T5's

[Rcpilot]

I wanted 12k lights in my new fixture, but they were a lot of extra $$.

I wanted to get 3 bulbs @ 12k and 3 true actinics.

I ended up getting the stock bulbs. 3 @ 10K and 3 blue actinic.

We'll see how it looks. 10K looks awful yellow to me. I really like the look of a 12K bulb.

If your growing deep water corals, then you'd be using 20K bulbs to simulate the blue water at depths of 60'--90'

I wouldn't mind having a few 12K in my new fixture. With a 20K and 2 blue actinics. I think that would probably look pretty good, but ya gotta spend more $$ to find out for sure.

[prow]

Originally Posted by Rcpilot

Correction:

My tank is 24" wide x 24" tall x 12" deep--front too back. 30 gallons.

The math:
24x12x24 = 6912 cubic inches = 29.922 gallons

My water depth is actually 24". I do have 4.8w per gallon.

cool, but same thing. here check this.

say a 60x24x24(150gal) fits 8x80w T5's= 4.2w/gal, less w/gal than yours but so much more light reaches the bottom, its just not comparable based on watts/gallon.

[Saltwater Noob]

ok so the higher the K the bluer it looks I am going to the bulb combo you pm me prow. Last question hehe I hope so what determine how deep the light reaches the K or the watt?

[BigAl07]

Originally Posted by Saltwater Noob

ok so the higher the K the bluer it looks I am going to the bulb combo you pm me prow..

To an extent. Once you get so high it becomes more of a "White" than blue.

Originally Posted by Saltwater Noob

Last question hehe I hope so what determine how deep the light reaches the K or the watt?

It's been reported that different spectrums (K-value) do penetrate slightly differently but the real powerhouse of penetration is WATTAGE! It's like which car goes further into a brick wall (given both weigh the same and have identical structural integrity)

Car "A" traveling at 24 Miles Per Hour
Car "B" traveling at 80 Miles Per Hour.

Clearly "B" is going to penetrate better with all other factors considered. It doesn't matter if we put several cars side by side (bulbs per fixture) each car is only going to be penetrating a certain amount unless they "over lap" and contribute as a group. This will slightly increase the penetration but only a small amount.

I hope this analogy helps some.

Allen

[Saltwater Noob]

Thanks Al that helped a ton hehe have to break it down for me

[BigAl07]

I'm glad it helped.

Allen

[BigAl07]

That analogy was kind of silly but it's fairly accurate for what I was trying to accomplish

[prow]

Originally Posted by BigAl07

Car "A" traveling at 24 Miles Per Hour
Car "B" traveling at 80 Miles Per Hour.

now thats kinda scary, memories Ooo those memories

[Kerchakone]

Originally Posted by BigAl07

To an extent. Once you get so high it becomes more of a "White" than blue.

It's been reported that different spectrums (K-value) do penetrate slightly differently but the real powerhouse of penetration is WATTAGE! It's like which car goes further into a brick wall (given both weigh the same and have identical structural integrity)

Car "A" traveling at 24 Miles Per Hour
Car "B" traveling at 80 Miles Per Hour.

Clearly "B" is going to penetrate better with all other factors considered. It doesn't matter if we put several cars side by side (bulbs per fixture) each car is only going to be penetrating a certain amount unless they "over lap" and contribute as a group. This will slightly increase the penetration but only a small amount.

I hope this analogy helps some.

Allen

You also need to take into account the fact that 24 watts covers only 20 inches in width, while 80 watt covers 60-70+ inches.

So add into the analogy that the 80 mph car is not going straight into the wall and it's a slight bit more accurate for depth of penetration. I personally penetrate VERY deep.

[redspot321]

I should have jumped in sooner this is a great debate!

Im swinging for team T5!!!!!! (In shallow tanks, I never had a tank deeper than 18inches.)

Anyways, its 2007 watts per gallon is irrelevant when it comes to reef lighting. There are way too many options here T5, LED, MH ect.

The magic of t5's it that your able to wrap a bulb in a parabolic reflector! Strictly physics here. This reflector increases the strenght of the bulb like 300%.

Also, when you put a 48" bulb over a 48" tank, you get 100% coverage. You can grow SPS in any corner of your tank.

I have 2 tanks with t5's, I have to keep a heater on them year round! If I dont the tank will be 2-3 deg. below my house temp with one little fan and GLASS HOODS! house is 77 tank would get 74 in the summer!

I change my bulbs out at 1 year. What a savings!

GO T5's LOL

[redspot321]

CLAMS!!!!!!!!!!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...t321/clam1.jpg

I said clams!!!!!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...t321/clam2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...ot321/hood.jpg

Stonies anyone?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...1/stonies2.jpg

[prow]

wow, check out that bud light. looks nice and cold , i can see the sweet drops

[lcstorc]

Gorgeous tank!

[Octoman]

Beautiful tank Redspot!

How many lights do you have over what dimensions of tank?

[redspot321]

Thats a Tek-light 4x54w over a standard 75g.

Thank!