Tek T-5HO 8 bulb fixture

[barry37]

Ready to upgrade. Anyone out there with this fixture? Will this produce enough light so I can keep clams on the bottom of an aquarium thats 31 inches deep, or do I need to go with 250 watt halides? Currently running 2 150's with little success.

 

[gypsana]

I have that fixture and it is great, but my tank is only 17". I am by far no expert on clam care, but I would think you could have a Derasa on the bottom with these lights.

 

[aquaguy24]

T5's loose there intensity after about 12"i think..u might wanna go with 250w mh or maybe 400w..

 

[loopy101]

does this have indivdual reflectores?

 

[gypsana]

Originally Posted by loopy101
http:///forum/post/3081853
does this have individual reflectors?
Yes the Tek fixtures have them.

 

[nycbob]

i hv the nova pro with a derasa 25 inches away from it. the tek is supposely better, so my guess is it should be fine if ur water parameters r good. also, i am running 6 bulbs, and the tek u r thinking of has 8!

 

[gypsana]

Originally Posted by aquaguy24
http:///forum/post/3081799
T5's loose there intensity after about 12"i think..u might wanna go with 250w mh or maybe 400w..
Not true, where did you find this information?

 

[aquaguy24]

This was a while back. I'll have to search for it. This hobby is a never ending reasearch. New technologies, new found species, more efficient ways to do things, etc. LOL

 

[gypsana]

Originally Posted by aquaguy24
http:///forum/post/3082228
This was a while back. I'll have to search for it. This hobby is a never ending reasearch. New technologies, new found species, more efficient ways to do things, etc. LOL
T5's are proving to be a great choice for those who do not want the issues of MH's. I have seen incredible tank shots of T5 tanks on another forum. Like I said my tank is at 17" and I had a frag of birds nest at the bottom and it was doing fine.

 

[aquaguy24]

found it.. It's on a site called Aquarist Online under T5 aquarium lighting-suitable for which corals written by John Cunningham. I'll put up a link when im home work.

 

[aquaguy24]

Originally Posted by gypsana
http:///forum/post/3082238
T5's are proving to be a great choice for those who do not want the issues of MH's. I have seen incredible tank shots of T5 tanks on another forum. Like I said my tank is at 17" and I had a frag of birds nest at the bottom and it was doing fine.
In my experience, birdnest do better under lower lighting. Especially the thinner branch birdnest

 

[gypsana]

Originally Posted by aquaguy24
http:///forum/post/3082249
found it.. It's on a site called Aquarist Online under T5 aquarium lighting-suitable for which corals written by John Cunningham. I'll put up a link when im home work.
I think I read your first post incorrectly. I thought you where saying that T5's were no good on a tank over 12". My bad! Just read article, thanks!

 

[gypsana]

Originally Posted by aquaguy24
http:///forum/post/3082295
In my experience, birdnest do better under lower lighting. Especially the thinner branch birdnest
They are listed as high light corals but I guess they are versatile.

 

[aquaguy24]

Originally Posted by gypsana
http:///forum/post/3082298
I think I read your first post incorrectly. I thought you where saying that T5's were no good on a tank over 12". My bad! Just read article, thanks!

It's all good. I've done that a few times. I myself can be confusing at times. LOL

 

[fanker]

my 6 bulb grew sps on my sand bed. what size tank is urs? u should ve able to have clams on the sand bed. i have found that they like nice water and good light but not tons. u should be fine

 

[barry37]

It's a 110. 48''X18''X31'' deep. My 2 150 watt MH just don't seem to be getting the job done. T-5 HO bulbs seem to fit the bill, I just want to be sure before I make the purchase

 

[aquaguy24]

Do u already have the clam and it's not doing well? Maybe it's not the light. Have u tried moving it up to see if lighting is the problem.

 

[barry37]

Tried one about 18 mo ago. When he did start showing signs of stress I tried moving him up, that didn't work. Water paramaters are always pretty good, everything else does alright. Most of the corals in the tank look real healthy but hardly ever grow. General consenses is the problem is the lighting.

 

[reefraff]

I REALLY wouldn't suggest clams on the sand with T5's on a 31" tall tank with the Tek T5's. Either an ATI Powermodule or Aquactinics Solar Flare would be good.
As long as what you have to work with is the Tek get a fan you can mount so it blows across the rear of the fixture at the middle. You want it so the air blows horizontally against the rear edge so air goes above and below the fixture and doesn't blow directly on the lamps. I have gotten up to a 25% increase in PAR readings doing that. Also don't use a splash shield (Causes things to get too hot and kills the output) and change your lamps at about 10 months. Hopefully that will keep your clam happy as a clam.

 

[barry37]

Haven't made the purchase yet. Are the ATI and aquatinics fixtures that much better? I am willing to buy just about any fixture at this point. Tired of having a tank that just not quite there, if you know what I mean.