T5 lighting period?

NaClFinatic · 03-24-2007, 08:49 AM

What kind of lighting period does anyone reccommend for T5 lights?

I plan to keep typical LPS and SPS and don't mind putting some more demanding ones up higher.

I am planning to use 6 54W T5 bulbs on my standard 90 gallon tank (48"x18"x24"). These will be retrofit in the hood so they will probably be about 8" from the surface. I also plan to put a lens below them to make cleaning easy. I plan to start with half actinic / half daylight and see how I like it. I should also have room to add two more bulbs if needed later.

So how many hours do the T5 users run the lights? And how is that doing for your stoneys?

I am interested in economy and figure I will upgrade to LED in a few years, but T5 is a reasnable way to get started.

Thank you

Reefbaby · 03-24-2007, 04:21 PM

Great job! I love seeing more people turning to T5 lighting! I run mine from 10-10 (12 hours), although I'm not using them as the sole source of lighting and they're also not enough on my system to cover the whole tank.

I would seriously recommend checking out Iwan Lässer's tank. Unfortunately, his website is in German, but you can check out his photos if you click on "Bildgallarie". He uses ONLY T5 lighting. I think he has some of the most amazing color in his corals and one of the most spectacular tanks I've ever seen. I know that he's also an avid user of Prodibio, so who knows exactly which factors contribute to his stunning success - probably all of them!
Anyway, here's some of his links:

www.reefland.com article

Iwan Lässer's homepage

The only thing I couldn't find, even on his own homepage, was how long he runs his T5s. I know that he has a long thread on RC, so you could look there to see if he has offered more info...

NaClFinatic · 03-24-2007, 05:03 PM

Thanks! I think you gave that link before, maybe when I first was looking into T5. There was also another spectacular tank using only T5 that was a little odd shaped (it was a basic rectangle but half of the rear was extended farther back). I think in that one had a lighting ratio closer to what I intend (6x54W). Iwan's tank would be similar to 8x54W on my tank. I will have to check my work computer to see if I saved that other link... I have to check out some other sites to see what I can find. I don't think there are many in the USA using only T5.

Und Ich spreche ein bissen Deutsche.

Reefbaby · 03-24-2007, 06:34 PM

na dann....

If I remember correctly, from some of the tanks that I've seen using all T5 (mostly in Germany), people were going with about 12 hours of light. I would start from there and see how your corals do. It should be sufficient. I can speak at least from mine (albeit not the amount that you're wanting to do), 12 hours doesn't seem to harm them at all and I think the fish don't mind having a bit of light!

einen schönen Tag noch!

NaClFinatic · 03-24-2007, 07:08 PM

I will probably try actinic for 12 and daylight for 10 and see how that goes then.

I think I may try a rotation schedule for bulb changes. With 6 bulbs, I will change one actinic and one daylight every 4 months. That will be a full year for each bulb which is a little longer than most seem to use them, but at the same time I will have a couple fresh ones in there too. And I can keep the first changeouts (that don't get a full year) around for spares.

I habe einen noch langer tag gern, aber es kosten mehr elektric und lichten.

FibberMcGee · 03-24-2007, 07:48 PM

I moved to T5 from 800 watts of MH, and love the color, I really like that the electric bill is a little better also. 12 hour photo period here also. 8 bulbs on a 120gallon reef. As ReefBaby noted Iwan tank, His success is the reason I changed over.

Reefbaby · 03-25-2007, 05:14 AM

Hey McGee - I'd love to see pictures of your set-up and corals on T5. Did you notice any growth/color differences?