Whats the verdict on HO T5 w/ SPS & Clams??

[s3aL]

Been out of the hobby for about a year. My last setup is in my sig and had success with SPS coral. I no longer have that setup though. Im starting up a new standard 75 gallon 48x20x18 and this time im using the 48" Tek T5 Light: 8-54W T5 HO fixture. With my last setup, I wasnt limited at all when it came to SPS and clams. Id like to know if ill be limited this time around with my choice in SPS/Clams when it comes to lighting only. How successful people are these days with SPS/Clams with HO T5's?

 

[CodeBlue]

No problem

 

[s3aL]

Can everyone who has a T5 only SPS/Clam tank Post a FTS Pic here??
Also post your bulb combos please so I can get a idea on what combo I would like, THANKS!

 

[crab0000]

Here is a pic of my 37, it is actually the exact same size as a 75 except it is only 24" long instead of 48". I am running six 24 watt T-5's over it in a Tek-Light hood. I am running 1 actinic plus, 1 actinic blue, 3 Blue Plus and 1 Midday 6000K. As you can see the clams are doing fine on the bottom of the tank and are growing.

 

[dvanacker]

here is my 55 w/ 4x54 watt T5HOs. 2 x aquablue 2 x blue+

 

[floridareefs]

dvanacker-- does your 4x54 have indivdual reflectors? What kind of ballast are you running?

 

[dvanacker]

standard ballasts from coralvue...relabeled triads or something.

Yes I have icecap SLR's. Although it doesnt look like it (some frags are small and not noticiable in the picture) I have 15 diferent frags and colonies of SPS and a T.Crocea in there.

 

[raynist]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7114495#post7114495 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by crab0000
Here is a pic of my 37, it is actually the exact same size as a 75 except it is only 24" long instead of 48". I am running six 24 watt T-5's over it in a Tek-Light hood. I am running 1 actinic plus, 1 actinic blue, 3 Blue Plus and 1 Midday 6000K. As you can see the clams are doing fine on the bottom of the tank and are growing.

I have had my tank going over 3 months with the 6x54w and everything has been growing.

BTW, what are the green/white growths on the live rock in this picture? I have them in my tank also.

--Ray

 

[mr pink floyd]

im gettign a 4x39 watt T5 HO for my 29, can i do sps and clams?

i was thinking maybe a crocea at the top, if not the na small derasa or squamosa, for sps i want a few monti caps, some acros and gorgonais, hisgest point will be abotu 7 inches down 6 inches down from water level

 

[sneeyatch]

this was taken today - nova extreme fixture - (4) 54 watt ho t5's - all 10k's - no actinics - not the best fixture, but definately not the worst

 

[crab0000]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7116565#post7116565 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by raynist
BTW, what are the green/white growths on the live rock in this picture? I have them in my tank also.

--Ray

I think they are some type calcerous algae. I have had them before and they have never been a problem.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7116716#post7116716 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mr pink floyd
im gettign a 4x39 watt T5 HO for my 29, can i do sps and clams?

i was thinking maybe a crocea at the top, if not the na small derasa or squamosa, for sps i want a few monti caps, some acros and gorgonais, hisgest point will be abotu 7 inches down 6 inches down from water level

As you can see from the pic of my tank I have a Squamosa and a Maxima on the bottom of my tank, so you shouldn't have a problem.

 

[s3aL]

Nice pics guys!

dvanacker
Does that pic show off the true color of your tank? I really like the bluer looking tanks and would like my tank to look like that. I would like to resemble a 20k XM MH bulb color with my T5's. What bulb combo would you recommend to try and create that color?

Keep the pics coming!!

 

[JackRent]

What are the limitations of T5 in terms of tank height. Are they effective over a 30 inch tall tank with clams and sps at DSB level ?

 

[dvanacker]

That is a pretty good representation. The pic might show it a little more blue then it is. I think it looks like its higher then 14k but not quite 20k. I like the color though and the corals get good pop.

2 x aquablue and 2 x blue+ This is the ati/DD/Giessman brand T5.

 

[dvanacker]

Jackrent -- the only way I'd attempt T5 with a 30" high tank is if I was overdriving them with an icecap 660 or 430

 

[s3aL]

Hmmm okay, I may look into going with 4 x Aquablue plus and 4 x Blue plus bulbs.

With your 2 x aquablues and 2 x blue plus combo, are you able to simulate dusk/dawn?? If so, do you think you can get a pic of it sometime?