T5 Growth Pics

[ctreefer]

NewSchool, What are you using for calcium/alk supplement. I really love the growth pics. Will be getting my system up and running soon (once the kids aren't sick anymore!) and will be running 3 t5s overdriven on an Icecap ballast. My assumption is with the growth you are attaining you are using a reactor.

thanks

ctreefer

 

[NewSchool04]

Thank you Ball. When you say configuration, do you mean what order?
Front: Blue Plus
Aqua Blue
Blue Plus
Aqua Blue
Aqua Blue
Back Blue Plus

 

[NewSchool04]

ctreefer I wish I had a CA reactor! I use the Randy Holmes Farley 2 part CA and Alk recipe but I'm at the point that I can't keep up. I'm researching reactors now and I have to say I'm confused!

 

[Jill & Brian]

I have been mulling over changing my lighting to T5, and I think I am sold looking at your pics. Currently have 4X96w PC's and they are not cutting the mustard for what I want

 

[amheck]

if you need any further push.......

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=700454

 

[NewSchool04]

I have only great things to say about these T5's Jill & Brian. You will not be disapointed if you do decide to move forward with your purchase.

 

[NorthernCF]

Random t5 notes:
All my tanks are lit by T5. In general I am happy. I always share a frag of anything I can with local refers. I have noticed that the LPS do not puff out as much in my tanks whether they have 1 bulb over 1' or 6 bulbs on a 75.
Pink stuff looks great under 11k and GE day, but when too much actinic/blue or I even have an old ... very old 03 on one tank... they become a nasty blue color to my eyes.

I have a 2'x4'x8" tanks for frags each has 2 bulbs... at this point there is every combo possible, excluding full actinic. I have noticed in my zoa the colors come out, but not great. I have a 4 bulb Tek over a 30g (1' = 4 bulbs (2 actinic/blue). and the colors look smoking. So this leads me to belive I need at least 2 actinic/blue bulbs per 1' to get nice colors.

/Random thoughts inspired by my favorite coral ATM pink birds nest, as pictured above.

 

[masterswimmer]

Thanks NorthernCF, it's one of my favs too.

Russ

 

[Jill & Brian]

Thanks newschool, I wanted t-5 from the beginning, but I got my lights in a rush .... I am actually looking at a 5 light unit made by aquatinics. the size is right ant it is made to go directly on top of a tank. I have a 72 bow, so there is not a lot of space to work with as the sides are only 11 inches. I was told by my wife that there would be no hanging anything from the ceiling so....

-Brian

 

[Jill & Brian]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6284236#post6284236 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by amheck
if you need any further push.......

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=700454

I have seen this thread :eek1: His tank is amazing, but way beyond my range. I liked this thread, because it seemed closer to a possible reality for me

210 g ..... in wall.... with a dedicated fish room and like 500 more gallons of sump, fuge, etc ... Maybe someday

 

[NewSchool04]

Brian, make sure that the lights have individual reflectors. Without these you will be wasting your $$$.

 

[Jill & Brian]

They do. That was the first question I asked. Actually, he has pics up in his sponsor board here, you should check them out.

-Brian

 

[masterswimmer]

Brian, individual, highly polished, parabolic reflectors. Otherwise you are throwing your money away. I've never heard of that brand. That doesn't mean they aren't quality or efficient, but definitely do your research first. Buying for the second time around already, you should make SURE you're getting the right ones.

JMO,
Russ

 

[Jill & Brian]

The fixture has individual reflectors. I plan on seeing the fixture before buying it, as his plant is not far from my hometown. I do know that he uses mirro 95% reflective material for the reflectors. I want to see the fixture to look at the reflector profile

-Brian

 

[smokez01]

Holly cow!! those growth pics are amazing!!

I just set up a 75g also and was planning on purchasing the two 150w DE halide with the t5 actinic supplement, but i think I might go the whole way with t5's because they are cheaper, use less energy, and lok awesome!! the growth pics are amazing too!!

do you still get the shimmer as you would from halides??

i still got a lot to read about these lights since i just staqrted geting interested last night,

the bulb configuration is mad confusing, i really like how 20k halides look, is that how ur bulbs are??

thanks so much for the help

 

[NewSchool04]

You do get a shimmer sometimes but not like MH lights. There are a lot of bulb choices so you can mix and match to get what you are looking for. I would say that my tank is more of a 14K look, white with blue tint.
Good luck with your research smokez!

One thing I forgot, the bulbs last 18 - 24 months!

 

[Malolo]

Hey Jill & Brian,

I would be very interested in hearing how the trip to Aquatinic goes. I am very interested in his T5 fixtures also and first hand info is pretty limited considering the amt of time they have been available.

The reflector quality is the biggest issue also the bulbs he is ofering are an unknown import from Singapore. Would love to save some money by taking advantage of his holiday offer. It seems like an excellent deal.

Anyone else with info on Aquatinics please chime in also. Tom definiteley gets good marks for customer service so far.

Jill & Brian feel free to pm me if you'd like.

 

[damienkee]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6286400#post6286400 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by NewSchool04
Brian, make sure that the lights have individual reflectors. Without these you will be wasting your $$$.

bro! can share a pic on your lights?
Im using T5s. hope to learn more for u guys!
thanks!

 

[drake66]

i want t5's on my next setup

 

[smokez01]

im definatly looking to t5's rather than halides, i just like the shimmer from halides...