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Nikolai 
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 Topic: T-5 Coverage
Posted: May 28 2010 at 12:09am |
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I am setting up my new tank 30"X 30"X 20" and I want to get a good T-5 fixture. Any recommendations of a fixture that I can hang and give me good coverage for my whole tank. I want to be able to not be limited on what I can have as far as corals go. Thanks
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Ahanix
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Posted: May 28 2010 at 12:13am |
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Welcome, and honestly it depends on how much you want to spend. Ryan bought a really sweet 6 - 24" ATI fixture that would work for your setup (I still need to go see it, but thats what I hear)
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Nikolai
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Posted: May 28 2010 at 12:17am |
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I was kinda concerned about only having a 24" fixture on a 30" tank....... is it not a problem? Also being that the tank is 30" front to back, how many bulbs would be recommended?
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kody72
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Posted: May 28 2010 at 12:28am |
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I'd go with a 8 or 10bulb setup or you could even build a led fixture a 24" would be just fine
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Ahanix
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Posted: May 28 2010 at 12:28am |
Oh, so its a 30" cube then? That might change everything, but no a 24" fixture would work, otherwise you would be wasting 6" of light with a 36
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Ryan Thompson
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Posted: May 28 2010 at 12:29am |
Is your tank 30" front to back?
If so, you will need an 8 bulb ATI Powermodule for that tank. Get it in the 24" version.
I have a 24" fixture over my 36" tank and keep SPS just about anywhere I want. I want to soon add a clam but that will wait a little bit.
Take a look at these few threads:
Ask any and all questions. I will be happy to answer any T5 questions that you may have. You are also welcome to come see my tank if you are ever in the Provo area.
Ryan
PS - Ahanix, I am still waiting for you to come over and see the tank. I got my Bulk Reef Supply shipment and am now dosing daily and things are doing so well! I couldn't be happier with my new tank.
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Nikolai
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Posted: May 28 2010 at 12:41am |
I appreciate all the responses. Yes, it's a 30" cube thats 20" deep. I will look into the other links. Thanks again, I need all the help I can get. 
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Ahanix
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Posted: May 28 2010 at 12:46am |
Nikolai,
Even though it is new tech, a few of us have started throwing together LED setups. You are more than welcome to come check them out. I'll have mine done this weekend. Chad and Nick801 already have some done.
If you are open to other options besides T5 that is.
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Nikolai
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Posted: May 28 2010 at 12:53am |
Ahanix,
I like the idea of making a LED setup, but I don't have a canopy, so I would want it to look like a fixture, if you know what I mean. I hadn't looked into it, but just assumed that it would be something retrofitted into a canopy. I will look into it a little more.
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Ahanix
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Posted: May 28 2010 at 1:07am |
http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=205084
Here's a fixture you may be interested in. I believe that it is made for a cube as well. He used older LED's but you still get the point for the fixture that me made out of glass and acrylic
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Nikolai
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Posted: May 28 2010 at 8:28am |
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I really like the look of the light that he built, but I question my ability to have an end result any where near that clean looking. But maybe worth a try. Is there an advantage of going LED over T5? (from the looks of it the cost will be similar for my needs)
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Ahanix
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Posted: May 28 2010 at 12:01pm |
Pros vs T5
11 Year Lifespan when using for 12 hours a day
vs
Replacing Bulbs every year for ~$200
Low heat transfer (all the heat is absorbed by the heatsink/cooling fans, rather than the heat being sent to the water) - That is not as bad in T5's, but still happens.
Energy costs ~50% cheaper
8 Bulb ATI Fixture 192w (24x8) 35 LED Setup 105w
Shimmer effect much like metal halides (not a huge thing, but most people seem to be a fan of it.)
Dimming ability, so you can tune the color to any spectrum you want, without buying additional bulbs
Cons vs T5
CREE LED's do not carry the UV spectrum found in t5's, this can sometimes change the color that some SPS corals are, they currently have UV LED's for supplementation but it is only UVA-A, and not B or C. Some people have them on their tank, but are not sure if they are doing anything for the corals as most corals under LED's have amazing coloration.
Also in addition, if you tried making a fixture like that, I know that Delvies will cut acrylic to any dimension that you would like.
New Technology, we don't know a lot of stuff about it yet, but there are very promising growth threads on Reefcentral and Nanoreef, even for stuff like Clams and SPS
Edited by Ahanix - May 28 2010 at 12:13pm
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Nikolai
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Posted: May 28 2010 at 1:42pm |
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Well just when i thought I had made my decision........... more to think about. I have a 250 watt metal halide pendant already, but don't want to use it permanently and also don't really want to change lights after i get it all set up.
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bugzme
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Posted: May 28 2010 at 1:48pm |
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IMHO Led's are too new! Give them a year or two before you make the plunge
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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!!
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