T-5 vs MH threads pertaining to sps

You guys...must not be doing T5 right.

With the proper reflectors,bulbs and ballast you can have an amazing T5 light tank.

All my SPS that I've bought and traded from people with MH look as colorful or better then when I got them...and growth is great.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6774910#post6774910 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dvanacker
You guys...must not be doing T5 right.

With the proper reflectors,bulbs and ballast you can have an amazing T5 light tank.

All my SPS that I've bought and traded from people with MH look as colorful or better then when I got them...and growth is great.
Click to expand...

What size tank do you have? I've read both links above, and it seems to me that t-5 work great in smaller tanks. Seems they lose something after getting to tanks that are taller.
 
Wish I took some before and after pics. But recently got some frags (Crayola, Purple TriColor, Tenius, Chips Acro and Hokesmani) and I swear they have colored up under my T5's and Natural sunlight. They cam from a reef with 400 20k XM's. The guy states on his site that the frags may not keep there color under anything less thn 400's.... Well, (04) 54 Watt T5's are making them very happy and colorful.
 
my friend and i both bought the same montipora cap frag from the same coral, he had it under t-5's and i have it under metal hallides. we both have 29 gallons and his died his tank is also older thatn my tank his is about 2 1/2years old and mine isnt evan a year old
 
You guys must keep in mind that different nutrient levels will effect the corals colors alone, regardless of lighting. What is good lighting for one tank may not be good for another i.e. I only run a 3hr MH photoperiod and get corals from people with 8hr photoperiods, yet these corals remain very colorful in my tank.
 
gearow, You're talking about a 29g. I'm talking a 125g. Taller tank, needs deeper light penetration. Like I said, it seems to me that t-5 work great in smaller tanks. Seems they lose something after getting to tanks that are taller.

jackson6745, I did'nt think of that, but highly agree.
 
Have you guys ever seen danano's T5 tank. March 2005 tank of the month.
It's 110 gal and is 22in tall.
All the colors of the rainbow 90% SPS.
 
Last edited:
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6782176#post6782176 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TNTREEF
Have you guys ever seen danano's T5 tank. March 2005 tank of the month.
It's 110 gal and is definately 24in tall.
All the colors of the rainbow 90% SPS.
Click to expand...

That is the prime example used for T5 lit tanks :D ;)
 
there are definitely many beautiful tanks will T5 lighting. i guess the one issue i've been worried about as it seems like Robert is too, is T5 lighting penetrating to the bottom on the tank to give SPS and clams on the bottom enough light. but these examples definitely make me think i shouldnt be so worried.

also, i've always heard that 6-8 watts per gallon rule of lighting for SPS. now all these people have 2-3 watts of T5 lighting for their SPS tanks. i guess i've been skeptical of that. in a 90...if some are running 216W of T5 and things are good...would it be bad to go higher...say twice that (432W) or is that too much lighting at that point? does that make sense?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6782963#post6782963 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Dan Thrash
there are definitely many beautiful tanks will T5 lighting. i guess the one issue i've been worried about as it seems like Robert is too, is T5 lighting penetrating to the bottom on the tank to give SPS and clams on the bottom enough light. but these examples definitely make me think i shouldnt be so worried.

also, i've always heard that 6-8 watts per gallon rule of lighting for SPS. now all these people have 2-3 watts of T5 lighting for their SPS tanks. i guess i've been skeptical of that. in a 90...if some are running 216W of T5 and things are good...would it be bad to go higher...say twice that (432W) or is that too much lighting at that point? does that make sense?
Click to expand...

I'm not sure if there's a such thing as too much light with SPS, but I would assume so.

People being able to keep SPS with lower wattage T-5 fixtures is what's tempting me. That = lower electric bill. I could go with a 6x80w t-5 fixture for a total of 480w. I think you can overdrive the bulbs to 100w each for a total of 600w. I'd have 750w with 3x250w halides alone, and more if I need supplimental lighting.
The only reason I want to pay the higher bill would be if halides were exceptionaly better. I live in ohio. So, I don't think the cost of electricity is to bad.
 
thats a major plus for T5s. in my sake, if i could fit 6 or 8x54w T5s over a 90 instead of 500w of MHs and 220 of VHO supplements, i'd be happy.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6783150#post6783150 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Dan Thrash
thats a major plus for T5s. in my sake, if i could fit 6 or 8x54w T5s over a 90 instead of 500w of MHs and 220 of VHO supplements, i'd be happy.
Click to expand...

No doubt! What are the dims of the 90g? Man, I'm really pulling my hair out on this one. I still have time though. I don't expect this tank to be wet till October.
 
if im not mistaken a standard 90 is 4 feet wide. 2 halides should cover the entire tank easily. Remember, a watt used is a watt used no matter what type of lighting you have. Being in the cleveland area, firstenergy runs me 6.1 cents per kWh, not bad at all.

When it comes down to it, I think its really personal choice. We have all seen absolutely stunning tanks done with both t5s and halides. For me, I love the look of my halides and i wont give em up for anything. I don't run any sort of supplements either, just straight 14k phnx.

Seeing as we don't live in a year round hot climate, ive had no need for a chiller either which was another reason for me to go halides...but seeing as it was like 5 degrees out the past couple days I did warm up my hands a few times under the lamp :)
 
Just to give you a taste of what I have done with T5. I have 4 x 54watt T5HO bulbs on my 55g. Thats just under 4 watts per gallon. Aquablue and blue+ with ICECAP SLRS. But remember my Camera sucks and so does my photography skills.

IMG_1269.JPG
 
I had my T.Crocea on the sand bed for about 3 months.....it grew and had no problem being down there. I moved him up and I'm not even positive if he has better colour now.....maybe a little.

I have keeped frags on the bottom...they grow and didnt seem to loose any colour but they definately grow faster and look brighter up top. But that is the same with metal halides as well.

so in the short...yes I feel I could keep SPS and clams down there but where would I but my LPS......anywhere but the bottom is too much for them.

If you are really concerned about the SPS on the bottom look into overdriving the T5's with an IC 660.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6783783#post6783783 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dvanacker
Just to give you a taste of what I have done with T5. I have 4 x 54watt T5HO bulbs on my 55g. Thats just under 4 watts per gallon. Aquablue and blue+ with ICECAP SLRS. But remember my Camera sucks and so does my photography skills.

IMG_1269.JPG
Click to expand...

Sweet! Gota love those T5's. I have 2-Aqua Blue & 2-Blue+ on my 90 and this picture most likely is more Blue than it really is.. Very nice reef!
 
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