Reefers Keeping SPS and Clams Under T5's

[RobboT]

I poked around through a few threads and saw some general comments by some BRS members who are keeping SPS and/or clams under T5's. There seem to be mixed reviews. If some of you dont mind sharing a little more info and maybe some pics I'd like to know more on what people are experiencing.

I'm setting up a 75g and have an AquaActinics 5xT5 setup (that I got at the auction). I hadn't really considered putting in SPS or clams but now Im thinking it might be nice to have a digi or monti cap in there maybe an acro (I really miss that purple stag I got from Paula way back when). That and seeing Dawn (skyedolphan) put her Squamosa up for sale has me thinking a clam would be a nice conversation piece.

I appreciate any info you guys and gals might offer up.

Thanks!

 

[Calciumbuf]

If you go on Rc and do a search under Iwan ,You'll see what T5's are capable of.

 

[wrassefan]

Robbo, I had kept clams very successfully in the past under T5s. I had 4 54w overdriven tho but still under T5s. I had a crocea and a black maxima about 1/2 way from the top on the rocks. They did great...also kept many sps...just some colors wouldn't pop like it does with MH but go for it. If the clam doesn't like it, it will jump. If the sps don't like it, they will brown. Good luck. Remember...flow is important too. If not enough....sps and clams won't do well.

 

[mloebl]

I believe merk1_99 has been growing SPS fine under T5. I got some frags from him a few weeks ago.

-Mike

 

[B.rian]

i have 2 clams and a few different sps under my t5s. i have a 8x39W setup and everything is doing well.

 

[RobboT]

Thanks everyone. That guy Iwan over at RC has an unbelieveable tank. The colors look too good to be true. Guess once the tank is settled I toss some SPS in and see how it goes. I'll add a clam after I find a way to convince the boss to pony up $200 for Dawn's squami

 

[RobboT]

BTW, thanks wrassefan for the reminder on flow. There certainly isnt enough in the tank right now and when I had my home 75g before I had some pretty decent acros but the growth was thin and straggly, presumably because I didnt have a ton of flow in there. Enough but not as much as I should have.

 

[willray]

Robbo,
Check this outhttp://www.bostonreffers.org/forums/showthread.php?t=33977.Pic of my tank w/4 t5's @20mo old.I just put a 150 de 4 wks ago for shimmer.Clams,sps,lps......no worries.

 

[merk1_99]

I have grown SPS(acros) pretty much no problem under 6 39 watt bulbs not overdriven...My trouble coral is orange digi. It is the only thing I consistantly kill with my lighting...bleaches it right out. Its too bad because a bright orange/peach looks real good....I really want to try a clam but haven't worked up the nerve yet.

 

[wrassefan]

http://www.bostonreefers.org/forums/showthread.php?t=3895

Here's an old thread from back in the day...gee...I might have to switch back

 

[wrassefan]

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=300063

do the clams Robbo and merk1 ....these were old shots from a black max (went to joe in NH) and a blue crocea (went to the brother of he who shall not be named) under T5s I had from CRA

 

[merk1_99]

I think I am going to try the clam experiment when I go to the new tank. The new tank is going to be 4'' shorter in depth and will have a larger sandbed. I will try it then.
Personally I like MH's too. I am not a MH hater. Just my situation doesn't dictate the use of them. My main concern is not the electricity savings(though in part it is a slight consideration), but rather the heat issues. I live on the third floor and in the summer it is hot as you can imagine. With the 6 T5's, and a fan on the sump the tank can easily reach 85+ without AC in a heartbeat. Plus I got a sweet deal on the Tek fixture, and can't afford to buy a plug and play, or have the time to DIY up a set.

And for those of you who say T5's don't get hot come over and and put your hand on my bulbs in my Tek fixture. They get hot, maybe not as hot as PC's but hot enough.

My ideal fixture would be 2 175MH's with 2-3 T5's as actinics. T5's do work and will maintain growth. IMO its a matter of preference which way you go.

 

[RichConley]

merk, they should be at 95'. If theyre running hotter than that, theyre not running optimally, and could probably use a fan. Thats been one of the biggest negatives about the Tek... no fan.

 

[merk1_99]

I am sure they are running hotter than that just by touch. I have been following a thread at RC about using a fan to cool them. Since I have them hanging from my ceiling I was think of getting a computer fan or two and some L brackets and mounting them to the fixture, to blow lenghtwise across the bulbs to cool them.
I haven't checked in on the thread lately. Has there been more evidence of higher PAR output if the bulbs are cooler? I want to maximize my PAR as much as possible.

 

[merk1_99]

Maximize my PAR as much as possible without overdriving the bulbs. If I overdrive T5's I might as just as well switch to MH.

 

[RichConley]

the current data, from what I've seen, is they run best at right around spec, which I think is 95'. If you go much lower, you get a drop off. The interesting thing, while they're running hot, par drops off, but so does energy usage... I think the resistance goes up, and the ballast doesnt push nearly as much current.

 

[Jill & Brian]

Rob, I have a 72 gallon, and the exact same 5x54W light from aquactinics. I have a thread around here somewhere with pics that I will link to. The only thing is I modded the fixture to run an IC660 on the 3 main lights with the ballast mounted remotely. Very easy mod if you have the IC, and it looks real clean.

I am keeping sps, and a clam in the tank (deresa clam on the sand) Everything seems happy. In some cases on the sps i feel like I could get better color with MH, and in some cases i think I am getting better color with the t-5. Growth of most of the sps I have is good. I am finding I am needing to trim back a bit on some colonies.

All in all, I would say that you can easily keep sps with that light in a 75, even not modded you should have good luck.

-Brian

 

[Jill & Brian]

one other note is that that fixture runs very cool even with the overdriven bulbs. I can put my hand anywhere on the fixture. It gets warm near the exhaust fan, but not too hot to touch.

 

[Jill & Brian]

Link to pics:

http://www.bostonreefers.org/forums/showthread.php?t=32860