Questions about T5 lighting for my new sps tank

[Jettareefer]

Hi Reef Central. I have a few question about T5 lighting this going to be my first experience. I just purchased a tek wave 4x95 watt T5VHO fixture and I was wondering if I can grow sps top to bottom, in addition I ordered ATI bulbs (2 coral plus/2blue plus). My other question is I hope the ATI bulbs work on this fixture I was wondering if someone has had personal experience with this unit. My tank is a standard 55 gallon it will also employ a MP40 and Sea swirl for flow and reef octopus NWB-110 skimmer. Any help will be appreciated seeing as my only lighting experiences are metal halides.
Thanks, Addison

 

[jda]

That should be enough light for anything at the bottom of that tank.

 

[ifarmer]

I do not think there are any 95watts bulb that is 4 ft long.
Did you mean 4x54watt?
I think 4x54w on a 55g tank should be okay to grow sps as long that you go with ATI bulbs

 

[Jettareefer]

I farmer I attached a photo of the specs listed on the fixture, at first I to didn't realize there was such a thing in production. I really can't find much info anywhere online. Kinda weird but it if works I am happy.

 

[Jettareefer]

Jda thank you for your input!

 

[JPMagyar]

The are several manufacturers of V-HO T5 lamps like:

Spectralux 4' 95 watt lamp

URI 4' 85 watt VHO T5

Tek Lighting produces fixtures for horticulture and aquariums and the Spectralux line of V-HO T5 lamps is popular among some plant growing enthusiasts. Your fixture will overdrive the ATI lamps and shorten their life. I know I have a 6 bulb V-HO Tek Light with which I have experimented. However, having said that I will also say that you will not see any difference in the results, and yes, that fixture will give you plenty of light to grow SPS top to bottom in a tank that is 24 inches or less in height.

 

[Jettareefer]

JPMgaygyar When you say I won't see a difference is that implying the output of T5vho is marginal at best compared to standard output T5?

 

[outssider]

I do not have that exact fixture but I do have 4 t5's driven with the coralvue/icecap 660 ballast. The manufacturer of the ballast claims t5 vho at 100 watts/bulb. I run them in a canopy with the polished reflectors and ati bulbs. I run fans blowing in on both ends of the bulbs and a larger single fan on the top of the canopy pulling out and they still reach close to 200 degrees on the label end (hottest point). to my eyes and comparing to other t5 ho fixtures, mine seem obviously brighter. they're on top of a 75 g tall so it's penetrating 25" of water. all birds nest that I've tried will turn white even on the bottom if not shaded. Zoa's in direct light fade a bit and polyps get smaller. some acropora on top turn pastel some turn white and some do fine. acans in direct light loose a lot of color even low in the tank.

I don't think not enough light is going to be your problem if the fixture puts out what they claim. I hope it's got fans !

 

[Jettareefer]

Outssider what acro's and sps have responded well to current lighting ? And do you have any pictures of your tank ?

 

[Jettareefer]

Bump

 

[Big E]

I'm not familair with the fixture you have but I run a 4 bulb Ice ballast setup overdriven also.

That's plenty for a 75g tank as the reflectors are wider than an ATI unit and the bulbs generate more par.

I have a bunch of pics here---
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2197142&page=6

 

[Jettareefer]

Big E your tank is amazing I have read your thread multiple times, I am going to try 2 blue + and 2 coral + after seeing you corals I am sold!

 

[Big E]

Thanks.............keep me posted on how the combo works for you.

 

[Jettareefer]

Will do I am excited for my first experience with t5's.

 

[JPMagyar]

JPMgaygyar When you say I won't see a difference is that implying the output of T5vho is marginal at best compared to standard output T5?

Well, 5 months later, I'm finally replying only because I sort of just came across some data. Sadly I didn't keep the link so I'll need to paraphrase what I read. I would also caution about taking too much of what I am going to say to heart as I didn't verify the source with other research.

Anywhooooo . . .

T12, T8, and T5 are all the same technology. Manufacturers figured out that people were overdriving their T12s to get more light and so set about improving the output. Along the way they found that smaller tubes could be driven to higher output because of cooler temperatures. What this means is that the T5 is as close to peak efficiency for a fluorescent light as you can get and when you push the 48 inch T5 from 54 watts to 85 or 95 watts you get very little increased output in relation to the increased wattage. You do get some but apparently not enough to be truly notable and the added power dramatically shortens the life expectancy of the bulb. T8 and T12 are much more amenable to being overdriven as the resulting increase in output is closely correlated to the increase in watts.

I did, however, test my own SolarFlare 4 lamp V-HO and it put out PAR levels around 600 just below the surface of the water which is plenty for any reef.


So have you been using the fixture yet?

If you do use that fixture and are looking for V-HO bulbs my recommendation is a 50/50 mix of UVL Actinic White and UVL Super Actinic. I use this combination on my daughters 38 with 24 inch bulbs and the corals are simply spectacular. I have never seen a more pink birds nest or a whiter and bluer Ice Fire. The ATI bulbs are the gold standard for sure when it comes to HO, but for what it is worth UVL specifically designed the V-HO T5s to be overdriven. Like I said I have no idea what that means in real life, but I have always had great success with UVL and they are cheaper than the ATI bulbs. Anyways, just a thought