T5 questions

[punkroc701]

Ok so I am a little ahead of myself asking on the lights, but I am looking to do a reef tank (custom build) and I am curious as to what the deal is with the different colored lights? Since I am looking to do Coral I wantthe colors to pop and glow. I have seen the different colors on line, but only the white lights and coralife whites around here. Will those make my coral glow? Also I am wanting to have a "moon light" for when the day lights are off so I can still see everything at night. I have seen LED's (the solar ones you see at lowe's to light a walk way) used at night, is there an actual florecent type bulb you can use or should I just go with the LED idea?

Thanks for any suggestions and opinions.

[charlie]

This should help you out a little:

Thinking of getting t-5's? Read this...

[punkroc701]

Thanks Charlie that helped alot.

[charlie]

[punkroc701]

So for a DIY light fixture How are regular T5 fixtures? Are they ok to add T5 HO lamps?

[charlie]

I am not quite sure I understand your question?

[punkroc701]

Sorry Charlie I guess more info would help. I found some regular T5 light fixtures (kind you find in Lowe's and Home Depot) will those work in a DIY built canopy? Are thoseok with T5 HO bulbs? I found a few other fixtures on Ebay as well but I hate to wait for an auction to finish if I can get them someplace else for the same price or cheaper. Granted the ones on Ebay are made for aquariums, but they would take the whole canopy idea out I am thinking.

[charlie]

Do not buy the home depot/lowes units, I do not believe they are hugh output. If I were you, I would maybe look at Premium aquatics or marine depot, maybe bulk reef supply for what you want.

What size tank are you going to have, maybe we should establish that here also. I am at work, so I will be on and off of here, so if I don't answer right away, don't panic

[punkroc701]

Charlie,

I am doing a custom build tank. It will be about 36 gallons and in the superman emblem shape (it will be in a corner so I thought that would work best). It is however going to start off with a 2 ft x 2 ft base (measurments after cut will be 2 ft x 1 ft x 17 in x 1 ft x 2 ft) It will be 18 inches tall. So I am mainly looking for 24 in fixtures. Not sure if I am still biulding the canopy or if I am leaving it open yet. Also debating on moving my room it will be in around and redesigning the tank as well to give me a larger tank. Still working on all the small bugs so when I build it it will be good no matter where I put it. For a second Idea I thought about doing a 4.5 ft long tank about 1 ft front to back and 15 inches tall to sit on the back of my desk and run a sump refugium under my desk. Debating on which would work best but keep going back to the corner tank. It will be next to a window if that helps. Sunlight really wouldn't hit the tank though.

Thanks for any help you can give.

[charlie]

Well................................like I said, check out those companies I gave you above, I know that premium aquatics or Marine Depot wuld be able to provide what you are looking for. Up until you decide exactly what you want, and what types of coral you are gonna have, it is gonna be kinda hard to help you as far K ratings on bulbs and combinations of said K ratings Ok?

We will be around if you got more questions, OK?

[punkroc701]

Charlie decided to go with the Superman shaped corner tank. Any suggestions as to how many bulbs deep I sould go? With the odd shape I am thinking I am gonna need either different length fixtures or suggestions on how to finish my set up. I have an idea on the corals I want, I will have to get you some names cause most of what I know them by is what others call something else.

[charlie]

The shortest T5 bulb is 24", from what I have seen. I think you would actually have to cut the pattern, and the lay something that is 2 ft.around on it to see what fits. Or, start looking for a small fixture that has like 1 150w metal halide in it???

[punkroc701]

Charlie,

If I continue with the odd shape I have chosen I am looking into metal hilides with a couple 50/50 screw in lights around it to get the blue acentic light I am also looking for. How does that sound, do you think it would work? Also I am debating on making my own light fixture fot t5 lights on a future project ( large display tank for my entry way) and was curious as to what size ballasts I would need to run these lights. Do you know or havean idea where to look? I tried googling it but just seem to get sale sites.

Thanks

[punkroc701]

I think I just found my light for the aquarium. It is a MH/T5 combo. "A space saving combo unit combines 1x 150W HQI metal halide and 2x 14W Actinic Blue T5 lamps in one single unit." With the stand it is 19" long and extends to 24". I still may have to add someting for the back but this would cover most of it I am thinking. That or until I can figure something else out go with the super poor mans MH set up, a shop reflector clip light with a MH bulb in it. LOL. Thoughts suggestions welcomed as always.

[charlie]

With the tank being that odd of a shape, it sounds as tho you may have hit on something you can use.

[punkroc701]

Which one the poor man set up or the MH/T5 combo? LOL.

[charlie]

I was thinking the combo.

[punkroc701]

I figured. I asked as a joke. I guess it wasn't as funny as I hoped.

[charlie]

It is all funny.

[punkroc701]

I should be ordering it in a week or so (have to construct and leak check the tank first). I will try and take some pictures and stuff as the process continues. Thanks again for the help.