T5

Rawdogz · 05-20-2008, 11:14 AM

do anyone know a good website to get a t5 fairly cheap?

GuitarMan89 · 05-20-2008, 11:31 AM

Dr. Foster and Smith, they just had a sale, still might be going on. I just bought a 48" 216 watt fixture for $198. Works great so far and customer service is second to non

Iraf · 05-20-2008, 11:44 AM

just make sure whatever you get has individual reflectors, I tested some out this past weekend with a buddy's meter and without individual reflectors on a 4 bulb 54w array you had 0 light penetration at 10" and below

Rawdogz · 05-20-2008, 12:25 PM

I have a 20 tall tank and this is the fixture am looking at

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+13822+12772&pcatid=12 772

the only thing is it don’t have individual reflectors

36" 156 watts. I would have to change the bulb, these bulb only have 26 more watts then what I have now.

I can add the individual reflectors right?

this is the fixtures i have right now
Compact Fluorescent Aquarium Lighting: Coralife Aqualight Double Compact Fluorescent Strip Lights

24" 130 watt, cant I just change the bulbs for stronger bulb?

Iraf · 05-20-2008, 12:32 PM

cant add them easily, why buy a 36" array for a 20 tall? It's not 36" should be like 24 I beleive

You may want to just look at a single MH Clip on like a JBJ Viper, or even PC's work great over that size tank

NiNeX · 05-20-2008, 12:32 PM

Don't think you can add the individual reflectors to that light, the reflectors take 2" or more per bulb, depending on which ones you get. You would have to get a unit that has it already or get a retrofit kit to make your own.

GuitarMan89 · 05-20-2008, 12:54 PM

Quote:

just make sure whatever you get has individual reflectors, I tested some out this past weekend with a buddy's meter and without individual reflectors on a 4 bulb 54w array you had 0 light penetration at 10" and below

I have the same fixture that he is looking at on a 55 and have no lighting issues. Im not sure what you mean by '0 light penetration below 10?'" Of the light will diminish the deeper it goes, but my tank is 20" deep and the light is still strong at the bottom. saying 0 light penetration would mean that no light, darkness, is getting past 10". This fixture is 216 watts which is about 4 watts per gallon on my tank which by my research and practice is plenty for many corals. Im just kind of confused as to what you mean by 0 light penetration?

NiNeX · 05-20-2008, 01:05 PM

I'd guess 0 PAR, might have plenty of visible light, but their tested setup didn't give any usable light to the corals below 10"

R34dawn · 05-20-2008, 01:14 PM

Maybe, i say maybe! he means under the rocks, I also have t5ho 216 in a 55g and all of the false corals (shrooms) are on the sand and look happier than ever i also have a kenya that was dying at the lfs and is already looking better, i got him on the sand also. the only problem i know with them is how long you keep the 460nm for w/o the 10,000k, because some undesirable diatom algae bloom be on the way, if you can't see the sand? maybe you are getting 0 penetration

>))))*>

antonym518 · 05-20-2008, 01:37 PM

Quote:

just make sure whatever you get has individual reflectors, I tested some out this past weekend with a buddy's meter and without individual reflectors on a 4 bulb 54w array you had 0 light penetration at 10" and below

[Removed]I have the same nova with an additional 2 24" novas all ho T5 no individual reflectors. HEres my tank and my sps and clams love the lights. Go with those. My friend also has that same 54x4 nova on a 72 bow front and its 21" tall and his tank is awesome too. I think that individual reflectors are overrated, IMO. Unless you want to keep clams in your sand bed, you will be fine.

[Here at 3Reef do not approve of name calling and insults.]