T5 Lighting for my 180G
- Thread starter Wolfmann81
- Start date
Consider this, you are currently running 900 watts, and 10x80 watt will only give you 100 watts less heat and power consumption. For that size tank there is no need in 3 fixtures, and really no need in a 400 watt bulb. A pair of 250 watt bulbs and a reflector designed for covering a 30x30 area, like the LumenMax Large, would allow you to run 500 watts and all it will cost you is two reflectors.
Wolfmann81
New member
Your point is well taken on just having the two bulbs instead of three on. I have noticed a significant drop-off in my colors in the middle of my tank when my middle 400w is not fired. The 2x250's just don' t provide enough coverage and intensity across the middle of the tank unfortunately.
Saving on electricity (900w vs. 800w) is supplementary to having more controls on my color spectrum. Regardless of wattage, I would save money on electricity, because of how much more heat the MH' s produce, causing my chiller to run more. That would be my hope/expectation at least!
Wolfmann81
New member
with all due respect, lighting a 180G system is different than a 60G. LED's would be upwards to $3500 for my system.
JPMagyar
New member
A couple of thoughts that may be helpful. First let's put to rest the comment about T5s not being enough. Here is Krzystof Tryc's TOTM which was grown under an ATI Powermodule with 10 T5 bulbs. I do think though that you would need at least 8 bulbs for a 30 inch deep tank.
Now that we have that settled, I would simply add that lighting is perhaps the most personal choice you make in the hobby. I have always advocated looking at other folks tanks to find what you like best, but keep in mind what your ultimate goals are. I wasn't always a believer, but after having run T5s on my tank now for about 5 months I can say hands down I have never seen any light source color up SPS better than T5s especially when using ATI Blue Plus as the primary bulb. My own fixtures are Sfiligoi Stealths and have both 8 T5 bulbs and 2 x 150 watt HQIs. The T5s do the majority of lighting, but the MHs add that shimmer I love so much.
Put me down as voting for ATI. For pure T5 fixtures they have the dawn/dusk control you're looking for and they are the hands down leader in efficiency and maximizing light output.
Now that we have that settled, I would simply add that lighting is perhaps the most personal choice you make in the hobby. I have always advocated looking at other folks tanks to find what you like best, but keep in mind what your ultimate goals are. I wasn't always a believer, but after having run T5s on my tank now for about 5 months I can say hands down I have never seen any light source color up SPS better than T5s especially when using ATI Blue Plus as the primary bulb. My own fixtures are Sfiligoi Stealths and have both 8 T5 bulbs and 2 x 150 watt HQIs. The T5s do the majority of lighting, but the MHs add that shimmer I love so much.
Put me down as voting for ATI. For pure T5 fixtures they have the dawn/dusk control you're looking for and they are the hands down leader in efficiency and maximizing light output.
What reflectors are you currently running?
Wolfmann81
New member
I bought these lights already installed in the canopy. they don't have any distinguishing marks, so I am not sure what type they are. I use 14k Hamilton bulbs, fyi
The reflector makes all of the difference, some work well at putting light straight down, some are best at spreading the light evenly. The LumenMax Large is designed to cover a 30x30 area evenly with light, which is why I suggested them, a different reflector will not be able to do that and some waste light and that isn't what you want.
This article will give you a better idea of what purpose built reflectors will do, the LumenArc and LumenMax large will do what you want, the others will not.
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2009/1/review
There is zero problems by going with T5 but unless you drop back to a 4' fixture, you will not be gaining any electrical or heat savings. What you already have is more than enough in the correct reflectors for the job and the Hamilton 14K has enough par to do the job but you don't really need the 400 watt. You want to get the light into the tank the best way possible, not throw a lot of wattage at it that be wasted.
This article will give you a better idea of what purpose built reflectors will do, the LumenArc and LumenMax large will do what you want, the others will not.
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2009/1/review
There is zero problems by going with T5 but unless you drop back to a 4' fixture, you will not be gaining any electrical or heat savings. What you already have is more than enough in the correct reflectors for the job and the Hamilton 14K has enough par to do the job but you don't really need the 400 watt. You want to get the light into the tank the best way possible, not throw a lot of wattage at it that be wasted.
Wolfmann81
New member
Thank you for your thoughts, I certainly have some things to ponder... my guess on looking around is that I may have cheap reflectors.
I like the idea of bulb-scaleability with 10 T5' s to create more diverse color patterns. however, it is also pretty interesting to just replace two reflectors for $200. Not sure which direction I am going to take this.
Lighting is always fun, I have been through the gamut in lighting over the years. T5's work great with an ATI fixture but my experience with T5's in a canopy was less than stellar and replacing 10 bulbs every 9 months or so gets spendy. If you do go with T5, the ATI suspended with no canopy is just about perfect. A canopy makes cooling of the bulbs difficult.
michael.lemke
New member
Just a thought, why not do the 2 reflectors and also add 2 or 4 t5's for some color pop as well as having some flexibility with. Olof choices and dawn dusk.
Wolfmann81
New member
I think this is a solid idea, and I have the canopy room also.
Wolfmann81
New member
Drae - My tank (in the dining room) has a custom canopy that really is a sharp piece of furniture. Although it would be very nice to minimize some heat- issues, the canopy just can't go, mainly for aesthetic challenges...
Wolfmann81
New member
Does anyone have tried/tested suggestions on retrofit T5's. There are a lot of options out there, and there are not a ton of reviews that I can find which are overwhelmingly helpful.
My "hot points" for the installations would be true waterproof endcaps, reasonably small design (not bulky),and must mount to the underside of my cabinet. I am looking towards a total of 4-60", 80w T5'...
My "hot points" for the installations would be true waterproof endcaps, reasonably small design (not bulky),and must mount to the underside of my cabinet. I am looking towards a total of 4-60", 80w T5'...
Reefgeek is awesome. All my lighting needs come from them. Miro-4 reflectors, ATI or workhorse ballast, and some bulbs is all you need.
jschultzbass
New member
How about the ReefBrite LEDs for supplementation with the halides instead of T5? I run a 50/50 as supplementation with my 6 bulb ATI fixture to add shimmer and IMO nothing can beat the blue LEDs for coral color pop. I have seen a lot of people run the all blue ReefBrite strip with halides and it looks awesome.
Wolfmann81
New member
jschultzbass - a VERY interesting idea. I hadn't really remembered/considered the LED strips.
I'd have to think about the costs of them - since I would most likely want at least 2 strips. That would bring my initial cost from $238 ($129x2) to $480 ($240x2) - not insignificant. They would definitely not consume the electricity, nor create the heat of T5's. It seems as though your general impressions of the Reefbrite LED's is very positive. I also like the fact that you have a large tank, so it is apples/apples with my expectations, etc.
A couple of questions:
- Would you consider the LED's satisfactory down to a 30" depth?
- Where did you get your LED's?
- If you were starting out with your system (hadn't invested in anything), would you switch your 80w ATI T5's for MH's? Just would like your honest opinion.
Random question: What is your general impression/capability of your SRO3000int? I have been pondering a new skimmer, and that one is near the top of the list (from what I could read). For your 180G, would you think it would be better to go with the 5000?
I'd have to think about the costs of them - since I would most likely want at least 2 strips. That would bring my initial cost from $238 ($129x2) to $480 ($240x2) - not insignificant. They would definitely not consume the electricity, nor create the heat of T5's. It seems as though your general impressions of the Reefbrite LED's is very positive. I also like the fact that you have a large tank, so it is apples/apples with my expectations, etc.
A couple of questions:
- Would you consider the LED's satisfactory down to a 30" depth?
- Where did you get your LED's?
- If you were starting out with your system (hadn't invested in anything), would you switch your 80w ATI T5's for MH's? Just would like your honest opinion.
Random question: What is your general impression/capability of your SRO3000int? I have been pondering a new skimmer, and that one is near the top of the list (from what I could read). For your 180G, would you think it would be better to go with the 5000?
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