Advantages/Info on T5's

[rangerdave1]

This is a little off topic but what are the advantages of running T5's over PC's. It seems like you need more T5's then anything else out there. How much do they run for usualy? Are the bulbs half the price of same length pc's?

thanks, Dave

[ShipWreck]

This is a little off topic but what are the advantages of running T5's over PC's. It seems like you need more T5's then anything else out there. How much do they run for usualy? Are the bulbs half the price of same length pc's?

thanks, Dave

T5's with Icecap ballasts and reflectors can produce similar amounts of light or even more then metal halides. The T5's will support acros and clams. As well when comparing prices the bulb price for a t5 lamp is $25-$40 while most MH bulbs are $70-$120.

[rangerdave1]

Are they much better then PC's ? I've noticed that there is less colour selection with the PC's but other then that, are T5's much better? Can you support SPS + clams under PC's ?

[Darryl_V]

Are they much better then PC's ? I've noticed that there is less colour selection with the PC's but other then that, are T5's much better? simple answer, Yes


Can you support SPS + clams under PC's ?

I imagine but not too many people try to do it this way...too many limiting factors.

T5's are more effiecient then PC's and provide more light per watt. There is a better selection of bulbs. Bulb life is longer compared to PC and the big whopper T5's have individual parabolic reflectors....PC's do not.

Infact one major flaw of the pC is the shape. THe light bulb is folded onto it self.....Light from one section of the tube go's direct into the other. This also causes more heat inside the bulb and less bulb life.

[rangerdave1]

ok, I have been having a really hard time deciding what lights to run in my application. I have a 250w MH but have so little room i'm concerned about over heating and not being able to run actinic lighting cause there's no room. I'd like to have 2 clams + maybee a few pieces of sps but it will be mostly zoo's, star polyps, shrooms, and softies. maybee a few lps too. It's a 65 tall tank, could I get away running 4 x 39watt T5's ? I have asked many times on AP what lights to choose and It seems like 2 x 250 MH is the ideal way to go but i dont have the room and will not cut up my nice canopy. How are T5's working for people? can you keep Clams and SPS under them?

I dont want to take over this thread just didn't feel like starting a new one.

thanks, Dave

[rangerdave1]

oh i guess that's too late. lol new thread is already started

[ajx22]

:)

Thought that it would be better this way - as the original thread was deviating from the Workhorse ballast topic.

Still very relevant - so a new thread is born.

:)

[Darryl_V]

How are T5's working for people? can you keep Clams and SPS under them?

I think that has already been answered. Yes. Some people have amazing tanks using T5HO. I myself have a SPS tank with T5. I also have 3 clams.

I think T5 is a good option for you if you don't want to run 250w MH's on your 65g. This will allow you not to alter your canopy if you have a nice one but it is low (from what I gathered.)

4 x 39w would be the minimum for SPS and clams....and you may even want 6 bulbs if you want alot of SPS since your tank is 18" wide. But a lot of things will vary the actual amount of light your corals are getting like the distance from the waters surface, bulb brand, ballast, reflector (go with Icecap for the best, 2nd best is TEK IMO).


2 clams + maybee a few pieces of sps but it will be mostly zoo's, star polyps, shrooms, and softies. maybee a few lps too.

You may find it hard to have your cake and it too. Different corals have different lighting needs. People with a lot of light for SPS and clams may have trouble keeping some softies and LPS. Also some corals do not appreciate the pristine water conditions that SPS love.

For a nice mixed reef I would suggest starting with a 4 bulb retro in your canopy. Keeping SPS up higher and LPS and softies down lower. This is not an exact science ....you will have to play around with your setup till you are satified with the results.

[rangerdave1]

ok thanks alot. I'll probably start with 4 for now. I only want a few SPS pieces anyways. hopefully it'll be enough for a clam.

Dave

[Darryl_V]

If you go for 4 bulbs....I would recommend the IC reflectors.

[smp]

If you already have the 250 watt MH why not use it?
How tall is your canopy? Is the bulb an SE or DE bulb?
Is your 65 the standard 24" high?

There's no sense spending more money when you already have perfectly adequate lighting on hand.
Also, you mentioned actinic supplementation and that you might not have room for it if you go with the MH. If you use a 20k or even 14k bulb you might find you don't need it. Personally, I like running without actinics, just more power consumption. When I did run actinic it was only for an hour on before and after the MH.

[rangerdave1]

I have a SE 250w, icecap ballast and lumerac reflector but it's just too big for my canopy. The canopy is not high enough and the reflector has a large foot print and leaves no room to put t5's on each side. The heat is an other issue. With the bulb close to the water like it is now, It'll just boil the surface. I could install some fans but i don't think it's gonna help that much because there's only about 1" from the edge of the refector to the water surface. My tank also has a center brace which is an other issue going to a single MH bulb... i could go dual 150DE or 250 DE but It's alot of money and i can't justify the cost of running dual MH on a 65 gallon tank. if it were a 100 gallon i could. So I'm thinking of going the T5 route. it just seems like the best way to go if space, heat and power consuption are a concern.

[smp]

I hear you. If the reflector is only an inch away from the water then it doesn't sound good.
Instead of spending money on new lighting you should spend money on a new tank, without a center brace :D
That reflector is perfect for a cube :D