Mark V Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 4 48" VHO in a 55G 6 48" VHO in a 75G What corals could I support with this lighting? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subsea Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 Anything that you want with that much light. VHO lamp 4' long is 110W. With 440W over a 55G tank expect to burn coral. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark V Posted September 27, 2012 Author Share Posted September 27, 2012 Looks like I got it confused with T5. The fixtures I was looking at were 54 watts per light so 4 x 54 watt or 6 x 54 watt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subsea Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 I have four T5 over a 55G tank. I think it would be adequate for SPS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobR Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 I have four T5 over a 55G tank. I think it would be adequate for SPS. What Patrick said ^ I run a 4 X 54W aquaticlife fixture with ATI bulbs over my 55 and have a lot of SPS and two clams on the sandbed, all the corals and clams are happy and growing. My suggestion would be to read up on the different bulb combos you can use with a T5 fixture to try and get the color combo you are looking for. You can get a 6 bulb but if it is a normal 55 that is only 12 inches wide then you may have some wasted light depending on the fixture. Which fixtures are you looking at? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark V Posted September 27, 2012 Author Share Posted September 27, 2012 (edited) Current USA Novaextreme 4 x 54 watt if I do a 55G setup Tek Light 6 x 54 watt if I do a 75G setup Do you need a chiller for any of these setups? I'm trying to avoid a chiller and thus staying away from MH and going for a open aquarium vs canopy. Only issue with that could be that we tend to keep the house warmer in the summer at 78 degrees. LEDs seem out of my budget unless I find a used fixture that is a killer deal Edited September 27, 2012 by Mark V Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jestep Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 I don't think you would need a chiller. The T5 lighting doesn't produce radiant heating like MH does. Unless you are running some huge or very poor quality submersible pumps, I can't imagine needing a chiller. Of the 2 you listed, I would definitely go with the tek. They are very well made, completely silent, and look great. I don't hink you''ll need it, but if you have an open top, the double azoo fan should provide plenty of evaporative cooling to reduce the temp. I run mine on the same schedule with MH on an open top tank and have no problem keeping the temp down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pbnj Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 With T5s, the quality of the reflectors is important. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victoly Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 +1 for tek. I ran one over a freshwater tank, and was very impressed with the build quality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sascha D. Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 I agree the lighting is adequate. One more thing to consider is how high the light is displayed above the tank and whether or not the tank has a lid. Lower light + lid = hotter tank. Personally, I don't think anyone needs a chiller unless you're running MH and a canopy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 With T5s, the quality of the reflectors is important. +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myvirtue Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 (edited) I have the ATI 6x54 plus 2 vho's on my 120 wide. Sps Does fine. Reflectors are everything. I think the nova extreme is one continious reflector but still not a bad light for the money. You wont need a chiller. I do keep my t'5s cool as possible though . More effective Edited September 27, 2012 by Myvirtue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark V Posted September 27, 2012 Author Share Posted September 27, 2012 Thanks guys TEK it is. I'll add to my budget Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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