Noobie to t5 lighting..

iNfaMous_reeF · 10/27/2009, 10:17 PM

So I just picked up a new 57g tank, the dimensions are 36"L x 18"W x 21"H.. I have had a 29g previously with a 250w Metal Halide, which worked out great. So I am now in the market for a light setup, I have been interested in T5's because they run much cooler than MH. My only concern is I want a SPS dominated tank with a few clams but dont know if t5's will be suffcient. Now I have found a couple of 36" hoods with a 6 X 39W setup, would this work fine?

I dont mind purchasing MH's if this is what the corals will need. I have a bit of confusion of what I should get in that area as well. There are two different setups I am looking at, 2 X 150W or 2 X 250w. Im just now sure if 2 X 250w will be overkill?

I have done a little bit of homework but never really have found someone with the same setup. I looked through the t5 thread for a couple of hours but i never got to the start of because it was split so many times. If any of you experts would kindly help out a fellow reefer it would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advanced!

jflick345 · 10/27/2009, 10:24 PM

how much are you looking to spend? An ATI Powermodule would give you plenty of light for whatever you want to keep. A 6x39w IceCap or Miro-4 retro kit from Reefgeek would be sufficient too. It not you can just overdrive a couple bulbs to make up for it but 6 bulbs should get you there

iNfaMous_reeF · 10/27/2009, 10:58 PM

So since i'm in college the funds are not looking to good... With that being said the ati power module might be out of the question.. I wont be able to do a retro, I was really looking for a complete hood. Any ideas if the 2 x150w MH will be sufficient? If not I might do away with the clams. Just curious if the 6 X 39w t5 will be enough light down to the sand bed for SPS.

PRDubois · 10/27/2009, 11:55 PM

6 - t5's will be fine

iNfaMous_reeF · 10/28/2009, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PRDubois

6 - t5's will be fine

Thanks.. What do you have on your setup?

PRDubois · 10/28/2009, 02:24 AM

40 breeder has a 6 bulb Nova extreme Pro
(2-Blue+ for 12hr a day) & (1-Blue & 3- 12,000k for 8hr a day)

72 gal has 4 bulbs
(2-blue+ for 12hr a day) & (2-18,000k for 8hr a day)

Ranchhand02 · 10/28/2009, 08:33 AM

I bought a 6x54 t-5 on ebay. It is a remanufactured n=unit dierect from current. It is a current nova extreme pro, and I got it shipped to my house for around $250.

iNfaMous_reeF · 10/28/2009, 12:25 PM

Any of you guys keeping SPS in these tanks?

IslandCrow · 10/28/2009, 12:40 PM

As long as it's a pretty good quality unit with individual reflectors, you should probably be good. I'd probably go with a Tek or an Aquactinics. I kept SPS in my 46g with a 4 bulb Tek. I'd say that was probably on the minimum side of light for the more light demanding SPS like many acros. A 6 bulb Tek would have been much better (though it wouldn't have fit on my tank). Aquactinics is a step up from the Teks, and the Nova Extreme Pro is a step down. The ATI Powermodules are pretty much the cadillacs of T5 lighting, but yes, they are certainly pricey.

Also, realize that T5s tend to give some corals sort of a pastel coloration. Personally, I rather liked the look, but not everyone does.

iNfaMous_reeF · 10/28/2009, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IslandCrow

As long as it's a pretty good quality unit with individual reflectors, you should probably be good. I'd probably go with a Tek or an Aquactinics. I kept SPS in my 46g with a 4 bulb Tek. I'd say that was probably on the minimum side of light for the more light demanding SPS like many acros. A 6 bulb Tek would have been much better (though it wouldn't have fit on my tank). Aquactinics is a step up from the Teks, and the Nova Extreme Pro is a step down. The ATI Powermodules are pretty much the cadillacs of T5 lighting, but yes, they are certainly pricey.

Also, realize that T5s tend to give some corals sort of a pastel coloration. Personally, I rather liked the look, but not everyone does.

I think the "should probably be good" has made me hesitant. I was looking at the Teks, with Grims Light bulb selection. In the end the price is near that of MH's. The tank will be in my room so heat will be the only issue along with my 50" plasma and receiver. I just want to make the right decision the first time.

Arkayology · 10/28/2009, 09:25 PM

Getting a TEK fixture would be a good way to go. The 3ft models would give you enough PAR for clams and SPS as long as you keep them on the upper half of the tank. Yours is kinda deep, but you should be ok.

IslandCrow · 10/30/2009, 05:10 PM

Also factor electricity costs into your decision. I'm certainly not saying that T5s are better than MH, but I do want to clarify my "should be good" statement. What I meant there is that just because you may find a unit with individual reflectors, it doesn't necessarily make the fixture a good one. The Teks are at least equivalent to a couple 250W metal halides, and I'd imagine the ATI Powermodules are at least equivalent to 400W metal halides. I know my 5-bulb retro kit with Icecap ballasts and reflectors was. Anyway, all that said, metal halides are obviously proven technology, so I don't think you can go wrong either way.

Jim96SC2 · 10/30/2009, 07:18 PM

Look into the ATI Sunpower. More economical model of the PM.

iNfaMous_reeF · 10/30/2009, 07:38 PM

I have looked into the ATI Sunpower, still a bit of more money than I wanted to spend.. I guess now I have to decide if i want t5's or MH's.

Island Crow- Do you know a ruff esimate of how much money you would be saving by going with t5's?

IslandCrow · 11/02/2009, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Island Crow- Do you know a ruff esimate of how much money you would be saving by going with t5's?

I'm afraid I've never really run the numbers, plus it depends on electricity costs where you are. It wouldn't be too difficult to figure out, though (at least in theory). Comparing the PAR of my 4-bulb Tek T5s to various metal halide readings, my lamps were easily equivalent (and usually better than) the PAR readings of a 250W metal halide. As a matter of fact, the only MH readings that beat mine were from a few 10,000K bulbs, which most people don't use in their display tanks anyway. Plus, if I'm pretty sure I could beat even those numbers by replacing my actincs with full spectrum, but who wants a yellow tank.

So, assuming I'd run a 250W MH about 8 hours a day, and the equivalent in T5 would be 4x39W bulbs, or 156W, I'd be saving 752 watt-hours per day. Now, all you have to do is figure out how much you're paying per watt-hour, and multiply away. Obviously, it's going to take some time to see significant cost savings. Additionally, you may want to figure out the cost of bulbs. I replace my T5s about once per year, and I think most MH users do about the same, but 4 (or more) T5 bulbs are obviously going to cost more than one, or possibly even two metal halides. In the end, I'm pretty sure you'll find T5s to be cheaper. It's just a question of how much.

iNfaMous_reeF · 11/02/2009, 08:07 PM

Thanks for all the great info.. I do love the shimmer of MH's.. Since I am brokeI do like the idea of one 250w MH over my tank. There is another member on here who has the same tank with one 250w MH supplemented with T5's. Im just not sure if this is sufficient enough for what I want to do. Or i can wait it out and save up for the Sunpower fixture.

10/27/2009, 10:17 PM	#1
iNfaMous_reeF Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: north carolina Posts: 100	Noobie to t5 lighting.. So I just picked up a new 57g tank, the dimensions are 36"L x 18"W x 21"H.. I have had a 29g previously with a 250w Metal Halide, which worked out great. So I am now in the market for a light setup, I have been interested in T5's because they run much cooler than MH. My only concern is I want a SPS dominated tank with a few clams but dont know if t5's will be suffcient. Now I have found a couple of 36" hoods with a 6 X 39W setup, would this work fine? I dont mind purchasing MH's if this is what the corals will need. I have a bit of confusion of what I should get in that area as well. There are two different setups I am looking at, 2 X 150W or 2 X 250w. Im just now sure if 2 X 250w will be overkill? I have done a little bit of homework but never really have found someone with the same setup. I looked through the t5 thread for a couple of hours but i never got to the start of because it was split so many times. If any of you experts would kindly help out a fellow reefer it would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advanced!

10/27/2009, 11:55 PM	#4
PRDubois Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chester, VA Posts: 3,626	6 - t5's will be fine __________________ http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2534403 Current Tank Info: 225 gal Reef, 60 gal reef & 40b frag tank

10/28/2009, 02:24 AM	#6
PRDubois Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chester, VA Posts: 3,626	40 breeder has a 6 bulb Nova extreme Pro (2-Blue+ for 12hr a day) & (1-Blue & 3- 12,000k for 8hr a day) 72 gal has 4 bulbs (2-blue+ for 12hr a day) & (2-18,000k for 8hr a day) __________________ http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2534403 Current Tank Info: 225 gal Reef, 60 gal reef & 40b frag tank

10/28/2009, 12:40 PM	#9
IslandCrow Reef Monkey Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rockledge, Fl Posts: 5,759	As long as it's a pretty good quality unit with individual reflectors, you should probably be good. I'd probably go with a Tek or an Aquactinics. I kept SPS in my 46g with a 4 bulb Tek. I'd say that was probably on the minimum side of light for the more light demanding SPS like many acros. A 6 bulb Tek would have been much better (though it wouldn't have fit on my tank). Aquactinics is a step up from the Teks, and the Nova Extreme Pro is a step down. The ATI Powermodules are pretty much the cadillacs of T5 lighting, but yes, they are certainly pricey. Also, realize that T5s tend to give some corals sort of a pastel coloration. Personally, I rather liked the look, but not everyone does. __________________ All opinions in the above message should be taken with 35 ppt salt. -Mike C. Current Tank Info: I have a reef screen saver on my phone, does that count?

10/30/2009, 05:10 PM	#12
IslandCrow Reef Monkey Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rockledge, Fl Posts: 5,759	Also factor electricity costs into your decision. I'm certainly not saying that T5s are better than MH, but I do want to clarify my "should be good" statement. What I meant there is that just because you may find a unit with individual reflectors, it doesn't necessarily make the fixture a good one. The Teks are at least equivalent to a couple 250W metal halides, and I'd imagine the ATI Powermodules are at least equivalent to 400W metal halides. I know my 5-bulb retro kit with Icecap ballasts and reflectors was. Anyway, all that said, metal halides are obviously proven technology, so I don't think you can go wrong either way. __________________ All opinions in the above message should be taken with 35 ppt salt. -Mike C. Current Tank Info: I have a reef screen saver on my phone, does that count?

10/27/2009, 10:24 PM	#2
jflick345 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 884	how much are you looking to spend? An ATI Powermodule would give you plenty of light for whatever you want to keep. A 6x39w IceCap or Miro-4 retro kit from Reefgeek would be sufficient too. It not you can just overdrive a couple bulbs to make up for it but 6 bulbs should get you there

10/27/2009, 10:58 PM	#3
iNfaMous_reeF Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: north carolina Posts: 100	So since i'm in college the funds are not looking to good... With that being said the ati power module might be out of the question.. I wont be able to do a retro, I was really looking for a complete hood. Any ideas if the 2 x150w MH will be sufficient? If not I might do away with the clams. Just curious if the 6 X 39w t5 will be enough light down to the sand bed for SPS.

10/28/2009, 08:33 AM	#7
Ranchhand02 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 532	I bought a 6x54 t-5 on ebay. It is a remanufactured n=unit dierect from current. It is a current nova extreme pro, and I got it shipped to my house for around $250.

10/28/2009, 12:25 PM	#8
iNfaMous_reeF Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: north carolina Posts: 100	Any of you guys keeping SPS in these tanks?

10/28/2009, 09:25 PM	#11
Arkayology Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,597	Getting a TEK fixture would be a good way to go. The 3ft models would give you enough PAR for clams and SPS as long as you keep them on the upper half of the tank. Yours is kinda deep, but you should be ok.

10/30/2009, 07:18 PM	#13
Jim96SC2 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 311	Look into the ATI Sunpower. More economical model of the PM.

10/30/2009, 07:38 PM	#14
iNfaMous_reeF Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: north carolina Posts: 100	I have looked into the ATI Sunpower, still a bit of more money than I wanted to spend.. I guess now I have to decide if i want t5's or MH's. Island Crow- Do you know a ruff esimate of how much money you would be saving by going with t5's?

11/02/2009, 08:07 PM	#16
iNfaMous_reeF Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: north carolina Posts: 100	Thanks for all the great info.. I do love the shimmer of MH's.. Since I am brokeI do like the idea of one 250w MH over my tank. There is another member on here who has the same tank with one 250w MH supplemented with T5's. Im just not sure if this is sufficient enough for what I want to do. Or i can wait it out and save up for the Sunpower fixture.