How many T-5s should i get?

PJsStuff · 01/08/2008, 02:14 PM

Im getting another frag tank that im going to use just for shrooms and Rics. Its going to be 48x16x6tall I want to use T5's over it but im not sure how many i need. How many T5's would i need?

PJsStuff · 01/10/2008, 08:41 AM

Hello

dsn112 · 01/10/2008, 08:52 AM

If your just going to put shrooms and rics, I would say 4 with individual reflectors would be fine. If you get a fixture like the original nova extreme, go with 6 bulbs. Individual reflectors make the world of a difference.

PJsStuff · 01/10/2008, 08:58 AM

OK thanks. Im never sure what to do about lighting. What would be some good bulbs? Iv never had T5's before.

silverwolf72 · 01/10/2008, 03:47 PM

For good growth go with AquaSuns or GE bulbs more white

PJsStuff · 01/18/2008, 06:21 PM

OK i got 4 T5 Bulbs. How high should i have them above the tank? THe tank is only 6" deep and after sand prob only about 5" deep.

twon8 · 01/18/2008, 06:36 PM

had i seen this before i would have told you two would be fine. im running two overdriven on a 55 and zoas grow at the bottom. in a tank that shallow you might burn lower light corals. i'd run a ablueplus and an aquablue or aquasun.

DanInSD · 01/18/2008, 06:37 PM

You should have them much closer than you would halides. I'd put them as close to the water as you can, and still access the frags. Or, even better, put them about 6" off of the surface, and put them on a pulley system so you can raise them out of the way if you want to play with the frags.

Dan

PJsStuff · 01/18/2008, 07:04 PM

I got 3 Midday sun bulbs and one Pure Antic bulb. So i only really need two bulbs? There the 39W bulbs. I plan on putting them on a Pully system i just wasn't sure how high they should be since the tank is so shallow. Ill be growing Ric's and Shrooms in this tank mainly. I plan on putting another one above it eventually.(click the red hosue to see some pics of the setup)

So should i use two bulbs or four???? Im goign to set them up tonight so i need to know lol.

Rickyrooz1 · 01/18/2008, 11:45 PM

6" isn't a very deep tank but if you spread the reflectors out to evenly cover the 16" width I think four bulbs should be fine.

SimilanRocks · 01/19/2008, 12:32 AM

2 bulbs will be fine. You can put as high as you would do with MH. T5 outputs more than you think.

PJsStuff · 01/19/2008, 01:02 AM

Good grief. Some say 4 bulbs and some say 2 bulbs.. Ugh.,....

Rickyrooz1 · 01/19/2008, 10:46 AM

Just try it out. If two isn't good enough at the two other T-5's to make it four bulbs.

sjm817 · 01/19/2008, 11:58 AM

6" deep with shrooms? 2 are overkill.

flyguy7150 · 01/19/2008, 12:10 PM

two with individual reflectors is definitely enough. It'll probably be even enough for sps if you have the right bulbs and keep them close enough to the water, and have the sps right under it. But for rics and shrooms, 2 bulbs 5-6" above the water is fine. That way you can still have some space to reach in and get good coverage.

PJsStuff · 01/19/2008, 05:06 PM

OK ill try two bulbs for now. That will save me some money when i add the second tank then i can use the other two for it. Should i use one midaysun bulb and one pure antic or two miday sun bulbs? Going for more growth than anything here.

PJsStuff · 01/19/2008, 05:09 PM

Here is a pic of the progress sofar. Just finished the plumbing.

The future tank will go on the shelf above it and ill just have it drain into the lower frag tank probably. Would be easier than running another drain to the sump.

SimilanRocks · 01/19/2008, 05:27 PM

PJ, that's neat set up.

I was going to say 1 bulb will do for softies. But you have 16" wide 1 bulb wouldn't cover all area unless you place it high. Even with 2 bulbs next to each other you still need to place it high. The individual reflector does not spread the light much.

I'd go with a retro tho, so I could seperate them at 8"-10" apart to cover all the tank.

People that say 4 bulbs may think that 2 bulbs wouldn't cover all the tank. Just my thought...

PJsStuff · 01/19/2008, 05:40 PM

I got the 4 bulb Retro kit from Reefgeek.com Great Place. I was impressed on how well the item was packed. Ill try two bulbs for now and see what happens.

Rickyrooz1 · 01/19/2008, 06:50 PM

Did you build the tank yourself or did you buy it somewhere?

PJsStuff · 01/19/2008, 09:12 PM

I got it from glass cages. Not the greatest looking tank in the world but for the price i can't complain. There are alot of bubbles in the seams but thats how my other frag tank is (also from them) and its been holding water for abuot a year so im not to worried. I wouldn't trust them to build my display tank tho.

PJsStuff · 01/19/2008, 10:57 PM

Got the lights in. Used the two midday bulbs. Tried to use one midday and one antic but it jsut wasn't that bright.

I just mounted the lights to the bottom of the shelf instead of making a pully system. its about 7" from the top of the water to the bottom of the bulb. Should that be low enough?

01/08/2008, 02:14 PM	#1
PJsStuff Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Reelsville IN Posts: 406	How many T-5s should i get? Im getting another frag tank that im going to use just for shrooms and Rics. Its going to be 48x16x6tall I want to use T5's over it but im not sure how many i need. How many T5's would i need?

01/10/2008, 08:52 AM	#3
dsn112 Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: South Jersey Posts: 1,139	If your just going to put shrooms and rics, I would say 4 with individual reflectors would be fine. If you get a fixture like the original nova extreme, go with 6 bulbs. Individual reflectors make the world of a difference. __________________ I'm disturbed! I'm depressed! I'm inadequate! I got it all!! Current Tank Info: Fluval Edge w LED freshwater. Looking at doing a 20-40g long penninsula fowlr soon

01/18/2008, 06:36 PM	#7
twon8 Formally registered membe Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: slightly sw of richmond, va Posts: 5,920	had i seen this before i would have told you two would be fine. im running two overdriven on a 55 and zoas grow at the bottom. in a tank that shallow you might burn lower light corals. i'd run a ablueplus and an aquablue or aquasun. __________________ Anthony Richmond Reef Club "and as things fell apart, nobody paid much attention." Not building a wall but making a brick Current Tank Info: 300g DD display, 60g frag tank

01/18/2008, 11:45 PM	#10
Rickyrooz1 Acropora Nut Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newtown, PA Posts: 2,453	6" isn't a very deep tank but if you spread the reflectors out to evenly cover the 16" width I think four bulbs should be fine. __________________ 120 Gallon Acropora dominated tank, barebottom, APEX Controller, ATI Sunpower 8x54w, Skimz SM163, Jebao DCT 6000 return pump & two Jebao OW-40. Current Tank Info: SPS Dominated

01/19/2008, 10:46 AM	#13
Rickyrooz1 Acropora Nut Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newtown, PA Posts: 2,453	Just try it out. If two isn't good enough at the two other T-5's to make it four bulbs. __________________ 120 Gallon Acropora dominated tank, barebottom, APEX Controller, ATI Sunpower 8x54w, Skimz SM163, Jebao DCT 6000 return pump & two Jebao OW-40. Current Tank Info: SPS Dominated

01/10/2008, 08:41 AM	#2
PJsStuff Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Reelsville IN Posts: 406	Hello

01/10/2008, 08:58 AM	#4
PJsStuff Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Reelsville IN Posts: 406	OK thanks. Im never sure what to do about lighting. What would be some good bulbs? Iv never had T5's before.

01/10/2008, 03:47 PM	#5
silverwolf72 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Lake Forrest CA Posts: 1,732	For good growth go with AquaSuns or GE bulbs more white

01/18/2008, 06:21 PM	#6
PJsStuff Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Reelsville IN Posts: 406	OK i got 4 T5 Bulbs. How high should i have them above the tank? THe tank is only 6" deep and after sand prob only about 5" deep.

01/18/2008, 06:37 PM	#8
DanInSD Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 1,255	You should have them much closer than you would halides. I'd put them as close to the water as you can, and still access the frags. Or, even better, put them about 6" off of the surface, and put them on a pulley system so you can raise them out of the way if you want to play with the frags. Dan

01/18/2008, 07:04 PM	#9
PJsStuff Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Reelsville IN Posts: 406	I got 3 Midday sun bulbs and one Pure Antic bulb. So i only really need two bulbs? There the 39W bulbs. I plan on putting them on a Pully system i just wasn't sure how high they should be since the tank is so shallow. Ill be growing Ric's and Shrooms in this tank mainly. I plan on putting another one above it eventually.(click the red hosue to see some pics of the setup) So should i use two bulbs or four???? Im goign to set them up tonight so i need to know lol.

01/19/2008, 12:32 AM	#11
SimilanRocks Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: La Habra, CA Posts: 473	2 bulbs will be fine. You can put as high as you would do with MH. T5 outputs more than you think.

01/19/2008, 01:02 AM	#12
PJsStuff Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Reelsville IN Posts: 406	Good grief. Some say 4 bulbs and some say 2 bulbs.. Ugh.,....

01/19/2008, 11:58 AM	#14
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	6" deep with shrooms? 2 are overkill. __________________ - Scott

01/19/2008, 12:10 PM	#15
flyguy7150 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Pembroke Pines Posts: 895	two with individual reflectors is definitely enough. It'll probably be even enough for sps if you have the right bulbs and keep them close enough to the water, and have the sps right under it. But for rics and shrooms, 2 bulbs 5-6" above the water is fine. That way you can still have some space to reach in and get good coverage. __________________ Leo Click on my red house to see my 90g RR tank :) Tons of pictures, tons... Click!!! Current Tank Info: 90g AGA Reef Ready, 6x54w T5s w/ SLRs, 29g Sump/fuge, OR 2500 Return, Octopus NW150, 2 x TLF Phosban Reactor, Koralia #1, #4, MJ Modded

01/19/2008, 05:06 PM	#16
PJsStuff Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Reelsville IN Posts: 406	OK ill try two bulbs for now. That will save me some money when i add the second tank then i can use the other two for it. Should i use one midaysun bulb and one pure antic or two miday sun bulbs? Going for more growth than anything here.

01/19/2008, 05:09 PM	#17
PJsStuff Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Reelsville IN Posts: 406	Here is a pic of the progress sofar. Just finished the plumbing. The future tank will go on the shelf above it and ill just have it drain into the lower frag tank probably. Would be easier than running another drain to the sump.

01/19/2008, 05:27 PM	#18
SimilanRocks Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: La Habra, CA Posts: 473	PJ, that's neat set up. I was going to say 1 bulb will do for softies. But you have 16" wide 1 bulb wouldn't cover all area unless you place it high. Even with 2 bulbs next to each other you still need to place it high. The individual reflector does not spread the light much. I'd go with a retro tho, so I could seperate them at 8"-10" apart to cover all the tank. People that say 4 bulbs may think that 2 bulbs wouldn't cover all the tank. Just my thought...

01/19/2008, 05:40 PM	#19
PJsStuff Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Reelsville IN Posts: 406	I got the 4 bulb Retro kit from Reefgeek.com Great Place. I was impressed on how well the item was packed. Ill try two bulbs for now and see what happens.

01/19/2008, 06:50 PM	#20
Rickyrooz1 Acropora Nut Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newtown, PA Posts: 2,453	Did you build the tank yourself or did you buy it somewhere? __________________ 120 Gallon Acropora dominated tank, barebottom, APEX Controller, ATI Sunpower 8x54w, Skimz SM163, Jebao DCT 6000 return pump & two Jebao OW-40. Current Tank Info: SPS Dominated

01/19/2008, 09:12 PM	#21
PJsStuff Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Reelsville IN Posts: 406	I got it from glass cages. Not the greatest looking tank in the world but for the price i can't complain. There are alot of bubbles in the seams but thats how my other frag tank is (also from them) and its been holding water for abuot a year so im not to worried. I wouldn't trust them to build my display tank tho.

01/19/2008, 10:57 PM	#22
PJsStuff Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Reelsville IN Posts: 406	Got the lights in. Used the two midday bulbs. Tried to use one midday and one antic but it jsut wasn't that bright. I just mounted the lights to the bottom of the shelf instead of making a pully system. its about 7" from the top of the water to the bottom of the bulb. Should that be low enough?