T-5 lighting

[labnjab]

I purchased a 4x39 t-5 light fixture this weekend for our 29 gallon, and was wondering what we could keep now compared to the 2x96 watt pc lights we have now. Is the sky the limit now, or are there still some limits? Has it opened us up to clams and most sps? Besides being cooler running and more efficient, how do they compare to Metal Halides as far as light output? I've done some research online and get conflicting results, some partial to MH and some to t5.

[Fishguy2727]

I think just like any time there is new technology some people want to try and see how well it works (or how it doesn't) and others simply stick with what they already know works and argue against the new. So some will keep using metal halides and others will be happy to try out T5s. The biggest difference will be seen with depth. In a deeper tank (over 24" or so) you usually need metal halides to really punch that light into the deeper areas of the tank. In shallower tanks the T5s seem to be about equal to metal halides if you have enough of them, mainly if you have HOT5 and individuals curved reflectors.

Which fixture is this exactly?
Is it HO or normal output?

What will you be doing with your old fixture (I am looking for an upgrade)?

[labnjab]

My tanks only 19 tall. The fixture is this one [Only Registered Users Can See Links.] 38Q2em124 ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.])


and it is high output. I haven't decided what I wanted to do with my old fixture. I don't know if I want to sell it or keep it. If you want it I could sell it to you. The bulbs are only 3 months old

[Fishguy2727]

What are the dimensions on that tank?

Standard 29s are only 30" long. That is what I have. I can't use a 36" fixture.

[labnjab]

My tanks only 30 long, it has fully adjustable legs, it actually works out perfect, because the actual bulb doesn't overhang (the housing does)

[Fishguy2727]

Okay, I see. Is that going to be true of the T5 fixture too? Have you got it yet?

Most of the fixture I have seen like that simply spread out the light in the 36" but have it all together in the 30", so I would get the 30". How long are the actual bulbs? Do they line up or are athey off-set a little to stretch the whole 30" of tank?

[cocoa_pleco]

T5's are close to halides, so youre going to have good lighting output. you could even try some SPS

[labnjab]

I just measured it and the bulbs are actually 34 inches on my pc light, and are not offset, I made a mistake, the do overhang slightly, maybe an inch or so on each side of the tank I'm not sure about the t-5 fixture, I haven't received it yet.

I will try some sps once I get them. How would a smaller clam do in t-5 lighting?

[Fishguy2727]

I think the T5 fixture will be a full 36", I haven't seen any that aren't.

Clams in that size tank would be a huge calcium sponge, making it more challenging to maintain calcium, KH, etc.

[oldhead]

I just measured it and the bulbs are actually 34 inches on my pc light, and are not offset, I made a mistake, the do overhang slightly, maybe an inch or so on each side of the tank I'm not sure about the t-5 fixture, I haven't received it yet.

I will try some sps once I get them. How would a smaller clam do in t-5 lighting?


T-5's should be fine for clams however as stated above, you may run into other problems.

[labnjab]

I'll try some sps and stay away from clams until we get a bigger tank.

[Fishguy2727]

I had montipora in my tank until the heater fried them (the tank went up to 95F). They were doing well, and are generally considered one of the best beginner SPS. But you have enough lighting to do anything you want. But I would start out with the easiest/hardiest and then step your way up to what you want.