SPS T5 pics

ramen again · Nov 10, 2010

OK. So I'm setting up a bigger tank (sps dominant) and have been throwing around the T5 or MH question. I've read up alot and it seems 50 50 as far as recomendations. I guess what I need are some pics of peoples stonies grown under T5's. I posted this in this section because I know LPS and softies do great under T5. I currently use a 250 hqi with a pheonix 14k and am thrilled with the results. Only reason I'm thinking about T5 is I'd have to do some electrical work to my house, or should I say my landlords house to handle lights, chiller ect. Soooo, help me make up my mind! Please!:cry:

ronnie · Nov 10, 2010

I'm growing SPS on my sandbed with a T5 setup with 4 overdriven bulbs and four normal driven bulbs (all HO btw).

Tank is 48x26x23 and the light is 10" off the water. I'm bleaching stuff that is high up. T5s are fine, IMO!

Tank isn't quite this blue - my camera skills are a bit lacking:

ramen again · Nov 10, 2010

Nice. Do the over driven bulbs make a big differance?

drainbamage · Nov 10, 2010

check my thread out https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/member-tanks/47774-my-tanks.htmlall the pics are of T5 grown corals (and tanks.) My main is a 24" tall tank, with a clam growing on the sand bed, and SPS's from top to bottom in the tank. If you're going deeper than 24", or a huge footprint, Halide is your choice. Otherwise the T5s offer many advantages, not least of which is the savings in electrical and heat (and more electrical from that.)

And yes, Overdriven makes a huge difference. I run a Current Nova Extreme Pro using same bulbs as in my teklights, only difference is the tek is an overdriven fixture. Side by side the teks are MUCH much brighter, to the point that I have to keep certain corals like chalices and many acans at the bottom of the tank under an overhang due to the intense light. Same chalices under the Current are 12" below the light with no shade.

ramen again · Nov 10, 2010

Nice corals! That frag tank looks familiar. Did I trade you a pinklemonade for a red planet (through sdreefs)?

drainbamage · Nov 10, 2010

ramen again said:
Nice corals! That frag tank looks familiar. Did I trade you a pinklemonade for a red planet (through sdreefs)?

Hah, funny, I was just wondering about ya earlier today when I was putting some more SPS in by that lemonade. Yea, that would be me.

ramen again · Nov 10, 2010

How's it growing for you? I deleted all my PM's and couldn't remember who I traded with. Still got that neon blue/green monti:)?

drainbamage · Nov 11, 2010

ramen again said:
How's it growing for you? I deleted all my PM's and couldn't remember who I traded with. Still got that neon blue/green monti:)?

Yup, plus a few other actual monti's, pretty sure that thing is a porites. Should post it up one of these days and get some verification. How's the red planet doing?

divewsharks · Nov 11, 2010

I don't have a pic of my tank, but with my ATI fixture over a 25" tall tank, there is nothing i can't keep. Check out SunnyX's tank, all T5's.
It really all comes down to personal preference, you can have equal success with either, more of what kind of light is better pleasing to your eyes.

ramen again · Nov 11, 2010

Wow! Sunny's tank is amazing. Thanks for the suggestion! So far what I've seen looks good. I expected more pics considering all the people that stand behind their T5 lit sps tanks in the vs. Threads I've read :)

REEFCRAFT · Nov 12, 2010

All T5. Tank is 48x30x20. Taken 11/11/10.

ramen again · Nov 12, 2010

That looks nice:). How many bulbs are you running? Over driven?

PHP:

ramen again · Nov 14, 2010

Thanks to everybody who commented or posted pics. Now I have to figure out the best fixture for your buck, but I'll do that in the lighting forum:) Thanks again!

tcfab · Nov 14, 2010

Amuze, how many and what bulb combo do you use. I am setting up my rimless which has the same demensions only 22" tall and I am debating between 8 or 10 bulbs I plan on it being SPS dominated. Your tank looks great.