whos using T5 HOs?

[evogames]

Right on that's exactly what I had in mind. I'm not sure, but I was thinking of doing 10k, and using the T5 to give it the blue I want. I just don't want it to be yellow, or too blue. The 400 watt 14k Hamilton's I am using now don't give that crisp I am looking for.

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15336620#post15336620 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by evogames
Right on that's exactly what I had in mind. I'm not sure, but I was thinking of doing 10k, and using the T5 to give it the blue I want. I just don't want it to be yellow, or too blue. The 400 watt 14k Hamilton's I am using now don't give that crisp I am looking for.

XM 10K's with 4 Blue+'s would look great. :thumbsup:

This will give you a nice crisp look, while giving you great color and growth.

 

[evogames]

Now should I go with SE or DE?

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15336703#post15336703 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by evogames
Now should I go with SE or DE?

Go with SE Bulbs. Do you already have reflectors or will you need some? With 18" front to back you could get away with using only spider reflectors.

 

[evogames]

Right now I am using PFO 12 inch Optimal Reflector for the 90. I was honestly thinking of going with the

Lumen Bright 3 MINI Mogul Base Reflector by CoralVue

If I am going to spend the money for the spiders I might as well spend a little more and go with the Lumen Brights. The PFO Reflectors just suck IMO.

 

[tas5tas]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15337134#post15337134 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by evogames
Right now I am using PFO 12 inch Optimal Reflector for the 90. I was honestly thinking of going with the

Lumen Bright 3 MINI Mogul Base Reflector by CoralVue

If I am going to spend the money for the spiders I might as well spend a little more and go with the Lumen Brights. The PFO Reflectors just suck IMO.

With Lumenbrights, you'll never fit T5's over the tank also. I just ditched my Lumenbrights and switched to all T5's on my 125g display. With my lumenbrights I had to put the VHO Actinics an inch inside the front and back of the reflectors to get them to fit over the tank. Go with a 6x80w T5 retro or 7x80w T5 retro. Right now I'm running a 6x80, but will be adding another bulb sson to make it a 7x80w.

 

[evogames]

You like the look of only having the T5's. I have been following your thread. I thought the MH setup you had going was sweet. Why didn't you like that?

 

[1DeR9_3Hy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15335129#post15335129 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SunnyX
With a large tank it becomes harder to justify the move to 100% T5. Your best bet is likely a combo of MH/T5.

I would use three of
THESE with XM 10K 250W bulbs along with 4-6 Blue+ T5 bulbs for supplementation.

This combo will save you a great deal of money while providing the light needed.

I was just looking over your site sunny, and i ran across this on your "rate my tank" link:

This tank looks better than 99.81 % tanks from this category.

Aint that the truth lol

 

[evogames]

I think after reading everything that I have on T5's I am going to go with all T5. If I do what would be my best bet. To go with 48" bulbs? What size should I go with over the 125. 72" long. I know this sounds repetitive Sunny, but your tank is one of the reason I want to switch.

 

[tas5tas]

60" bulbs......that's what I just put over my 125g and they look great.

 

[Chipie]

What t5 fixture would be available in the 72 inches length? (tank is 72X24X24) I don't have a canopy.

 

[tas5tas]

Constellation........14x39w Pretty pricey though.

 

[evogames]

hey tas5tas do you have a pic of how you setup your kit in the canopy?

 

[tas5tas]

I took a few, but they don't look that good. I'm going to rebuild the rack as I through it together in a hurry after my tank was without lights for a week. I think I'm going to build something out of aluminum with some type of actuator or lift to adjust the lighting and get it out of the way for cleaning.

 

[tas5tas]

Here are the pics of the new lighting setup....

 

[evogames]

So if your tank is 72" and your using 60" bulbs it looks like you just placed them in the middle how do the outer edges cope with that 6" loss on both sides? Can you tell??\

 

[tas5tas]

With the bottom of the bulbs 6" off the water you can't tell. It's about twice as bright as my Lumenbrights and 3x250w SE Reeflux 12k's. I have corals that are already morphing colors in a week. My ORA Tri-Color Valida that has always been a darker peach with slight purple tips now is starting to look exactly like the one SunnyX has in his tank. My ORA Green/Purple Rim Cap pops like never before...I took a pic and made it my avatar, but it still doesn't do it justice. The rim is almost a royal blue color.

 

[tas5tas]

Look at the difference in this coral.......4 months ago under MH.....

Here it is as of wednesday under the T5's.......

 

[evogames]

That's awesome! So right now you have 6 x 60" ... do you have room to add 2 more. Is your tank 18" wide?

 

[tas5tas]

I have room for 1 more...in fact I left space in the middle just so I wouldn't have to change the layout. The tank is 18"....the reflectors are 2.5"....so 7x2.5"=17.5". Right now I'm running 4 Blueplus and 2 Aquablue Special. I'll be switching to 4 Blueplus and 3 Aquablue Special.