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I was thinking that and maybe another 2 bulb 72" fixture (does anyone even make one?)
or (2) 2 bulb 36" fixtures... I would like lots of growth
 
Just a heads up, speaking from experience, you ALWAYS end up with plenty of SPS by the time you really get going. Don't skimp on lighting. You end up paying double in the end. If your on the fence now with SPS, it usually means you'll end up with a lot of SPS. Either go for the TEC T5 for a few $$ more or go with MH.

If your really feeling adventurous grab an ATI T5. They've gotten great reviews.
 
beckisguy73 said:
I was thinking that and maybe another 2 bulb 72" fixture (does anyone even make one?)
or (2) 2 bulb 36" fixtures... I would like lots of growth
Click to expand...

i don't think that would help much more. there is an article in a recent tropical fish hobbyist and a guy has a reef tank with lots of sps under a 14 bulb 72" fixture and he said he was getting amazing growth. it doesn't specify the fixture brand though.

this looks like the fixture though and its on a few hundred more
http://www.saltycritter.com/lighting/aquactinics/constellation-t5.htm
 
Just keep in mind that the current fixture won't have the same output as some of the slightly to much more expensive alternatives. It will work, but you get what you pay for (and in the case of T5 lighting your really paying for effiency, and more effiency is what you get as you get into the higher end fixtures...)
 
I agree. Also, the MH on one end would probably look different enough to be distracting. You could aquscape around it to use that effect, but IMO it would be more trouble than it would be worth.
 
There are many ways to light an aquarium. Honestly if you're going to go fluorescent go with the T5s, if you have a 60'' fixture over that I wouldn't really worry about the 6'' left over on each end of the tank. Better to have the available space around the rock work for water flow as well as swimming space for fish just my opinion. The tek t5s (isn't there a tek elite?) are probably the best bang for your buck in the price range though they do not have SLRs (single lamp reflectors). Either that or do a retro kit. Me I'd have halides with vho actinics Yup I said the bad word, VHO. I'm surprised you do not have more people chiming in on this yet. Maybe the good weather.
 
Yes, VHO actinic is the only "real actinic" IME/IMO :)

Problem is, Nstar liked the VHO too much. ;)

I've grown to like T5s :)
 
According to the tests run by Premium Aquatics, the ATI Sunpower puts out 20-25% more light the the new TEK Elite. So you could get the 6 bulb Sunpower for cheaper than the TEK 8 bulb and still end up with about the same light. The ATI Powermodule only put out 2% more than the Sunpower.....

I found the post:

"From the testing we have done so far the ATI Sunpower 6 x 54w is producing right at 20% - 25% more par than the Tek Light Elite 6 x 54w, in a 48" x 18" area. Going outside of the 18" area (tanks tanks that are 24" - 36" front to back) the Elite starts to climb up in par, and eventually surpassing that of the ATI Sunpower.

We have been in communication with Sunlight Supply for the last couple of days in regards to this, and they are considering looking at a new reflector for the Elite which will give more par straight down like the Sunpower does, but less in the far outer reaches of the tank. This would give the hobbyist two options, depending upon the footprint of the system.

I also tested an ATI Powermodule 6 x 54w and noticed less than 2% lighting increase from the ATI Sunpower.

All tests were performed at 19.5" through air only, using only brand new ATI Blue Plus lamps in the fixtures. Test numbers were taken after 90 minutes of run time on all fixtures to allow them to get up to full temperature."



__________________
PremiumAquatics.com
 
Last edited:
jimmyj7090 said:
Yes, VHO actinic is the only "real actinic" IME/IMO :)

Problem is, Nstar liked the VHO too much. ;)
Click to expand...

I don't think there is enough VHO's I could fit over the tank that would show any color once the MH's came on. I liked them as well.

I'm a bit prejudiced as to lighting- Lumenarc reflectors w/ 250w Ushio 14K Bulbs run off IceCap ballast(the new ones). Love the color just as it is, perfect amount of blue for me and amazing growth!! I will most likely NEVER change:)
 
jimmyj7090 said:
My 2x250 ushio 14k + 220w VHO actinic looked real nice :)
Click to expand...

Yes, I loved your lighting. How many VHO bulbs did you use and what bulb wattage/combo John?
 
for those of you thinking about the 60" fixture...just make sure that the bulb types you want are available in that size. I think the selections are larger for 36 and 48 inch bulbs.

Of course, like Tabittha, I am an Ushio 250w 14k fan as well. I also run 2x54 actinic on my 4 foot tank, and 2x24 actinic on my 92.
 
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