T5's for 90G SPS tank?

belgian_waffleman · #1 12/11/2007, 11:42 PM

Do you think that 6 bulbs of 54W T5 with TEK reflectors would be sufficient for an 90G SPS dominated tank?

Is there anyone in the area that has a similar setup to share some experiences?

Nico

jfl14609 · #2 12/12/2007, 06:39 AM

I had a t-5 fixture over my 90 at one time it did alow some sps growth but nothing compaired to metal halides. although I must admit the fixture I had was not as good as the tek. I have always thought of getting the 8 x 54 fixture. I am sure there are a ton of people here that have alott of experience with them. I know gary g. has experience with them

wastememphis · #3 12/12/2007, 09:17 AM

I'm intrested in this topic too... I might add 4 T5's for supplement to my 90gallon.

daveverdo · #4 12/12/2007, 09:48 AM

I'm following along also although my interest in NON-SPS.

I plan to have fish, LR, soft corals, and a few LPS.

In my 30g I have ricordia, zoos, athelia, xenia, leather toadstool, frogspawn, and a candy cane. They are doing well in the 30g under 3x39 HOT5.

What would be good choice for the 90g?

I could move the 3x39 to the 90g which would be 6 inches short on both end. The I could add 2 or 3 54W 4 footers.

Dave

S Helinski · #5 12/12/2007, 10:08 AM

I have seen some pictures and descriptions of tanks dominated by SPS, which only use T5 Lighting. None of them have been local. So yes, it is possible to grow SPS well without halides, however, I would argue that this is the exception to the rule. Presently, until the T5's have a better track record for doing so, and/or we learn more about the lighting requirements of SPS, I would suggest sticking to the halides. In my opinion, (2) 250wt bulbs would work very well, but if you wanted to conserve energy or come close to matching that of your proposed T5 set up, use (2) 175wt bulbs. Energy wise, HQI double ended bulbs will put out more PAR for your wattage compared to single ended bulbs.

You also might want to wait for LED fixtures do decrease in price, as I do see them as the future, and I see them replacing MH bulbs as well...

Steve

thriceanangel · #6 12/12/2007, 10:58 AM

Conesus Kid has some 4 T5's over his 75 on an ice cap ballast, with the IC reflectors, and his growth is better in some cases than my 250 MH over my 28 gallon! His lighting is intense! Now a 90 is deeper, but unless you have SPS in the bottom 5 inches, the difference would be negligible. Add another 2 bulbs and your screaming! T5's over a 90 will be great, especially if you have 6 bulbs on individual reflectors. I've seen it done over and over. And one plus is that you have great control over your color because you can change a bulb or two to fine tune your color.

Conesus_Kid · #7 12/12/2007, 11:18 AM

Like thriceanangel said, I'm overdriving my T5's w/ the Icecap 660 and have the Icecap reflectors.

My bulb order from front to back is Blue +, Daylight 6500 K, 10000 K, "Marine Glo" Actinic.

I had to move my Platygyra coral into a cave as it was getting too much light on the sandbed.

I'd like to get my hands on Mark's PAR meter at some point to check the actual numbers on my tank.

I'm hypothesizing that these overdriven bulbs (esp. my two center bulbs) are putting out a lot more PAR than folks think.

SkiFletch · #8 12/12/2007, 02:06 PM

I'd agree Scott, those lights are POWERFUL, especially with individual reflectors like your setup or the Tek. Nico, I think it would work just fine for you

thriceanangel · #9 12/12/2007, 02:41 PM

In fact there are many accounts of mushrooms and some other softies dissolving because T5's on individual reflectors are too intense...

avatar71 · #10 12/12/2007, 07:16 PM

now I dont know about the classification of all corals but I have a good variety growing in my 90 with 6 t-5's.

I have a green slimer at the bottom growing well and a new poci and blue stag in the top third growing as well.

I also have a maxima at the bottom (about a year now) looking happy.

is this pertinent?

belgian_waffleman · #11 12/12/2007, 10:33 PM

Wow, what a response. Thanks everyone.

Steve H. it was seeing your 2 T5bulbs in action that go me thinking...

Conesus kid, does overdriving the bulbs create concerns for heat? and a shorter life span?

Avatar71, what ballast are you using? Do you have any pictures of your system you can share? what configuration do you have for the bulbs.

Thanks everyone

Nico

Conesus_Kid · #12 12/13/2007, 07:39 AM

I would make sure that you've got cooling fans in your canopy. I'm planning on ~1 year bulb life, and will probably start to replace individual bulbs at 10 months, changing 1 bulb per month.

The 4' bulbs are ~$25 each, depending on what you get.

Grim Reefer's thread on T5's in the 'Lighting, Filtration, Equipment' forum is LOADED w/ info.

avatar71 · #13 12/13/2007, 08:07 AM

I am using some 54w ballasts from hellolights. I believe they are Advance ballasts. I got the Tek refelctors as well. The original reflectors that came with the kit had a matte finish. The tek's are polished.

I have a canopy that I just screwed the 6 fixtures into. 2 daylight in the back, one 420 and one 460 nm actinic in the middle and one daylight and one 460 in the front.

what kind of pics are you interested in?

Capt_Cully · #14 12/13/2007, 03:05 PM

Didn't Rick Maley switch from halides to MH? It's gotta be over a year ago. I wonder what, if any changes he's seen. Growth, color, etc?

Capt_Cully · #15 12/13/2007, 03:11 PM

http://www.myreef.org/rickmaley/index.php5

jdoenumber2 · #16 12/13/2007, 05:10 PM

Then have them switch out the reflectors for ice cap ones for like a dollar or two more. I had good growth on my SPS before my tank crashed.

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_...bs_by_ReefGeek

belgian_waffleman · #17 12/13/2007, 10:49 PM

thanks everyone for the links and responses

Avatar71, I'm mostly curious about the total colortemp that the system puts out, with your bulb combo. I believe a FTS will capture that.
Thanks in advance.

Nico

avatar71 · #18 12/14/2007, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by belgian_waffleman
thanks everyone for the links and responses

Avatar71, I'm mostly curious about the total colortemp that the system puts out, with your bulb combo. I believe a FTS will capture that.
Thanks in advance.

Nico

I am sorry but I do not follow you. What's FTS? Fish & Tomato soup?

SVXH6 · #19 12/14/2007, 08:57 PM

FTS= Full Tank Shot.. as in a picture that shows full view of the tank..

avatar71 · #20 12/14/2007, 09:35 PM

oops, sorry

belgian_waffleman · #21 12/15/2007, 09:47 PM

Thanks for the pic.

Is this with all the lights on?

Nico

Conesus_Kid · #22 12/15/2007, 09:55 PM

Nico,

Here's a FTS of my setup:

avatar71 · #23 12/16/2007, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by belgian_waffleman
Thanks for the pic.

Is this with all the lights on?

Nico

I really dont remember, I'll get another one today...

avatar71 · #24 12/16/2007, 05:39 PM

this is with all the lights on

belgian_waffleman · #25 12/16/2007, 08:40 PM

Thanks, Avatar71 and Conesus_kid.

Thats sort off what I was expecting, It looks very bright, I can tell that the green slimer on the bottom is growing nicely.
I think I've made up my mind on the lighting for my future setup.

" Dear Santa, All I want for Christmas is..."

Thanks again everyone for your help.
Nico