T5's: A cautionary note

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T5 worked great for my softies, the Fiji yellow had MUCH better color under them. So did my blue shrooms. Orange and green shrooms did pretty good although the oranges stayed small under them but I had them on top of the rocks. My finger leather grew huge under them.

Again, I didn't go halides because of performance issues. I wanted a more open look to the tank than the oak canopy the T5's are in and I got a fantastic deal on the halide system. (am I lying Uno?) Anyone who decides to sell their crappy Tek or Ice Cap T5 systems PLEASE PM me. I will buy them.
 
FastUno said:
lousybreed, oh man you gotta give us feedback on this. Would be great to know. I think I am gonna use my Tek's for a future fuge or possible lights for house plants. Yet tbd when I move into a larger space.

It might be a while before I get T-5's but when I do, I will let everyone know.
Click to expand...
 
Grim,

Thanks for the tip on getting the Sun and Day bulbs. It really balances the color out in the tank. Even running a Aquablue, 2 Blue+s, the VHO with one Sun, the tank looks bright white with a bit of purple coloring. Running the VHO, a blue + and either the sun or day bulb looks so much better. broader color spectrum and probably better for coral growth. I cant decide which one I like best. Do you know which one is more apt to bring out the red color? The Sun or the day bulb?

Anyway, thanks again for talking me into getting a sun and day bulb to try them out.
 
growyourown, I would stick with 250W if you can overcome the additional costs & the heat. I have asked that same question many times, 175W vs 250W. There are a group of people out there who went for the 175W'ers only to later upgrade, so I have tried to learn from them. Also, don't even know if I mentioned it in this thread, but I also had a favia at one point & it did not like the light. I had to provide heavy shading at that time. When it comes to T5's I would place the favites in the same category as mushrooms & brains.


Obi-dad, only 2 lights for softies? I ran only two T5's right before I put on the Acquactinics fixtures & I was surprised that everything was doing great. If I had to go back to T5's again I would run only 2 T5's directly on top of the tank & run all 4 for only 1-3hrs mid-day. I think with that combo I would have had a lot less issues.

rdmpe, I almost got those fixtures. What really bothered me about them were the PC lights, so I did not want to keep on buying lights forever & decided that I would go all out. I was really hoping that it would be my last purchase. Had those fixtures come with T5's I would have been more inclined, but there was still the question of only 150W MH.

Tom, hey your checking up on my progress. I've been meaning to send you a thank you PM, sorry for not doing it yet. Love the fixtures & its effect on the corals so far. I will first be keeping an eye out on all the corals & watching for any signs of rejection & then will be looking to measure growth rates. Will report back so we can all hopefully learn something, either that or just get more confused.
 
Codeman, The GE will spank the sun when it comes to raw PAR but the sun is going to more more red. Dunno which will end up with better growth.
 
I might be using them both..but the GE during the time while Im not home and the Sun while I am home so I can see a more red and still some green in the spectrum. Thanks Grim.
 
FastUno said:
Tom, hey your checking up on my progress. I've been meaning to send you a thank you PM, sorry for not doing it yet. Love the fixtures & its effect on the corals so far. I will first be keeping an eye out on all the corals & watching for any signs of rejection & then will be looking to measure growth rates. Will report back so we can all hopefully learn something, either that or just get more confused.
Click to expand...

FastUno,
I always like to make sure my customers are happy. Glad to see that you are. I'll be waiting for your report and again, thank you for your purchase.

Tom
Aquactinics
 
Yes, I have considered those fixtures. Specs for the lights are great, however I do not like the look of lights hanging from your ceiling. They don't have any legs to place them on top of the tank (I believe) & they don't have any fans either. I was also worried about heat, since I will not be running a chiller for more than one reason.

Bulb selection is a matter of what your are growing & personal preference. If you like a more blue look go with 20K (slow growth rate as reported by some), less blue 13-15K (med growth rate), & for more yellow/white go for 10K (best growth rates of the 3 normally). Your coral growth rates will vary with bulb selection. I have put together a mostly softy & LPS tank, with some SPS. As a result I don't need as much light as someone growing all SPS's.
 
You prefer the look of the aquactinics to Aquamedics? You are a sick individual Uno:D

My halides will be coming off this week for the upgrade to 250. Still no fans.

By the way, for anyone who cares the VHO T6 should hit the market by October.
 
Did I say anything about the look? Hope not.
If you take notice my purchases are also based upon simplicity. I don't want to have anything to do with canopies or hanging equipment. I just want to slap it on & slap it off when need be.

This is why I bought the Tek T5's with the legs & also why I bought the Acquactinics. The look of the latter is better than the Tek's, because they are right on top of the tank & are not as wide, heavy, & obtrusive. I much like the look of the tank with the Acquactinics (will take pictures for you guys soon with comparison).

I must admit the AquaMedic Ocean Light is very sleek and desirable. However, my tank is in a Living Rm & not in a warehouse, so hanging the fixtures from my higher than normal ceiling is out of the question.
 
T6 bulbs- foggetabout it.
Why can't they make MH bulbs in the shape of T5's (or something to that effect) so we can use the effectiveness of long parabolic reflectors & still get the shimmering.

Hey, did I hear something about lack of desires for shimmers? That is reef sacrilege!
 
So Uno is simple minded:D

Sorry man, it was like a curve ball hanging in space. Had to schweeeng!!!

There is a lamp in development that will kill the halide market if it is ever perfected. It would be the shape of a fluorescent tube but fire like a halide. Sounds too good too be true to me but the guy claims it is a real possibility.

I am not all that impressed with shimmers. I am pretty sold on a hybred lighting system for my new tank, 150 watt 20K halides to suppliment T5 or T6 lamps.
 
That's quite alright, I understand the temptation.
But a simpleton you say? Why one just might be inclined to come to that conclusion.

Actually my canopy phobia stems from the fact that I put in 10-12hrs of work a day & then some 3-4 after hours. With this work schedule, stress, & constant tiredness I really shouldn't even have a reef. My constant need to quickly but constantly put my hands, arm, & sometimes shoulders in the tank has made the canopy a somewhat source of vexation. With a canopy on I am sure that I would postpone things that needed to be done right away until tomorrow & so on.

Now, it's my turn to pitch.
You would think that someone with all the lighting information as you possess & with such an extensive deal of resources that you would have corals growing up the kazoo. DUDE, SHOW US THE CORALS!!!! Show us the coral growth. Show us something worthy of a lighting GOOHOO.

Next time you ask Grim for advice, just keep a mental picture of this (Grim's tank).
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/38553tank_under_halides.JPG

I think that one sunk a little low & hit the batter in the you know whats. Oooohhhhhhhh, thats gotta HURT!!!!!
 
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