t-5 question

cfarrow2 · 04/15/2006, 01:24 PM

I'm looking to upgrade my lights to t-5s from the PCs I have. I'm not sure about the strength of the wattage of the T-5s, though. I've heard that you don't need as much wattage because the T-5s put out more light than PCs. So, I'm looking at the Nova Extreme T-5, 48", 216 watts for my 55 gal. (W/ four lunar lights). I'm keeping Zoos under my PCs so I know they'll be OK. Can I keep mushrooms and some LPS under the T-5s? I won't get into SPS because of the difficulties that come with them (calcium supplementation, light demands, etc.)
Basically, Is the wattage (216w T-5) enough to keep everything but SPS and anemones?

staninct · 04/15/2006, 01:40 PM

Yes, although you should be dosing your tank with kalk or 2 part if you plan on keeping LPS anyway, not to mention the fact your LR and coralline will love it. And anenome don't need as strong a light as you'd think - I have a pacific long tentacle thriving under 130w of PC in a 20h nano. You should also consider supplements for your zoos- they will appreciate it too! I am moving down from 192w PC to 156w T5 on my 38g, and am planning on doing SPS in that tank. its not about the watts, but more the PAR rating. Good luck!

sales weasel · 04/15/2006, 01:44 PM

I've probably read every T5 thread I can find and if you get a 4-light fixture with individual reflectors, you can keep about anything. The Nova has one reflector but should probably be just fine for softies and LPS. have a 55g that is currently under 260w pc lights. I bought two 175w MH fixtures and was going to supplement w/T 5. Today, I changed my mind and I'm going 100% T5.

cfarrow2 · 04/15/2006, 02:48 PM

yeah, I noticed that even under PCs, heat is going to be a prob. in my tank. Can't get it under 80 with 130w 50/50s. No MH for me, either.

cfarrow2 · 04/15/2006, 02:59 PM

Thanks for the info. Can you explain the two part calcium dosing you suggested? I understand that w/ Kalk, you need co2. Does the 2 part not require that?

sales weasel · 04/15/2006, 03:10 PM

If you run a calcium reactor, you need CO2. With Kalk (pickling lime), you can make all kinds of diy dosers. Check this one out: http://fragexchange.com/forums/showt...p?postid=25634

horkn · 04/15/2006, 09:35 PM

if you dont want sps or anemones, the nova will work fine.

staninct · 04/16/2006, 08:57 PM

Two part is evenly balanced and economical in the short term - especially in a smaller tank. CBalance from Two Little Fishies (J. Sprung's Company) and B-Ionic (from ESV Labs) are the two most common on the market, and are readily available online and at your LFS. They both do the same function, and I use CBalance (due to my support of Dr Sprung and his research for our hobby) and have always had great results.

bassnman11 · 04/16/2006, 09:24 PM

If you have a hood and a little mechanical ability, I would reccomend a DIY T5 setup. If you use aqualux reflectors, you could get by fine with 2 54 watt T5s with what you have in your tank. You can can easily upgrade to 2 more later as you add more corals.( you know you will)

mrmustard · 04/17/2006, 05:34 PM

I have the Nova Extreme and I'm housing a BTA anemone some mushrooms (growing like crazy) and some bubble corals. Everything is doing great. I would recommend these lights to anyone.

04/15/2006, 01:24 PM	#1
cfarrow2 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Overland Park, KS Posts: 626	t-5 question I'm looking to upgrade my lights to t-5s from the PCs I have. I'm not sure about the strength of the wattage of the T-5s, though. I've heard that you don't need as much wattage because the T-5s put out more light than PCs. So, I'm looking at the Nova Extreme T-5, 48", 216 watts for my 55 gal. (W/ four lunar lights). I'm keeping Zoos under my PCs so I know they'll be OK. Can I keep mushrooms and some LPS under the T-5s? I won't get into SPS because of the difficulties that come with them (calcium supplementation, light demands, etc.) Basically, Is the wattage (216w T-5) enough to keep everything but SPS and anemones?

04/15/2006, 01:40 PM	#2
staninct Zoanthid/SPS Killer Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Branford, CT 06405 Posts: 1,660	Yes, although you should be dosing your tank with kalk or 2 part if you plan on keeping LPS anyway, not to mention the fact your LR and coralline will love it. And anenome don't need as strong a light as you'd think - I have a pacific long tentacle thriving under 130w of PC in a 20h nano. You should also consider supplements for your zoos- they will appreciate it too! I am moving down from 192w PC to 156w T5 on my 38g, and am planning on doing SPS in that tank. its not about the watts, but more the PAR rating. Good luck! __________________ Cheers! Stan Current Tank Info: 58g w/ 20g sump/fuge, TX5 T5s, Tunze 6045s and SC150 Skimmer

04/15/2006, 02:48 PM	#4
cfarrow2 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Overland Park, KS Posts: 626	yeah, I noticed that even under PCs, heat is going to be a prob. in my tank. Can't get it under 80 with 130w 50/50s. No MH for me, either. __________________ Happiness is contagious. What are you spreading? Current Tank Info: 55 gal. 216 W. T5s. Wet/dry sump w/ Mag 5 return. Softies, 3 fish, shrimp, urchin. HA factory for the time being.

04/15/2006, 02:59 PM	#5
cfarrow2 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Overland Park, KS Posts: 626	Thanks for the info. Can you explain the two part calcium dosing you suggested? I understand that w/ Kalk, you need co2. Does the 2 part not require that? __________________ Happiness is contagious. What are you spreading? Current Tank Info: 55 gal. 216 W. T5s. Wet/dry sump w/ Mag 5 return. Softies, 3 fish, shrimp, urchin. HA factory for the time being.

04/15/2006, 09:35 PM	#7
horkn Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: milwaukee wisconsin Posts: 4,125	if you dont want sps or anemones, the nova will work fine. __________________ people write stupid things in this space Current Tank Info: 200g DIY wood reef, 2x 250w SE 10k MH 2x80 t5ho, 75g sump, Geo Ca RX, ASD 6" recirc skimmer

04/15/2006, 01:44 PM	#3
sales weasel Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Atlanta burbs Posts: 646	I've probably read every T5 thread I can find and if you get a 4-light fixture with individual reflectors, you can keep about anything. The Nova has one reflector but should probably be just fine for softies and LPS. have a 55g that is currently under 260w pc lights. I bought two 175w MH fixtures and was going to supplement w/T 5. Today, I changed my mind and I'm going 100% T5.

04/15/2006, 03:10 PM	#6
sales weasel Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Atlanta burbs Posts: 646	If you run a calcium reactor, you need CO2. With Kalk (pickling lime), you can make all kinds of diy dosers. Check this one out: http://fragexchange.com/forums/showt...p?postid=25634

04/16/2006, 08:57 PM	#8
staninct Zoanthid/SPS Killer Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Branford, CT 06405 Posts: 1,660	Two part is evenly balanced and economical in the short term - especially in a smaller tank. CBalance from Two Little Fishies (J. Sprung's Company) and B-Ionic (from ESV Labs) are the two most common on the market, and are readily available online and at your LFS. They both do the same function, and I use CBalance (due to my support of Dr Sprung and his research for our hobby) and have always had great results. __________________ Cheers! Stan Current Tank Info: 58g w/ 20g sump/fuge, TX5 T5s, Tunze 6045s and SC150 Skimmer

04/16/2006, 09:24 PM	#9
bassnman11 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Corona Ca. Posts: 674	If you have a hood and a little mechanical ability, I would reccomend a DIY T5 setup. If you use aqualux reflectors, you could get by fine with 2 54 watt T5s with what you have in your tank. You can can easily upgrade to 2 more later as you add more corals.( you know you will)

04/17/2006, 05:34 PM	#10
mrmustard Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Napa, CA Posts: 173	I have the Nova Extreme and I'm housing a BTA anemone some mushrooms (growing like crazy) and some bubble corals. Everything is doing great. I would recommend these lights to anyone. __________________ "Yesterday, three Brazilian soldiers were killed in an accident." "OH, NO!" Bush exclaimed. "That's terrible!" Finally, W. looked up and asked, "How many is a brazillion?"