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T5 questions.

Discussion in 'Aquarium Equipment & Decor' started by copperhead.mike, May 26, 2010.

  1. copperhead.mike

    copperhead.mike Thread Starter New Member

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    I am currently setting up 2 new 75 gallons. On will be a reef running a Current Nova 6X54 setup. The other will be a freshwater planted tank and I am torn on lighting it. I would like them to match being as they will be in the same room but I am having touble finding the same 6 bulb system at a good price. I have however found the same fixture in an eight bulb configuration. Has anyone used this much light for freshwater plants? I have heard that it can bleach SPS corals and am not sure if I want to use it. My other option is to run a 4X54 system on it instead and just deal with the tanks not matching. Any thoughts?
     
  2. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    I'm running the 4x54w on my planted setup right now.
    <a class="postlink" href="http://www.petmountain.com/show_product/514514" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.petmountain.com/show_product/514514</a>
    (bulbs were swapped out to freshwater planted bulbs).

    should be able to see photos of it in the 90g thread found in my signature.
     
  3. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    ps. if you're worried about them matching then you may want to go the canopy route...then you can squeeze as many/as little bulbs as you can get in there without anyone seeing the differences between the two.
    <a class="postlink" href="http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Fluorescent/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Fluorescent/</a>
     
  4. copperhead.mike

    copperhead.mike Thread Starter New Member

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    I thought about the canopies as well and may still go that route. My concern there is the light output into the room but that may be my OCD coming out full force. I have looked at the Sundial 4x54 system but have seen the nova extreme 8X54 systems going selling for less. I just think it might be a bit overkill.
     
  5. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    could always put simply actinics to take up the space of the extra bulbs?
    or simply leave no bulbs in those slots if it's too much overkill..again, just a option.

    I'm looking at about $365+ for the <a class="postlink" href="http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=nova+extreme+8X54&hl=en&cid=12886062710351987551&ei=OuH9S-KfI5W6wAXX15E9&sa=title&ved=0CAcQ8wIwADgA#p" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.google.com/products/catalog? ... 8wIwADgA#p</a>

    and

    about $290 for the <a class="postlink" href="http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=Current+USA+48%22+-+216+Watts+sundial&hl=en&cid=12151385232889279503&ei=teH9S6bGDo_8wAWgj-08&sa=title&ved=0CAcQ8wIwADgA#p" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.google.com/products/catalog? ... 8wIwADgA#p</a>
     
  6. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    I would put actinics in there if running every bulbs was too much for the plants, they make white actinics if you don't want the blue look.