T5 Q&A

Does anyone know where i can get 4 54w ati blue plus t-5's in the valley?

How many watts will i need for a 90G sps tank?

Originally posted by SGH360 How many watts will i need for a 90G sps tank?

There really isnt a "watts" requirement for SPS.  what is the dimensions of your tank?  most likely a 6 bulb t5 fixture, either TEK or if you can afford it an ATI sunpower or powermodule.  Any of those with some good bulbs will easily grow SPS.

T-5's will grow anything you want to grow! you would want the 54 watt for that size tank

Originally posted by SGH360 How many watts will i need for a 90G sps tank?

A purely SPS or even an SPS dominate tank will want a 6x54w ATI Sunpower over it at a minimum.

If you have a canopy and want retro, then go with the Miro 4/LET Lighting retro kit from Reefgeek. The 6 bulb will work and you don't need to overdrive them with an IceCap ballast.

Originally posted by chk4tix Originally posted by Ryan Thompson Originally posted by SGH360 How many watts will i need for a 90G sps tank? A purely SPS or even an SPS dominate tank will want a 6x54w ATI Sunpower over it at a minimum. If you have a canopy and want retro, then go with the Miro 4/LET Lighting retro kit from Reefgeek. The 6 bulb will work and you don't need to overdrive them with an IceCap ballast. I think he could get by with a TEK fixture.  When I was getting mine, everyone on RC told me I had to have an ATI over my 120 or I wouldnt be able to keep SPS.  However, at the time the wife wouldnt let me buy an ATI, so I got the TEK instead.   I had no problems growing SPS anywhere in my tank.  I also didnt have mine cooled for probably the first 6 months and I still saw good growth.  However, it was better when I started cooling it.

True but I could get away with using a couple Koralias in my tank. But I would much rather have the Vortech and what it brings to the table.

I don't mind Tek stuff. Never owned it first hand but I just don't respect companies that don't listen to facts and try to cut corners anywhere they can to save them a few bucks.

I know there a quite a few people on here that have Tek fixtures and get good results with them. Just for an all SPS tank that is 24" tall, I want my PAR in the 250 range at the sand.

Just my opinion. I love my ATI Sunpower and would gladly spend the little extra money to have it over the Tek.

ATI makes both bulbs and fixtures.

Ice Cap ballasts over drive T5 bulbs. They are pretty expensive and definitely not required. I actually don't like over driving T5 bulbs. It creates a lot more heat and it a lot harder on the bulbs.

Dangit tim! You are onto me.

But seriously no I'm not an ati salesman. They just make the best stuff currently so I recommend using them.

I don't like current usa stuff. Crappy bulbs, ballasts and reflectors. By the time you replace all the bulbs you can get into the tek stuff if not ati. Contact skyler(exoticreefonline), he will hook you up.

Tell him that I sent you LOL