsid]

At 30" from the fixture you aren't going to get much light out of any t5 fixture. I can get you some par numbers from my ATI Sunpower @30" if you'd like.

I beg to differ. I'm growing Acropora on the sand bed, of a 27" deep tank. Lights are sitting about 7" above the tank. I also have 2 T. maximas, on the sand bed, growing well.

 

[dallas reefer]

I beg to differ. I'm growing Acropora on the sand bed, of a 27" deep tank. Lights are sitting about 7" above the tank. I also have 2 T. maximas, on the sand bed, growing well.

Really?!? That's cool. Pictures?

 

[returnofsid]

There's lots of pictures, in the links, in my signature.