T5 light spillover

[upsetter]

Just wondering, since t5s hang lower above tanks there should be less spillover of light into the room right? Just curious. I had to build a skirt around my tank to keep it open top (no chiller) but not be blinded when sitting in the room looking at the tank. Also, I run 3 actinic vho which leak light up and bounces around the room giving my house the purple glow we all know & love. Do the tek units or aquanetics or other t5 units seem better about leaking light around the room compared to halide pendant setups?

 

[SoonerReefer]

I have the TEK 8 bulb over my 75 and its very bright in our living room,It also sits as low as it will go but still sheds light out.
I guess it depends on the size of your room and where your tank sits,I been thinking on making a cover to fit over the front, but for now I will just live with it....

 

[upsetter]

So the TEK still sheds light. What about the other t5 units? Anyone else? Aquanetics, Fauna Marin, ATI Powermodule... Just trying to make a plan for future lighting possibilities.

 

[GSMguy]

aquatinics does not shed light if you put it on the the tank 36inch tankt the 36inch aquatinics t5 should be perfect the shed far les s light

 

[DallasNYC]

Hey Cichlid, Ive been doing a lot of research on T5 myself. I'm trying to set up a zoo-ricordia tank. Alot of what I read is that the T5 may be too bright. I see in your photoBucket some great pics of zoos with awsome color.

What is your opinion of T5s for a zoo-ricordia dominated tank?

Thanks

 

[BLockamon]

I have the Aquactinics 48" 5-bulb fixture. Very low light spillage. The tank is much brighter than with my 4x110W VHO (UV w/ internal reflector, under a canopy), and I don't have the weird blue glow from my front windows anymore.

 

[glenns]

DallasNYC I have had 4 T5's over my 75 gallon for 16 months and my Zoo's and Ricordia are taking over. I need to go thin them out.

I just added two more T5's, so I'll have to let you know how they do with 6. They did not close up last night, so I guess they still like light.

 

[rodd1rj]

To control the heat you could fill in your canopy and add fans. It would also allow you to cover the tank if ever necessary.

 

[IZZY'SREEF]

Glenn, What bulbs were you using when you only had 4 t5s. Just curiouse since you said your zoos and rics are taking over.

 

[rooroo]

I have 2 T5s and 2 VHOs on my 24" deep tank, and the rics and zoos love it. Its more light than my 4 VHO setup, but not a ton more and much nicer color. The VHOs were always too pink I thought, the T5s make it a truer white. I do put my zoos and ric in the lower half of the tank.

 

[DallasNYC]

Thanks for the replies rooroo and glenns. I created my own post so as not to highjack upsetter's post here...

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1021455

 

[glenns]

IZZY'SREEF

I posted my response on DallasNYC's thread.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showt...hreadid=1021455