T5 Lighting for my 46 Gal. Bowfront

reefarchitect54 · 01-03-2007, 12:56 PM

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I’m just about ready to order a T5 set up for my 46 Gal. Bow front tank. I have found this set up on eBay and many other places for about the same price. What I’m wondering is what types of bulbs I should pick. The fixture has 6 39 watt bulbs so I can have any combination of six. This setup would give me about 5 watts per gallon which I’ve read is about what you want. I might do ice cap upgrades later. But for know I think I’m fine. My question is what do you think of this set up and what type of bulbs should I get. The Unit come's with 4 German Style T5 bulbs - 4- 10k and 2- 420nm actinic bulbs. If I would like a different combination of bulbs I just have to tell them. Is this setup ok or should I specify different types. I am also doing the six moon light upgrade when I by the setup... Thanks and please help me out as I would like to order ASAP as always.... Thanks again. Were getting close to the initial set up... Please recommend different bulbs or set ups if you prefer something else but I do want the T5... im not rich enough for MH... Thanks again

Here is the link to the setup on Ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...3639&rd=1&rd=1

Warnberg · 01-03-2007, 01:44 PM

"im not rich enough for MH"

In my experiance with T5's (18 months worth) if you over drive the T5 bulb you will get the higher output, but you shorten the bulb life. To house corals (SPS's) under T5's, plan on over driving the bulbs and changing them every 6 to 8 months.

By the way, I changed over to MH's and my electric bill went down 90.00 a month, tank runs cooler (larger hood to accomdate the MH's), and my corals are lovin life and getting there original color back.

Just my experiance with T5's

reefarchitect54 · 01-03-2007, 02:58 PM

Thanks for the info. I would like to investigate MH a little more. What type of setup would I need for a 46 Gal. Bow front? I really would not like to hang anything from the ceiling. I am thinking I would just need a 250 Watt fixture and bulb of some sort. This could all be built into some kind of hood I'm sure. Is this really more cost effective electricity wise? Please provide the name of a great setup or manufacture. Thanks for the info. Ahead of time. Please help me out as I would like the best setup possible.. Money is not a huge deal but is a factor. Thanks again!!!

reefarchitect54 · 01-03-2007, 03:06 PM

What do you think of getting two of these???

http://cgi.ebay.com/Hang-on-tank-HQI...QQcmdZViewItem

Warnberg · 01-03-2007, 04:04 PM

This is only if you plan on keeping SPS's or other very high light loving corals.

If I recall correctly the 46 gallon bow front is 36 inches long so with that in mind I would do something like this:
http://www.reefgeek.com/products/cat...ng/103917.html

Basically look for something that has either 2-175 watt MH's or 1-250 watt MH in it with either power compacts or T5's as supplements, make sure it's well ventilated with fans. You could even probably find something that has moon lights it is as well if you wanted.

If you really wanted to do it right, I personally would recommend you either have a wooden hood built or build one yourself. Make the mounting area for the lights about 12 inches off the water, then I would get a single 250 watt single ended MH retro fit kit (spider reflector, IceCap electronic ballast, and either a XM10k or a Iwaski bulb) then supplement with a 36 inch T5. Reason I say a single ended 250 is because you have many many bulb choices to choose from in the single ended 250 then most any others.

I'm sure there are others here that will give you further recommendations.

Here is another hood to look at:
http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_...es.asp?CartId=

One more: look at the coralife 250
http://www.coralreefsupply.com/index...ighting_cl_hqi

Good Luck

reefarchitect54 · 01-03-2007, 05:10 PM

Thanks for all the great options. I am trying to avoid building a separate hood for the tank as well as hanging something from the ceiling. I just thought that for the price and light they might be good. I really like the look of them and wondered if they would be ok. I’m not starting out with corals but I want to be ready when I want to add them later. I haven’t looked into much MH but I guess I should really do my homework. They setups you recommended look very nice as well. I guess I’m just getting a little confused... Thanks for the info. and please keep it coming... I guess you are saying you would shy away from the setup I linked you too??

01-03-2007, 12:56 PM	#1 (permalink)
reefarchitect54 Tuxedo Urchin Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Dover, NH Posts: 282 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	T5 Lighting for my 46 Gal. Bowfront -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I’m just about ready to order a T5 set up for my 46 Gal. Bow front tank. I have found this set up on eBay and many other places for about the same price. What I’m wondering is what types of bulbs I should pick. The fixture has 6 39 watt bulbs so I can have any combination of six. This setup would give me about 5 watts per gallon which I’ve read is about what you want. I might do ice cap upgrades later. But for know I think I’m fine. My question is what do you think of this set up and what type of bulbs should I get. The Unit come's with 4 German Style T5 bulbs - 4- 10k and 2- 420nm actinic bulbs. If I would like a different combination of bulbs I just have to tell them. Is this setup ok or should I specify different types. I am also doing the six moon light upgrade when I by the setup... Thanks and please help me out as I would like to order ASAP as always.... Thanks again. Were getting close to the initial set up... Please recommend different bulbs or set ups if you prefer something else but I do want the T5... im not rich enough for MH... Thanks again Here is the link to the setup on Ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...3639&rd=1&rd=1

01-03-2007, 01:44 PM	#2 (permalink)
Warnberg Acropora Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 1,911 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: T5 Lighting for my 46 Gal. Bowfront "im not rich enough for MH" In my experiance with T5's (18 months worth) if you over drive the T5 bulb you will get the higher output, but you shorten the bulb life. To house corals (SPS's) under T5's, plan on over driving the bulbs and changing them every 6 to 8 months. By the way, I changed over to MH's and my electric bill went down 90.00 a month, tank runs cooler (larger hood to accomdate the MH's), and my corals are lovin life and getting there original color back. Just my experiance with T5's __________________ Dave 240 Gallon Tall Tencor (96"L x 30"T x 18"W) 4 250 Watt MH XM10K bulbs 2-54 Watt T5 Actinic Euro-Reef CS8-2-RC Jetstream 1 Calcium Reactor 4 Tunze Turbelle stream 6000 power heads 7095 Tunze controller

01-03-2007, 02:58 PM	#3 (permalink)
reefarchitect54 Tuxedo Urchin Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Dover, NH Posts: 282 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: T5 Lighting for my 46 Gal. Bowfront Thanks for the info. I would like to investigate MH a little more. What type of setup would I need for a 46 Gal. Bow front? I really would not like to hang anything from the ceiling. I am thinking I would just need a 250 Watt fixture and bulb of some sort. This could all be built into some kind of hood I'm sure. Is this really more cost effective electricity wise? Please provide the name of a great setup or manufacture. Thanks for the info. Ahead of time. Please help me out as I would like the best setup possible.. Money is not a huge deal but is a factor. Thanks again!!!

01-03-2007, 03:06 PM	#4 (permalink)
reefarchitect54 Tuxedo Urchin Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Dover, NH Posts: 282 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: T5 Lighting for my 46 Gal. Bowfront What do you think of getting two of these??? http://cgi.ebay.com/Hang-on-tank-HQI...QQcmdZViewItem

01-03-2007, 04:04 PM	#5 (permalink)
Warnberg Acropora Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 1,911 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: T5 Lighting for my 46 Gal. Bowfront This is only if you plan on keeping SPS's or other very high light loving corals. If I recall correctly the 46 gallon bow front is 36 inches long so with that in mind I would do something like this: http://www.reefgeek.com/products/cat...ng/103917.html Basically look for something that has either 2-175 watt MH's or 1-250 watt MH in it with either power compacts or T5's as supplements, make sure it's well ventilated with fans. You could even probably find something that has moon lights it is as well if you wanted. If you really wanted to do it right, I personally would recommend you either have a wooden hood built or build one yourself. Make the mounting area for the lights about 12 inches off the water, then I would get a single 250 watt single ended MH retro fit kit (spider reflector, IceCap electronic ballast, and either a XM10k or a Iwaski bulb) then supplement with a 36 inch T5. Reason I say a single ended 250 is because you have many many bulb choices to choose from in the single ended 250 then most any others. I'm sure there are others here that will give you further recommendations. Here is another hood to look at: http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_...es.asp?CartId= One more: look at the coralife 250 http://www.coralreefsupply.com/index...ighting_cl_hqi Good Luck __________________ Dave 240 Gallon Tall Tencor (96"L x 30"T x 18"W) 4 250 Watt MH XM10K bulbs 2-54 Watt T5 Actinic Euro-Reef CS8-2-RC Jetstream 1 Calcium Reactor 4 Tunze Turbelle stream 6000 power heads 7095 Tunze controller Last edited by Warnberg : 01-03-2007 at 04:15 PM. Reason: additional info

01-03-2007, 05:10 PM	#6 (permalink)
reefarchitect54 Tuxedo Urchin Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Dover, NH Posts: 282 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: T5 Lighting for my 46 Gal. Bowfront Thanks for all the great options. I am trying to avoid building a separate hood for the tank as well as hanging something from the ceiling. I just thought that for the price and light they might be good. I really like the look of them and wondered if they would be ok. I’m not starting out with corals but I want to be ready when I want to add them later. I haven’t looked into much MH but I guess I should really do my homework. They setups you recommended look very nice as well. I guess I’m just getting a little confused... Thanks for the info. and please keep it coming... I guess you are saying you would shy away from the setup I linked you too??

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