t-5 only tanks, how many r out there?-)
 

I plan on going all t-5 on my 180. If you can post pix great if not please share thoughts and experiences. Pros and cons from actual users would be awesome!-) I plan on using icecap ballasts and reflectors!-)
Shawn!-)

I got the Aqua Actinics T5 Solar Flare fixture with the Ice Cap ballasts just before Christmas. Wow. Very well made, I love the moon lights. Much less heat than I had with the PC fixture.
Overall, I'm very happy with it.

Awesome shiela, what are the dimentions of your 120!-) how many bulbs and what color temps?-)

!-)

I know Justin runs an all t5 setup...

Thanks steve, hopefully he'll see the thread and weigh in!-) if not I'll pm him!-)

!-)

This is my 180 gal tank under all t5s.

[IMG][IMG]http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff84/cathoai/IMG_0753.jpg[/IMG][/IMG]

When can I come over, LOL:)!-) I would like as much info as possible, please!-) really I am close to you so if you have the time and you're willing... So many questions for you it maybe easier to come and take a look!-)
Shawn!-)

of course you can come over. Make sure you bring a case of beer with you :)

Got your pm and thanks!-) what day/time works best for you?-) also what do you like to drink?-)

!-)

Hey Shawn, finally saw the thread ;)
Would love to answer any questions you have.
Pros? Lower heat output/longer bulb life than PC or MH. They grow any kind of coral; more efficiently, and mercilessly
Cons? Light can prove to be too intense for some if positioned to closely; most common mistake is underestimating the intensity of these lights.

Spectrum is subjective to tastes, but have been on both ends of the spectrum regarding warmer almost 10k'sh to a cool 20k'ish look. Can't really say I noticed a difference in growth between the two, but the corals coloration was night and day. Under the warmer spectrum blues would just pop, but the overall coloration of most was fairly drab and more often than not, light. When going towards the more bluer spectrum the corals colors definately richened and all became the colors you would expect, and have never been more happy with my present ratio2:4. On my 6 bulb config I only have 2 day bulbs(15k), the rest are true actinic, blu+ and UVL's superactinic.
[IMG]http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/Justin1974/sideview.jpg[/IMG]

-Justin

Thank you justin, your post is very helpful!-) what brand of bulbs perform well, I will run the bulbs on icecaps and reflectors?-) BTW things look great in your tank?-)

!-)

ATI and Geismann are the best. Just remember that using an IC ballast WILL overdrive your bulbs. For example a 48" 54w bulb will be overdriven to 80w.

-Justin

So I take it overdriving means less bulb life and more heat. How long do you get out of your bulbs and what ballast are you running?-) how long should I expect overdrivin bulbs to last?-)

!-)

So I take it overdriving means less bulb life and more heat. How long do you get out of your bulbs and what ballast are you running?-) how long should I expect overdrivin bulbs to last?-)

!-)

The last I looked that was an obvious concern, regarding the life. I think overall it was unfounded and most was based on speculation but when I was reading, there was no real conclusive evidence of life shortening, and if it was, it was miniscule.

The manufacturer will tell you you get 2 years life. A hobbyist(like myself) who's concerned with spectrum shifting will suggest to replace every 12-18mo. I would still er on the side of caution and replace every 12 mo., especially if you are overdriving them.

Me personally use Workhorse ballasts. Theres a stigma regarding there instant start, as being too hard and will shorten bulb life. But as it turned out the number proposed was a key word here "potential" to decrease up to 4-5months short. But if your swapping them out every 18 months at least this point will be moot. To add, Ive been using the same ballasts for the past 5 years :)

-Justin

I have a 210 and use 9 bulbs with Icecap ballast and reflectors. I like it a lot better than my old setup. My tank runs a lot cooler now. The only draw back is perhaps the loss of shimmer and the blue some MH bulbs bring out of some corals.

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/gabe3d/Aquarium/210/071230_tank1.jpg[/IMG]

I run t-5 along with halides. I'm little off topic here but I like what the t5's have done with the look of the tank. Much brighter looking. I also run workhorse ballast like Justin.

120G
1-400W mh
1-175w mh
2X 36" ho T-5

Thanks guys!-)
Hey gabe your tank looks as sweet as ever!-) what brand of bulbs are you using and what color temps and how long until you replace them?-) what lengths/watts too?-)

I would run ATI Blue+, Aquaspecial, KZ Coral light and Fiji Purple bulbs-- or ATI pro color. With T5s there are a lot of different bulb configurations. How the tank will look is entirely based on your own taste. You have to experiment with them. Be sure to have a fan to actively cool your lamps and get SLR reflectors. I would change them out every 8-9 months.

Jay

Thanks Shawn.

I run 5 ATI BluePlus, 2 ATI Aquablue, 2 ATI Procolor. They are 60'' bulbs, driven to 102-110watts each, and I replace them every year.

T5 vs. T5
 

Since we're talking about T5 lighting, I'm hoping to make a move in this direction in the near future. I've been looking at a couple of units for a while and would like some feedback. You can find both of these units at aquacave...the pricing and such appears to be similar, so any thoughts on either of these units to help differentiate them would be greatly appreciated.

T5 Ocean Light 48" 8 x 54W Lamps by AquaMedic
TEK LIGHT T5 48" 8 x 54W Lamps by Sunlight Supply

For those that run icecap ballasts what model do you have?-) I already have a 660 and a 430. If I could use these do they sell the endcaps/standoffs and relectors seperately?-)
Thanks!-)

!-)

[url]www.icecapinc.com[/url] would be a great place to start Shawn ;) that being said, yes, they sell T5 end caps that look similiar to the VHO ones they sell. That's also a yes to the SLR as well.

430 and 660 both work for T5s

reefgeek or [url]http://www.innovativelights.com[/url] for all your DIY lighting needs.

-Justin

If you get end caps for t5 make sure you get the snap lock as oppose to the twist lock. I own both and the snap lock is much better. If you plan to retrofit, use the icecap stand off, they are perfectly matched for the icecap SLR reflector.