T5 SPS tanks?

[Shnabbles]

Lets see some pics of people that use only T5 lamps and the SPS they grow with them!

[hahnmeister]

Why do you want to see pics of the people?

[Shnabbles]

lol i dont know how that double posted... but i wanna see pics of the tank not the people, oops

[moo0o]

HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHA

[Zoos]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9500884#post9500884 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hahnmeister
Why do you want to see pics of the people?


lmao

[danskim]

I think there's a big thread like this somewhere...
I'll try to find it.

[hahnmeister]

Well, its like he wants us to prove we exist as well as the SPS... he he.

[hahnmeister]

not mine, but I like to show it...
http://archiv.korallenriff.de/Lichttest/06_t5_test.html

http://archiv.korallenriff.de/Lichttest/06_t5_test_sept_startbeck1.jpg
http://archiv.korallenriff.de/Lichttest/06_t52_gesamt.jpg
http://archiv.korallenriff.de/Lichttest/06_t52_links2.jpg
http://archiv.korallenriff.de/Lichttest/06_t52_rechts1.jpg
http://archiv.korallenriff.de/Lichttest/07_t5_vgl_haupt.jpg

and...
http://www.miniriff.de/Szczyra/1.jpg
http://www.miniriff.de/Szczyra/2.jpg
and then there is Iwan's reef as well...
http://www.hausriff.ch/index2.html

and Try the Chi (sorry, dont have a link)

and Danano's...
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-03/totm/index.php

[Shnabbles]

Awsome pics guys thanks... no i just wanted to make sure t5s were truelly strong enough to grow SPS..

I have 14 39watt t5's over my 180 will SPS do well in this lighting?
Its the Aquatinics Constellation

[hahnmeister]

Sure, they should do just fine.

That first tank I posted uses 20x54watt T5s... 1080 watts. Now, that sounds like alot, but look at the tank specs... 10' long, 30" wide, and 28" high. If that was lit with halides, it would need at least 1200 watts, if not 1600 (four 400s). Those T5s get the job done with less watts.

My SPS do better under the T5s than the halide tanks these days... they look just awesome.

[katchupoy]

Here are my contributions...
Just converted mine from 2x250 mh to 4x39watt t5HO.
Im only on my day 2.

Here is mine under 2x250 reeflux.
http://24.19.183.184/MYREEF/_FULL-TANK-HISTORY/FULLSHOT_2007-03_800_MH_2X250.jpg


And here it is under 2x39 ati blueplus + 2x39 ati aquablue
http://24.19.183.184/MYREEF/_FULL-TANK-HISTORY/FULLSHOT_2007-03_800_T5HO.jpg

Also, I have taken these shots on my camera on manual settings. Meaning it has same speed and opening. So the brightess is not really that far off compared to MH setup. But 500 watts against 160 watts? Thats really something. Im sure if I go with 4x39 aquablue then it will way brighter than my 2x250 setup. I just wanted a more blue 14k or 20k look.


But here are other people's tank.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/s...25&pagenumber=1

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/s...25&pagenumber=1

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/s...25&pagenumber=1

http://www.blogs.frags.org/member.php?uid=2561

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2006/2/aquarium

[Ti]

nice

[katchupoy]

For some reason, the first 3 links is not working. So here it is again.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=812416&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=541121&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-03/totm/index.php

[brianbigoats]

there was just a thread on the sps forum

[hahnmeister]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9507896#post9507896 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by brianbigoats
there was just a thread on the sps forum

^^^ wanna complete that sentence????

[mufret]

Here's my 55g that's lit with only T5s

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g150/mufret/55g2-28-07-006-1.jpg


http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g150/mufret/55g2-28-07-005-1.jpg

[keinreis]

Can't be done! All these pictures are fakes, and if you don't have halides you can't grow corals!








Of course I am joking, but you have no clue how many times I have seen this type of thing said whaen people ask about t-5's over sps or clams. I went the t-5 rout also, and am soo happy I did.

[hahnmeister]

Lol... I crack up when people say that as well... or they say, "well, you can use T5s, but they are no where as good as halides" or something along those lines. I chuckle because IMO, halides and T5s are about the same, with a slight edge going to T5s sometimes (and with some tanks like say, a 60g cube, the edge goes to halides).

[TeamPlayer]

Hey mufret, how many bulbs and what wattage are you using?

Also, I'm currently running a 46g Bowfront with 192w power compacts and I'm thinking of moving to T-5s, is it worth it?

[rwrussom]

Here is a sweet one.

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2006/2/aquarium

[katchupoy]

Just my very short experience... Only in my day 3.
But I have 4x39 watt config. And I also have brand new 2x36 inches URI VHO on both ends.... Well I cannot even see the difference when I turn the VHO on or off. The T5 are so powerful compared to my URI VHO that you dont see any diff at all... Just a really really small change and thats it. Tried aquasun's VHO, well there is a difference but still nothing compared to T5. So I will ditch my vho and buy another 2x39 to make it 6x39. JME.

[hahnmeister]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9517741#post9517741 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rwrussom
Here is a sweet one.

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2006/2/aquarium

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9506456#post9506456 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by katchupoy
Here are my contributions...
Just converted mine from 2x250 mh to 4x39watt t5HO.
Im only on my day 2.

Here is mine under 2x250 reeflux.
http://24.19.183.184/MYREEF/_FULL-TANK-HISTORY/FULLSHOT_2007-03_800_MH_2X250.jpg


And here it is under 2x39 ati blueplus + 2x39 ati aquablue
http://24.19.183.184/MYREEF/_FULL-TANK-HISTORY/FULLSHOT_2007-03_800_T5HO.jpg

Also, I have taken these shots on my camera on manual settings. Meaning it has same speed and opening. So the brightess is not really that far off compared to MH setup. But 500 watts against 160 watts? Thats really something. Im sure if I go with 4x39 aquablue then it will way brighter than my 2x250 setup. I just wanted a more blue 14k or 20k look.


But here are other people's tank.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/s...25&pagenumber=1

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/s...25&pagenumber=1

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/s...25&pagenumber=1

http://www.blogs.frags.org/member.php?uid=2561

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2006/2/aquarium

Never ceases to amaze me how often people post the exact thing someone lists a few posts ago simply because they didnt read.

[jdav]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9517498#post9517498 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TeamPlayer
Hey mufret, how many bulbs and what wattage are you using?

Also, I'm currently running a 46g Bowfront with 192w power compacts and I'm thinking of moving to T-5s, is it worth it?

yeah it's worth it.
this is my 46 bow.
i took these pictures with a cell phone.



http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k258/dedenoflex/5.jpg
.
http://s90.photobucket.com/albums/k258/dedenoflex/crooked1.jpg
.
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k258/dedenoflex/random1.jpg
.
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k258/dedenoflex/5.jpg
.
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k258/dedenoflex/3.jpg
.
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k258/dedenoflex/2.jpg

[proboscis]

u must have a nice cell phone, better pics than my camera can take

[05Xrunner]

So does anyone have any growth comparison of the T5 vs MH

Right now I have a Orbit 4x65 PC light and Nova Extreme 4x54 T5 on my 75Gal.

I am selling those 2 fixtures and I wanna get a better light to do SPS and support my clam.

Now I really like the T5's
I was looking at a light 2x250MH and 4x65 PC combo.

Or should I get the TEK light with 6 or 8 bulb...Only thing I really like the shimmer lines.

Someone told me the 8bulb T5 would be way to much light for my 75 for SPS and clams..i find that hard to believe when some people are putting 400w MH over a 15g tank.

[keinreis]

I have the 6 bulb over my 90, and think the 8 bulb might stick out from the edges. the 6 bulb is about the right size for a 75/90 since they are the same dim.

[05Xrunner]

I dont know...I gotta make a choice by Friday.

[mufret]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9517498#post9517498 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TeamPlayer
Hey mufret, how many bulbs and what wattage are you using?

Also, I'm currently running a 46g Bowfront with 192w power compacts and I'm thinking of moving to T-5s, is it worth it?

I have six 54w bulbs "crammed" into my canopy. Using 2 IceCap reflectors and 4 SLS reflectors. Two of the bulbs are being overdriven by an IceCap 430 (I have those in the ront to try and get as much light to the Clams on the sand bed) while the other 4 are being driven by WH5's.

I think it's always good move to go from PC's to T5's as long as you go with the individual reflectors.

[hahnmeister]

The best lit tanks I have seen use a combo of both MHs and T5s... say for a 120g, dual 250wattDEs and 4 rows of 54watt T5s... the MHs being 10,000Kish bulbs, and the T5s being blue and actinic bulbs. The growth from this was just the best, as well as the color... you cant compare to anything else really.

As for MH vs. T5... well, both are capable of similar light field outputs. watt for watt, halide has a higher peak close to the bulb, and T5s have more intensity towards the bottom... but other than that... growth under either light should be the same as long as you place them in an area that has equal PAR.

[gabe3d]

Here is my old tank with T5s

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/gabe3d/Aquarium/100/fulltank_0505.jpg

[TeamPlayer]

ok so I think I'm sold on T-5s, I'm currently running a 46g BowFront with some soft coral and would like to start adding some SPS, any suggestions on which T-5 fixture I should get? Brands? Models?

Thanks

[brianbigoats]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9510558#post9510558 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hahnmeister
^^^ wanna complete that sentence????
No Need to be Rude
The poster wanted to see T5 SPS tank I was pointing out that there was just a thread asking for T5 SPS tanks on the sps keepers forum.
Hahnmeister you need to work on your Tacked i have seen post where you crack jokes at a person who almost lost there life after being shocked by a MH ballest and then start an argument about the amount of volts coming out(on the MARS Fourm). Just relax and be cool no need to point out every little wrong that people do this is just a hobby not your life. Please just show a little respect to your fellow reefers

[lvreefer]

I love that T5 light is starting to get the respect it deserves.
WITH OUT A DOUBT, THE BEST ALTERNATIVE TO HALIDE SYSTEMS TODATE!!!
I believe the future of lighting will go full circle once again and it will all be up to personal preference, until the next break through... L.E.D. and I am not talking Light Emiting Diode.

[Fish_Freek]

Hay Gabe3d, witch bulbs were you running on that tank? Looks very nice!

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9534234#post9534234 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TeamPlayer
ok so I think I'm sold on T-5s, I'm currently running a 46g BowFront with some soft coral and would like to start adding some SPS, any suggestions on which T-5 fixture I should get? Brands? Models?

Thanks

Check out the 5 lamp unit made by Aquactinics.

I'd do this for lamps

Front
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
Aquasun or GE 3000K
Blue Plus
Aquablue

[dbm5557]

Hey Grim, I am trying to decide on a light for a 46g also, do you think the 4 bulb TEK would be enough light for a 46g? I want to be able to keep a little bit of everything in the tank.

[The Grim Reefer]

Should be fine.

[84jeepjohn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9533881#post9533881 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gabe3d
Here is my old tank with T5s

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/gabe3d/Aquarium/100/fulltank_0505.jpg

NICE!!!! like stated above.. what bulbs were these?

[gabe3d]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9534872#post9534872 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Fish_Freek
Hay Gabe3d, witch bulbs were you running on that tank? Looks very nice!
Thanks guys.

6 T5 bulbs

Pure Actinic
Aquablue
Aquablue
Blue Plus
Aquablue
Pure Actinic

[05Xrunner]

How was your growth rate with this setup. I am ordering my TEK 6 bulb tomorrow and was going to get the same bulbs...I love the color of the tank.
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9537774#post9537774 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gabe3d
Thanks guys.

6 T5 bulbs

Pure Actinic
Aquablue
Aquablue
Blue Plus
Aquablue
Pure Actinic

[gabe3d]

I can only compare to my current setup which is a 250Watt Hamilton 14k MH SE setup ran on an Icecap ballast and say that the growth is better with T5.

HTH

[05Xrunner]

Sounds good..What light Fixture did you have..the TEK or someone else

[gabe3d]

TEK

[05Xrunner]

:) I am ordering my TEK 6x54 light tomorrow for my 75..I am gonna copy the bulb setup you had.

[gabe3d]

:) let us know how it turns out. I'd go for Giesemann bulbs if you have the choice.

[05Xrunner]

I am getting it from reefgeek..so it will be ATI and Geiesmann bulbs I pick

[The Grim Reefer]

If you have a choice the ATI lamps have stronger output except for the actinic.

[gabe3d]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9542179#post9542179 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
If you have a choice the ATI lamps have stronger output except for the actinic.

That is correct and something i didn't make clear. The actinic from ATI is not very nice IMO, strange weak light purple. The Giesemann Pure Actinic is more appealing to me.

I ran ATI Aquablue and Blue Plus and Giesemann Pure Actinic.

Gabe

[tatoofr]

Grim,
What do you think of the fiji purple and coral bulb by zeovit?
Thanks,
Frank

[The Grim Reefer]

Havent seen them yet

[05Xrunner]

I will be getting this

Pure Actinic - Giesemann
Aquablue - ATI
Aquablue - ATI
Blue Plus - ATI
Aquablue - ATI
Pure Actinic - Giesemann

[84jeepjohn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9542511#post9542511 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 05Xrunner
I will be getting this

Pure Actinic - Giesemann
Aquablue - ATI
Aquablue - ATI
Blue Plus - ATI
Aquablue - ATI
Pure Actinic - Giesemann

out of curiosoty, why not a UVL acitinic?

[84jeepjohn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9542511#post9542511 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 05Xrunner
I will be getting this

Pure Actinic - Giesemann
Aquablue - ATI
Aquablue - ATI
Blue Plus - ATI
Aquablue - ATI
Pure Actinic - Giesemann

doubble post

[05Xrunner]

I really like the color of Gabe3D setup..so i am copying his bulb selection

[juststartingout]

Hey gabe3d, how tall was your 210?

[charlesjordanjr]

great looking tank gabe

[gabe3d]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9611070#post9611070 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by juststartingout
Hey gabe3d, how tall was your 210?

The one you see there is my 100 gallon which is 20'' tall. My current 210 gallon is 30'' tall.

[gabe3d]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9611309#post9611309 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by charlesjordanjr
great looking tank gabe

thanks :)

[fijiblue]

Has anyone heard of those fiji purple bulbs? I was thinking of using those and the coral light bulbs.

[hahnmeister]

Yeah, but I dont know of anywhere in the US that sells the KZ's yet...

[juststartingout]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9611670#post9611670 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gabe3d
The one you see there is my 100 gallon which is 20'' tall. My current 210 gallon is 30'' tall.

What kind of lighting are you planning for the 210, and what will you have in the tank, ie: sps,clams, or anemonies?

Click on my red house, I am trying to finalize my lighting plans, maybe you (or hahnmeister) could offer some input.

[tatoofr]

Hi I use the fiji purple and coral light,
I have them on my tank now for a week. Love them so far.
Captive oceans sells them.
FRank

[hahnmeister]

I heard captive oceans sells the KZ's, but they arent on their website...

[tatoofr]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9615507#post9615507 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hahnmeister
I heard captive oceans sells the KZ's, but they arent on their website...

They are there, look under zeovit products.
Frank

[MarineGirl411]

So how deep of water can you still use T-5's on?

[hahnmeister]

Id say 3' before the output per area ratio dictates you need something with more intensity per unit of area than T5s.

[Mattmike]

Would like to know if a 48inch tek 8x54 would be okay on my 180 that is 70 inches long and 24 deep. Someone let me know, since Ive had another reefer told me that should be fine. Also any recommendations?

[FranktheTankTx]

Wow! Bring an old thread back to life...
Can you wait & order the NEW TEK Elite? Looks like a killer fixture!! Check it out at ReefGeek.

[Pescado Amigo]

a 48" light on a 72" tank will leave you with dark spots on either end. 8 lamps on a 24" wide tank will give you ample lighting under the lights, but outside the lights you'll want to stay away from hi-light corals.

[Mattmike]

Ya I was thinking about going with the TEK elite. I heard it sounds killer. And Pescado I agree Ill keep what your telling me in mind. Lets get the thread going again...

[philosophish]

I was just browsing the tek elites myself and at first glance it looks like a decent improvement as it has fans and upgraded reflectors.

But after a closer look, the fans are just a simple mod to the old fixture so efficacy may not be as good as it should have been. Then theres the price, although lower than the sunpower, it lacks both the shield and hanging cables which are both included in the ati unit.

So, adding what is missing, the tek elite is price on par with a sunpower. It will be interesting to see how those new reflectors fair. In order to justify its cost they will need to outperform the ati units.

[FranktheTankTx]

I was just browsing the tek elites myself and at first glance it looks like a decent improvement as it has fans and upgraded reflectors.

But after a closer look, the fans are just a simple mod to the old fixture so efficacy may not be as good as it should have been. Then theres the price, although lower than the sunpower, it lacks both the shield and hanging cables which are both included in the ati unit.

So, adding what is missing, the tek elite is price on par with a sunpower. It will be interesting to see how those new reflectors fair. In order to justify its cost they will need to outperform the ati units.
Well, first of all, the Tek Elite DOES include the shield. And secondly, the Sunpower does not come in 8 bulb configurations. The TEK Elite does.

I'm not about to start a Sunpower vs Tek Elite debate, however if you're looking for an 8 bulb fixture with active cooling at a very reasonable price - Tek Elite is at the top of the list.

[philosophish]

Thanks for correcting me regarding the shield. The page I saw did not have it listed, but just saw it on pa. Its a shame they didnt include the hanging hardware or legs with the fixture, or better yet a choice of one or the other.

[jhoff]

The tek elite look's like it will do well.Iam in the market for a T5 fixture waiting on reviews for this one and the reef illuminations from Ice cap also look's like a good one guess we will just have to wait....

[The Grim Reefer]

Do you know for a fact the Tek includes the shield? They (the shields) are placed pretty prominently on the geeks web site with the fixtures which is why I assumed they were not included.

[Mattmike]

Im going to wait till the 60 inch Tek Elite comes out in a few weeks...I heard there priced at around 600. Good Price?

[pvaz_wrx]

My 75G T5 SPS Tank:

http://www.delmaraquaristik.com/PHOTOS/DSC01520.jpg

It is only 3 month old

8 x 54w TEK with active cooling mod.

5-ATI Blue+ and 3-ATI Aquablue

Pedro

[Gillundr]

Nice tank. It's going to look great once things grow in. I found myself here this morning because I am setting up a 120. Standard dimensions 48x24x24. I'm moving up in size and poking around looking for lighting options. I currently have a 40 breeder as a frag tank that I use a 400MH over, and I have a CAD 39g Pro with stock lights (150w MH and two 24" T5s). I wanted to break down my CAD and my frag tank and just run the 120. Originally I had been thinking of a fixture with two 250w MH and some T5 supplements. But I started thinking about T5s and maybe it would be nice to run a straight T5 fixture. On my first reef tank I had a 55g with 4x54w T5s and I liked it. I was able to keep some sps up at the top and things stayed pretty cool. I liked being able to change the colors of the tank by switching a cheap bulb or two. I want my 120 to be SPS dominated. I will have some acans, zoos, scollys and what not in there around the bottom but was interested to know if A) can I light a 4 foot 120g SPS tank with t5s. B) will the light be able to grow sps in the lower ends of the tank its 24" deep C) Is it economical? Will I need something silly like 14 bulbs to do it?? If so it sounds like that would cost a lot more than a couple of 250s with some T5 supplement since T5 need to be changed at around 10 months. D) will I get nice growth and color?
All of my friends are die hard MH sps guys. they say NO WAY. but then I look around and see all these guys lighting sps tanks with T5s and claiming better colors AND better growth! Is it just a mine is better than yours thing? Or does it work over the course of a year or two? How many bulbs 54w bulbs will I need to light an sps dominated tank and get nice growth and color in a 24" deep 120 gallon tank? Can it be done and save money over a MH fixture both power bill and bulbs taken into consideration. will I still have nice colors and growth? OH decisions haha

[The Grim Reefer]

Nice tank. It's going to look great once things grow in. I found myself here this morning because I am setting up a 120. Standard dimensions 48x24x24. I'm moving up in size and poking around looking for lighting options. I currently have a 40 breeder as a frag tank that I use a 400MH over, and I have a CAD 39g Pro with stock lights (150w MH and two 24" T5s). I wanted to break down my CAD and my frag tank and just run the 120. Originally I had been thinking of a fixture with two 250w MH and some T5 supplements. But I started thinking about T5s and maybe it would be nice to run a straight T5 fixture. On my first reef tank I had a 55g with 4x54w T5s and I liked it. I was able to keep some sps up at the top and things stayed pretty cool. I liked being able to change the colors of the tank by switching a cheap bulb or two. I want my 120 to be SPS dominated. I will have some acans, zoos, scollys and what not in there around the bottom but was interested to know if A) can I light a 4 foot 120g SPS tank with t5s. B) will the light be able to grow sps in the lower ends of the tank its 24" deep C) Is it economical? Will I need something silly like 14 bulbs to do it?? If so it sounds like that would cost a lot more than a couple of 250s with some T5 supplement since T5 need to be changed at around 10 months. D) will I get nice growth and color?
All of my friends are die hard MH sps guys. they say NO WAY. but then I look around and see all these guys lighting sps tanks with T5s and claiming better colors AND better growth! Is it just a mine is better than yours thing? Or does it work over the course of a year or two? How many bulbs 54w bulbs will I need to light an sps dominated tank and get nice growth and color in a 24" deep 120 gallon tank? Can it be done and save money over a MH fixture both power bill and bulbs taken into consideration. will I still have nice colors and growth? OH decisions haha

8 lamp ATI Powermodule would be sweet on that tank.

[sean A.]

Just wanted to bump this thread because it is a good thread.

[fishreef1]

I have recently built a plywood tank with the same dems. as the marineland 300 gal. DD.(72x36x27) I was wondering how many T5 lamps could I fit in a 30" (roughly) wide space? And also would the 60" 80 watts be good or would it be better to go with 2 banks of 36" 54 watters? If I go this route I would use the retro kits and build a light rack.

Thanks

[fishreef1]

I was origanally gonna go withe 3 250 watt mhs and sup. with T5s but now I'm kinda torn! Oh yea by the way...... GO COLTS!!!!!!

[blennymower]

Dude, both sides will fight to the death telling which is best. Both are good, I think. It comes down to taste. I can't live without the beauty the shimmer of halides provides.

[Sullyman]

10 bulb 54w PM over 190g sps tank 56x32x24, I've got too many tanks to notice shimmer and you can't escape the MH heat/electric bills....
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c121/sullyman5004/P1010011-7.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c121/sullyman5004/P1010015-6.jpg

[tran901]

i have nova extreme quad t5s over my 75 and everything even the crocea clam loves it!!

[The Grim Reefer]

Nice tank Sully.

[Sullyman]

Thanks Grim.

[Gillundr]

8 lamp ATI Powermodule would be sweet on that tank.

Thanks Grim Reefer. Would the 8 lamp fixture or 10 lamp fixture have an advantage over running a 250w MH + T5 setup? I know with T5s you need to replace about every 10 to 20 months and at about 25 bucks a bulb that's pretty far up there. Plus it seems like the wattage is pretty close to the same so is there really any advantage of one over the other? Or is it just a looks sort of thing? With that T5 sunpower fixture would I be able to keep clams and sps on the bottom of a 24" deep tank? Sorry for all the questions I really just want to buy one fixture and not replace it down the road because I didn't ask lots of questions or made a badly informed decision.
I have everybody tell me with sps MH is the best way to go for color and growth but then I see all these guys kicking butt with T5s so it all is very confusing. I would think with a T5 fixture you have more control over color so maybe could get better colors on corals? But not really have the same par so maybe not the same growth? T5s also give a better spread of light evenly distributing the same light through the entire tank but that light wouldn't all reach the bottom like with a couple of MH.
Will I save on power and bulb bills or is it about the same?
Help somebody talk me into the T5s lol. All my friends say sps needs to be under Halides. Do those ATI fixtures do something other fixtures don't? Like the Aquatinics or Teks?

[The Grim Reefer]

Thanks Grim Reefer. Would the 8 lamp fixture or 10 lamp fixture have an advantage over running a 250w MH + T5 setup? I know with T5s you need to replace about every 10 to 20 months and at about 25 bucks a bulb that's pretty far up there. Plus it seems like the wattage is pretty close to the same so is there really any advantage of one over the other? Or is it just a looks sort of thing? With that T5 sunpower fixture would I be able to keep clams and sps on the bottom of a 24" deep tank? Sorry for all the questions I really just want to buy one fixture and not replace it down the road because I didn't ask lots of questions or made a badly informed decision.
I have everybody tell me with sps MH is the best way to go for color and growth but then I see all these guys kicking butt with T5s so it all is very confusing. I would think with a T5 fixture you have more control over color so maybe could get better colors on corals? But not really have the same par so maybe not the same growth? T5s also give a better spread of light evenly distributing the same light through the entire tank but that light wouldn't all reach the bottom like with a couple of MH.
Will I save on power and bulb bills or is it about the same?
Help somebody talk me into the T5s lol. All my friends say sps needs to be under Halides. Do those ATI fixtures do something other fixtures don't? Like the Aquatinics or Teks?

The Powermodule is probably king of the T5 fixtures. It will match most 250 watt halides but has more even light distribution.

[Reefer08]

The Powermodule is probably king of the T5 fixtures. It will match most 250 watt halides but has more even light distribution.

So the ATI PM can't compete with 400w MH?? Thats what im most interested in since I run 400w's and use T5 only as supplements. Thanks Grim.

[The Grim Reefer]

So the ATI PM can't compete with 400w MH?? Thats what im most interested in since I run 400w's and use T5 only as supplements. Thanks Grim.

They would compete with a 20K 400 because the 20K halides typically have pretty crappy PAR compared to 14 and 10K lamps.

[TNTFISHY]

My 24 inch, 6 bulb Sunpower is currently under the care of UPS. Hoping for a safe delivery! Next, figuring out a way to hang the unit on something other than bent pipe. Maybe a shelf unit?

[TorisFishes]

Great pics guys! I love my t5's but now im goin to add somemore thanks for the info

[addicted_2_reef]

I'm still trying to figure out what lights to get for my 18"x18"x18" cube...I'm planning on keeping SPS ....what kind of wattage in T5 would be good?

[Michigan Mike]

Wow, you dug up an old thread!lol I've done it too...
T5 manufacturers don't make many good bulbs in that size so unless you don't mind having the bulb length be longer than the tank, have at it!
Something like a 6x24w TEK or ATI fixture will cover 18" well.
Good luck

[Toadally]

http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss346/Toadallync/738333a3.jpg

http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss346/Toadallync/46b91652.jpg

http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss346/Toadallync/2d5a8a37.jpg

http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss346/Toadallync/a50f033b.jpg

[mattgreene22]

Toadally - That's a wicked colored Cap....is the color rendering in the pic what real life looks like?