I need help with a T-5 and MH LUX comparison

[90_berlin_joe]

Wiskey i am already running the 8blub, i got a really good deal on it. So i might be over lighting my tank right now. Should i remove some bulbs or raise it? Mostly softies, mushrooms, finger leather, zoos, sun coral orange and black, and a closed brain.

[afbengochea]

I would think that if you change the bulb types, you might be able to get less par out of them. I know the 6k's have the most par so if you had more actinics then you should be able to lower it. Is this logic wrong?

[Wiskey]

Originally Posted by afbengochea

I would think that if you change the bulb types, you might be able to get less par out of them. I know the 6k's have the most par so if you had more actinics then you should be able to lower it. Is this logic wrong?

I think you are on the right track here, if you'd like a bluer tank,.. If not raising is another good alternitive.

Whiskey

[Wiskey]

Originally Posted by 90_berlin_joe

Wiskey i am already running the 8blub, i got a really good deal on it. So i might be over lighting my tank right now. Should i remove some bulbs or raise it? Mostly softies, mushrooms, finger leather, zoos, sun coral orange and black, and a closed brain.

Over-lighting? Maybe, maybe not. How do the coral look?

How far off the water is the fixture right now? Is it the Tek fixture by SLS?

Whiskey

[BGJ223]

I would like to chime in here, seeing that I also am a T5 user. My current setup does not have the individual reflectors and I am running 3 sets of 2 bulbs on a 48 long 60 gallon. I plan on adding the SLR's (Single Lamp Reflectors) in the next few weeks, does it make that big of a difference? Should I keep my 6 bulb configuration, or drop down to 4 bulbs?

[Wiskey]

If your tank is 18 inches wide keep the 6 bulbs, but watch the coral to tell you what to do.

The reflectors make a huge difference, if I were you I would install 1 reflector at a time to acclimate the coral.

Are you going with the sunlight supply, or ice cap reflectors? If not then never mind what I said.

I would accually be suprised if the reflectors fit right in the fixture like that, usualy the other type of T5 hoods like to put the bulbs real close together.

Whiskey

[BGJ223]

Originally Posted by Wiskey

If your tank is 18 inches wide keep the 6 bulbs, but watch the coral to tell you what to do.

The reflectors make a huge difference, if I were you I would install 1 reflector at a time to acclimate the coral.

Are you going with the sunlight supply, or ice cap reflectors? If not then never mind what I said.

I would accually be suprised if the reflectors fit right in the fixture like that, usualy the other type of T5 hoods like to put the bulbs real close together.

Whiskey

Well I am think I am going to go with the Ice cap reflectors, I have heard better reviews and stats from them. Also I plan on taking apart each fixture and making my retro out of it. You are right about the bulbs being placed too close together.

[90_berlin_joe]

Wiskey, the T5 is from SLS.

[Wiskey]

Originally Posted by BGJ223

Well I am think I am going to go with the Ice cap reflectors, I have heard better reviews and stats from them. Also I plan on taking apart each fixture and making my retro out of it. You are right about the bulbs being placed too close together.

Ya, the Ice Cap reflectors are slightly better than the SLS ones. I would say acclimate slow, and watch your coral, if it looks like the corals don't like all 6 tubes lit then go with only 4. Or go with the last 2 for just 1 hour per day.

HTH,
Whiskey

[Wiskey]

Originally Posted by 90_berlin_joe

Wiskey, the T5 is from SLS.

Plenty of light for SPS, how do your coral like your tank? Do they tell you that there is too much light?

Whiskey

[afbengochea]

yeah I remember doing some research on these and they say that the ice caps are 20 percent more efficient than the sls and theres another company that makes reflectors called aqualux that are supposed to be the same efficiency as the ice caps

[Wiskey]

True that.
Whiskey

[BGJ223]

Originally Posted by afbengochea

yeah I remember doing some research on these and they say that the ice caps are 20 percent more efficient than the sls and theres another company that makes reflectors called aqualux that are supposed to be the same efficiency as the ice caps

too bad they are going out of business. They are having a huge sale on all of their inventory, but you won't be able to get your order placed. Trust me I know. I tried to order $200 worth of stuff from them, and they never got back to me or even charged my card.