Who's running HO T5s on their large reef tanks in Vancouver?

[Rippin]

If you are (and keeping LPS and some SPS) I'd love to come over and see your tank and discuss your experiences with the lights and fixtures.

I currently run a MH fixture, but I am thinking of going T5s strictly to keep down the noise and heat.

Just PM me. Much appreciated.

[Leah]

Rippin,
I had a halide for awile it is now sitting in storage. I switched to HO T5's so glad I did.
Don't think you could pop over however. My tank ain't that big tho. How big is yours?
I am really glad I switched just sorry I hadn't gone T5's from the get go. Oh well live
and learn. Isn't that what it's all about in this hobby!!!!
Leah lol
________
buy iolite vaporizer (http://vaporizers.net/iolite-vaporizer)

[Rippin]

I'm looking to light a 120g tank 48x24x24.
It's either a 2x250W MH or an 8x54W HO T5 fixture that I'm looking at.

I've read the debates between the two and based on what I'll be keeping in this 120 g tank (LPS, some softies, some Montipora and Acropora, possibly an anemone) I think the 2 options listed above would do the trick, but I'd like to SEE what T5s look like in a reef tank, preferably in a 24" tall tank.

[JDigital]

I can post pics later tonight of 2x 36" Tek T5 -6bulb units over a 110G that is 20" deep...

[Rippin]

I can post pics later tonight of 2x 36" Tek T5 -6bulb units over a 110G that is 20" deep...

Cool, that will help. Thanks.

[trilinearmipmap]

I suggest you consider an ATI Powermodule T5 fixture rather than the more commonly chosen Sunlight Supply Tek-light.

I have an 8-bulb Tek-Light over my 120 and it is fine for BTA's, LPS, montiporas, and softies.

However from what I have read the Powermodule has better light output because it has active cooling. Now that I am looking to switch more to SPS I wish I had the ATI lights.

A lot of the really nice European T5 tanks I have seen online have been running Powermodules.

[lorenz0]

^^^^^^
The sunlight Tek is an excellent t5HO fixture. esspecially with 8 bulbs. you should look more into your bulb selection rather than the fixture, thats really what it comes down to. what i am doing is going with a growing set up with my bulbs than moving more towards looks with less grown once the sps has filled in to where i want it to be.

alot of people complain about t5's and their coral not growing, but the output from my NEP on my 10 is growing birdsnest and monti.

also check out this thread

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=421647

here is the bulb selection i want next fall (all ati bulbs, 2 blue+, 2 blue special, 2 pro color)

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k72/jartanyon/cl.jpg

[Canadian]

The ATI Powermodule's are great fixtures. Unfortunately they take in excess of 4 months to get your mitts on. ATI is ridiculously slow with orders and no one actually stocks these lights so they have to be ordered from Germany.

I've tried on two occasions now to get one and the wait time was unacceptable. I've resigned myself to building my own canopy using Tek 2 retrofits, some fans for active cooling of the lamps and ballasts, and a glass shield to protect the stain prone Tek reflectors.

[fkshiu]

If you don't want to wait for an ATI you could always get an Aquactinics fixture which are comparable.

[dreef]

Yes good luck getting an ati,my buddy ordered one 2 months ago.He asked if they were shipped yet,told MAYBE another 2 months,and no guaranttees even then.He went with another highend fixture.

[Rippin]

Ok, so unless ATI is more readily available in the near future it doesn't really seem to be an option.

I'll look further into Aquactinics. But how about this one by Current USA:
http://oceanaquatics.com/store/product/2272/Nova-Extreme-T5-48%22---8x54W/

Pros
8 bulbs, 2 fans, 2 switches, moonlights

Cons
Looks ugly
Don't know if each bulb has its own reflector

[Canadian]

If you don't want to wait for an ATI you could always get an Aquactinics fixture which are comparable.

Comparable in terms of performance. The Aquactinics fixtures are nearly the ugliest things on the planet though (with the exception of the Constellation series). I can't understand why Aquactinics doesn't make all their T5 fixtures in the same mold as the constellation just different lengths. I've emailed them and asked this but have yet to receive an answer.

[Rippin]

The Aquactinics fixtures are nearly the ugliest things on the planet though

Err...have you looked at the Current USA fixtures I posted above. Now THAT'S ugly :cry:

[Canadian]

Err...have you looked at the Current USA fixtures I posted above. Now THAT'S ugly :cry:

Still not as ugly as this bucket-o-slop though:

http://www.aquactinics.com/images/TX5_3.jpg

[fkshiu]

Comparable in terms of performance. The Aquactinics fixtures are nearly the ugliest things on the planet though (with the exception of the Constellation series). I can't understand why Aquactinics doesn't make all their T5 fixtures in the same mold as the constellation just different lengths. I've emailed them and asked this but have yet to receive an answer.

Obviously beauty is in the eye of the beholder. In any event, I highly doubt anybody but a hardcore reef geek would make any comment on the appearance of the fixture - it'll be what's in the tank that counts.

For the record, I agree most Aquactinics fixtures aren't the prettiest things in the world, but they aren't any uglier than Hamilton or PFO fixtures which are straight out of Mad Max. Does any one know if Giesemann or Sfiligoi make T5-only fixtures? Now those would be stylin'.

[Canadian]

Sfiligoi and Giesemann both make T5 only fixtures. Unfortunately they're all form and no function. I was ready to pull the trigger on a 6 lamp Sfiligoi Mini Stealth in white but they are really no better than a Tek light - they don't have any active cooling what so ever in fixtures with fewer than 8 lamps. The Sfiligoi distributor suggested that active cooling isn't necessary on fixtures with fewer than 8 lamps. Obviously the benefits of active cooling in any T5 fixture are well documented however. So what it came down to was choosing not to pay in excess of twice the price of a comparable Tek light for the aesthetics of a Sfiligoi.

Here's a link to the Sfiligoi Mini Stealth: http://www.sfiligoi.it/files/download/STEALTH%20ING.pdf

[JDigital]

Cool, that will help. Thanks.

fishyitmes Tank with 2x 36" Tek T5 6 Bulb fixtures... He was short 4 bulbs tonight too...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/FTSOct.jpg

[Reefer Rob]

Reef Geek (http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Fluorescent/ATI/Powermodule_Fixtures/) isn't stocking the Powermodule?

[Canadian]

Reef Geek (http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Fluorescent/ATI/Powermodule_Fixtures/) isn't stocking the Powermodule?

Not really. They have very little if anything actually in stock. They simply take your order and then make an order with ATI - i.e. really they're kind of drop shipping everything they don't have in stock. Hence the reason it takes months and months to get.

[Melonbob]

what about the larger versions of the sfiligoi? I am considering the 8X80W unit as it would be cheaper than replacing 14 29w bulbs in the constellation, and you are getting a higher wattage? This unit has active cooling right? What are the quaity of the reflectors like in comparasion to the Aquactinics? What about the ballasts? Can anyone tell me? they are very close in price to each other.