anyone using strictly T5 lighting?

[gfk]

I was hoping I could check out someone's tank who uses only T5 lighting. Im upgrading from PCs and have seen tanks with MH but never with T5.

Kind of want some help before i dive in and spend a bunch of money if i dont like the way it looks

 

[Ti]

it's like PC but brighter and it deepends on the bulb combos

 

[sfsuphysics]

I have a 115g tank, 24" tall, with T5 lighting, 4-54watt bulbs, 2 "aquablue" (11000k) and 2 "Actinic+" (blue) bulbs. The tank is all softie but looks pretty nice. I probably could have fit another 2 bulbs over the top, but it's a flip top canopy and is a tad crowded as it is.

Ok technically I have a VHO actinic bulb over it too, but that's for after lights coloration only.

 

[Lordhelmet]

i have a 55 with 4 t-5's over the top. I have a good mixed reef with a lot of sps and lps.

My bulb combo is
blue +
aquablue
aquablue
blue +

plenty bright and puts off a lot less heat then MH.

 

[yamaha racer]

i have 5x28w 35" t-5s from helios they work pretty good. i have 4 actinics, andone 10k

 

[cwolfus]

I made the switch from PCs to T5s about 6 months ago. I have a 55g with 4x55 T5s. I am much happier with the T5s as the are much brighter and don't produce the heat of halides.

-Charles

 

[shilo_1]

Check out the lighting and filtration forum - loads of T5 threads.

I just switched from PC's to T5's and so far they are great. I have used MH in the past too, and definately compare the T5 to the MH, but they are WAY cooler to run and are apparently cheaper too !

Just be careful not to jump in and get a unit or retro kit that will be too strong for what you are keeping - the light is a lot more intense, so not as much is needed as you would think.

 

[Qwiv]

Just a note on your thread here. I just got some of the new URI Actin bulbs. They are great. Much better than the D&D.

 

[gfk]

shilo-1, i have been posting there, but i was hoping someone close to me would let me check out their tank eventually.

if i got T5 i already know the setup i would get and its not too much wattage, its what most people run on 29 gallon tanks.

i think i will go with them, as i dont want to buy a chiller so T5 would help me out in the temperature area

 

[Skorpinok]

shilo_1 - I too had a 65g aga tank with 4x39w T5's. I was impressed with the T5's lighting but not really happy. I think 6 x 39w SLS would be a better choice or 4 x 39w IC overclocked. My my next tank will be MH + T5 combo.

I would add two more 39watters or overclock it if they aren't already overclocked.

JMO..

 

[shilo_1]

To-Arbitrate: My tank is a mixed reef, mainly zoas and other softies (only 1 sps and a frogspawn), so I really have no reason to add more light at this time.
The new T5's have only been on for about 2 weeks now, and the colors have improved drastically on all the corals so far, so I'll be interested to see how everything does in a month or two and compare.