8 by 80 watt t5 question.

[Iwishihadgills]

Im looking to get some lighting and i like how the t5 bulbs are cooler. Would the 8 by 80 watt t5 set up be enough to grow sps in my 125?


Also what combo of bulbs would be good for coral groth without lacking color.

They have midday 6k,aquablue plus 11k,actinic pure 15 k, and actinic.


thanks

 

[woodwrangler]

8 x 80 would require a third ballast, and quite frankly I doubt 8 bulbs and reflectors would fit on a traditional 125 (72x18x24?)
You will be able to grow sps with 6x80

Here's a link to one of the greatest tanks in our local club, and they're running 6x80 T5; http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1480817&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

 

[Iwishihadgills]

yeah he has a really good set up and 8 do fit. its exactly 14"

 

[JRechcygl]

How is 8 lamps only 14" wide?? Aquactinics makes the thinest SLRs out there and they are EXACTLY 2" wide... I have 8 of them over my 180 and I can tell you with 100% certainty that they are 16" wide total butt to butt. He might angle the reflector but even if you count the stand offs which again in Aquactinics case, is 2" wide as well...
On the 125 which is 18" wide THEORETICALLY you could do 9lamps, with Aquactinics stand offs and SLRS, this would go from glass to glass, BUT why would you cram that many in? Why light the glass? Are you planning on having coral grow right off the glass pane? Plus you wouldn't be able to access the tank without taking off or moving the retro... 6 lamps would work just fine in there and grow SPS if you so chose most likely down to the sand bed... Make sure though that you don't go with the Teks as they are a smidge over 3" wide and you will be crampt with the 6 lamps....

 

[synofreak]

I run a 6x80W(fixture) over a 5' 120g (18"x60"). Few SPS and a clam on the sand.

I run 5x80W retroed(1-IC660, 1- Workhorse 7) with Tek 2 reflectors over a standard 125g. SPS and a Gigantia Nem at sand level.

If I were to redo, I would go 6x80W over the 125, with standard ballast(NOT IC 660).

There is no need for 8 lamps. You can grow everything with 5-6.

1x 6500 GE
1x Actinic Geismann
3x Aquablue+ ATI
1x Aquablue special ATI
This is a bulb suggestion.

 

[Iwishihadgills]

Yeah i think he angles them. I was planning on having it suspened a couple inches over my tank too but if 6 bulbs are good enough then ill just do that instead. I know what your saying though.

thanks

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15489230#post15489230 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JRechcygl
How is 8 lamps only 14" wide?? Aquactinics makes the thinest SLRs out there and they are EXACTLY 2" wide... I have 8 of them over my 180 and I can tell you with 100% certainty that they are 16" wide total butt to butt. He might angle the reflector but even if you count the stand offs which again in Aquactinics case, is 2" wide as well...
On the 125 which is 18" wide THEORETICALLY you could do 9lamps, with Aquactinics stand offs and SLRS, this would go from glass to glass, BUT why would you cram that many in? Why light the glass? Are you planning on having coral grow right off the glass pane? Plus you wouldn't be able to access the tank without taking off or moving the retro... 6 lamps would work just fine in there and grow SPS if you so chose most likely down to the sand bed... Make sure though that you don't go with the Teks as they are a smidge over 3" wide and you will be crampt with the 6 lamps....

 

[Iwishihadgills]

Sounds good to me but how do you go about hooking up t5 fixtures to normal ballasts? And is that overdring them?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15489637#post15489637 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by synofreak
I run a 6x80W(fixture) over a 5' 120g (18"x60"). Few SPS and a clam on the sand.

I run 5x80W retroed(1-IC660, 1- Workhorse 7) with Tek 2 reflectors over a standard 125g. SPS and a Gigantia Nem at sand level.

If I were to redo, I would go 6x80W over the 125, with standard ballast(NOT IC 660).

There is no need for 8 lamps. You can grow everything with 5-6.

1x 6500 GE
1x Actinic Geismann
3x Aquablue+ ATI
1x Aquablue special ATI
This is a bulb suggestion.

 

[synofreak]

By normal ballasts, I mean regular T5HO ballasts such as Workhorse 7 , etc.

I would not use another IC 660 as it "supposedly" overdrives them.

They are definatly running hotter IME.

The IC 660 pluses are it will drive 3 - 5 footers, and it "supposedly" overdrives them to around 100W, but it definatly runs a hotter bulb.

Worhorses and other comparable ballasts will only run 2- 5 footers, wont overdrive, and definatly run bulbs cooler.

 

[uncleof6]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15495161#post15495161 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by synofreak
By normal ballasts, I mean regular T5HO ballasts such as Workhorse 7 , etc.

I would not use another IC 660 as it "supposedly" overdrives them.

They are definatly running hotter IME.

The IC 660 pluses are it will drive 3 - 5 footers, and it "supposedly" overdrives them to around 100W, but it definatly runs a hotter bulb.

Worhorses and other comparable ballasts will only run 2- 5 footers, wont overdrive, and definatly run bulbs cooler.

The workhorse 7 (or 5) are not normal, correct or proper ballasts for T5HO. Neither is the IC660 for that matter.

FXXT5/HO lamps require a programmed start ballast for proper operation. The workhorse ballasts as well as the IC are instant start ballasts, forcing the lamps to start sooner than they are "ready" to start. This is hard on the lamps. As has already been stated, it is not necessary to overdrive T5 lamps, unless using an unusually deep tank, and it shortens the useful life of the lamps.

FWIW,

Jim