Search not helping me here - T5 question

[bkelley02]

Are there many of you running only t5's over your LPS? Most of the comments I've read have been about MH's. I was going to switch to T5's over my frag tank to see if the growth color over the length of the tank changes at all based on the light covering the entire length as opposed to being centralized with the MH.

Any feedback is appreciated.

Thanks,

Brian

 

[Reefer07]

T-5's are def. awesome LPS lights. What kind of fixtures are you looking at?
I have the 30" sundial T-5 fixture over my 29 and things are doing great. I have stock bulbs in it now but I am planning on getting some geissman bulbs within the next few weeks.
LPS don't need crazy crazy light like SPS. I kept healthy LPS under Power compacts for almost a year.

If you decide to go T-5 please share the fixtures your looking into. I'm interested.

 

[bkelley02]

I was going to get the ATI Powermodule, but that's just a bit out of my price range right now. I'll end up with the Tek 5 lights I think.

 

[Scythanith]

I've been using a 6 x 36" bulb with individual icecap reflector configuration. 4 of the bulbs are overdriven with an IC 660 and the other 2 are on an IC 430. I turn the 2 bulbs on at 11am and off at 11pm. the 4 bulbs come on at 1pm and off at 8pm. I have two 4" scythe computer fans cooling the bulbs down their length.

I had 4 x 55watt PC's before and the colours are amazing now. I have been using T5's for the last 2 years and I plan on many more! Growth is great. My only issues is I lose a bulb about every 4 months and it's never the same one. I'm going to play around with my cooling flow to try and correct it.

Have fun!

 

[bkelley02]

Excellent! So no issues with them as there really isn't a shaded/less intensely lit area like with MH?

 

[eman1985]

t5 gives u a smoother blend unlike MH which is a bright light in one area.

 

[Scythanith]

You can design shaded ares with rock work no matter what light source you use. I've just been conscientious of the corals needs and made sure there was an appropriate sport for it before I bought it, easy as pie!

 

[bkelley02]

Right, just wasn't sure but feel better now. I have lower light frags below the racks now with the MH's and off to the sides. Just need to continue to do that but would have more real estate to play with for the higher light corals. Excellent. Thanks for the feedback everyone.

 

[emissary43]

the Tek II reflectors are in my opinion the best. I would workhorse ballasts some encaps and those. Most for your money considering you will get more choice in the configuration and you will get the most light per watt. Ice cap ballasts are nice to brighten you lamps but they burn though your bulbs in 2-4 months and consume more watts. Whereas if you go with nicer bulbs and stick to the rated watts you will get up to 18months and great light. Way less money considering a decent bulb will run you at least $30. Plus workhorse ballasts are cheap.

 

[Reefer07]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13353007#post13353007 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by eman1985
t5 gives u a smoother blend unlike MH which is a bright light in one area.

+1, with T-5's you are going to have light across the whole tank.
And good luck with the TEK's, they are really good fixtures. I wish I had a tank that would fit one cleanly. I have a 29 gal. 30" so I was stuck getting a 30 inch fixture with 24" bulbs.....kinda bummer but they're getting the job done.

 

[saltyshoe_nano]

I was wanting to go to T5s for my new lps tank but I dont wanna give up my MH Ill see if you all can convience me to

 

[SLOreefer]

I am setting up my new tank with the tek reflectors and am concerned about my lps as well. I've got a 4 bulb setup with universal ballasts and tek reflectors...only it is over a 12 inch tank which is a bit concerning to me.

 

[emissary43]

I don't mean Tek Light fixtures I mean Tek 2 reflectors. Take a look at Sunlight Supply. CHEAP and awesome