Hey all:
So, I'm thinking that once I grow out some fry, I will be converting a 33 gallon into a small reef tank.
I'm not drilling this tank, and I don't have space for a sump. I've pretty much decided I'd like to put an Aqua C Remora Pro skimmer on the tank (the one with the Mag pump)
How many High Output T5's should I put over this tank for good growth of some easy and moderate level corals? Each T5 puts out 39W of light at about 3500 lumens (almost as high as a 55W compact flourescent). Given that they are a little over half an inch each, I'm figuring it wouldn't be too hard to get at least 6 under a DIY canopy with minimal heat problems.
No metal halides yet.. just wanna get my feet wet with a salt tank. Fish load will be minimal... I'm mostly interested in the reef and a cleanup crew to start.
good choice BD now what do you need? ;D
whats the dimension of the tank? just 4 t5s would do imo(guessing its not wider than 18"), make sure you have reflectors....maybe later when u are really into it...u can add a mh!
I am curious about the t-5's, you mention 39 watts at HO, yet I have 54 watts HO with 6700 k, and the same 54 watt can be had with a colour of 10000k, please explain the disparity.
Oh and have fun with your adventure on the briney.
You "need" to have actinic and daylight for better result... In my setup I have 4 vho actinic (110Watt each) and 2 MH (6500K) 250W each... Oh by the way, t5 actinic aren't very good I'm told :( anyway you would need 4 or 6 t5 daylight and 2 actinics
Actinic aren't mandatory but it's like having a heavy planted tank whitout CO2 you can do it but...
Oh, about my question regarding the t-5's, I just figured it out, so never mind. :-[
Quote from: az on July 24, 2006, 04:47:43 PM
good choice BD now what do you need? ;D
whats the dimension of the tank? just 4 t5s would do imo(guessing its not wider than 18"), make sure you have reflectors....maybe later when u are really into it...u can add a mh!
The tank is 36 L x 12 W x 18 H
I'm assuming I would not be able to have clams or SPS if I only had 6 T5's over the tank. Is that a correct assumption? And I was under the impression that there were now decent actinic bulbs available in T5 sizes....
BD, you need to have mh for clams and sps, for 18"...i'd recommend edit:1 is finex250watts minimum (and 2 36"actinics).
T5s with reflectors are like powercompacts, i'd avoid ARC, i hated it, just wasnt bright enough!
also wanted to add, without actinics, coral would live but wont clr up! btw, ever tried 10k/actinics(even arc) on a cichlid tank? u will see some new clr on your fish, i was surprised!
Quote from: ToX on July 24, 2006, 05:28:03 PM
You "need" to have actinic and daylight for better result... In my setup I have 4 vho actinic (110Watt each) and 2 MH (6500K) 250W each...
All this on the 33G? IMO, this is overkill...
I will suggest to go with T5, but get the reflector for MH instead of separate T5 reflectors (http://aquariacanada.com/osCommerce/product_info.php?cPath=1_74_90_104&products_id=983), better with mogiul socket. In this case you will be able to add MH later on, if you will find that you in desparate need.
Look at the following link http://aquariacanada.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10630 - person has only 6 T5 on the 4ft long tank, which is at least 75G. You just need to select bulbs, as ToX mentioned, ARC are cheap, but they provide (at least super actinics) as much light as they cost...
Regards
with 6 to 8 t5 he would be able to keep sps
and get the individual reflector, you'll get much more outa thsoe t5, the big reflector is not has good as individual t5 reflector
Big tank with only T5 lighting and soon to be TOTM on RC. Lots of good reading on this thread.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=813873 (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=813873)
Quote from: ToX on July 24, 2006, 07:19:32 PM
with 6 to 8 t5 he would be able to keep sps
and get the individual reflector, you'll get much more outa thsoe t5, the big reflector is not has good as individual t5 reflector
The problem with the reflectors is that they are 2 inches wide each (I know, I have 4 of them over my 75 gallon planted). So I could only get five of them over a 12 inch wide tank. I was thinking about just getting a generic reflector and mounting them as close as possible together. That way I should be able to get the 6 to 8 of 'em.
And thanx Dark, I've seen that tank before... although I know I won't come anywhere near it.
Quote from: DARKPHREAK on July 24, 2006, 08:11:06 PM
Big tank with only T5 lighting and soon to be TOTM on RC. Lots of good reading on this thread.
Nice Tank, how deep is it?
What about a metal halide pendant for your tank BD?
So you finally caught the bug.
From my understanding the biggest deal with T5's is the reflector. Without a quality reflector you might as well use NO tubes. Theres a thread on T5 on RC somewhere.
I think Iwans tank is 26" deep or maybe abit shorter.
My tank is 18 inches high. Metal halide is a no no as this tank will be in the master bedroom and I don't want the heat. The lights from my 75 gallon already do a good enough job at that.
A 33g tank is always the perfect start.......
36x18x12.T5 lights would be more than enough for
a tank of such dimension......2 10000k 39 watts a piece
and 2 etenics 39 watts........will help your tank thrive.
provided you are thinking about softies..........
if you want plug and play lights........corallife or
current USA make perfect light fixtures........
Mh would deff be over kill for such small tank.......
plus heat is a concern.......unless you have a chiller.
and have excellent air circulation.
cheers
6-7 watts/gallon- you've got some nice lighting there.
Maybe sps on the top of the rock work; as it's a deep enough tank. Isn't the brown clam(a maxima??) a lower light one.
Don't skimp on the actinics.
Borneman has a nice book on corals and light requirements, don't write everything off because of no metal halide(though it's hard to beat the appearance).
Quote from: DARKPHREAK on July 24, 2006, 08:11:06 PM
Big tank with only T5 lighting and soon to be TOTM on RC. Lots of good reading on this thread.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=813873 (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=813873)
that is some reef! WOW!
Which lights did you chose?
I will likely stick with T5 High Outputs. As I said before, I still have to wait a few months for some fry to grow out... but I'm already starting to put a plan together for it once they are gone.
Personally Im not so keen on the 6,500 k. Too yellow for that deep underwater feeling of a reef tank. I think a pair of 10,000k for daylight with a pair of actinic for dawn/dusk would be very nice and grow almost anything in 18" of water :)