t-5 lighting

[Kegraties]

I have a problem got my tank and everyting else just need to get the lighting. here is the problem my fiance gave up the dining room table so i could have the tank. but now it just cant be any light it has to be stylish to because we just re finished the kitchen.
I have looked at the a-zoo lights and the ab lights but now sunlight supply has the tek t-5 lights that she will let in the house will tht t-5 let me get clams and sps or do i need mh. the tank is 75 gal if i go with the t-5 it will be the 48"with 8 bulbs for around 430 watts
any info is greatful

[NosArtur]

Moonpod keeps clams under his T5's a few other people here keep SPS under theirs. You can see moonpods clams over at thesea.org.

[foxstop]

I too am considering T5's for my 120g tank.
Thanks for the link to Moonpod's gallery on thesea.org NosArtur.
It looks like he's having great success with his clams under T5 lighting. Specifically using the Sunlight Supply reflectors and T5 specific ballasts.

Brian

[Bbasnett]

You can see what I keep under T5's here:
Bob's Tank (http://www.semiconservice.com/tank.htm)

Good Thread On T5's (http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=239653&highlight=T5)

This is what my tank looks like withe the T5's ... (actually there are just 5 bulbs running, one is out) :mad: The light is really good and you don't build up nearly the heat as you would with MH's.


http://www.semiconservice.com/New%20Fish%20Pics%20115.jpg

[foxstop]

Thanks for the links Bob.
The thread on T5's is very informative and I'm now more torn than ever. :)

Take care.

Brian

[Bbasnett]

I was a bit torn myself but am glad I got the T5's. When I set it up and turned on the first pair and it was brighter than the 4 65 w PC's I knew everything was going to be OK.

The other thing I like is that the bulbs are fairly cheap. At $25 - $30 bucks I can change the color around to get what I want.

If you really want to do something cool you could get a dimming ballast for T5's and using simple X-10 set up a dawn to dusk controll system.

Dimming ballast (http://www.advancetransformer.com/technical/FAQs/Advance_Dimming_Wiring_Diagrams.pdf)

X10 Dimmers (http://www.smarthome.com/2000S.html)

I also get a bit of tank shimmer, not as much as MH but at least ther is some.

[rpgraff]

I didn't realize there were dimming ballasts for T5. The schematics all show using 54watt T5HO, will they work with 24watters?

Do you have a link with specs on these ballasts?

[bensonwu]

Originally posted by Bbasnett
This is what my tank looks like withe the T5's ... (actually there are just 5 bulbs running, one is out) :mad: The light is really good and you don't build up nearly the heat as you would with MH's.


[/IMG] [/B]

I am curious that why I installed 3 bulb on my T5 39W tel light( 4 lamp version, 2 ballast imbeded) , but only two bulbs can be lighted up?..:confused: It seemed that my ballast can't drive only one lamp...

[Troy182]

MY PC's are that way too. If you only have one bulb it burns really dimmly you put in another and they are as bright as they are suppose to be.

[moonpod]

If you've got the teklight hood and it's setup for 4 bulbs, two switches, the ballast senses the open slot as a broken circuit. It won't turn on. You've gotta stick two bulbs in for it to light. You actually have to change the wiring on the ballast (it's not hard, but good luck opening that hood) to make it fire one bulb.

[bensonwu]

Moodpod,Thank you for the advise ..I will try it..

[bensonwu]

It took me 3 hr to do the wire modification(change the switch & wiring---one switch control outward two lamps,one switch control the inward two lamps) ... and the only word I can say is the tek light housing is built so compact and I was so lucky that I didn't destroy or damage any fixture and screws....