Not sure what T-5 setup to choose

LePep · 08/23/2006, 03:32 PM

Hello everyone, Iâ€™m in the process of setting up a 150 gal (48x24x30) reef consisting mainly of zoos, LPS, clams and a couple of SPS. The tank will be a room divider with the front, back, and one side exposed. I've done a lot of research but still have some questions (The 30 inch height is killing me!).

What kind of T5 setup should I use, 6 or 8 bulb?

Overdriven?

Could I keep mushrooms in the lower half without shade?

I read that T5â€™s donâ€™t look good in a room divider because different color and shades can be seen, has anyone had any experience with this?

Thanks is advance.

old salty · 08/23/2006, 04:47 PM

I think it would depend on what type of lighting you prefer. Are you looking into a fixture such a a TEK or are you looking to install a retrofit kit?

As for the different colors and shades, I don't notice this on my tank at all. Then again, it's not a room divider, but the light pretty much blends together where I cannot notice different shades.

LePep · 08/23/2006, 05:57 PM

Thanks, Old Salty. I'm defenitly going with a T5 then. My question now is if normal or overdriven.

It will be a retrofit since I'm planning on building a hood.

I'm more inclined to buy the 6 lamp overdriven because of the 30 inch tall tank in order to get light at the bottom. The problem with this is that I'm more inclined to a LPS tank and believe that most of the upper tank would have to be coral free exept for the two or three SPS I'm planning on having.

Would this assumption be correct?

raynist · 08/23/2006, 09:23 PM

That is a deep tank. Check out the Icecap forum. They are about to release a 6x54 bulb solution with their ballasts overdriving the bulbs, kind of pricey, but should be a great unit.

The other choice (besides Tek) would be Aquatinics, I just ordered a 14 bulb, six foot version. They are quite a bit cheaper than Tek, but still have the individual reflectors. They have a 10% off sale this week.

--Ray

old salty · 08/23/2006, 10:13 PM

I think the lighting would come out better on an 8 bulb normally driven, due to how the 24 inch front to back length. Mine is shorter than that and though I only use 6 bulbs, I could certainly fit 8. Not to mention you might have the benefit of longer bulb life.

MJAnderson · 08/24/2006, 07:17 AM

I can't see the different shades in my lights either except in the reflection on top of the tank.

LePep · 08/24/2006, 05:18 PM

Thanks for the responses everyone

Old salty, so you think an 8x54 bulb normal driven will be enough? The difference between the normal and overdriven is not that much, about $130.00.

So letâ€™s say Iâ€™m getting an 8 bulb overdriven, will my LPS or shrooms suffer from the excess light? Even with the shrooms in the lower half of the tank? This will definitely be the deciding factor.

MJAnderson, I read about the different shades and colors somewhere in the T5 Q&A forum but I canâ€™t find it anymore. Who knows, maybe I imagined it in one of those late night research sessions

.

Thanks.

old salty · 08/24/2006, 09:10 PM

I wasn't referring to the out of pocket expense of an overdriven vs. normally driven, but the expense of going through bulbs faster. I have already given away several coral colonies of mine due to them not prospering under normally driven T5's. Then again, some corals did a bit too well and had to be removed. I'm pretty sure my tank is 22 inches deep. It really depends on the types of corals you choose later on down the road.

I really don't think that your tank will do bad with either setup; just keep in mind that T5s with good quality reflectors are incredibly bright.

08/23/2006, 03:32 PM	#1
LePep Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: PR Posts: 156	Not sure what T-5 setup to choose Hello everyone, Iâ€™m in the process of setting up a 150 gal (48x24x30) reef consisting mainly of zoos, LPS, clams and a couple of SPS. The tank will be a room divider with the front, back, and one side exposed. I've done a lot of research but still have some questions (The 30 inch height is killing me!). What kind of T5 setup should I use, 6 or 8 bulb? Overdriven? Could I keep mushrooms in the lower half without shade? I read that T5â€™s donâ€™t look good in a room divider because different color and shades can be seen, has anyone had any experience with this? Thanks is advance.

08/23/2006, 04:47 PM	#2
old salty Genius Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: The Island of Misfit Toys Posts: 3,131	I think it would depend on what type of lighting you prefer. Are you looking into a fixture such a a TEK or are you looking to install a retrofit kit? As for the different colors and shades, I don't notice this on my tank at all. Then again, it's not a room divider, but the light pretty much blends together where I cannot notice different shades. __________________ "The man who reads nothing at all is better educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers." Thomas Jefferson Current Tank Info: Out of the marine aquarium hobby

08/23/2006, 10:13 PM	#5
old salty Genius Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: The Island of Misfit Toys Posts: 3,131	I think the lighting would come out better on an 8 bulb normally driven, due to how the 24 inch front to back length. Mine is shorter than that and though I only use 6 bulbs, I could certainly fit 8. Not to mention you might have the benefit of longer bulb life. __________________ "The man who reads nothing at all is better educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers." Thomas Jefferson Current Tank Info: Out of the marine aquarium hobby

08/24/2006, 09:10 PM	#8
old salty Genius Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: The Island of Misfit Toys Posts: 3,131	I wasn't referring to the out of pocket expense of an overdriven vs. normally driven, but the expense of going through bulbs faster. I have already given away several coral colonies of mine due to them not prospering under normally driven T5's. Then again, some corals did a bit too well and had to be removed. I'm pretty sure my tank is 22 inches deep. It really depends on the types of corals you choose later on down the road. I really don't think that your tank will do bad with either setup; just keep in mind that T5s with good quality reflectors are incredibly bright. __________________ "The man who reads nothing at all is better educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers." Thomas Jefferson Current Tank Info: Out of the marine aquarium hobby

08/23/2006, 05:57 PM	#3
LePep Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: PR Posts: 156	Thanks, Old Salty. I'm defenitly going with a T5 then. My question now is if normal or overdriven. It will be a retrofit since I'm planning on building a hood. I'm more inclined to buy the 6 lamp overdriven because of the 30 inch tall tank in order to get light at the bottom. The problem with this is that I'm more inclined to a LPS tank and believe that most of the upper tank would have to be coral free exept for the two or three SPS I'm planning on having. Would this assumption be correct?

08/23/2006, 09:23 PM	#4
raynist Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 4,921	That is a deep tank. Check out the Icecap forum. They are about to release a 6x54 bulb solution with their ballasts overdriving the bulbs, kind of pricey, but should be a great unit. The other choice (besides Tek) would be Aquatinics, I just ordered a 14 bulb, six foot version. They are quite a bit cheaper than Tek, but still have the individual reflectors. They have a 10% off sale this week. --Ray

08/24/2006, 07:17 AM	#6
MJAnderson Premium Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: East Bay, CA Posts: 2,633	I can't see the different shades in my lights either except in the reflection on top of the tank.

08/24/2006, 05:18 PM	#7
LePep Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: PR Posts: 156	Thanks for the responses everyone Old salty, so you think an 8x54 bulb normal driven will be enough? The difference between the normal and overdriven is not that much, about $130.00. So letâ€™s say Iâ€™m getting an 8 bulb overdriven, will my LPS or shrooms suffer from the excess light? Even with the shrooms in the lower half of the tank? This will definitely be the deciding factor. MJAnderson, I read about the different shades and colors somewhere in the T5 Q&A forum but I canâ€™t find it anymore. Who knows, maybe I imagined it in one of those late night research sessions . Thanks.