Looking for lighting...
- Thread starter palileo
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jlfnjlf
New member
First of all let me apologize for hitchhiking this thread.
All I know is that I posted to the clam forum about using T5 lighting on my 100g and keeping clams. At best I would say the consensus with keeping clams under T5's is that it is unproven and could be risky. This is the main reason I decided on MH for the 100g I am setting up.
John
All I know is that I posted to the clam forum about using T5 lighting on my 100g and keeping clams. At best I would say the consensus with keeping clams under T5's is that it is unproven and could be risky. This is the main reason I decided on MH for the 100g I am setting up.
John
dots
Premium Member
I think that we can agree that SPS can be kept under T5 lighting.....and SPS is sensitive to lighting quality more so to Clams IMO, so I think Clams can be kept under T5s just as well as SPS.
On the bottom of a deep tank, that may be on the ragged edge....just keep em high at first and lower them till you find the lowest depth you can achieve, much like with SPS.
On the bottom of a deep tank, that may be on the ragged edge....just keep em high at first and lower them till you find the lowest depth you can achieve, much like with SPS.
pepe.king.prawn
New member
I've got a single 175w SE MH ballast + socket I can sell you. Also have a XM 20k bulb with some life left. I have a couple reflectors around too, all the batwing style. Would be good if you've got a canopy. Let me know if you're interested.
Justin74
New member
That consensus was only reached because obviously they dont have T5's to know. So there really isnt any debate, just not a lot of people with clams using T5's. Or at least that are on the forums talking about it.
Someone give me a clam to keep and I'll tell you guys all about it
My thinking is theres no one telling the PFO pendant who runs 250's that he cant keep clams, so if I have a unit that kicks out more PAR at the bottom of the tank than one of those should I be worried?
-Justin
Someone give me a clam to keep and I'll tell you guys all about it
My thinking is theres no one telling the PFO pendant who runs 250's that he cant keep clams, so if I have a unit that kicks out more PAR at the bottom of the tank than one of those should I be worried?
-Justin
Justin74
New member
Now that I can speak for certainty. Although I wouldnt suggest anything less than a 6 bulb combo. You could run 4 and keep em alive, but I dont think you would get the results your looking for if you did; maybe better results with a shallow tank? Unsure. And of course individual reflectors are mandatory.
Ive had mine for almost or maybe 3 years now? I know at least 2 and half.
-Justin
Ive had mine for almost or maybe 3 years now? I know at least 2 and half.
-Justin
H20Sidhe
New member
I have a clam and an anemone under t5s. My tank is 24 inches deep (3 inches of sand under the critters places them 21 inches beneath the water surface). I have a tek fixture, 4 55w lights with individual reflectors, and the lights are overdriven with an Icecap 660 ballast. I also have a separate 1 bulb 39w T5 fixture I use for dawn/dusk effect.
IME clams & anemones do fine under T5s.
I agree with Justin - individual reflectors on T5s increase the usable light output greatly. From what I have studied about reef lighting, more attention should be focused on reflectors (pun intended) than on the type of light, whether metal halide, power compact or HO fluorescent.
In my old 55g tank (18 inches deep) I kept an anemone for years under power compacts & regular fluorescent light (190 w total). It split lots of times, which I take as an indication of its health being good. And I never deliberately fed it, so I assume it got most of it's nutrition from the light. Palileo, where did you get the info you need MH for anemone? Specific type of anemone? There are other reasons to think long & hard before putting an anemone in a tank, (I would say "don't") but that is another topic entirely!
For your cube, if you can get a good deal on a used fixture with good reflector(s), go for it. If I was setting up another tank, I would use T5s with individual reflectors. They are available in 24 inch length.
I believe you could fit 6 across the top of an 18 inch wide tank. I do not think you would be disappointed!
IME clams & anemones do fine under T5s.
I agree with Justin - individual reflectors on T5s increase the usable light output greatly. From what I have studied about reef lighting, more attention should be focused on reflectors (pun intended) than on the type of light, whether metal halide, power compact or HO fluorescent.
In my old 55g tank (18 inches deep) I kept an anemone for years under power compacts & regular fluorescent light (190 w total). It split lots of times, which I take as an indication of its health being good. And I never deliberately fed it, so I assume it got most of it's nutrition from the light. Palileo, where did you get the info you need MH for anemone? Specific type of anemone? There are other reasons to think long & hard before putting an anemone in a tank, (I would say "don't") but that is another topic entirely!
For your cube, if you can get a good deal on a used fixture with good reflector(s), go for it. If I was setting up another tank, I would use T5s with individual reflectors. They are available in 24 inch length.
I believe you could fit 6 across the top of an 18 inch wide tank. I do not think you would be disappointed!
Justin74
New member
Good point about the 'nem, I will never get another one unless it's a specie dominated or specific tank. Like Calfo says and Ive found to be true 
'It only takes one B-line turn to whipe out hundreds of dollars worth of livestock.' My GBTA did just that, Ive been EXTREMELY lucky with my RBTA but I see my luck is running out. Spongodes, digitata, pavona, pocillopora have all been under the gun latley and Im sramblin
-Justin
'It only takes one B-line turn to whipe out hundreds of dollars worth of livestock.' My GBTA did just that, Ive been EXTREMELY lucky with my RBTA but I see my luck is running out. Spongodes, digitata, pavona, pocillopora have all been under the gun latley and Im sramblin -Justin
H20Sidhe
New member
Amen to that, brother!
At least yours is at one end of the tank! Mine has taken up residence right in the middle. Althoug he hasn't wandered (much) in over a year, when fully extended he is bigger than a foot in diameter. I have moved several things out of harms way (including the clam!) but his tentacles are caressing the underside of my monti cap. I don't really have anywhere else I can put the monti! I agree that a species tank is best for lovely anemones. I got mine for my clowns, but the risk/benefit just isn't balanced. There are so many other things that clowns will host. In fact, last year my clowns had a domestic dispute & the male moved into the euphyllia for a day or so. Fortunately they worked things out & he moved back home.
At least yours is at one end of the tank! Mine has taken up residence right in the middle. Althoug he hasn't wandered (much) in over a year, when fully extended he is bigger than a foot in diameter. I have moved several things out of harms way (including the clam!) but his tentacles are caressing the underside of my monti cap. I don't really have anywhere else I can put the monti! I agree that a species tank is best for lovely anemones. I got mine for my clowns, but the risk/benefit just isn't balanced. There are so many other things that clowns will host. In fact, last year my clowns had a domestic dispute & the male moved into the euphyllia for a day or so.
Fortunately they worked things out & he moved back home.
dots
Premium Member
You want intense lighting for the following: SPS, Clams, Anenome
The lighting that supports these specie for extented amount of time are: T5s and MHs
T5s are an acceptable lighting source in lieu of MH due to the intensitiy and reflector designs, if you have enough.....say min 6 if not 8 bulbs.......on deeper tanks it is being debated if they penetrate enough.........
Use T5 if you don't want the heat or don't have the room for the MHs under a canopy.
Otherwise I would suggest not worrying about it and if you want to be able to keep this stuff 100%, without a worry if you ever have enough, be able to go to the store and say "I want that" and am totally, positivly sure that your going to keep it alive, then go with MH........if say for economical, or space concerns, go with the T5 and factor that into the benifits.......but those benifit may come at a price.....ie not being able to keep say a Ritteri anenome, or a rare hard to color up SPS.....what not on a deeper tank......but thats about it.........
But just try to realize that T5s are not PCs and are in a class all to themselves........they are better!!!!!
Are they as good as MH.......That is still being discovered/debated and both have thier own pros and cons........its a design issue, find which one fits your needs the best.........
The lighting that supports these specie for extented amount of time are: T5s and MHs
T5s are an acceptable lighting source in lieu of MH due to the intensitiy and reflector designs, if you have enough.....say min 6 if not 8 bulbs.......on deeper tanks it is being debated if they penetrate enough.........
Use T5 if you don't want the heat or don't have the room for the MHs under a canopy.
Otherwise I would suggest not worrying about it and if you want to be able to keep this stuff 100%, without a worry if you ever have enough, be able to go to the store and say "I want that" and am totally, positivly sure that your going to keep it alive, then go with MH........if say for economical, or space concerns, go with the T5 and factor that into the benifits.......but those benifit may come at a price.....ie not being able to keep say a Ritteri anenome, or a rare hard to color up SPS.....what not on a deeper tank......but thats about it.........
But just try to realize that T5s are not PCs and are in a class all to themselves........they are better!!!!!
Are they as good as MH.......That is still being discovered/debated and both have thier own pros and cons........its a design issue, find which one fits your needs the best.........
FoothillCorals
Premium Member
I just moved to Loomis last week, and I am re-doing my tank. I have a Sunlight Systems 24" black 6 bulb T5 tek light w/stands I would like to sell. It is only a year old and in very good condition, If you are interested I will make you a very good deal on it.
pbetito
New member
How long did you have it there Edwin? It often takes as long as a year for the anemone to die. It looks to be doing fine and then quickly dissipates. By losing the green color it probably was a sign that it needed more light. Anemones under p.c. are generally a bad idea. The T-5 tek fixture however should be awesome on a 40 gallon cube. I also had a GBTA at one point under 260W p.c. and when it got moved under my new MH fixture the color came back to a nice green and the anemone was much healthier and happier.
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