T5 Lighting May Be For You

gregt · #1 05/01/2005, 07:53 PM

This thread was automatically split due to performance issues. You can find the rest of the thread here: http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...86#post4862086

rjwilson37 · #2 05/01/2005, 07:53 PM

Hello everyone!

Here is the latest picture of my tank under T5 lighting. It has been running for a year now as of today.

scottd34 · #3 05/01/2005, 07:59 PM

awesome tank rj! I went off your suggestion and got the 24" model. omg i can't believe the difference between that light and the 96w corallife fixture. The pc lights just looked so nasty compared to the t-5's at the same wattage!

FastUno · #4 05/01/2005, 08:11 PM

RJ, good to see that you are back & that your tank is doing great as always. Thanks for the update & for serving as an inspiration to us T5 owners.

I see that you have trimmed your monti cap some.

rjwilson37 · #5 05/01/2005, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by scottd34
awesome tank rj! I went off your suggestion and got the 24" model. omg i can't believe the difference between that light and the 96w corallife fixture. The pc lights just looked so nasty compared to the t-5's at the same wattage!

Yep, there is a huge difference between them, I am glad that they are working well for you.

rjwilson37 · #6 05/01/2005, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by FastUno
RJ, good to see that you are back & that your tank is doing great as always. Thanks for the update & for serving as an inspiration to us T5 owners.

I see that you have trimmed your monti cap some.

I have had to trim that brown monti twice so far. hehe

Timbor · #7 05/01/2005, 10:39 PM

Perhaps you can give me some advice...

I plan soon to be starting a 35 gal reef tank, and I have been considering buying the Tek light 4*39W fixture. The tank is 36" long by 12" wide, so I am a bit concerned that the fixture might be too big for the tank, since it is also 12" wide, and I will need some space for equipment and stuff.

Do you think it would be able to work on my tank? Thanks for any help you can give.

Tim

new2u · #8 05/01/2005, 11:05 PM

i might go retro in a canopy with that size tank. 4 39 watt retros would work well. If you hung it from the celing i dont belive it would be a problem

freddie40 · #9 05/01/2005, 11:26 PM

RJ,

As always your tank is incredible.

Dave

rjwilson37 · #10 05/01/2005, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Timbor
Perhaps you can give me some advice...

I plan soon to be starting a 35 gal reef tank, and I have been considering buying the Tek light 4*39W fixture. The tank is 36" long by 12" wide, so I am a bit concerned that the fixture might be too big for the tank, since it is also 12" wide, and I will need some space for equipment and stuff.

Do you think it would be able to work on my tank? Thanks for any help you can give.

Tim

The Tek-Light 4x39w is 11" wide which I think is perfect for a 36x12 tank.

Thanks Dave!

JonnyD91 · #11 05/01/2005, 11:57 PM

Im going to buy the tek light soon also. I have a 30 long 50 gallon tank. If I used the 36 in. fixture would it look stupid hanging over both sides about 2 inches? If so I would be better off going with the 24 in 6 bulb fixture over the 24 in 4 bulb for a 50 gallon right? Was trying to save some money with the 36 in buying less bulbs. Also what bulb combo would you recomend with the 6 bulb 24 in fixture?

TIA
John

rjwilson37 · #12 05/02/2005, 12:20 AM

I thought the 50g breeder's were 36" long, 18" deep, and 18" high.

I was going to get the 36" over my old 29g tank which was 30" long becuase I new I was moving to a bigger tank. I thought I was going to a minimum 48" tank though when I moved to this 55g so my old 29g had the 24" lights. I don't think it would look that bad and your covering the whole tank which is good. My 24" Tek-Light over my old 29g worked very well though, so the 6" of missed space did not really matter for me. I also don't put things all the way against the side walls though.

Good Luck in your decision, it is a tough one I know.

rjwilson37 · #13 05/02/2005, 12:23 AM

Oh yea, bulb combination. I like a bluer look, so I would opt for 3 Aquablue 11k, 2 Blue Plus and an Actinic 03. Or you could just go with 3 Blue Pluses and not get the Actinic 03. The 11k's are more white than blue by far, especially after they burn in.

The Grim Reefer · #14 05/02/2005, 10:35 AM

Greetings from the dark side RJ... (Halide user now)

That Tang is getting big. You ever try adding a Sun or Daylight to your mix? I liked the way it brought out the red and yellow colors in the corals.

rjwilson37 · #15 05/02/2005, 12:08 PM

I had the the sun in my mix at the beginning, it turned things more brown than red or yellow. I like the look better now without the sun in the mix. I would add a Sun in the 8 bulb and maybe in the 6 bulb just to see what it does for the look and health/growth of the corals. In a 4 bulb setup, the sun takes over too much and gives it to much of a yellow look IMO.

The Grim Reefer · #16 05/02/2005, 01:28 PM

I guess I could see a sun overpowering a 4 lamp system. I like the GE lamp better myself, a little more green than yellow.

I've played with some of the T6's, they have some interesting colors that hopefuly might find their way to T5.

JMLufkins · #17 05/02/2005, 01:45 PM

How many fish are in the tank?

I count 11.

rjwilson37 · #18 05/02/2005, 08:19 PM

I have 13 fish and an Eel which makes 14 fish.

Dr · #19 05/02/2005, 08:39 PM

Has that clam in the middle doubled in size? Looks like you just got it in October!

rjwilson37 · #20 05/02/2005, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dr
Has that clam in the middle doubled in size? Looks like you just got it in October!

I think the Derasa has almost doubled in size, probably not quite that much yet, but in another 3 months it will probably be double.

new2u · #21 05/02/2005, 08:50 PM

RJ, I've got the exact same setup you do, and what clams and sps have worked well in your tank? I'd like to get some options i know would work with the lighting before expereminting

Ti · #22 05/02/2005, 11:49 PM

I have the same fixture.
Currently housing 2 maxima's

Lordhelmet · #23 05/03/2005, 12:33 AM

I love your tank. I have the 48" tek light over my 55 and wish i could've gotten the 6 bulb fixture.

rjwilson37 · #24 05/03/2005, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by new2u
RJ, I've got the exact same setup you do, and what clams and sps have worked well in your tank? I'd like to get some options i know would work with the lighting before expereminting

I have great success with the following SPS - Montipora Capricornus, Montipora Digitata, Pocillopora. I have two Acropora's that are looking good, they just don't really grow much which I believe is more because my flow is a little week for Acro's. I am only pushing 17 times my water volume, where for Acro's you should really be pusing 23-25 times of indirect movement for Acro's.

I have the Derasa and 2 maxima clams which are down in the sand bed of a 20" high tank. I am running around a 3" sand bed.

mothra · #25 05/03/2005, 05:33 PM

Wow, this thread really took off! I came back to ask how your clams are doing RJ. I finally added a maxima to my T5-lit 75g and it seems fine so far, though its only been in there a couple months.

I've also started keeping some SPS lately (got bit by the bug) and I'm seeing noticable growth over the last month, the frags are begining to color up now. The A. chesterfieldensis and M. capricornis are looking very colorful, blue-tip A. tenuis and blue A. lovelli are only marginal so far (was a very nice sky blue). I too need more water flow but things are coming along and I'm going to be patient.