lighting

[marinegeek101]

Hi

How close should my 24 inch t-5 lighting be from the aquarium? I mounted it up, and it doesnt look like its more lighting than my power compact. My LFS said that it would be perfec for my 32 gallon because my power compact was unafficient lighting. Please answer ASAP. Thank you!

 

[Krish]

How much watts is it and what all do you have in the tank? I've never used T-5's, but as far as other lights go that I have used (MH's and pc's) I liked to have them 10-12 inches above the water eventhough one time I had my metal halides just 9 inches up

 

[Herefishyfishy]

Krish, why so high? When I had my 90 with VHO lighting, had the bulbs 3" off the water. I know this is much lower than typical, but seemed to help keep it brighter.

 

[Krish]

Krish, why so high? When I had my 90 with VHO lighting, had the bulbs 3" off the water. I know this is much lower than typical, but seemed to help keep it brighter.

Well...I always used retro kits and there always was splashing in my tanks...Also, heat was always an issue as well

 

[ronj]

i have my VHO's about 1-2" over the water...i didn't know people kept them any higher than that..

 

[prbhasson]

I agree. I only have my VHO's 3 inches above the water on my 75.

 

[Krish]

VHO's maybe, but I'd never try that with halides...I got a MH bulb wet before and it cracked! Not sure what the case is with T-5's though which are the lights here in question

 

[ronj]

how high do you guys keep you halides over the water????

 

[Krish]

how high do you guys keep you halides over the water????

I kept mine the lowest 9 inches and the highest 12 inches, but I think it is totally up to you. Halides put out a lot of heat so you will have to take that into consideration when mounting them and you need to protect them from water (if a retro kit) as much as possibly because the bulb will crack easily if they get wet. Also, they put out a lot of light and depending on what corals you keep and how high you plan on placing them in your tank, it will determine how high you'd have to place the lighting because too close to the surface, and you may burn certain corals. Just my 2 cents

T-5's are the bulbs in question in the first post though so we need to figure out how high they need to be placed...Anyone know???

 

[marinegeek101]

Hi, I have 2 percula clownfish, 1 white spotted toby puffer, 1 linkia star fish, 1 rock polyp and a couple of mushrooms. And im having trouble with my cleaner shrimp that I just bought. When I put him in he was fine and my salinity was just at 1.026 and when I came back he was laying on the sand bed. Not dead but it looks like he is. I checked the salinity and it was at 1.028. I quickly fixed it. Will my cleaner survive or is it a goner?

 

[Krish]

Will my cleaner survive or is it a goner?

Hmm...Couldn't say for sure. You'll have to keep an eye on him and maybe move him into quarentine tank or maybe a refugium (if you have one) so the others won't pick on him and stress him out even more... What caused your salinity to jump so quickly??? Hope he pulls through for you

 

[Reefdaddy1]

With T5's you can slam them to right on top of the tank, I used them in the past alot, and never had them higher then PC's, no need, Slam them right on top like 2 -3 inches, You will see a huge difference compared to Pc's.

 

[marinegeek101]

He died It was because I had just added water and I guess I checked the salinity to soon Thanks for the help anyways. So there nobody who has t-5 lighting?

 

[Meche]

My T-5s are 2-3" over the water. Only because thats how long the fixtures legs are. IMO it's a good height. The T-5 is not especially bright (as compared to the PCs), I think their advantage come from their spectrum output, or "usable light".

 

[Cwazy Clown]

can some1 show me a good t5 for a 10g tank under 100$ pls?? i was considering a 24" 65 watt pc for my 20" 10g but i noticed the t5's..what better and show me a good one for my 10g

 

[Meche]

$150

I have the 48" version and I am happy with it. However, I have been informed that it has a single reflector. If each bulb has its own reflector more light is focused into the tank better.