T5 Lighting May Be For You

[superswimmer]

I think no higher than three inches? That's what mine are. 3inches above the water level. Depends on how deep the tank is. Like stated before t-5s are good for 20inches deep.

[brentp]

My tank is 24" deep and I keep my lights 5" above the water. I have SPS growing on the bottom. I picked this height because I have a lot of flow and the lights get splashed if they are any lower. Raising them also reduces heat into the tank and increases light spread. Of course, raising them also reduces the intensity.

T5's are really a lot brighter than people give them credit for. I have had several frags bleach towards the top of the tank. These include an ORA tort and a tri-color frag from a local reefer. The tort was under a 400 watt XM 20k bulb before I switched to T5's. The tort recovered quickly but, I actually had to put the tri-color at the very bottom under my center brace to get it to color back up. I just moved it up a few inches onto the rockwork yesterday.

[rjwilson37]

Originally posted by sidog1
Hi guys,
Mostly a lurker here since my tank is not set up yet. However, I'm getting close and have a question. I have my sun tek t 5 lights but how high up should they be above the water? No clue what would be optimal? Any ideas? Thanks

Put them 2-3" above the tank, I have mine 2" above my tank.

[The Grim Reefer]

Probably 4" would be good.

[crazy 11]

Beautiful tank rj!!
I have a 125-gallon with two 6-bulb units.
What bulb combination would be the closest match to your tank?
I would love to duplicate your colors.
Thanks

[rjwilson37]

Thanks crazy 11: I have 2 aquablue 11k, 1 Blue Plus, and 1 Pure Actinic.

[Ti]

I started with that combo.
Didn't like it much when everything burned in.
At first it was nice, then all the bulbs nurned in.

[rjwilson37]

Here is the latest picture for this month. I had to frag a couple of things and cleanup the Anthelia's a bit. Notice the snail egg trail on the lower right in front the the gold maxima, how neat is that.

[Ehydo]

RJ what do you have holding your lights up? Are those blocks of wood?

[rjwilson37]

Originally posted by Ehydo
RJ what do you have holding your lights up? Are those blocks of wood?

Yep, just a couple cut pieces of 2x4.

[Ehydo]

That is too funny, I was going to do that but I did not want wood showing from the front of the tank. I am building som out of a polymer. It is designed to not fall into the tank also.

[rjwilson37]

Originally posted by superswimmer
woah that's alot of stuff! Hmmm.. i'll see what works for me. I have heard some good stuff about Secheam. Like your tank, i only want a few SPS. Mainly some montis/birdnest/ pollicopora/ and if i can get my hands on it a ORA Tort. My LFS has one in the display tank.. waiting for it to grow big enough to frag.. of course all of these corals wil come only after i can maintain my levels at a consistent, acceptable range.

Superswimmer: You had said that I dose a lot of stuff doing the aragaMILK, the Kent Liquid Calcium and the Kalkwasser each 2 times a week for a 6 day rotation and then a water change on the 7th day. I can honestly say that it does not seem like a lot, but that is what is takes to keep my calcium at 400-420 and keep my tank happy, so it does not seem to bad to me at all.

Good Luck in finding what works best for you.

[rjwilson37]

Originally posted by Ehydo
That is too funny, I was going to do that but I did not want wood showing from the front of the tank. I am building som out of a polymer. It is designed to not fall into the tank also.

I have an Acrylic tank, so the top is completely sealed except for my 2 covers that I leave on all the time. I was thinking on spray painting them silver to match my Tek-Light, but just have not gotten around to it. I also did not want any to flake off at a later time and get into the tank or something, so I guess the two blocks do not look to bad.

When people come over and look at the tank, they don't look at the top lighting anyway, there eyes are glued to the tank itself I think and never mention the lighting stands.

[Drewpy]

new t5 ho's for a 46 bowfront from reefgeak came today... First impressions:
Brighter then the PC's before of more wattage... Better overall colors brought out as well, much sharper and vivid with the bulbs being spread over the entire top of the tank. love the ability to change the order of the bulbs! Much quieter! NO FAN!!!

Still waiting for a second set for a 55 long on backorder.

[Drewpy]

this is what i have so far... Any suggestions for improvement? I really want this to be done right the first time and as simple as possible for my mother to operate when i am gone...
I have time to change as i have a friends 55 gallon setup holding the livestock now with no problems...

Although i have read and researched --i have actually only had one tank since january so my experience in very limited--any help from experiences please-- criticism-- whatever... This my second tank..

Most of the stuff was gotten second hand and i have made designed it to incorporate as much free stuff as possible!


Basic setup...
-overflow with scwd and 10 gallon sump/refugium (biggest i could fit)
- T5 ho 4 by 39 watts (156 watts: two blue plus, 1 day light, 1 40/60 mix)
- remora skimmer mounted in sump
- Hot magum mounted in sump
- mag 7 and via aqua 306 return (total about 1100 gph)
- maxi jet 900 with hydor rotating flow deflector (230 gph)
- 4 inch seachem sandbed
- full line of seachem suppliments for calcium and alkalinity needs, instant ocean salt.



Sump:
-1 inch return with shut off valve
- remora mounts on intake side (right---fits, had to raise sump up a little)
- hot magnum on outlet side (left)
- various macros in fuge (cheap home depot light?)
- mag 7 hook up to scwd for return
- via aqua hooked up with single outlet (intake from overflow)



I plan on keeping the anemones from a friend , softies, a couple clams and LPS.. Maybe easier SPS? Possible or no? SPS are not my favorite as they do not really move but the flate plate like ones seems alright if they have nice color...

[rjwilson37]

Outstanding, looks like your off to a great start!

I can't wait to see more pictures as it progresses, just remember to take your time introducing new things to the tank and be patient. Before you know it, the tank will be full of life and you won't be able to fit anymore new stuff, so take things slowly and enjoy the ride.

Good Luck!

[JonnyD91]

Well I did it got my tek light from reef geek I cant wait to see this baby installed



Items Ordered:

1 -- Sunlight Supply 24" Tek Light: 6-24W T5 HO Fluorescents (Black) (104187) -- $329.00
1 -- GripLock Systems Cable Suspension System (104208) -- $29.95
1 -- Sunlight Supply Acrylic Shield for 24" Tek Light: 6-24W (104580) -- $17.95
1 -- ATI 24W 6000K Sun T5 HO Fluorescent (104032) -- $23.95
2 -- ATI 24W 11000K Aquablue T5 Special HO Fluorescent (104123) -- $49.90
1 -- ATI 24W Blue Plus T5 HO Fluorescent (104033) -- $23.95
2 -- ATI 24W Actinic 03 T5 HO Fluorescent (104528) -- $59.90

Product Total: $534.60
State Tax: $0.00
Shipping: $31.95
Shipping Discount: $8.00
Grand Total: $558.55

[rjwilson37]

Excellent, welcome to the T5 band wagon, I really hope it works out well for you and I with you the best of luck!

You might want to swap out one of those Actinic 03 for a Blue Plus, but you will just have to see what you like best and what is working for you. I think the Actinic 03's in the T5's are not very much of a blue look, at least not as much as the Blue Plus put out.

[Ti]

The 03 is kinda purple

[new2u]

Just keeping this thread from dyeing, heres a pic of my tank and such not that great of pics

Tank


Frogspawn


Ricordia

[new2u]

More..

Small BTA


Candycane


Brain


Pink Star Polyps


Mushroom


Button Polyps

[new2u]

and I cant resist posting these non coral/lighting related pics

Manderian


Clown Saying Hello!


I just picked up all those corals 'cept for the shrooms PSP (pink star polyps) and brain the other day for 50 bucks.

[superswimmer]

I love mandarins.. mine is still fat and sassy.I'm using the mandarin dinner to feed it mysis.

[rjwilson37]

Great shots New2u, I love the pictures!

Here are some more from this weekend.

[new2u]

wow RJ, after i'd had those corals I though, hmm maybe my tank can compare to rjs! Then i see yours and think, "hes gotta upgrade anyways!