whos using T5 HOs?
- Thread starter A1ramsey
- Start date
Hi every one I just switched from 2x 250w metal halides to 8x24w t5, my tanks 30x30x18 should I cut back on the time of lights being on or should I run them as long as the MH. These bulbs are bright I love them my chiller rarelly turns on and I will be saving money on electricity bill.
I have had and do have at this time both MH tanks and T5 tanks. I find the growth all around the tank to be better with T5s, but I fell the growth directly under the MH to be better than the T5s.
I've got a question about growth. Does anyone feel the growth tank wide to be better across the tank on the T5s where the saw the majority of their growth isolated under the MH and taper off on the corals as they got away from the bulb?
Let me know if that makes any sense, it even sounds confusing as I read it.
I've got a question about growth. Does anyone feel the growth tank wide to be better across the tank on the T5s where the saw the majority of their growth isolated under the MH and taper off on the corals as they got away from the bulb?
Let me know if that makes any sense, it even sounds confusing as I read it.
I've tried the ATI for about 6 months and ended up selling it. I've used SS Tek 5 fixtures since 2004 and have been happy with them now that I have the right bulb combination.
My question is, I would like to add fans to cool the lights in hopes to get even better performance.
Has anyone tried this, if so please share some information and pictures please.
My question is, I would like to add fans to cool the lights in hopes to get even better performance.
Has anyone tried this, if so please share some information and pictures please.
Does anyone have pics of a ATI power module using legs instead of being hung? Is this even an option?
redhanded77
New member
i dont think they come with a leg option nor have i seen any being used with legs.
hiramshaish
In Memoriam
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15217041#post15217041 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Poseidon
All T5's here too:
poseidon,
what fixture are you using on that gorgeous tank? is it a standard 90G?
Sonny,
Do you like the Constellation? Do you ever wish you'd gone with an ATI Powermodule? I'm trying to decide between the two. $220 cheaper and the option to not hang the fixture vs. the extra bulb, and supposedly extra output according to the description on Premium Aquatics. Here's what they say: "Superior design and high-end components produce 50% more light than most other equally sized T5 fixtures without using more energy." Are they just overdriving them and that's why they claim the extra output? I'm wondering if the extra bulb would be useful since my tank will be 4" deeper than your 20" depth. Do you have a FTS showing the fixture? Is it hung or sitting on the tank?
Do you like the Constellation? Do you ever wish you'd gone with an ATI Powermodule? I'm trying to decide between the two. $220 cheaper and the option to not hang the fixture vs. the extra bulb, and supposedly extra output according to the description on Premium Aquatics. Here's what they say: "Superior design and high-end components produce 50% more light than most other equally sized T5 fixtures without using more energy." Are they just overdriving them and that's why they claim the extra output? I'm wondering if the extra bulb would be useful since my tank will be 4" deeper than your 20" depth. Do you have a FTS showing the fixture? Is it hung or sitting on the tank?
Does anyone have PAR measurements of a 8 bulb ATI Powermodule vs. a Constellation 7 bulb fixture?
SunnyX
New member
SunnyX
New member
It makes perfect sense.
The one thing with T5's is that they operate much differently then the sun or MH, which are both single point sources of light. In nature corals only receive 2-3 hours of direct intense lighting to any one side of the coral. With MH, even though it is hitting the coral longer then it would in nature, it is not as intense and only a small portion of the coral is exposed to the full power. With T5, the corals are fully exposed to intense light all around as opposed to a single direction. This is good because you tend to get fuller, and more even growth pattern. The bad side of this is the coral has a hard time coping with so much light attacking it from many angles.
I believe coral placement options is the greatest thing about T5's. In the past, with MH, I had to constantly move corals around so that they were DIRECTLY under the MH bulb. This became tedious and many of the corals on the outside of the bulb were always darker in color and lacked proper growth. This gave some of the corals a funny and unnatural looking growth pattern. Now, with T5 I can place my corals ANYWHERE across the tank with no worries. It makes my life easier and my corals happier.
SunnyX
New member
Hello.
I had initially planned on going with the ATI Powermodule but at the time the wait was almost two months to get one. I was setting up the new tank and couldn't wait so I purchased the Constellation. The extra bulb on the ATI is great but I have no regrets with the Constellation.
I'm not sure how much more light the ATI puts out compared to the Constellation but it cant be much. The "50% more lighting" comment is probably comparing it to something at half the price like a Nova or TEK fixture which doesn't have a shield or active cooling.
You cant go wrong with either choice.
Here is a shot of the fixture when I was first constructing the tank:
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