T5s and Halides FTS

[twiggyb]

With my new build I was going to do MH, but seeing some pics with people using T5s makes me re-think what bulbs I should get. Currently I am running Ecoxotics Panorama fixtures on my 65g. My new tank will be a 225 that is 72x30x24. I'd like to see some peoples front tank shots of the overall look with halides and T5s. Thanks for any help in my decision!

 

[mark54321]

Here is : T5 only,8x54W Tek fixture:

 

[twiggyb]

Mark, how do you like the T5s? Have you used anything else before them?

 

[StarF]

8x 54w t5 (ati power module) i am running ati bulbs on it..

i had hqi before on my older tanks, i prefere the t5 lightning. esp when u have a lot of sps.. with hqi, you would end up with a lot of shade, where you couldent put anything, and their growt was always towards the light. With t5 you dont have all those shadows, and they grow in a nicer shape, they dont grow in one direction only, but shoot everywhere

 

[bolo7735]

150g Tank 48x24x30

2 x 400W MH LB Mini Reflectors w/ 20K Radiums. Power Brites LED Blues

ATI T5 8X54W - All ATI Bulbs

One thing I did like about the 400W MH is the light penetration. I was able to place my SPS anywhere in the tank.

I like the ATI T5 much better. It is easier to the eye and the colors from the corals has improved. I think the MH reflectors made the light to intense and wash out everything. I wish the T5 had better light penetration. The fixture is mounted 3" from the water surface.

 

[allsps40]

My 40b with 250 watt Phoenix 14k on Icecap E ballast.
<a href="http://s473.photobucket.com/albums/rr93/intenseneal/?action=view&current=corals073.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i473.photobucket.com/albums/rr93/intenseneal/corals073.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
Same tank with old lighting, 2 150 watt 20ks. Did not like this set up.

 

[twiggyb]

Hmmm, I think I'm leaning towards the T5s now. The fish seem to be more vibrant as well as the corals. I could throw on my panorama strips for the shimmer that halides give. Anybody else like one more than the other? Do T5s put out as much heat as halides?

 

[reefsic]

I made the switch from 2x400w HQI's to 7x54w T5's almost 2yrs ago because my elec. bill was through the roof. They charge an arm/leg here in SoCal. Plus, my tank water felt like it was boiling...which caused a higher risk in bleaching and washed-out colors. The T5's are far less hot, so no chiller required! My T5 Fixture includes fans. Now I never want to go back to MH.

190g LeeMar Starfire
60"x30"x24"
Constellation 7x54w (ATI/KZ bulbs)
****

 

[orthokardia]

bolo7735- ru sure you labled the pics correctly? that is incredible!

 

[stagcrazy]

i have an all t-5 tank 8x54w and i have a 1 400w radium 2 t-5s and 2 blue powerbright modules in my 90 sps tank i love both tanks but imo unless you are doing an open top tank go with the t-5s just cause of the heating issue my 150t ran 82-84 degrees with the halides and now runs 77-79 with the t5s. why not led?

 

[bolo7735]

bolo7735- ru sure you labled the pics correctly? that is incredible!

I label it correctly. I moved my frag rack up top to tell which is the T5.

 

[bolo7735]

Hmmm, I think I'm leaning towards the T5s now. The fish seem to be more vibrant as well as the corals. I could throw on my panorama strips for the shimmer that halides give. Anybody else like one more than the other? Do T5s put out as much heat as halides?

They both put out heat. It just the T5 dissipate the heat evenly across the bulbs instead of it coming down of the reflector. This is why you don't feel the radiant heat like the MH.

My Flame Wrasse colors are out of this world. The purple bulbs make my orange and red popped.

 

[twiggyb]

i have an all t-5 tank 8x54w and i have a 1 400w radium 2 t-5s and 2 blue powerbright modules in my 90 sps tank i love both tanks but imo unless you are doing an open top tank go with the t-5s just cause of the heating issue my 150t ran 82-84 degrees with the halides and now runs 77-79 with the t5s. why not led?

I have LEDs now, and although the colors in my sps are very nice, they have to be right at the top to get enough light in a 24 deep tank, I want to get away from this. Halides I could put them almost anywhere, I had a single 250w halide before over the tank. I want color and to be able to put corals that need adequate light towards the bottom of the tank.

 

[twiggyb]

They both put out heat. It just the T5 dissipate the heat evenly across the bulbs instead of it coming down of the reflector. This is why you don't feel the radiant heat like the MH.

My Flame Wrasse colors are out of this world. The purple bulbs make my orange and red popped.

So does it heat the water the same as halides? I love my leds for the fact I don't have to put a fan on the tank anymore.

 

[finch6013]

I have a 30'' tall tank and use a 400w halide. I get enough light clear at the bottom but the heat is insane. Anyone running T5 on a tall tank and still be able to keep sps everywhere?

 

[austin93]

Make sure you look at t5 tanks in person. I switched from t5 to 250 radiums and am glad I did. T5 look flat and kind of lifeless to me in person. Look great in pictures thou.

 

[teen]

you have to see the tanks in person to make a decision imo... t-5 seems very artificial to me in person where as halides make you feel like you're actually looking at a natural reef.

 

[divewsharks]

I have a 30'' tall tank and use a 400w halide. I get enough light clear at the bottom but the heat is insane. Anyone running T5 on a tall tank and still be able to keep sps everywhere?

At 30" you are at the limit of T5's, i would probably go MH if the plan was light demanding critters on the sandbed. My tank is 25" tall, and with my ATI fixture i can keep anything anywhere, my fixture is about 6-8" above the top of the tank.

So does it heat the water the same as halides? I love my leds for the fact I don't have to put a fan on the tank anymore.

No, they do not heat the water anywhere near same as MH.

 

[bolo7735]

So does it heat the water the same as halides? I love my leds for the fact I don't have to put a fan on the tank anymore.

No, it does not heat the water compare to MH. Maybe you can do T5 with LEDs. That is a great combination.

 

[bolo7735]

I have a 30'' tall tank and use a 400w halide. I get enough light clear at the bottom but the heat is insane. Anyone running T5 on a tall tank and still be able to keep sps everywhere?

Keep you MH. I have a 30" tank and I can't keep SPS on the bottom like I used to. If you plan to do T5 use it to supplement with MH.