| Author |
 Topic Search  Topic Options
|
SGH360 
Guest
Joined: April 04 2010
Location: Centerville, UT
Status: Offline
Points: 1786
|
 Post Options
 Thanks(0)
 Quote  Reply
 Topic: T5 Question
Posted: August 27 2010 at 12:10pm |
as the question previous to MH now im wondering
How big do i need for 90G?
How many bulbs do i need to support sps?
Does anybody know whos selling their t5?
|
 |
bugzme
Guest
Joined: May 22 2004
Location: West Jordan
Status: Offline
Points: 4815
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: August 27 2010 at 2:12pm |
|
I have 6 bulbs on my 125. They are 5' long and the tank is 6'. Basically you need 1 bulb for every 3" front to back. Are you going to run a canopy? Remember with t-5's it's the quaility of the bulbs and reflectors that really make a difference
|
|
Jeff
125 tank
50 gallon sump
T-5 lighting
Rum drinker, Carbon User
I KNOW ROCKS THAT ARE YOUNGER THEN ME!! I AM A Realist! I write what I think!!
|
|
SGH360
Guest
Joined: April 04 2010
Location: Centerville, UT
Status: Offline
Points: 1786
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: August 27 2010 at 2:43pm |
|
so if im correct i will need 4' long fixture with 4 bulbs the tank will be a standard 48"w x 18d x 24"h. will this support sps? ATI bulbs would be my choice fixture any besides ATI or TekLight? No i would not run a canopy i like regular fixture
Edited by SGH360 - August 27 2010 at 2:44pm
|
|
bugzme
Guest
Joined: May 22 2004
Location: West Jordan
Status: Offline
Points: 4815
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: August 27 2010 at 6:01pm |
4 bulbs will support sps in the upper half of your tank. I have tek reflectors and ati and kz bulbs. Is the 90 only 12" back to front?
Edited by bugzme - August 27 2010 at 6:01pm
|
|
Jeff
125 tank
50 gallon sump
T-5 lighting
Rum drinker, Carbon User
I KNOW ROCKS THAT ARE YOUNGER THEN ME!! I AM A Realist! I write what I think!!
|
|
bugzme
Guest
Joined: May 22 2004
Location: West Jordan
Status: Offline
Points: 4815
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: August 27 2010 at 6:02pm |
|
Six bulbs would be ideal!!
|
|
Jeff
125 tank
50 gallon sump
T-5 lighting
Rum drinker, Carbon User
I KNOW ROCKS THAT ARE YOUNGER THEN ME!! I AM A Realist! I write what I think!!
|
|
sanddune600
Guest
Joined: February 20 2008
Location: Logan
Status: Offline
Points: 1825
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: August 27 2010 at 6:58pm |
|
you can always add bulbs later but 6 would be ideal I have 6 on my 40 breeder
|
|
Andy Jorgensen
My number is four three 5 7 six four 8 0 three four
|
|
SGH360
Guest
Joined: April 04 2010
Location: Centerville, UT
Status: Offline
Points: 1786
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: August 27 2010 at 9:12pm |
|
ok i'll look for 4 to 6 bulbs t5. i will have a few sps. mostly lps and softies. i just want to have lights ready in case i want to get more sps later on. thx guys
|
|
Ryan Thompson
Guest
Joined: April 11 2006
Location: Lehi
Status: Offline
Points: 3546
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: August 28 2010 at 2:04pm |
|
6 bulbs.
ATI Sunpower would be perfect or even a Tek 6x54w fixture.
There are 4 main components to a T5 setup:
1) Good bulbs
2) Good ballasts
3) Good reflectors
4) Proper cooling
If a fixture has all of those, you are good to go. There aren't many that do though.
|
|
bugzme
Guest
Joined: May 22 2004
Location: West Jordan
Status: Offline
Points: 4815
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: August 28 2010 at 4:25pm |
|
I guess 3 outta 4 isn't bad! Cooling can be an issue sometimes!
|
|
Jeff
125 tank
50 gallon sump
T-5 lighting
Rum drinker, Carbon User
I KNOW ROCKS THAT ARE YOUNGER THEN ME!! I AM A Realist! I write what I think!!
|
|
SGH360
Guest
Joined: April 04 2010
Location: Centerville, UT
Status: Offline
Points: 1786
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: August 28 2010 at 7:33pm |
|
you mean on the tank? or the lights itself. does anybody know is someone selling t5 fixture?
|
|
Ryan Thompson
Guest
Joined: April 11 2006
Location: Lehi
Status: Offline
Points: 3546
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: August 28 2010 at 8:05pm |
|
Cooling the bulbs. Not cooling t5 bulbs will kill them. They last about 6 months not being cooled. Actively cool them and you can get them to last about 12 to 14 months
|
|
SGH360
Guest
Joined: April 04 2010
Location: Centerville, UT
Status: Offline
Points: 1786
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: August 31 2010 at 11:38am |
ok as of today i decided to get a 75G tank. i found this lights by CA http://www.catalinaaquarium.com/product_info.php?products_id=1423 are they any good? I would use ATI bulbs.
|
|
bur01014
Guest
Joined: March 02 2010
Location: Salt Lake
Status: Offline
Points: 1435
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: August 31 2010 at 12:33pm |
|
I have a 6 bulb catalina....they are decent fixtures for the price...however, I still wish I would have gotten a tec or ATI fixture....my fixture doesn't have cooling so I have to run additional fans....also their stock bulbs they give you are worthless so upgrade those ASAP....their reflectors are legit though!
|
|
bugzme
Guest
Joined: May 22 2004
Location: West Jordan
Status: Offline
Points: 4815
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: August 31 2010 at 1:34pm |
|
The last thing that you want to go cheap with is lighting especially if you want to have SPS. You need a 6 bulb fixture also. IMO
|
|
Jeff
125 tank
50 gallon sump
T-5 lighting
Rum drinker, Carbon User
I KNOW ROCKS THAT ARE YOUNGER THEN ME!! I AM A Realist! I write what I think!!
|
|
bur01014
Guest
Joined: March 02 2010
Location: Salt Lake
Status: Offline
Points: 1435
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: August 31 2010 at 1:48pm |
Ditto...however, Catalina's do not fit this "cheap" category, great bang for the buck...ATI fixtures are the top, but your Catalina w/ ATI bulbs and some fans will grow SPS just fine, IME.....do go with 6 bulbs though....your SPS growth will go from growing "just fine" to "quite well"!
|
|
bugzme
Guest
Joined: May 22 2004
Location: West Jordan
Status: Offline
Points: 4815
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: August 31 2010 at 3:23pm |
if you buy the catalina then have to buy good blubs you're out at least another $100.00.
I would probably go with this fixture
and you can pick your bulbs. ATI, KZ etc.
Edited by bugzme - August 31 2010 at 3:24pm
|
|
Jeff
125 tank
50 gallon sump
T-5 lighting
Rum drinker, Carbon User
I KNOW ROCKS THAT ARE YOUNGER THEN ME!! I AM A Realist! I write what I think!!
|
|
SGH360
Guest
Joined: April 04 2010
Location: Centerville, UT
Status: Offline
Points: 1786
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: August 31 2010 at 3:46pm |
|
wow 400 buck ok well might as well spend it.
|
|
Ryan Thompson
Guest
Joined: April 11 2006
Location: Lehi
Status: Offline
Points: 3546
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: August 31 2010 at 4:02pm |
|
I consider catalina fixtures cheap. They are right there with wavepoint and other ebay specials. I'm pretty sure when grim tested a catalina it was barely keeping up with current usa stuff.
Get a tek fixture, no acrylic shield and keep it at least 4 inches off the surface. I would shoot for 6 inches. Add an external fan to cool the fixture. On a 75 you should be able to keep anything you want with the 6 bulb version.
When I get home I will post a link to a great thread on RC. It shows how much light you lose by not properly cooling T5's. You lose about 40% of your PAR in the first 6 months. By 7 and 8 months the bulbs are shot. Not cooling t5s can cut their useful life down to 4 months or so.
|
|
bur01014
Guest
Joined: March 02 2010
Location: Salt Lake
Status: Offline
Points: 1435
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: August 31 2010 at 4:07pm |
Disagree...
have never seen g.reaper reference testing a catalina fixture...link please....
it grows SPS just fine
please describe what is cheap about the fixtures for me....ballasts, endscaps, reflectors??....
Edited by bur01014 - August 31 2010 at 4:11pm
|
|
SGH360
Guest
Joined: April 04 2010
Location: Centerville, UT
Status: Offline
Points: 1786
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: August 31 2010 at 4:30pm |
|
i was getting the 4 bulb fixture for that price but everyone recommend 6Bulbs so im getting Tek light. Question what kind of fan should i buy? how should i place the fan? is there other alternative besides hanging Tek lights cause i have no idea how to install hanging kit let alone want to make holes in the ceiling, my folks wont let me
|
|
