[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Aseidman [/i]
[B]Nice tank. Question...If I undestand your article correctly, you are not running metal halides, just T5's ? I have a 30 Gallon x-high (24 inches tall) with 130 Watts of Power Compacts.

How do Power Compacts compare to T5's ? Any chance I can heep SPS to your knowledge ? Do the T5's product a lot of heat (compared to PC's and MH's) ?

Thanks,
Allen [/B][/QUOTE]

You could try some of the easier SPS corals like monti caps and monti digitatas near the top of your tank.

HO (High Output) T5 bulbs when used together with individual parabolic reflectors are much brighter than power compact bulbs and generate less heat as well. Another advantage is that you can put more of these T5 bulbs over your tank as they are slimmer in diameter.

I keep 14 SPS colonies with six HO T5 bulbs and several of them have begun to colour up since I put them into my tank a couple of weeks ago.

Thanks Allen, Thuggin.:)

Allen, you are correct, I am only running T5s. 432watts in total.

With your 24" tall tank, I think your 130watts of PCs will work for less light demanding sps at shallower depths. Some monti caps and digis, especially the lime green variety should do well and even hold color. The fast growing brown birdsnest is fine. Porites, as well as some encrusting montis too. You can also try the green bali slimer, pink tip pocillopora and some hardy acros.

I was able to maintain some color with sps in my previous 10g nano under 165w PC. The tank was only 12" tall. With PCs, you would need to keep them no more than 8" from the water surface to get decent results.

T5s run cooler than PCs. T5s radiate less heat as well. MHs generate the most heat. The light intensity and spectrum of the ATI T5s are suitable for keeping a wide variety of sps. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for PCs.

If you are seriously considering keeping sps, lighting is but one consideration. T5s and/or MH will do the job. PCs barely cut it but will work for a few species. More importantly, and as you probably know, ideal water conditions and flow are essential.

Dan

Very nise tank!!!beer: :) I like the T5 Light.:smokin: Nise Multicolor angel:thumbsup.:thumbsup:

Thanks, Fzech

Hi Dan! thanks for the imput on the t-5's. I was not sure about
the combo and was really guessing at it. :)

here's my tank:)

[url]http://image26.webshots.com/27/6/95/45/297069545CWNunT_ph.jpg[/url]




***Fixed picture link***

Dan,
PS if the link does not work, you can find my tank pic in
the photography forum. :)

Very impressive tank! :cool:

Do you have any detailed pictures of your overflow? I'm rather curious about that set-up. Thanks!

Dan,

Fantastic! Question about lighting. I have a 55 with 130watt pc's (smartlights which are 1/2 white, 1/2 actinic) and softies. Looking at lighting and your tank is very convincing. My hood has limited space and heat is a big concern. I would like to try SPS but need to upgrade. Your tank is very convincing. I'm thinking 4 T5's would fit. If so, what bulb combination would you think to be effective?
thanks,
Steve

Myrphie, glad you like it! Will take close-up shots of the overflow and post them later.

Steve, if you are restricted to 4 bulbs, 4x AB Specials would be ideal for sps but may not be too pleasing visually - it'll be very white. With that in mind, you could add a Blue Plus bulb. Depending on your tank dimensions, you could potentially squeeze in 6x T5s with narrow reflectors. The sleek and compact Tek T5 hanging fixtures may work for you. With this, you would need to do away with your hood. Something to consider. With 6 bulbs, 4x AB Special and 2x Blue Plus should do the trick.

Dan

Dan,
Will take your suggestion under due consideration.

Thanks!

Incredible tank...My complements and congratulations...you deserve it :)

How do you fit 80+ SPS corals in such a small tank? Geesh. Looks really good. I have always been curious about T5. My current tank is a 240 with MH and VHO.

tank of the month
 

Hi All

That is one very very very nice tank :D :D
I wish we could get corals that colour over here.

Happy Reefkeeping :D

Andy

Pipsreefs:

[welcome]

My friend, that is a lovely tank. Absoloutly lovely.

Truly a beautiful display Dan, I'm starting a 90/gal invert and have been researching T-5's, I've come up with 6X54 watt T-5's. Will that be enough for the 90 and keep sps? Also what combo of lights would you recomend? Great job!

Gorgeous Tank...Congrats! My pendant uses T-5's as actinic supplementation , they're awesome!

I'm speechless............great job, .....absolutely beautiful.

Mucho Reef

All, thanks for the very kind words! :)

Joel, I hunt for small specimens and grow out some from frags, that's how I fit them all in. The reefscape is equally important to allow "ideal" placement for most of them. Besides, the light spread of T5s allows edge-to-edge placement of sps.

Sunny, what you have in mind should suffice for keeping sps. Try a bulb combo consisting of 4x AB Special and 2x Blue Plus bulbs. Depending on your preference, you could potentially mix in a Sun Pro or an Actinic (replacing one AB Special). The T5s should be placed close to the water (~3").

Dan

danano, Why did you decide to go with 54 watters instead of 80 watters? I got a aquarium that is 150cm in lenght, 50 cm in depth and 65 cm in hight, and I´m little afraid of just taking the 54 watters, I want to keep sps and clams on the bottom but I dont know if I should go 54, 80 or MH 250 watters. So my question is what would you take and why? I live in Sweden so I´m also going for the ATI fixtures, they have a new fixture called powermodule and it should be even better then the powerbalken.

Absolom, the 54 watters are 4ft (122cm), the same length as my tank.

For your 59" (150cm) long by 20" (50cm) wide tank, I would recommend going with the 80w T5s for maximum light coverage.

If your tank were slightly wider, space permitting, I'd go for 4x 250w DE MH plus as many T5s as I can squeeze in front and back. That way, you get the best of both worlds.

Thanks danano, are the A/B's mostly blue or white?

The AB's (11000K) are very white.

WOW. Simply beautiful. Art, science, and nature peacfully co-existing in your living room. What an inspiration! Your photography and writing are also excellent. Thanks for sharing.

Congratulations . i have never came across such a pretty tank ! awesome !

Hey danano ,

sup , how ya ? which part singapore u stay?

i used to stay at tanjong rhu . and i only browse marine shop at the east . how about u?