What combination of Giesemann bulbs for Tek 36"6x39 T5 HO

[Steve McKay]

I'm doing away with my pc lighting,and going with T5 lighting.I want to use Giesemann bulbs.What combination would be the best for a reef?I was thinking about using 4 aquablue +and 2 actinic +would this be a good combination?

[charlie]

That would be my choice, in fact that is what I am going to end up with over my 40 gallon breeder frag tank.

[Steve McKay]

Thanks.What would be my limits?My water depth is 13".Eventually I would like to try Acropora after some experience.I did read the thread Thinking of getting T5 ? and took note of the sps corals you recommended for beginners.

[charlie]

I have had folks tell me that they have gone with more of the actinic+, but you can't tell how much people like the blue. I myself, the more the merrier!!!

I will say one thing, the T5 is more powerful than you think, I keep moving my frag racks down in my 40 gallon, it is surprising how much you do get out of these.
What corals are you going to start out with Steve? I am of the opinion that you go one way or the other, softies or hard corals. Once the soft corals get established sometimes the only way to get them out is to take rocks out that they are attached to and it becomes a never ending rock swap, know what I mean?

[Steve McKay]

In the same thread I understand softies release toxins so either one or the other.That will be a hard decision.I must say I'm leaning toward sps corals.As far as what individual,
hadn't really thought seriously about that because I had pc lighting.I do like Capricornis
though.

[charlie]

I know that TimH07 is doing the montipora thing in his tank, and there are many varieties of montipora that are very beautiful. I have found that they are good growers in my experience. I have had troubles though with the "caps" losing their color on the main body of the coral????? I don't know what is causing that????

[Steve McKay]

With no experience I will start with easier sps corals and gain knowledge and experience.
I'll have to do a lot of research too.I'm retired and have a lot of time on my hands.Right
now taking care of my tank is what I do,my #1 hobby.Time for some more coffee.

[charlie]

With no experience I will start with easier sps corals and gain knowledge and experience.
I'll have to do a lot of research too.I'm retired and have a lot of time on my hands.Right
now taking care of my tank is what I do,my #1 hobby.Time for some more coffee.

For one, I admire that are retired and will be able to spend time and TLC on your tank Steve. If you do get into SPS, your tank will appreciate the time you give it!!!! I think you are lucky in the fact that this board has a bunch of folks that have had or do have existing sps dominated tanks.
Have you any searching around on the LPS variety? There are many beautiful LPS corals out there also.

[Steve McKay]

There are many of them I like too Acans and blastos,candy cane.There aren't many corals I don't like if any.Right now I only have a Sun Coral it is budding all over I guess
feeding it every two days pays off.

[charlie]

There are many of them I like too Acans and blastos,candy cane.There aren't many corals I don't like if any.Right now I only have a Sun Coral it is budding all over I guess
feeding it every two days pays off.

I like it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A person that actually did the research on that particular coral B4 purchasing!!!!
The only thing that I can say is keep researching Steve. It seems like you have a good base. It is kind of like Acro frags, they spend alot of time encrusting, (researching), before they really start to flourish in a system. We are here to help my man!!!!

[Steve McKay]

Today is my birthday I turned 50,I feel older than the rocks in my tank.Anyway I'll have to wait a good while before I can add more corals.I just transferred everything from a 30 to a 50 and will have to wait until my tank matures.

[charlie]

You are retired.......................and you are 50? AAAAAAHHHHH!!!!! I am 55 and I am not close!!!!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

[charlie]

Refresh my memory, how long has this tank been set up?

[Steve McKay]

The new one only a few days,but no cycle.I transferred rock and fish into containers,I cycled my new rock in a separate container.Then setup the new tank with the new cycled rock,then added my old rock.I was testing for ammonia quite often,then added my livestock.It has been about four days now,no traces of ammonia it went quite well.My old tank was started in May.But many years ago I had a 125.

[charlie]

Sounds like it went well, your background helped out a bunch!!!! You are right about waiting, patience is a virtue!!!!!!

Just a comment here..................................I bet you will be upgrading again.

Just my thoughts.;)

[Steve McKay]

I wish,no room.If I had the room I would have a tank like yours or several.I have always
liked aquariums,it's not just a passing hobby.I can stair at my tank for hours,every few weeks I discover something new.Just a couple days ago I discovered a new type of tube worm of sorts about 3/4"long with a soft tube it withdraws under a rock when threatened.

[charlie]

Have you tried the flashlight at night thing yet?

[Steve McKay]

No,I need batteries.but my camera has inferred capability.

[charlie]

Nighttime is the best Steve. I still remember being totally blown away when I looked in the tank after the lights go out, I still am!!!! I am still finding things in my system that amaze me.

Now that you have said that your camera has that capability, you KNOW what that means don't you?

WE NEED PICS!!!!!!!!!!

[Steve McKay]

Here's a photo of it.Not inferred.