I have a 72 gallon bowfront that I have setup and in the process of cycling right now. Originally I was planning on going with a fowlr setup until I was able to afford doing LEDs, which would be awhile before I could afford to set those up. I was thinking about maybe getting a t5 fixture for the tank so that I could eventually start trying my hand at keeping corals. The corals that I am thinking about keeping would be softies, zoas and maybe some LPS. Would a 4 lamp fixture be enough light to support these corals? Also what type of things should I be looking for with a t5 fixture? I am definitly going to be looking for something that has a splash guard, right now I have a glass canopy on the tank first to make sure that my youngest cat doesn't try taking a dip, along with needing something for the t8's to be able to sit on. Eventually I will be looking at doing a screen top for it, although need to figure out how to do it with the bowfront. I have also seen fixtures with digital timers that are built into them and was wondering how well those are working for others?
Thinking about lighting options
- Thread starter BarbH
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stiddley
Active Member
Depending on the wattage and coral placement, 4 bulb t5 fixture would be fine. LPS and zoas are actually all low to moderate light so shouldn't be a problem. Coralife fixtures are relatively cheap and work great. My brother actually has one over his 75 and it is thriving.
thanks will post some of the fixtures that I am thinking about to see if they would work, this is a whole new realm for me.
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creefer
Valuable Member
I have an aquatic life 6-lamp that I really like alot. I picked it up for my new build. I have it over my current tank now to acclimate the livestock, so it will be going to the new tank. Interestingly enough, I went to T5 from LED. Plan to modify this fixture in the future to have a T5 / LED hybrid.
GL and LMK if you need any help.
GL and LMK if you need any help.
thanks creefer
poseidon I don't have a canopy for the tank previous owner was running it open top
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I came across this fixture, was wondering what people's thoughts are on this. It is an Odyessa t5 4x54w bulbs, I realize that I may need to replace the stock bulbs, but was wondering about the fixture? Odyssea T5 Aquarium Lighting
I wouldn't waste my(or your) time with it. Check the reviews online. I have heard good things about tek(basic and elite) fixtures, but I don't own one myself, have an ati which is more expensive but nice.
stiddley
Active Member
I agree, cutting corners to save a few bucks will end up more expensive before you know it. My current 37 tall is 5 months old and Im on my 3rd led fixture already because I didn't like the first two. I went cheap on the first light and it did no justice for the tank at 275 bucks and I now have a Radion over the tank and IMHO it blows the AI Sol out of the water. Im sure you can find some relatively cheap t5 fixtures on ebay or even in the selling forum here that will blow that cheap fixture out of the water.
With the fixtures on ebay what type of things should I be looking for? Have looked at some of them but don't remember them mentioning if the units have fans which I would imagine on a fixture like that it is something that you would want. Can always contact the seller to inquire, or is it something that would be standard on that type of fixture? Lol feel somewhat lost with this
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Personally, I would be looking at an LED solution, or a T5 fixture with individual reflectors for each bulb, and fans.
Bowfronts are tough for T5, or any other linear light solution. A Pendant fixture or fixtures would be very cool... PAR 38 bulbs maybe?
Bowfronts are tough for T5, or any other linear light solution. A Pendant fixture or fixtures would be very cool... PAR 38 bulbs maybe?
