Corals for T-5 Lighting??

[Chameleon Bob]

I was hoping I could get a list of names/families of corals that are suitable for t-5 lighting? Thanks

[Ninong]

If your aquarium is no taller than about 24", then you can keep anything with T5 lighting if each tube has an individual reflector and if your lighting extends across most of the top of the aquarium.

High intensity lighting with just HO T5s (RC's July 2008 TOTM)

Tank dimensions: 64"L x 31"W x 24"H

Lighting: Ten 80w T5 bulbs in Powermodule Ati lamp

As you can see from the tank photos, Szymon Jankowski is an SPS specialist using nothing but HO T5 lamps.

Once you get into tanks taller than about 28", you might want to consider a combination of metal halides and T5s if you want to be able to keep everything.

[Chameleon Bob]

Thanks Ninong, One of my LFS's told me I couldn't do stoney corals or sea fans well actually she said nothing but mushrooms. I always thought she was a bit off. Thanks again.

[Parrothead]

Ninong,

Do you remember the name of posideons thread, he's got his 90 lit with nothing but T-5's, Bob should look through that as well, I just can't remember the name of his thread

[Ninong]

Thanks Ninong, One of my LFS's told me I couldn't do stoney corals or sea fans well actually she said nothing but mushrooms. I always thought she was a bit off. Thanks again.

Maybe she was thinking of just two T5 tubes over the tank: one daylight and one actinic. That would be a setup more suited to a fish-only aquarium.

As long as you have enough T5s and as long as each tube is in its own individual reflector (very important), then you will be able to keep just about anything unless your tank is say 30" tall or something like that.

As you can see from the example I linked, that guy has an amazing SPS-dominated 206-gal tank with nothing but T5s in a very expensive fixture.

He has ten 5' long T5s over his tank:

Tank dimensions: 64"L x 31"W x 24"H

Lighting: Ten 80w T5 bulbs in Powermodule Ati lamp

[Chameleon Bob]

Thanks a lot guys.

[Ninong]

Just out of curiosity, I googled that guy's fixture to see how much it really cost and what its exact dimensions are:

Manufacturer: ATI
Dimensions: 58.1" x 21.5" x 2.3" (L x W x H)
Availability: In Stock - Usually ships in 24 hours
Item #: ATI2039

T5 high-output fluorescent lighting system complete with individual parabolic reflectors for each bulb made from silver-coated 98% reflective German-made aluminum, built-in electronic ballasts, active cooling system, acrylic shield, two 10 ft power-cords and sleek, adjustable hanging kit to suspend the unit. Superior design and high-end components produce 50% more light than most other equally sized T5 fixtures without using more energy. Fixture is wired with 2 bulbs on one power-cord and the other 8 bulbs on the other allowing for independent control and dawn-dusk simulation. Silver colored, stainless steel body is durable and rust-proof. Runs very cool and produces virtually no noise. Common Sizing Guideline: mixed reef tanks up to 270 gallons and SPS dominated tanks up to 200 gallons. Recommended Tank Depth: up to 30" with carefully planned placement of corals. Power Consumption: approximately 7.5 Amps. Due to its large size this fixture ships on a pallet.
Warranty: 1 year.
DescriptionOur Price Qty60" 10x80W Powermodule T5 High-Output Fixture$1,299.00 Shipping: Discounted Ground Shipping.
- Large or heavy item. Additional shipping charges apply.

I don't know anything about that vendor. I just copied that info to show the size of his fixture over his tank that has an open space of 63" x 30" (after subtracting for the thickness of the glass). The fixture is 58.1" x 21.5". That gives you an idea of how much of the open space he covered with T5 lighting to get those spectacular results.

[Parrothead]

Bob,

Help us out here, what size tank do you have??????

[Chameleon Bob]

I got a standard 55. Also should I keep my glass canopy under my lights or go with an open tank?

[Chameleon Bob]

Also what bulbs do you guys prefer?

[Ninong]

I got a standard 55. Also should I keep my glass canopy under my lights or go with an open tank?

If you mean a glass cover on the tank itself, then I would say no. An open tank is better.

[Ninong]

Also what bulbs do you guys prefer?

I haven't used T5s myself, so I have no opinion.

[Chameleon Bob]

Ninong I appreciate your input. I'm going to stay with the T-5's but don't think I'll be anywhere near that ATI system for $1300.

[blennydude]

I have heard a lot of good feedback for Geismann bulbs. (I think that's how you spell them)

[Parrothead]

Geis. bulbs are excellent, 48" Nova Extreme Pro 6 Bulb T-5 HO fixture is ideal for a 55, that is the fixture I'm going with here as soon as my clients start cooperating

[Ninong]

Ninong I appreciate your input. I'm going to stay with the T-5's but don't think I'll be anywhere near that ATI system for $1300.

That's a really expensive unit. All you need for a standard 55-gal tank would be a minimum of four 4' long HO T5 tubes in individual reflectors, assuming you want to be able to keep hard corals.

[Ninong]

I have heard a lot of good feedback for Geismann bulbs. (I think that's how you spell them)

It's Giesemann.

[Ninong]

Geis. bulbs are excellent, 48" Nova Extreme Pro 6 Bulb T-5 HO fixture is ideal for a 55, that is the fixture I'm going with here as soon as my clients start cooperating

It looks like that should be a very nice fixture for a 55-gal tank. The fixture is 48" x 12", so it would cover the entire top of the tank. And six HO T5 tubes is even better than four but you may get a certain amount of light spill.

I found it for only $429.99 (with FREE shipping) at Marine Depot.

However, if he has a canopy, or is building a canopy, he could DIY with individual reflectors, etc., and save money. Five 4' long HO T5 tubes would be about right in a canopy and that would allow him to keep SPS anywhere in the tank.

[Parrothead]

shop it, I've seen better prices than that, I've seen it in the mid to upper 300's with free shipping. I know alot of people using them and have heard no complaints yet.

[Ninong]

It's $375.00 + $32.72 shpg = $407.72 on Amazon.

It's $359.99 + shpg = (?) at Dr. Foster & Smith. The only way you can calculate the shipping on this item is to go through the entire purchasing process, entering all of your information, including full address, and then they will tell you the total with shipping.

It's on eBay for $399.95 + $14.95 shpg = $414.90.

It's $379.99 + shpg = (?) at Premium Aquatics. I guess you have to go through the entire purchasing process before they will tell you how much the shipping will run you.