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Post by Syntax on Sept 19, 2014 4:45:17 GMT -5
If you want a t-5 fixture that has a well documented history for growing colorful sps then the ATI SunPower fixture is it. Do a google search on it and you'll read a ton of success stories.
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Post by jasonandsarah on Sept 19, 2014 6:31:31 GMT -5
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Post by jasonandsarah on Sept 19, 2014 6:34:29 GMT -5
evergrow d2120 are on sale on ebay for under $90 shipped.... something to think about Rob what is the life expectancy of these lights? I know you have used a lot of these. How long have they lasted for you and have u had any problems with them? I don't think anyone's from any of the group buys have had any major issues. I think like 95% have had zero problems at all. Sent from my SM-N900R4 using proboards |
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Post by gotareef on Sept 19, 2014 7:24:50 GMT -5
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Post by gotareef on Sept 19, 2014 7:36:00 GMT -5
fyi- if you go t5 just build the light! workhorse7 cost like $35 it will run 4 bulbs, workhorse5 cost $25 and will run 2 bulbs. t5 sockets are under $5 for 8 bulbs then you have the bulbs at about $20 each. this ballast is the same as a workhorse7 but much cheaper www.1000bulbs.com/product/91989/PLUSRITE-7319.htmlif you want to build I have a light housing that is 48"x18" it is whats left of a pc/mh fixture, if you can use it come get it I might also have some icecap waterproof end caps laying around.... |
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Post by maineultraclassic on Sept 19, 2014 8:06:57 GMT -5
to answer your question yes I am in contact with rick. and I am a student in the class so I have to use my outside resources. plus rick and I whant to see what others are doing. There are 3 of us on the forum from Biddeford, all with different tanks and different lighting............maybe you could visit all 3 of us and see how we are each doing things. |
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Post by jasonandsarah on Sept 19, 2014 11:17:51 GMT -5
I also have a gutted t5 fixture that you can have. It's a current light, I even still have the ballast but you'd be better off buying new ones if they're that cheap.
Sent from my SM-N900R4 using proboards
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Thomas
New Member
i can grow LPS really well but SPS are a tottaly diffrent ball game
Posts: 31 
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Post by Thomas on Sept 20, 2014 6:35:08 GMT -5
Hi Thomas, Are you looking for growth or for the colors to fluoresce decide what you are trying to accomplish and that will make your decision easier. Two things you don't want to skimp on is lights and skimmer, I do have to disagree on the color between t-5 and LEDs, yes Led's do give you a bit more pop but there are a few t-5 lamps that really make corals pop and come real close. Just like anything else you get what you pay for. Halides with the electronic ballasts you can push the lamps to a year plus. The problem with Halides is heat and operating costs. Ozone yeap I dismantled a tank destroyed by ozone, you think a tank gone bad stinks times it by ten. Ozone does work and works well but it needs to be monitored closely and often. Ozone also needs to be run through a reactor or two ( a lot of people don't do this ) and should be vented out doors. So I think I am going to go with T5 because form what I have read and you also said that you can get bulbs that will give you good color. I found a 6 bulb t5 fixture wedged behind a 200 gallon tank in our clown fish lab and it works great. so I think I am going to go with that. if I can get the lab manger to part with it if not then I am going to go the LED route. on the note of Ozone. rick just wants to run it from the generator right in to the tank. what kind of reactors do you need to get to do this safely. I found a rather large air dryer (the thing must me at leas 3ft long) the other day and I know that you have to dry the air when using ozone. I and I know you have to monitor it with an ORP probe. by the way thanks for all of your help. Its nice to have the help on this project. |
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Post by ryansweatt2004 on Sept 20, 2014 6:45:31 GMT -5
T5s are great if y don't mind buying new bulbs twice a year. Factor in the cost of bulbs vrs the upfront cost of LEDs and the led pays for itself after a while just in the replacment bulb savings. Of course if your on a tight budget, the cost of a few bulbs every six months or so may be more expensive in the long run but easier to afford short term.
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Post by jasonandsarah on Sept 20, 2014 7:41:32 GMT -5
Hi Thomas, I do have to disagree on the color between t-5 and LEDs, yes Led's do give you a bit more pop but there are a few t-5 lamps that really make corals pop and come real close. Just like anything else you get what you pay for. I would have to agree with the t5's coloration of corals. Ime Ati bulbs color up all corals awesome. They may not glow in the dark like led's but the coral it self will get great colors. My trouble with t5 was growth, I wasn't happy with the growth at all. I'm not saying you can't get growth from a t5 but on a 125g sps frag tank I'd think an 8 bulb would be required to get the best of both worlds, growth and coloration. 6 Ati bulbs of your choosing and 2 10k bulbs. That being said if you already have the 6 bulb fixture why not. But putting that thing stocked full of Ati bulbs and supplementing with led strips could work out perfect. 2 to 1 whites to Blues. Maybe you can find a used reef brite to attach to the bank/front of the light? Sent from my SM-N900R4 using proboards |
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Post by BriMc on Sept 20, 2014 9:31:30 GMT -5
Depending on your light cycle you should get a year to a year and a half out of t-5 lamps with no problems.
I have performed many test on life cycles of t-5's when I worked at Osram, one factor also is the quality of lamp you are buying. Usually after a year they do start to dim off a bit.
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Thomas
New Member
i can grow LPS really well but SPS are a tottaly diffrent ball game
Posts: 31
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Post by Thomas on Oct 21, 2014 11:01:26 GMT -5
I figured I would let you guys know what I ended up doing. I found a used T5 fixture with six bulbs and this has worked great. for flow we are using two vortec pumps. and the corals are doing great the only problem is that the system that it is tied in to has Po4 of 2.0 which we are using Brightwell's Xport PO4. thanks for all of your help
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Post by jasonandsarah on Oct 21, 2014 11:40:37 GMT -5
I figured I would let you guys know what I ended up doing. I found a used T5 fixture with six bulbs and this has worked great. for flow we are using two vortec pumps. and the corals are doing great the only problem is that the system that it is tied in to has Po4 of 2.0 which we are using Brightwell's Xport PO4. thanks for all of your help Out of curiosity are you getting any noticeable growth with that high of po4? Sent from my SM-N910R4 using proboards |
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Thomas
New Member
i can grow LPS really well but SPS are a tottaly diffrent ball game
Posts: 31
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Post by Thomas on Oct 22, 2014 15:15:09 GMT -5
the corals have not been in the system more then a week so I will definitely let you know if a couple of weeks.
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Post by jasonandsarah on Oct 22, 2014 17:56:14 GMT -5
the corals have not been in the system more then a week so I will definitely let you know if a couple of weeks. Maybe you could try and add some phosphate removing media in between? Maybe even have a gfo reactor feeding the tank from the display? Idk just a thought to make the water cleaner. If it was anything else it wouldn't be a big deal but a sps only frag tank the phosphates should probably be a lot lower. Sent from my SM-N910R4 using proboards |
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