T5 Only SPS reef?

PotysGSXR · #1 09/11/2006, 08:20 PM

I remember there were a few threads where some European reefers only used t5s on their SPS setups yet had some of the most beautiful SPS reefs I had ever seen. Does anyone have a link to these threads? Thank you.

fabbss · #2 09/11/2006, 08:40 PM

I've seen some of those. Awesome looking tanks, interested as well.

gemxsps · #3 09/11/2006, 09:51 PM

Still I can not belive 100% that sps can grow crazily under T5. I still belive MH is best light for SPS.

Lordhelmet · #4 09/11/2006, 11:23 PM

i agree that sps grow best under MH but look at the color i'm getting with t-5's

NuclearReefs · #5 09/11/2006, 11:45 PM

Looks awsome Lordhelmet..

icliao · #6 09/12/2006, 12:26 AM

Very good! Incredible color with T5.

dvanacker · #7 09/12/2006, 07:10 AM

Lordhelmet....what bulbs are you using?? How high of the surface do you have the TEK.

Here is my 55g with icecap SLRS and geisemann bulbs.

Its not this blue in person but my camera is not a good one. Some colors are good...and some need work and time.

PrangeWay · #8 09/12/2006, 08:20 AM

Here's my favorite t5/euro tank, the infmaous Iwan tank
http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...5&pagenumber=1

Fatboy · #9 09/12/2006, 08:51 AM

T5's are starting to get "very" popular in Europe.....

The tank of Bernd Mohr is an example

Plus manufactures are coming out with some cool looking lamps.

GMAX · #10 09/12/2006, 09:52 AM

I just visited a tank locally here yesterday. It was all T5 lighting and the SPS was gorgeous. His pink prostrata with blue tips was almost red in color.

dvanacker · #11 09/12/2006, 11:06 AM

look at the xenia in bernards tank...... they most not bother the SPS at all?? Maybe they add water filtration as well??

PotysGSXR · #12 09/12/2006, 11:45 AM

I just set up some t5s in my tank but I'm wondering if it would work with SPS. Maybe I'll slowly start with something low maintenance like digitatas or something.

Lord Helmet,
What do you dose in your tank? If anything at all?

icliao · #13 09/12/2006, 09:47 PM

Hopefully soon enough we can all upgrade to LED lighting which produces little heat and virtually no bulb replacement.

Brewen · #14 09/12/2006, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by icliao
Hopefully soon enough we can all upgrade to LED lighting which produces little heat and virtually no bulb replacement.

I second that.

Dr. JMadscientist · #15 09/12/2006, 10:22 PM

What is the benefit in running t5's on an sps tank?

PotysGSXR · #16 09/12/2006, 11:18 PM

That's what I want to know.

BTW, LED lighting is available now just at a ridiculously high price is all...

icliao · #17 09/12/2006, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by PotysGSXR
That's what I want to know.

BTW, LED lighting is available now just at a ridiculously high price is all...

That is what I mean hopefully "soon."

dvanacker · #18 09/13/2006, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dr. JMadscientist
What is the benefit in running t5's on an sps tank?

Less heat...less electricity.

Dr. JMadscientist · #19 09/13/2006, 08:27 AM

The heat is actually very considerable and to achieve the same output as a MH, the electric consumption is the same, if not more.

cwegescheide · #20 09/13/2006, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dr. JMadscientist
The heat is actually very considerable and to achieve the same output as a MH, the electric consumption is the same, if not more.

Heat considerable? Naaa.. Not with T5's NOTHING like halides.. As far as electricity goes I'm not that sure but I was under the impression that T5's run off a fraction of what halides do. Of course I could be wrong. But the heat thing.. I think thats a no brainer.

oldimpala · #21 09/13/2006, 10:23 AM

Cwegescheide-

You're spot on. I have stupid light; I'd be happy to show some high-light frags in my tank, with good color, and good growth rates, but keep in mind my tank is young, so the frags are small...

I run an overdriven (IceCap) 6x54W Tek-Light, and I'm pulling 416w (Kill-a-Watt) to run it. No chiller. 81 degrees, all day long. EDIT: Only my 4 "main" daylight bulbs are over-driven; dusk/dawn are still the standard ballast....

Honestly, the only time I hear people talking negatively about T-5s are people who haven't seen a good T-5 rig, or tank with nice lights. I'll agree, MH's still have some spectrum advantages (Eg: making colors look like you want), but I can tell you they're great lights, and I don't regret it....

Dr. JMadscientist-

You've never run 'em, have ya? I had MHs. I'll agree, the VHO/MH rig I had was better at making colors "pop", and I miss the shimmer. But I don't miss the electricity consumption, and the fear, constantly, over the summer, with the A/C on, of needing a chiller.....

-Andy/Oldimpala

DarkXerox · #22 09/13/2006, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lordhelmet
i agree that sps grow best under MH but look at the color i'm getting with t-5's

Nice stuff! Oh and I agree: Let's go Oakland! dun dun dunna dun!

Dr. JMadscientist · #23 09/13/2006, 12:18 PM

I do run T'5's on my tank as what I think they should be...supplimentation.

The point is to equal the output of a MH setup, more T5's are needed. Once they are in place, the heat is greatly increased and the power consumption is equal if not more than just using a MH.

[url=http://www.energyandpowermanagement.com/CDA/Archives/a42ea1f190f38010VgnVCM100000f932a8c0____URL]

duec22 · #24 09/13/2006, 12:28 PM

IMO you don't need a watt for watt equal to obtain good coloration out of you sps under T-5's...
Blues and greens

Yellow and orange

brentp · #25 09/13/2006, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dr. JMadscientist
I do run T'5's on my tank as what I think they should be...supplimentation.

The point is to equal the output of a MH setup, more T5's are needed. Once they are in place, the heat is greatly increased and the power consumption is equal if not more than just using a MH.

[url=http://www.energyandpowermanagement.com/CDA/Archives/a42ea1f190f38010VgnVCM100000f932a8c0____URL]

Did you actually read that article? It does not support your argument at all. It's mostly comparing T8 and T5HO.

That's not true at all. T5's and MH are almost the same effiency wise, with T5's having a very slight edge. T5's and halides do produce about the same amount of heat watt for watt, but because of the surface area on T5's it is easier to get rid of the heat.

MH lights put out more PAR in a small area right beneath them. T5's distribute the light more evenly.

I just don't understand why people feel the need to say MH is the only way to go when there are many, many examples of very nice T5 lit tanks. There certainly are situations where MH would be better and situations where T5 lighting would be better. But, usually it comes down to personal preference, which is why so many people on these kind of threads turn them into, "My way is the best way and your way won't work." arguments.