Let's See Some T5 Only Lite Tanks (remember Just T5 Lite Tanks) :-)

Transferred everything over from my 55g to 90g today. This is the last shot of my 55g. 90g pics to come soon.

What a big difference the extra few inches makes on the width. I can now push my lights all the way back & have extra work space. Also, there is something different about the light. I now see colors that I have not seen in corals. There is a better mixture of the blues & whites. Overall better effect with same light & combo...weird.

39819700.jpg
 
I notice that when I turned the reflector on my front lamp away from the front of the aquarium it looked better. I think it was because the light glared on the front glass before. Perhaps that is the difference you are seeing. To me it looked like there was more contrast after turning the reflector.
 
I just got my reflectors for my 58. Now I need to biuld the canopy. I was going to start my first light straight down then successively angle the reflectors towards the front to get less shadows.??
 
You will create more shadows pointing the reflectors toward the front. If you point the front reflector toward the rear it will eliminate shadows. I have the first reflector pointed back a bit and the back reflector pointed a bit toward the front just to keep the light where it needs to be.
 
grim, i noticed a better look myslef when i pointed the front reflector toawrds the center of the tank a little bit too.

it has to do with glare, i think
 
ok well i finally have some pics of my T5 setup running but need someone to host and post them for me, pm me with your email if you can help

Thanks
Tim
 
they are too big to go there, i guess i will have to resize them and compress them, well after dinner that is

Tim
 
ok well here is the light setup

first all on
back to front are blue +, aqua sun, daylight, aqau sun, blue +
showphoto.php


here is the setup all off they are 5 54w T5 Ho overdriven with a URI A4 ballast, one bulb is ran off a WH5 ballast, it is my blue + which is dusk to dawn effect
showphoto.php


and here is dusk to dawn light, blue + on WH5 overdriven
showphoto.php


hope you enjoy
all reflectors are Ice cap SLR

Thanks
Tim
 
almost forgot about full tank shot

showphoto.php

and the left side close up , shows how bright it really is
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and the right side

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and a close up of my Pavona coral

showphoto.php

well enjoy more pic can be found in my gallery

Tim
 
Can anyone suggest a good T5 combination for a 180 (72x24x24)? Want to keep both Softies and SPS. Have been told many times that T5's wouldnt do it but judging by some of the pics here, maybe they were wrong! Not sure if I want the heat issues and electricity usage of MH's
 
Looking to get some T5's. Possible set up are ice cap ballast 660, 2 ATI blue plus, 1 sun and 1 actinic. 4-39watt. will be used in a 36X24X18. What does everyone think about this setup. THanks
 
Firstly, I have to say that those are some beautiful tanks, everyone. It's pictures like these that have inspired me to get back into the aquaria hobby and try setting up my first reef tank.

I've been looking into a lighting solution for my 29 and it looks like t5s would be perfect as I'd like to try some higher light LPS and SPS down the road as I'm reluctant to go the MH route due to heat and electric bill concerns. However, it appears that there are no readily built t5 hoods/canopies available that would fit over my 30" tank. If I'm wrong, could someone point me in the right direction?

Now, I realize that I could suspend the 24" tek fixture over my tank either from the ceiling or a new shelf, but it would look awkward from my perspective. I'd also rather not build a custom canopy and screw with retrofit kits until I've exhausted all other options, so I really need advice here.

Thanks.
 
Welcome sprack! So glad you're getting back into the swing of things! :D

Maybe a moderator will come along with one of those nifty welcome messages.

In my opinion there is nothing wrong with a 24" fixture on top of a 30" tank. You only lose 2.5-3 inches on each side. These units throw out a tremendous amount of light with the right reflector- fixtures or retros with an SLS or SLR reflector. Plus, you can have some space for some light shy corals.

Before I decided to purchase a 40 breeder, I was going to use a 48" tech fixture on a 60" tank.

They sell legs for the sunlight supply fixtures- they're a bit costly though, and some people have not been happy with them. There's also a wall bracket. Personally, I'm resting mine right on the glass top of my tank. If you do decide to try that as well, just be sure to purchase the acrylic shield, and take into account heat issues.

The bulbs for the unit I will be ordering(Tek Light Sunlight Supply) are only 39W each, and I won't be overdriving them. They're very economical german flourescents, so heat shouldn't be a huge issue- but then again I don't plan on cranking my lights 12+ hours a day either...;)

I did talk to Perry at Sunlight Supply, and he said heat can be an issue on a smaller tank, and ideally the bulbs should be a 2-3 inches off the waterline for a covered tank. If you run into issues you can set the fixture on 2x2 would blocks- as some people on RC have done...just be sure the unit is stable.

Hope this helps, and again...welcome..:)
 
jarhed said:
Can anyone suggest a good T5 combination for a 180 (72x24x24)? Want to keep both Softies and SPS. Have been told many times that T5's wouldnt do it but judging by some of the pics here, maybe they were wrong! Not sure if I want the heat issues and electricity usage of MH's
Click to expand...

You would need an 8x80 watt system and I would at least run 660 Ice Cap Ballasts tooverdrive 6 of the lamps. The lampsare only 60" but if you stagger them a few inches end to end you will have a nice even light.

If you can keep the lamps like 8" above the water I would do halides instead. 3 250's would do fine.
 
soo now why did it just put a link in there, is it because i am trying to insert an image from my gallery not from some other place like photbucket

Tim
 
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