T-5 for 6ft tank

pumpdogs · 04/21/2006, 07:26 AM

Do t-5s come in a 6ft set up?ALL I see is up to 48 inch.What do you do if you have a 6ft tank?

The Grim Reefer · 04/21/2006, 08:32 AM

Reefgeek has 5 ft retrofit units, just stagger the lamps a bit from end to end and its all good. If you are looking for a complete hood you are really stuck using 2 36" units as far as I know. Aquatinics was toying with the idea of making a 6 foot T5 system with real reflectors, dont know if they ever got around to it or not.

kau_cinta_ku · 04/21/2006, 08:46 AM

from what i have been reading they are tring to get 6' lamps but the way it's looking they won't make them due to how flimsey they are so will break easiely during shipping. so your stuck with what Grim said.

Glad to see you back Grim

The Grim Reefer · 04/21/2006, 09:03 AM

Thanks,

There are already 6ft lamps out there but they are so hard to ship they haven't caught on. I've got a few of them. Aquactinics was going to use 2 3 ft lamps to cover the length.

kau_cinta_ku · 04/21/2006, 09:34 AM

wow thanks for the info i didn't even know there was 6' lamps being sold. i just knew about they were very prone to break during shipping.

The Grim Reefer · 04/21/2006, 10:46 AM

I just heard www.aquactinics.com is doing the 6 foot T5 fixtures but I am not sure if they are available yet. You would have to contact them.

old salty · 04/21/2006, 11:10 AM

I'm using two 36" TEK fixtures. Comes out pretty nice.

horkn · 04/21/2006, 11:29 AM

since nobody else mentioned it, www.aqualuxlighting.com has reflectors and bulbs in the 60" variety as well.

the reflectors are better than the tek reflectors, and cost less as well.

Drewcipher · 04/29/2006, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by The Grim Reefer
I just heard www.aquactinics.com is doing the 6 foot T5 fixtures but I am not sure if they are available yet. You would have to contact them.

Welcome Back Grim. Is there any significant difference between doing 60 inch bulbs or twice as many 36 inch bulbs? The wattage is about the same, are there any differences in PAR? We have a new 6 foot tank that we have to get lighting for, and love T5, but aren't sure what to do. It is a 24inch tall tank and a foot tall canopy. I was hoping to mount the bulbs in a retro kit, but we can do a hood type on top of the tank if it makes much difference. We will be housing some clams and LPS. We currently have a 75 with 6X54 T5 and 3 clams. 2 of them are on the sand and are growing like crazy. That tank is 18 inches deep. I have been wanting to ask you this for a while...again, welcome back.

The Grim Reefer · 04/29/2006, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Drewcipher
Welcome Back Grim. Is there any significant difference between doing 60 inch bulbs or twice as many 36 inch bulbs? The wattage is about the same, are there any differences in PAR? We have a new 6 foot tank that we have to get lighting for, and love T5, but aren't sure what to do. It is a 24inch tall tank and a foot tall canopy. I was hoping to mount the bulbs in a retro kit, but we can do a hood type on top of the tank if it makes much difference. We will be housing some clams and LPS. We currently have a 75 with 6X54 T5 and 3 clams. 2 of them are on the sand and are growing like crazy. That tank is 18 inches deep. I have been wanting to ask you this for a while...again, welcome back.

Thanks

You could do 80 watt lamps in the canopy. Reefgeek uses the Ice Cap ballasts with them so they are overdriven. You will need to run a few fans blowing across the lamps to keep them cool but you will get better PAR because of it. If the tank is over 18" front to back go ahead and run 8 lamps. Make sure you have good venting up high so the hot air will move out.

Drewcipher · 04/29/2006, 06:59 PM

You think that the 5 foot lights will give the tank ends enough light? The tank is 30 inches front to back. Would we have to stagger the lights? or would putting 8-10 lights in the center throw enough light to the left and right side.

We were kind of hoping that we could get a Tek like setup so we don't have to do all the wiring. I can do it, but it never seems as clean as the ones other people do.

I can vent the canopy easily enough, especially if I only have 8 lights. With what we want to do, LPS and some clams, you think 8, 10, or 12 80 watt bulbs would work? I can't say that would bother me, but everyone else keeps pushing MH on us. You think 8 is enough, or go to 10 or more?

The Grim Reefer · 04/29/2006, 07:17 PM

Because the Ice Cap 660 can run 3 80 watt lamps I would go 9. The wiring is pretty easy, looks don't matter. If you want clams I would either do the 80 watt lamps or go halides. You could stagger the lamps a few inches each way to get an even look to the light but there will be enough for low and medium critters at the ends without it. I would try to keep the T5's within 6" of the water. Having the lamps low gives you a big advantage. More light makes it into the tank and the hot air will move away from the lamps to the top of the canopy.

flyingace2005 · 04/29/2006, 08:31 PM

Aquatinics now makes a 6ft 14bulbs(39 watts each) fixture. I got one and it is awesome.

got2lb · 04/29/2006, 09:40 PM

Glad to see you finally got your fixture Joe! Do you have any pics of it on your tank yet?

flyingace2005 · 04/29/2006, 11:51 PM

I'll try to get some pics sometime tomorrow. However, I am only using 4 bulbs right now until i get some more. Even using the 4 bulbs this thing makes the tank look spectacular.

04/21/2006, 07:26 AM	#1
pumpdogs Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Posts: 735	T-5 for 6ft tank Do t-5s come in a 6ft set up?ALL I see is up to 48 inch.What do you do if you have a 6ft tank?

04/21/2006, 08:32 AM	#2
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	Reefgeek has 5 ft retrofit units, just stagger the lamps a bit from end to end and its all good. If you are looking for a complete hood you are really stuck using 2 36" units as far as I know. Aquatinics was toying with the idea of making a 6 foot T5 system with real reflectors, dont know if they ever got around to it or not. __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

04/21/2006, 09:03 AM	#4
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	Thanks, There are already 6ft lamps out there but they are so hard to ship they haven't caught on. I've got a few of them. Aquactinics was going to use 2 3 ft lamps to cover the length. __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

04/21/2006, 10:46 AM	#6
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	I just heard www.aquactinics.com is doing the 6 foot T5 fixtures but I am not sure if they are available yet. You would have to contact them. __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

04/21/2006, 11:10 AM	#7
old salty Genius Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: The Island of Misfit Toys Posts: 3,131	I'm using two 36" TEK fixtures. Comes out pretty nice. __________________ "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

04/21/2006, 08:46 AM	#3
kau_cinta_ku Moved On Join Date: May 2005 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 8,669	from what i have been reading they are tring to get 6' lamps but the way it's looking they won't make them due to how flimsey they are so will break easiely during shipping. so your stuck with what Grim said. Glad to see you back Grim

04/21/2006, 09:34 AM	#5
kau_cinta_ku Moved On Join Date: May 2005 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 8,669	wow thanks for the info i didn't even know there was 6' lamps being sold. i just knew about they were very prone to break during shipping.

04/21/2006, 11:29 AM	#8
horkn Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: milwaukee wisconsin Posts: 4,125	since nobody else mentioned it, www.aqualuxlighting.com has reflectors and bulbs in the 60" variety as well. the reflectors are better than the tek reflectors, and cost less as well. __________________ people write stupid things in this space Current Tank Info: 200g DIY wood reef, 2x 250w SE 10k MH 2x80 t5ho, 75g sump, Geo Ca RX, ASD 6" recirc skimmer

04/29/2006, 06:59 PM	#11
Drewcipher Premium Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bailey, CO Posts: 896	You think that the 5 foot lights will give the tank ends enough light? The tank is 30 inches front to back. Would we have to stagger the lights? or would putting 8-10 lights in the center throw enough light to the left and right side. We were kind of hoping that we could get a Tek like setup so we don't have to do all the wiring. I can do it, but it never seems as clean as the ones other people do. I can vent the canopy easily enough, especially if I only have 8 lights. With what we want to do, LPS and some clams, you think 8, 10, or 12 80 watt bulbs would work? I can't say that would bother me, but everyone else keeps pushing MH on us. You think 8 is enough, or go to 10 or more? __________________ Drew I'm growing older but not up My metabolic rate is pleasantly stuck Let those winds of time blow over my head I'd rather die while I'm living than live while I'm dead--Jimmy Buffett Current Tank Info: 75 gallon, Red Sea Max, setting up a 180

04/29/2006, 07:17 PM	#12
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	Because the Ice Cap 660 can run 3 80 watt lamps I would go 9. The wiring is pretty easy, looks don't matter. If you want clams I would either do the 80 watt lamps or go halides. You could stagger the lamps a few inches each way to get an even look to the light but there will be enough for low and medium critters at the ends without it. I would try to keep the T5's within 6" of the water. Having the lamps low gives you a big advantage. More light makes it into the tank and the hot air will move away from the lamps to the top of the canopy. __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

04/29/2006, 08:31 PM	#13
flyingace2005 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Waukee, Iowa Posts: 454	Aquatinics now makes a 6ft 14bulbs(39 watts each) fixture. I got one and it is awesome. __________________ --Joe S. Current Tank Info: 400 gal SPS system

04/29/2006, 09:40 PM	#14
got2lb Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Clarksville, Iowa Posts: 2,771	Glad to see you finally got your fixture Joe! Do you have any pics of it on your tank yet? __________________ Tanks gone, planning the next endeavor!

04/29/2006, 11:51 PM	#15
flyingace2005 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Waukee, Iowa Posts: 454	I'll try to get some pics sometime tomorrow. However, I am only using 4 bulbs right now until i get some more. Even using the 4 bulbs this thing makes the tank look spectacular. __________________ --Joe S. Current Tank Info: 400 gal SPS system