I love T5 lighting

Flipturn88 · 12-26-2005, 09:05 AM

I am amazed at such the difference they make as opposed to PC or VHO; the color of the light, the heat (or rather lack of), and the length of time each bulb lasts (1.5 - 2 years) is unbelieveable.

Here's an example of the bulbs over my new seahorse tank, which is a compilation of three different tanks and took a lot of work to accomplish. Granted, the pic doesn't do the lights justice, but it's the best I can do. The fixture is an Aqua Medic Oceanlight with 4 x 24 watt T5s - 2 actinic, 2 10k.

And while I'm at it, here are some other shots I've taken of the tank. I also never have to adjust the white balance--the lighting is so perfect:

Happy Holidays,
Kayla

apologeticus · 12-26-2005, 09:18 AM

WOW!! Nice seahorse tank. I have a Teklight fixture I'm waiting to setup in a couple of months. Glad to hear you like the T5s.

traip93 · 12-26-2005, 09:37 AM

i love the T5s too...I love being able to switc colors in and out too. I have 6 five foot bulbs and several extra of different colors....and they all fit in my standard AGA canopy....

Beautiful tank!!!

what type of fish is that? Clown goby? it looks like it has some sharpe teeth???

Rick O · 12-26-2005, 09:47 AM

Very nice Kayla.

mufret · 12-26-2005, 09:54 AM

I'm running T5s on one of my tanks (six of the 54w bulbs over a 55g) and love it. I think they are a definite improvement over PC and VHO lighting and even have some advantages over MH lighting (heat). It's not to say they don't get hot but they don't generate the amount of heat that some of these other bulbs do and it can usually be controlled by adding fans. As Chad stated, you're also able to experiment with different color combinations to get the light just the way you like it!

Blorton · 12-26-2005, 10:14 AM

Wow - that looks great! Very good timing as well, since Im setting up a 75 and haven't decided on it's lighting.

Thanks for the post.

Dan

tims · 12-26-2005, 01:44 PM

very nice tank!

gwen_o_lyn · 12-26-2005, 03:31 PM

Wow! Looks great!

crab0000 · 12-26-2005, 05:38 PM

I love T-5's as well. I have a six bulb Tek-Light over my 37 and am able to keep clams on the bottom! SPS seem to enjoy them as well.

smeese · 12-26-2005, 06:14 PM

Are those gorgonians or sea pens or what are they? Awesome Tank!

46bfinga · 12-26-2005, 07:21 PM

very nice

grdavis · 12-26-2005, 08:36 PM

Am I wrong in believeing an ARO VHO ballast will drive a set of T-5's as long as I do not exceed the wattage, and the bulb length restrictions? How do these stack up against a couple of 250w MH bulbs? I know what the media, and hype says, but i'm looking for experinces here.

goodfortune · 12-27-2005, 02:54 PM

Very Nice Kayla

How long have you been running the T5s? Are you considering them for your 50g SPS cube?

I'm considering an upgrade in a few months to a year, and I'm curious about T5 lighting for SPS; I've heard that alot of people are having success with them.

Keep up the good work!

- Michael

Flipturn88 · 12-27-2005, 04:36 PM

Thanks everyone for the kind words. I agree that T5s are definitely a step up from PC and VHOs, and playing around with the color combinations is quite fun.

Quote:

Originally Posted by traip93

what type of fish is that? Clown goby? it looks like it has some sharpe teeth???

Yep, it's a clown goby, and he apparently looks far meaner than his personality depicts.

Quote:

Originally Posted by smeese

Are those gorgonians or sea pens or what are they? Awesome Tank!

They are gorgonians, compliments of Mike. They are a popular hitching post for the seahorses, as the picture shows.

Quote:

Originally Posted by grdavis

Am I wrong in believeing an ARO VHO ballast will drive a set of T-5's as long as I do not exceed the wattage, and the bulb length restrictions? How do these stack up against a couple of 250w MH bulbs?

I have heard the same about the ballast, but unfortunately I cannot speak from experience, nor am I an electrician of any sort. I do know that unlike PCs and VHOs, many people have found success with a variety of SPS under strictly T5s, provided the wattage was sufficient. Now are they equivalent to 250 halides? That I don't know, nor can I say either way for sure, but my [rather inexperienced] guess would be nothing we have at the moment can surpass halides.

Quote:

Originally Posted by goodfortune

How long have you been running the T5s? Are you considering them for your 50g SPS cube?

I've had the tank setup for about a week now, and so far I'm very impressed. I already have the lighting for the cube, which is the Aqua Medic 250 DE halide and 2 x 24 w T5 combo. Again, I still don't feel comfortable setting up a SPS tank without decent halide lighting, but I might be too conservative in that regard. If you look at a former RC tank of the month, I remember someone with all T5 lighting and a beautiful SPS tank...Danano was the name, perhaps? Anyway, it's definitely something to consider due to the lifespan of the bulbs, their individual cost, and the amount of heat they generate in comparison to MH.

HTH,
Kayla

goodfortune · 12-27-2005, 05:29 PM

I agree the 250W DE is a great choice for your cube. MHs are tried and true, and since the Aquamedic come as pendants, there will be no heat issues.

That RC tank of the month was really something...to think it is being lit with just T5s is something to behold.

- Michael