T5's: A cautionary note

[Redfish]

Grim,

I have a 72" tank (72"Lx30"Wx24"T). I have read so much about the difference in reflectivity between the Ice Cap reflectors and Tek reflectors.

For my sps dominated tank it would seem that 9 60" bulbs (3 Ice Cap 660s) in Tek reflectors would be sufficient (sps all the way to the sand). Or, do I need the Ice Cap reflectors?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Ice Cap doesn't do a 60" reflector so you would have to "create" them using 2 36" reflectors overlapped. I really like the idea of using the better reflectors but in your case that is a major PITA and a lot of money. You will be fine with the teks.

 

[Nyles]

my tank is 72" x 24" x 22" high and I use 8 80 watt 60" long bulbs and can do SPS fine, clams on the bottom and sps in the middle and upper shelves. I don't overdrive bulbs at all. Use 5 11k and 3 blue plus. They would probably be fine near the bottom but never tried, other than acclimation.

 

[sjm817]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7385713#post7385713 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Ice Cap doesn't do a 60" reflector so you would have to "create" them using 2 36" reflectors overlapped. I really like the idea of using the better reflectors but in your case that is a major PITA and a lot of money. You will be fine with the teks.

How about a 36" and a 24"? I would also just use the TEKs

 

[The Grim Reefer]

The 36 and 24 inch reflectors are about 4 inches too short, been there, did that. They work but if you are going to do it you might as well have the reflector run to the ends of the lamp.

 

[Redfish]

Thanks guys. That was essentially my question, 60" Teks vs. double 36" Ice Caps. If you go the 36" route it is substantially more expensive, including an extra ballast.

 

[sjm817]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7385962#post7385962 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
The 36 and 24 inch reflectors are about 4 inches too short, been there, did that. They work but if you are going to do it you might as well have the reflector run to the ends of the lamp.

Now that I think of it, that makes sense. The reflectors are shorter than the length of the bulbs. You are doubling up the gap with two sets.

 

[DeLiBoY]

Ok guys, I have been skimming over this thread (took a little bit) bit I believe that I have come to the conclusion that I want to run a T-5 setup on my new tank. Currently I am running a 24g pod but I have taken to this hobby hard and want to go bigger. I will either be running a 65G or a 40 breeder (more likely the 40). What type of T-5's would be best for me so I can keep SPS, shrooms, softies, clams and maybe even an anemone?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Depends on the tank. 40 breeder 4x39 watt Tek will be fine. For a 65 you will want as long a lamp as will fit and as many as will fit front to back. If the 65 is a 36x24x24 you would want an 8x39. A 6x39 would be OK as long as you stick with a lower light clam or a Crocea up in the rocks.

 

[DeLiBoY]

Why so much of a difference between the 40 and the 65? Is it the depth?

 

[Nyles]

@ 24" tall with clams on the sand (most any, I have all veriety) and acro's slightly less than half way up or higher you can do 8 bulb setup like he said enemone will be fine on the sand or anywhere.


Nyles-

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7472530#post7472530 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DeLiBoY
Why so much of a difference between the 40 and the 65? Is it the depth?

Width (front to back) and depth.

 

[hahnmeister]

A 40B is 36"w x 18"d x 16"h. A 65g is the same footprint... 36"w x 18"d x 24"h. Their footprints are identical. A 36x24x24 is an odd shaped 90g that some companies make.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

So 6 lamp system. I can never keep the tank sizes straight.

 

[DeLiBoY]

6 lamp system for both? Or a 6 lamp for the 65 and a 4 lamp for the 40? Also what bulb configuration would I be best at running?

 

[horkn]

4 lamps on the 40 works quite well.


the 65 is taller, so if you can fit 6 on it, great.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

What ^ said. The more space you have front to back the more light spread you will need. If you wanted to leave the sandbed bare you could bunch 4 lamps over the rocks of a 65 and be good but using 6 lamps will let you have a better mix of lamps and have higher light critters a little lower in the tank.

 

[horkn]

we need an "I'm with stupid^" emoticon here on RC...


i know i would use it a lot....

 

[davejnz]

My old 40 tall was 21" deep(from bottom to top of frame)12.5" wide.I used a 4x39wT5/IC660 on it and had excellent results.I think if your only gonna go with 4 bulbs,use an IC660 w/IC SLR's and go with a very deep sandbed.Another thing,by keeping the water level just above the underneath of the top frame and having a real deep sand bed,you wont have 24" of depth to overcome.You can probably get away with a 4bulb setup IMO.OF course,6 would be idea

 

[mcegelsk]

Bulbs I have and now what to add???

Bulbs I have and now what to add???

Have 4 of these: GE's = 39 watt 36 inch T5 HO Fluorescent Aquarium Bulb: 39 watt 36 inch T5 HO 6500k GE Starcoat ????


Have 2 of these: Aquablue = 39 watt 36 inch T5 HO Fluorescent Aquarium Bulb: 39 watt 36 inch T5 HO 11,000k ATi AquaBlue???


Only have 1 of these (Aqualux only had one left vice 8 that I wanted) Actinic Plus = 39 watt 36 inch T5 HO Fluorescent Aquarium Bulb: 39 watt 36 inch T5 HO 20,000k ATi Blue???

I plan on going with the 14 bulb fixture: what I'm wondering is will adding 7 of the 39W Super Actinic T5 HO Fluorescent make a good light combo or should I add a few other things and mix it up a bit more? Thanks for the info! ~Matt[/B]