T 5 question

[MrsPuffs]

what information can you tell me about the T5 High Output lighting systems?

1. How well do they work?

2. About how many wats would one need per gal. with these bulbs?

3. Can you use only these fixtures for corals or do you need other lights?

4. What kind of corals/clams can you keep with these lights?

5. How often do bulbs need to be changed?

6. Can these T5 HO fixtures be used for hard corals in place of MH lighting with success?

Any information on these would be a great help. Thanks!!

[MrsPuffs]

Not one person knows the answer to any of these questions?

[jennmac415]

this should get you started....

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...readid=1256520

[MrsPuffs]

Thank you

[jennmac415]

you are welcome.... it is a lot of reading but all the info will be in there and more...

[gabe3d]

This is just based on my experience and what i do. I've had two tanks with T5s and i'm quite satisfied with the setups. I've also tried MH but i like T5 better.

1. How well do they work?
They work very well and the level of customization you can do in terms of look of the tank is very good. You can mix and match bulbs to achieve the look you really want, something impossible with MH.

2. About how many wats would one need per gal. with these bulbs?
There are just a few things you need to keep in mind as oppose to watts per gallon. Make sure you get good reflectors per bulb, a good ballast, and good quality bulbs. Given the above then if the length of the bulb covers most of the tank then you should be ok for most tank unless if you have a very deep tank. Depth wise I have a 30'' tall tank and i can grow SPS and clams on the sandbed.

3. Can you use only these fixtures for corals or do you need other lights?
You can use T5 as your only source of light.

4. What kind of corals/clams can you keep with these lights?
Anything really, T5 are really bright.

5. How often do bulbs need to be changed?
Once a year for me but some people change them every 1.5 years.

6. Can these T5 HO fixtures be used for hard corals in place of MH lighting with success?
Yes.


HTH.

[RONCGIZMO]

Originally posted by gabe3d
This is just based on my experience and what i do. I've had two tanks with T5s and i'm quite satisfied with the setups. I've also tried MH but i like T5 better.


HTH.

Mind if I add one?
Have you ever used VHO lights? I have 3 24" and I was thinking about
getting 4 T5's to replace them, do you think the T5's are brighter then the T12's? My PC's seemed to be that's why I ask..

Thanks

[gabe3d]

I've used T5 with VHO and MH with VHO, but never only VHO as a main source of light. 4 T5s is gonna be substantially brighter than 3 VHO.

[RONCGIZMO]

Thanks Gabe, you just helped me make up my mind

My big concern was also what we all said about PC's a few years
back, how they were so great, you can grow SPS keep clams etc..
I know the T5's have very good par for it's size but you as an Engineer
knows as well as I do "you can make anything look good on paper if you tweak it right"

Thanks, I'll give them a shot

[gabe3d]

Originally posted by RONCGIZMO
Thanks Gabe, you just helped me make up my mind

My big concern was also what we all said about PC's a few years
back, how they were so great, you can grow SPS keep clams etc..
I know the T5's have very good par for it's size but you as an Engineer
knows as well as I do "you can make anything look good on paper if you tweak it right"

Thanks, I'll give them a shot

Hehe that's funny. I'm sure you will be happy with the decision. Glad I was able to lend you a hand.

[MrsPuffs]

Gabe3d,
Thanks so much for answering my questions. You were a great help. I have been reading on these lights and they sound pretty good. I will be getting some in soon to try out and see how I like them. Thanks again for your answers to my questions.

[Icefire]

Gabe3d, I'm getting a 110G tall (30" deep), how many T5 you got over your 210? I have 4x39" over a 50G and I'm thinking to go 6x54W on the 110.

[gabe3d]

I have 9 bulbs over my tank that are overdriven.