Switched the PC to T5

[Steven M]

Switched the PC to T5, was two 96 watt PC now four 54 Watt T5s.
Old lights first pic, new lights next.
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n250/Steven-M/lights001.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n250/Steven-M/lights005.jpg

[Steven M]

The new lights took care of the shadow in the middle of the tank.

[reefrubble]

Looking good Steve . Let us know how the tank looks , with the MHs off . Ted

[adnup]

Wheres the full tank shot?????

Tease!

[Steven M]

Pic of the tank, the lights and the tank look allot better in person.


http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n250/Steven-M/tank001A.jpg

[adnup]

Looks awesome Steve!!

[alfa1023]

Steve,

Glad you've come over to the T5 side. Only kidding. Is that the xenia on the right side of the tank? If so, looks like it has really taken hold.

[Steven M]

Xenia just does not make it in my tank.

[alfa1023]

Steve,

Sorry to hear that. Must be the stronger lighting or maybe I have more nutients (hows that for a positive way to say my tank is not as clean as yours).

If you decide to give them another try sometime, let me know.

[gatorolsen]

I really think xenia does better with higher nitrates - it really took off in my tank until I got back into my routine with water changes and added some flow to a dead spot behind my tank - my nitrates finally came down and my xenia slowly started to shrink back - just isn't growing and spreading like it was

just my 2 cents
Gatorolsen

[rogergolf66]

I agree I had my xenia in my old setup doing great. In my new setup with lots of flow and large refug. it is shrivilling away.

Roger

[dmbedard]

Is that the leather frag in the upper left of your tank Steve? If so, it sure is growing nice.

The whole tank is really rocking!

Diane

[Steven M]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10355543#post10355543 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dmbedard
Is that the leather frag in the upper left of your tank Steve? If so, it sure is growing nice.

The whole tank is really rocking!

Diane
Yes, it is getting really big. I got 4 more T5's to replace the MH if I get the time.

[reefrubble]

Steve , did you get all your T-5s in ? Ted

[Steven M]

No, Nothing good happens fast in a reef tank. I need to get end caps and make the rack to lower the lights.

[reefrubble]

Do you have a design , for the light rack ? Ted

[Steven M]

I got the light rack built today, still need end cap for 4 bulbs.
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n250/Steven-M/lightrack007.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n250/Steven-M/lightrack008.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n250/Steven-M/lightrack002.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n250/Steven-M/lightrack010.jpg

[reefrubble]

Wow Steve , What a great job . That looks awesome . How many T5s do you have all together ? Ted

[Steven M]

It well be eight 54watt bulbs.

[Steven M]

It took 130' of wire, not a lot of fun.
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n250/Steven-M/lightrack002-1.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n250/Steven-M/lightrack005-1.jpg

[Steven M]

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n250/Steven-M/lightrack007-1.jpg

[reefrubble]

Wow Steve , That looks awesome . Any sauce to go with that spaghetti ? Ted

[Steven M]

No sauce, but there well be lots bad words if I didn't get the spaghetti right. Well be testing tomorrow.

[dmbedard]

Your DIY skills are amazing to me Steven.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!

Looking forward to the Jan meeting.

Who's hosting & where?

Diane

[Steven M]

The wiring worked fine for the Advanced ballasts. Not so good for the two ballasts that where on the tank. Well have to rerun some wires. Should be done tomorrow after I stop screaming.

[reefrubble]

Steve , stand back , and take a few deep breaths . Ted

[Steven M]

Finly got the lights done.
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n250/Steven-M/lightrack012-1.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n250/Steven-M/lightrack017A.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n250/Steven-M/lightrack016A.jpg

[rogergolf66]

so what do you think compared to the MH you had?

[Steven M]

Thay are not as bright as the MH where. I am not going to have sps corals, so I don't need as much light.

[dmbedard]

Man, you have a blue thumb steve!

[rogergolf66]

are u using icecap ballist overdriving them?

how many watts you running

[alfa1023]

Steve,

Piling on with the questions:

What bulbs (brand and color spectrum) are you using?

Thanks,
Jim

[Steven M]

There are 8 54watt bulbs on standard ballast, over-driving the bulbs would shorten the life.
2 Current actinic 460nm nice blue
2 Current 10000K almost white
2 Giesemann Aqua blue+ just a little more blue then the 10000K
2 Giesemann Actinic+, looks purple (not bad just different)

[BankerJohn]

Steve,

I love the pics of the tank. Why not keep some SPS in the tank? I have heard many say that you cannot keep SPS in a tank unless you have MH lites. To that I say bull hockey. I have SPS doing fine in my tank under my measley (sp?) T5s.

If you ave SPS and have access to a few frags here & there, why not???

Just my $0.02

Banker John

[rogergolf66]

last time I talked with steve he said he didn't really like SPS.

Steve I got to swing over one day soon and see the new lighting.
Looks good.

Roger

[Steven M]

I like the softies, I have one SPS it a green cap. Everyone's welcome to stop by. Around 7:00 is best for me. Just send me a pm so I can tell the wife.

[Steven M]

I took out the 2 Giesemann Aqua blue+ and put in 2 TCP 6500k, the tank looks much whiter and brighter. I think all the blue was making it look darker.

[reefrubble]

Hey Steve , I got my new lights up . I think they will do alright , but not sure yet . We will see , after I get some frags in my tank . I hope to get salt water in it some time this week .

I think your tank looks Awesome with the new t-5s . Ted