2 or 4 t5s - Page 2

iamquockie · 06/04/2006, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by iamquockie
this is what I was looking at for my 60G with dimensions
48x24x13
http://www.aquauniverse.com/componen...hop/Itemid,31/

Would try for the 48" to use less bulbs but my canopy has a "door" cutout on the top of it that allows it to flip up and down, giving me access to the tank, but it is only 40" long. I don't feel like taking off the canopy everytime I wanna mess with it ya know.

I forgot to label my dimensions.
48L X 24H X 13W
its shallow but maybe this will change the perspective on things.

iamquockie · 06/04/2006, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by horkn
shouse, that would work.

until i personally see the new UVL sa bulbs, i will go with the geiseman/ ge mix that everyone knows

I have decided on T5's, now i just gotta know how many and the wattage. When I do order, I will get the new UVL Super Actinics. They claim to put out the same spectrum as their VHO bulbs. I will take pics and post them.

The Grim Reefer · 06/04/2006, 02:17 PM

Don't mess with the aquauniverse junk. Get real Tek retros. At 24" high I would get a 4x54 watt Tek retor from reefgeek but upgrade to the Ice Cap reflectors for 5 bux a piece.

iamquockie · 06/04/2006, 05:05 PM

so reefer.....hehe reefer...alright enough being stupid.

I was looking at some sunlight supply Tek Retro 48" 5x54 with their sunlight supply reflectors. Ice cap reflectors are better?
I pretty much ruled out the aquauniverse stuff after looking at pictures and retro kits from other reefkeepers. The aquauniverse stuff looks so cheap. @24" high do I need to roll with the icecap ballast and overdrive the bulbs as well? I am looking to keep some clam and acropora's

The Grim Reefer · 06/04/2006, 08:22 PM

I think I would go with the Ice Cap reflectors but stick with the standard ballasts. The IC reflector are good for about 20% more light than the Teks.

iamquockie · 06/05/2006, 11:17 AM

so are you running ur halides still? or did you go with all t5's. I noticed some crocea clams in your tank, are showing signs of good growth? no shrinking or discoloration?

The Grim Reefer · 06/05/2006, 11:33 AM

I want back to the T5's. I need to clear out all those shots since I sold the tank. The Croceas did great although I ended up losing one to an anemone sting and the second to my own stupidity. They don't do well with a rock falling on top of them for a couple days. They both had done well up until the incidents.

I added a couple of baby Maximas a few months before I sold the tank. One right on the sand didn't make it but the second one that was maybe 4" above the sand on a rock did very well. I got them barely an inch and a half and this one was at least 2 1/2 when I sold the stuff. I didn't realize a clam could grow that fast.

iamquockie · 06/06/2006, 08:19 AM

okay--i talked to greg at reefgeeks--he got me everything including the Icecap SLR reflectors for $307.

Okay---I just setup my new tank 2 weeks ago--and its going through this mini cycle, once thats done, I can start adding stuff in. Everything is leveling out quickly.

I hope the T5's will do it for me, I hate to make a $300 mistake.

The Grim Reefer · 06/06/2006, 08:24 AM

There are no mistakes in reefing, just expensive lessons

iamquockie · 06/08/2006, 08:38 PM

well, I would like my lesson fees down to a minimum. I was just looking at the progress of t 5's from the time they were introduced in the US in early 2002---many were skeptical, but now it has proven itself to be a contender with the MH with cheaper maintenance fee's. Do I have to keep the t5's at a certain level above the surface of the water?

iamquockie · 06/14/2006, 09:41 PM

so i got my t5's and installed them. They look good and bright with great coverage (no dark spots). The actinics bulbs from UV lighting company (formerly URI) look good. The color is purple instead of the "blue" you get from PC's or what the "blue" bulbs that used to come with the T5 kits. I will prefer the look and brightness of the VHO Actinic 03. The T5 are tiny bulbs that pack a big punch and my corals love them, although the lights have only been installed for 4 days.

banditfl · 06/15/2006, 05:24 AM

What type of Lamp combination are you running?
How about some photos trying to capture the look.

iamquockie · 06/15/2006, 11:35 AM

my stupid self picked out the lamp combo of
(2) uv actinics
(1) AB 12k geismann
(1) ge Daylight 6.5k

Its a little white for me, others said I should have went with two AB 12K and one actinic but I just like the "glowing" of the reds, greens, yellows, and orange under actinic lights. Pix will be up soon as soon as I find my wire to transfer it into my computer

06/04/2006, 02:17 PM	#28
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	Don't mess with the aquauniverse junk. Get real Tek retros. At 24" high I would get a 4x54 watt Tek retor from reefgeek but upgrade to the Ice Cap reflectors for 5 bux a piece. __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

06/04/2006, 08:22 PM	#30
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	I think I would go with the Ice Cap reflectors but stick with the standard ballasts. The IC reflector are good for about 20% more light than the Teks. __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

06/05/2006, 11:33 AM	#32
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	I want back to the T5's. I need to clear out all those shots since I sold the tank. The Croceas did great although I ended up losing one to an anemone sting and the second to my own stupidity. They don't do well with a rock falling on top of them for a couple days. They both had done well up until the incidents. I added a couple of baby Maximas a few months before I sold the tank. One right on the sand didn't make it but the second one that was maybe 4" above the sand on a rock did very well. I got them barely an inch and a half and this one was at least 2 1/2 when I sold the stuff. I didn't realize a clam could grow that fast. __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

06/06/2006, 08:24 AM	#34
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	There are no mistakes in reefing, just expensive lessons __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

06/15/2006, 05:24 AM	#37
banditfl Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Central Florida Posts: 324	What type of Lamp combination are you running? How about some photos trying to capture the look. __________________ Successful Bubble Algae Farmer. Current Tank Info: 75g Mixed Reef (under development), 30g softie w/20l frag tank, and the original 6g nano (the one the sarted it all)

06/04/2006, 05:05 PM	#29
iamquockie Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: dfw Posts: 276	so reefer.....hehe reefer...alright enough being stupid. I was looking at some sunlight supply Tek Retro 48" 5x54 with their sunlight supply reflectors. Ice cap reflectors are better? I pretty much ruled out the aquauniverse stuff after looking at pictures and retro kits from other reefkeepers. The aquauniverse stuff looks so cheap. @24" high do I need to roll with the icecap ballast and overdrive the bulbs as well? I am looking to keep some clam and acropora's

06/05/2006, 11:17 AM	#31
iamquockie Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: dfw Posts: 276	so are you running ur halides still? or did you go with all t5's. I noticed some crocea clams in your tank, are showing signs of good growth? no shrinking or discoloration?

06/06/2006, 08:19 AM	#33
iamquockie Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: dfw Posts: 276	okay--i talked to greg at reefgeeks--he got me everything including the Icecap SLR reflectors for $307. Okay---I just setup my new tank 2 weeks ago--and its going through this mini cycle, once thats done, I can start adding stuff in. Everything is leveling out quickly. I hope the T5's will do it for me, I hate to make a $300 mistake.

06/08/2006, 08:38 PM	#35
iamquockie Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: dfw Posts: 276	well, I would like my lesson fees down to a minimum. I was just looking at the progress of t 5's from the time they were introduced in the US in early 2002---many were skeptical, but now it has proven itself to be a contender with the MH with cheaper maintenance fee's. Do I have to keep the t5's at a certain level above the surface of the water?

06/14/2006, 09:41 PM	#36
iamquockie Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: dfw Posts: 276	so i got my t5's and installed them. They look good and bright with great coverage (no dark spots). The actinics bulbs from UV lighting company (formerly URI) look good. The color is purple instead of the "blue" you get from PC's or what the "blue" bulbs that used to come with the T5 kits. I will prefer the look and brightness of the VHO Actinic 03. The T5 are tiny bulbs that pack a big punch and my corals love them, although the lights have only been installed for 4 days.

06/15/2006, 11:35 AM	#38
iamquockie Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: dfw Posts: 276	my stupid self picked out the lamp combo of (2) uv actinics (1) AB 12k geismann (1) ge Daylight 6.5k Its a little white for me, others said I should have went with two AB 12K and one actinic but I just like the "glowing" of the reds, greens, yellows, and orange under actinic lights. Pix will be up soon as soon as I find my wire to transfer it into my computer