T5 lighting for 125?

[jbeanz]

Hey guys planning on running T5's on a 125 or 135 how many bulbs would be sufficient?

 

[jbeanz]

O forgot to mention the lighting would be for lps

 

[Jaftica]

should be awesome with 6 bulbs with good reflectors

 

[fishman1069]

For just lps and softies, a 6 bulb would be fine

 

[kenconnect]

As the other said a 6 bulb would be great and if u can get a ATI would be perfect

 

[jbeanz]

Just to be clear would I be running two 36" fixtures would 3 bulbs each?

 

[jbeanz]

Any sites to get good quality fixtures for a decent price?

 

[fishman1069]

Just to be clear would I be running two 36" fixtures would 3 bulbs each?

No, get 2 36" 6 bulb fixtures

 

[kenconnect]

http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-supply/AtiT5.html

 

[skene]

no... me personally... I would build a canopy... and get a t5 retrokit. it will save you a lot more money. plus if wanted to add, it would be easier to purchase additional kits, then to purchase a new fixture.

 

[Imbarrie]

Have you thought about LEDs?
T5 bulb replacement and operating costs are going to add up.
For your tank you can probably use 3 LED units and you can add them one at a time.

 

[jbeanz]

Yeah I was looking into it and t5bulb replacement can get pricey, what are the options when it comes to led's?

 

[Jaftica]

Yeah I was looking into it and t5bulb replacement can get pricey, what are the options when it comes to led's?

Stick with the T-5's if you want color...with most leds you will have very little color.

 

[E.intheC]

You could easily get by with a four bulb ATI sunpower. Even the 60 inch (although I think you need to buy a Powermodule to get a 60inch fixture).

I used a four bulb on my 90 and could grow anything I wanted to.

LEDs are another option.

 

[CoralMeister]

Even 4 bulb would be enough for stuff like zoas and chalices and what not

 

[Imbarrie]

Dont listen to anyone about LEDs and lack of color. You can get a huge lack of color with T5s also. Coloration is a product of great water conditions and good lighting.
If you can get out to Tropical Island in Deer Park you can see some great looking tanks with a lot of color under ACAN LEDs.
I have heard people have great color under AI LEDs also but I havent seen them used so I cant say.

Just to let you know about the operating cost on my 75Gallon.
Under T5 I had a TEK 6 bulb unit. That is about $450 for the light and $20-25 for each bulb at 54 watts.
That is $600 without shipping just to hang it on the tank.
Then operating cost is yearly bulb replacement at $120-150 added to the cost of paying ConEd to run a 324 watt light every day.

Or LEDs I could get a couple ACAN LEDs that run a total of 160 watts. Its a sttep up front cost at around $1200. But that wont need any replacement bulbs for a long time. maybe around 10 years depending on what intensity you run the units.

You are also looking at transferring a lot of heat to your tank running T5. You may have to counter that by running more AC in the room or adding a chiller.