T5 watts per gallon

[ChemE]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6938531#post6938531 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by squirmy
do you think 7*54 overdiriven with the ic 660's will be wnough? the 80 watts are a little long for the canopy...

54's are overdriven to 80 watts, so 7*80 is a bit much. You could scale it back to 6 bulbs if you wanted to save money, space, and electricity.

 

[ChemE]

Re: t5's 125 long

Re: t5's 125 long

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6938846#post6938846 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by shoddyk
Would 6 x 80watt t5 bulbs ran on 2 x Ice Cap 430 ballast be enough for all corals in a 6' 125 gallon tank. I am running 6 x 96watt Power Compacts right now and I don't really like them. I want to upgrade to something better.

Over a 125 I'd shoot for around 375 watts of T5 if and only if you are using high quality reflectors like IceCap's SLR or Aqualux's CDR. An IceCap 430 will overdrive a 80 lamp to 100 watts, so 4 lamps would be ideal for your setup. You'll need to use the Aqualux CDR's for two reasons. First IceCap doesn't make a 5' reflector (they think there isn't any demand). Second, you'll have 4 bulbs spread across 18"-24" so the wider Aqualux reflectors will help to disperse the light a little.

 

[shoddyk]

ChemE,
So all I would need is a Ice Cap 430 and 4 x 80 watt lamps for all types of corals in my tank?

 

[shoddyk]

Nevermind. I just answered my own question. I think I might go with the 4 x 80 watt bulbs powered by a Ice Cap 660 Ballast. Thanks

 

[squirmy]

Thanks ChemE. That settles it. I appreciate your help. 6*54 staggered & overdriven to 80 watts. perfect.

 

[ChemE]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6939102#post6939102 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by shoddyk
Nevermind. I just answered my own question. I think I might go with the 4 x 80 watt bulbs powered by a Ice Cap 660 Ballast. Thanks

Even though you are only asking 400 watts and the IceCap 660 runs 4 110 watt VHO's it will only drive 3 80 watt T5 HO lamps (albeit each will get 100 watts). You'll need to use a 660 and a 430 or just 2 430's.

 

[ChemE]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6939329#post6939329 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by squirmy
Thanks ChemE. That settles it. I appreciate your help. 6*54 staggered & overdriven to 80 watts. perfect.

Glad to be of service. Make sure you post some pictures of the setup and let everyone know how it turns out.

 

[djrecklessk]

I'm in the same boat as you squirmy. I'd like to use the new T5 HO's, but where can i find the best deal on them? I was looking for a 5 ft retro fit to replace my pc's. I'm currently using hamilton's 4 x 96 watt pcs which I don't think is good enough for what I'd like to accomplish. Well anyone's referral would be appreicated. Thanks in advance.

 

[ChemE]

Best price on high quality reflectors, D&D Blueplus bulbs, and D&D Aquablue bulbs. Will price match (this becomes important in a second) and free shipping on orders of $99.
http://www.aqualuxlighting.com/

Best price on endcaps and standoffs.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=12773&N=2004+113175

Best price on GE 6500K Starcoat bulbs
http://www.reefgeek.com/products/category_indexes/1-15_lighting_bulbs_-_t5_fluorescent.html

Order everything from Aqualux, have them price match, and get free shipping.

 

[twkenny]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6938997#post6938997 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by shoddyk
ChemE,
So all I would need is a Ice Cap 430 and 4 x 80 watt lamps for all types of corals in my tank?

A 430 (or 660) will not run 4 5' T5's. I'm also not so sure about the 80 watt bulbs being overdriven that much.

 

[ChemE]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6940636#post6940636 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by twkenny
A 430 (or 660) will not run 4 5' T5's. I'm also not so sure about the 80 watt bulbs being overdriven that much.

The 80 watters being overdriven to 100 watts is per ASH in the IceCap forum, so I'd take it to the bank.

 

[twkenny]

What does he know?
Just kidding...I was incorrect. I thight he had stated in the past they (80's) were not overdriven when run 3 x 80.

 

[ChemE]

I know at least when run by the 660 they are overdriven to 3 x 100. I'm actually not positive about the 430 though. Couldn't hurt to ask Andy.

 

[horkn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6935831#post6935831 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ChemE
Shoot for 450 watts at high noon. Again, this is only if you are using high quality individual reflectors like Aqualux or IceCap. I personally like a 14,000K blueish look, so I'd use three ballasts to drive 6 80 watt bulbs. Use the Aqualux relfectors since IceCap refuses to make 5' reflectors (they claim there isn't a demand). I'd run the following bulb combination:

[Front]
Blue+
Aquablue
Blue+
GE 6500K Starcoat
Blue+
Aquablue
[Back]

Id run 2 Blue+'s for 12 hours, then turn on the Aquablues for 8 hours, and finally turn on the last Blue+ and the GE 6500K for 4 hours. Make sure to paint the inside of your canopy white in order to maximize any scattered light. Also, keep the T5's no more than 3" from the water surface in order to maximize light transfer/penetration. This will give you 3.0 watts/gallon of the highest quality T5 available. You should be able to keep SPS and clams on the sandbed.

i agree completely with ChemE

the aqualux reflectors are really that good. and they come in every size the t5ho bulbs come in. i have just over 3 wpg with my t5ho setup, and i dont havbe an issue with the amount of light for sps (4 kinds now) and a cla, including softies and LPS..

 

[shoddyk]

Ok, I will do 2 Ice Cap 660's with 4 80watt bulbs. Is that really going to be enough to run with all types of corals. 320watts driven to 400watts on the Ice Cap ballast. It doesnt seem like it would be enough to me. What other configurations of T5 lighting are being ran on a 6" 125 gallon reef tank?

 

[ChemE]

shoddyk,

If it were me, I wouldn't overdrive the 80 watters and use 5 of them. They will last longer and be more evenly dispersed across the width of the tank. Plus you'll save some bread on the ballasts. You could get away with 3 WorkHorse 7's ($120) rather than 2 660's ($260).

 

[shoddyk]

ChemE
Thanks, you have been alot of help.

 

[ChemE]

No problem. Glad to help fellow reefers out.

 

[shoddyk]

Ok, I have the final configurations complete. I am going to get everything from reefgeek.com. I am going to go with 3 x Workhorse 7 ballast's, Icecap endcaps, T5 Parabolic Reflectors, 6 x 80 watt T5 bulbs. Bulb confuiguration will be 3 x 11000K Aquablue Plus bulbs, 2 x Actinic/Blue Plus bulbs, 1 x 6500K Daylight GE bulb's. How does the final specs look? I have a 1/3hp chiller hooked up right now and I am anticipating the heat to be more than the PC bulbs I have in there right now. Should I install a few fans also?

 

[Horace]

Guys putting overdriven T5s on a tank for softies/LPS is a REALY REALLY BAD IDEA! There is absolutly no need to have overdriven lamps for these corals. There is no need to even overdrive for SPS unless you have a very deep tank. Right now I have a 6x54w normally driven setup on my 75 and it is too much light for many things. LPS and Softies DO NOT LIKE IT AT ALL! You have to find places where they are somewhat shadowed (hard to do with T5). Trust me, you dont want to overdrive them because that will make the problem only much worse. Also most of my coralline is gone too since adding these lights because its soo bright. On a tank as wide as yours, for softies, I think you could get away with 6-8 lamps of normally driven bulbs and have more than adequite amount of light.