t 5 lighting

[donduncan]

I am trying to figure out the whole t5, t5ho thing. I have a light fixture from current that has 56 watt t5 bulbs. I can not find a model number on it. Is this a t5 ho light fixture? It is the same in design as the current Nova Extreme Pro but does not have the individual reflectors. Can a normal t5 fixture run t5ho bulbs. What is over drive bulbs?

[Robb_in_Austin]

Hi Don. To answer your questions in reverse order:

Overdriven bulbs are lights that are powered by a higher wattage ballast, usually(only?) an Ice Cap ballast.

Most of the T5 bulbs are at set wattage per size; meaning a 39w bulb is sized for a 36inch fixture, etc. Are they 54w by chance? That would make sense, I don't find any info on 56w T5.

T5=T5HO.

[jc]

Icecap ballast will overdrive a normal t5 bulb to a higher wattage. A 54w bulb can go as high as 80w.

[donduncan]

they are 54w. It is a 48 inch fixture. I am trying to make a lighting choice. I have a 48 inch captive sun fixture that has 2 250 w MH lights. It does not have any reflectors for some reason. I also have a 48 inch t5 fixture that has 8 54 w bulbs. I am going to invest money in one of the fixtures to get the best bang for the buck. What would you suggest.

[Robb_in_Austin]

Either will work. Depends on what you are planning on keeping.

The MH one may require you to run a chiller, or fans and a lot of top off. The T5 in that fixture don't have reflectors because they are generally designed for actinic supplementation only, the MH provide the light for photosynthesis.

[donduncan]

any one have a suggestion on which lighting to use?

[Robb_in_Austin]

My 2cents: T5 only. But I feel you have to have one of the units with individual reflectors to get the bang for your buck. I have 2 clams, an anemone, and one large cap that has grown well under my fixture.

If you want an SPS dominant system, the MH/T5 combo might be best.

[donduncan]

I have some sps. is there a way to convert the current light to individual reflectors?

[Robb_in_Austin]

It would depend on how much room is in the fixture itself. Most of the individual reflectors are ~2.25inches wide. It might be more trouble that it is worth. Do you have a canopy? Setup a DIY system.

Also, you probably will be able to keep SPS up high with the current fixture. They just may grow slow.

[donduncan]

Does anyone have plans for a lighting system.

[donduncan]

how many t 5 lights should I run on a tank with dimensions of 18x24x72.
What type of ballast.

[donduncan]

I would also like to build a light bracket.

[Robb_in_Austin]

Dunno about a light bracket. Check the DIY stuff here and on RC.

I'd think 10 or so lamps would work, depending on overdriven vs regular.

Edit: I mean 5 36" lamps per side. As others below demonstrate, you can do with less. I've got 5 over my 36" wide tank without problem, which is18wx21h.

[jc]

I have a 180 tank that is 2'x2'x6' and I had sps growing under 6 t5's. My clams on the bottom were doing great and the lowest I had an sps was the just below the half way mark. I had the accustart ballast. I recently switched over to icecaps.

[Rychek]

I had an Orange Monti and a Purple Digi in my 90 gal (48"x18"x24" L W H respectivly) with 4 T5 bulbs (not all bulbs had reflectors) and an IceCap660. both were above the halfway mark and growing quickly. Granted, those are fairly easy SPS.

[BIGBIRD123]

Here is my build thread for my T5 light rack.
http://maast.org/forums/showthread.php?t=44782

Steve

[Robb_in_Austin]

Hey Don,

There is a 72" Constellation T5 fixture in the for sale forum that would RAWK on your tank. You could keep anything under it.

[uriah]

Let me know what you do w the T5 fixture if u decide 2 go metal only...