What all kinds of clams with T5s?

Firesole · 11/18/2008, 06:54 AM

I plan on purchasing some T5 retro kits soon and making my own fixture for my tank. I would like to get a few clams. I currently only have a 55 gal but hope to upgrade to a 75 or even a 90 or larger one day. My question is, can I keep Maximas w/ T5s? surely the additional height of the 90gal would make a difference in the light as opposed to a 75gal. My LFS says that Derasas don't need halides but I don't think they are as good looking as the others. What is the maintenance requirements for clams? how do you feed them?

Simon68 · 11/18/2008, 08:04 AM

I think it depends on how many T5s and if you will have individual reflectors. I have 7 T5s and individual relflectors on each one, I don't think there is much I can't put in there.

an411 · 11/18/2008, 08:17 AM

You could keep a clam under t5 especially if they are overdriven by an ice cap ballast

Firesole · 11/18/2008, 08:46 AM

I plan on having 4 T5s right now (well after I install them that is) on my 55gal and when I upgrade to a larger tank add two more for 6 T5s. I will not be overdriving w/ icecaps. The ballasts that I will be getting are GLO. Not sure how good they are. Have heard pretty good things about the GLO light fixtures but not the retro kits. Too good to pass up really, a 2 bulb retro kit w/ all connections and individual reflectors for 45 each. I plan on picking up 3 kits.

Onyx97 · 11/18/2008, 08:51 AM

Hey Firesole I was planning on getting the Glo T5s also. Have you read a review on them ?

Firesole · 11/18/2008, 08:57 AM

No I haven't but one of my LFS carries the fixtures and a few of the guys that I know from there say they like them a lot and I trust them not to just say it to sell it. The retro kits I'm getting are at another LFS that bought out a 3rd store somewhere else and is just getting rid of all of there equipment.

returnofsid · 11/18/2008, 10:46 AM

T5s with the individual reflectors are every bit as good as 250 MH lighting, IF you have enough T5s, in water of 20" depth or less. What I mean is that if you have full coverage of T5s over a tank, you're good to go. So in a 55, 4 bulbs, in a 75, 6 bulbs.

I have a 6 bulb T5, Tek5 fixture over my 75 and can keep any acros or clams I want. Keep in mind that the higher light demanding clams are also the clams that naturally live in the rocks. Because of this, they can be put closer to the light. The clams that don't require as much light, such as a T. derasa, are naturally sand dwellers so can be safely put on the bottom.

Amoore311 · 11/18/2008, 10:46 AM

I've got a Maxima just off the sand, and a Crocea on the sand in my 90 Gallon under a 6 Bulb Tek Fixture.

The crocea has been there almost 1 year, the Maxima 3 months. Both are looking fantastic.

crvz · 11/18/2008, 11:01 AM

I've got 8 bulbs on my 150, and I keep crocea on the floor of the tank and easy 26" from the bulbs (probably farther, its a 24" tank). You'd be able to keep any of them if you have individual reflectors.

REEF-n-Chicago · 11/18/2008, 11:38 AM

That is awesome!

I was unaware you could keep them on the sand w/ T5

WaterKeeper · 11/18/2008, 12:27 PM

In a tank under 30" it seems to work as there are several people doing it. With deeper tanks there might be a problem but even with MH the clam needs to be placed directly under the MH tube to recieve the full benefit of it output in a deep tank.

Firesole · 11/18/2008, 12:55 PM

ok that's great. Now how far from the water's surface to the bulbs is the average distance?

WaterKeeper · 11/18/2008, 01:03 PM

For florescent they can be as close as possible. For MH at least a 6-8" standoff is needed.

Firesole · 11/18/2008, 01:05 PM

no MH, I'm only gonna go w/ T5s

surge19us · 11/18/2008, 03:19 PM

Put them 4" or 5" from the water if you can. Mine are about 3" and I get a little salt spray on them once in awhile. I need to rework my canopy and get that extra inch. I have both a Crocea about 3/4 of the way down and a Deresa on the sand in my 120g. I tried the crocea up near the surface when I got him and he kept jumping off. Even after he attached to a frag plug he broke loose and jumped. Put him on a rock ledge about 2" above the sand and he attached and hunkered right in. Not sure I could move him if I wanted to.

WaterKeeper · 11/18/2008, 03:27 PM

You can add a peice of acylic or glass, that is as wide as the florescent hood, if you wish but doesn't cover the whole tank. That way you can wipe away the salt spray once a day without needing to sponge down the lights themselves.

noboddi · 11/18/2008, 03:36 PM

Here is Grimreefers site with a lot of good information on T5s and bulbs

http://tfivetesting.googlepages.com/

Check out his T5 Q&A thread. Well worth the time. It opened my eyes on bulbs

Curve · 11/18/2008, 05:09 PM

You can keep anything with t5's just make sure you have individual reflectors and a good bulb choice. 4 t5's will be plenty for your 55 and if it needs more light move it up in the tank.

crvz · 11/18/2008, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Firesole
ok that's great. Now how far from the water's surface to the bulbs is the average distance?

I've got mine about 6" off the water surface.

11/18/2008, 06:54 AM	#1
Firesole Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Athens, Ga Posts: 132	What all kinds of clams with T5s? I plan on purchasing some T5 retro kits soon and making my own fixture for my tank. I would like to get a few clams. I currently only have a 55 gal but hope to upgrade to a 75 or even a 90 or larger one day. My question is, can I keep Maximas w/ T5s? surely the additional height of the 90gal would make a difference in the light as opposed to a 75gal. My LFS says that Derasas don't need halides but I don't think they are as good looking as the others. What is the maintenance requirements for clams? how do you feed them? __________________ I'm not good enough to play by the rules!! Current Tank Info: 55g reef ready w/ 30g sump/fuge. 80+ lbs LR.

11/18/2008, 08:46 AM	#4
Firesole Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Athens, Ga Posts: 132	I plan on having 4 T5s right now (well after I install them that is) on my 55gal and when I upgrade to a larger tank add two more for 6 T5s. I will not be overdriving w/ icecaps. The ballasts that I will be getting are GLO. Not sure how good they are. Have heard pretty good things about the GLO light fixtures but not the retro kits. Too good to pass up really, a 2 bulb retro kit w/ all connections and individual reflectors for 45 each. I plan on picking up 3 kits. __________________ I'm not good enough to play by the rules!! Current Tank Info: 55g reef ready w/ 30g sump/fuge. 80+ lbs LR.

11/18/2008, 08:57 AM	#6
Firesole Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Athens, Ga Posts: 132	No I haven't but one of my LFS carries the fixtures and a few of the guys that I know from there say they like them a lot and I trust them not to just say it to sell it. The retro kits I'm getting are at another LFS that bought out a 3rd store somewhere else and is just getting rid of all of there equipment. __________________ I'm not good enough to play by the rules!! Current Tank Info: 55g reef ready w/ 30g sump/fuge. 80+ lbs LR.

11/18/2008, 10:46 AM	#8
Amoore311 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Ulster County, NY Posts: 2,521	I've got a Maxima just off the sand, and a Crocea on the sand in my 90 Gallon under a 6 Bulb Tek Fixture. The crocea has been there almost 1 year, the Maxima 3 months. Both are looking fantastic. __________________ 30 Gallon FOWLR 2004-2006 90 Gallon LPS Reef 2006-2008 180 Gallon SPS Reef 2008-20012 100 Gallon Custom Rimless Mixed Reef 2012-2014 29 Gallon Biocube Reef! Current Current Tank Info: 29 Gallon Biocube, StevesLED Upgrade, Neptune Apex

11/18/2008, 11:01 AM	#9
crvz Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: houstonia Posts: 7,989	I've got 8 bulbs on my 150, and I keep crocea on the floor of the tank and easy 26" from the bulbs (probably farther, its a 24" tank). You'd be able to keep any of them if you have individual reflectors. __________________ -Chris- You don't win friends with salad. "Look! They're trying to learn for free!" ... "Use your phony guns as clubs!" Current Tank Info: rectangluar? wet?

11/18/2008, 08:04 AM	#2
Simon68 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Bergen County, NJ Posts: 230	I think it depends on how many T5s and if you will have individual reflectors. I have 7 T5s and individual relflectors on each one, I don't think there is much I can't put in there.

11/18/2008, 08:17 AM	#3
an411 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Derby CT Posts: 2,861	You could keep a clam under t5 especially if they are overdriven by an ice cap ballast

11/18/2008, 08:51 AM	#5
Onyx97 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 134	Hey Firesole I was planning on getting the Glo T5s also. Have you read a review on them ?

11/18/2008, 10:46 AM	#7
returnofsid Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 3,852	T5s with the individual reflectors are every bit as good as 250 MH lighting, IF you have enough T5s, in water of 20" depth or less. What I mean is that if you have full coverage of T5s over a tank, you're good to go. So in a 55, 4 bulbs, in a 75, 6 bulbs. I have a 6 bulb T5, Tek5 fixture over my 75 and can keep any acros or clams I want. Keep in mind that the higher light demanding clams are also the clams that naturally live in the rocks. Because of this, they can be put closer to the light. The clams that don't require as much light, such as a T. derasa, are naturally sand dwellers so can be safely put on the bottom.

11/18/2008, 11:38 AM	#10
REEF-n-Chicago Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA (san pedro) Posts: 1,456	That is awesome! I was unaware you could keep them on the sand w/ T5 __________________ Jordan My tank gets DRUNK every morning Current Tank Info: 150 Gallon w/ 100 gallon sump; 240 gallon

11/18/2008, 12:27 PM	#11
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	In a tank under 30" it seems to work as there are several people doing it. With deeper tanks there might be a problem but even with MH the clam needs to be placed directly under the MH tube to recieve the full benefit of it output in a deep tank. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

11/18/2008, 12:55 PM	#12
Firesole Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Athens, Ga Posts: 132	ok that's great. Now how far from the water's surface to the bulbs is the average distance? __________________ I'm not good enough to play by the rules!! Current Tank Info: 55g reef ready w/ 30g sump/fuge. 80+ lbs LR.

11/18/2008, 01:03 PM	#13
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	For florescent they can be as close as possible. For MH at least a 6-8" standoff is needed. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

11/18/2008, 01:05 PM	#14
Firesole Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Athens, Ga Posts: 132	no MH, I'm only gonna go w/ T5s __________________ I'm not good enough to play by the rules!! Current Tank Info: 55g reef ready w/ 30g sump/fuge. 80+ lbs LR.

11/18/2008, 03:19 PM	#15
surge19us Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Willard, Oh Posts: 656	Put them 4" or 5" from the water if you can. Mine are about 3" and I get a little salt spray on them once in awhile. I need to rework my canopy and get that extra inch. I have both a Crocea about 3/4 of the way down and a Deresa on the sand in my 120g. I tried the crocea up near the surface when I got him and he kept jumping off. Even after he attached to a frag plug he broke loose and jumped. Put him on a rock ledge about 2" above the sand and he attached and hunkered right in. Not sure I could move him if I wanted to.

11/18/2008, 03:27 PM	#16
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	You can add a peice of acylic or glass, that is as wide as the florescent hood, if you wish but doesn't cover the whole tank. That way you can wipe away the salt spray once a day without needing to sponge down the lights themselves. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

11/18/2008, 03:36 PM	#17
noboddi Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 813	Here is Grimreefers site with a lot of good information on T5s and bulbs http://tfivetesting.googlepages.com/ Check out his T5 Q&A thread. Well worth the time. It opened my eyes on bulbs __________________ Entia non sunt multiplicanda praeter necessitatem - William of Ockham Current Tank Info: 55 gallon (36x18x20), 40 gallon sump, 25 gallon refugium, TEK 6x39w fixture, Osmolator, Kalk Reactor, Vortech MP20, 2 Koralia 3s on controller, Acropora, Anthelia, Montipora, Starry Blenny, Yellow Watchman, Rainford Goby, Tiger Gobies

11/18/2008, 05:09 PM	#18
Curve Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Farmerville, Louisiana Posts: 652	You can keep anything with t5's just make sure you have individual reflectors and a good bulb choice. 4 t5's will be plenty for your 55 and if it needs more light move it up in the tank. __________________ If you don't take some meds, you're going to burn out of this hobby everytime a shrimp farts. Current Tank Info: 210 aggresive, 3 gallon led build