Trying again - Jessie's 125 - Page 34 - Aquascaping

BryceM · 02-25-2008, 10:43 AM

Jess,

As you can probably tell, I'm a huge proponent of MH, but honestly T-5's are fabulous. You'll really appreciate them a year from now when they're still working and you don't need to replace the bulbs. Most people say you can use them until they burn out, which probably won't be for a couple of years.

If you go that route, I'd suggest installing them such that you can vary the number of bulbs that are on at any given time. I think it makes lots of sense to use a 10 or 12 hour photoperiod with only a few lights with 4-6 hours of more intense lighting in the middle. Also, you'll be able to ramp up the light levels gradually, which might make the transition period easier. Absolutely make sure you get the reflectors that clip directly onto the bulb. They're much more efficient than a solid mounting. If you end up going with T-5, there are a few bulb combinations that will make reds stand out better.

redstrat · 02-25-2008, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guaiac_boy

If you go that route, I'd suggest installing them such that you can vary the number of bulbs that are on at any given time. I think it makes lots of sense to use a 10 or 12 hour photoperiod with only a few lights with 4-6 hours of more intense lighting in the middle. Also, you'll be able to ramp up the light levels gradually, which might make the transition period easier. Absolutely make sure you get the reflectors that clip directly onto the bulb. They're much more efficient than a solid mounting. If you end up going with T-5, there are a few bulb combinations that will make reds stand out better.

thats a great point and one of the biggest benefits of t-5 lighting, since your using more bulbs if you set them up correctly or have a decent fixture you can control the number of bulbs lit at any given time allowing the ultimate in photoperiod control. thats one of the MH drawbacks, if your sole source of lighting is MH. with t-5 or PC you also get the added benefit of being able to mix and match color spectrums to create your own overall appearance of the tank from the lighting, accenting cetain colors and really customizing it.

Jessie · 02-25-2008, 12:42 PM

Thank you, thank you, thank you all so much for this great info.

I'm feeling 90% sold on the T5's. Like I'm already doing w/ my CF fixtures, I can maintain individual bulb control and vary photoperiods, so that is a definite plus.

While the "FishNeedIt.com" fixtures definitely have a tempting price, I don't like the fact that they don't have individual reflectors. But still, with price being a major factor, I'm looking at these:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...link:middle:us

36" 4x 39w. Individual reflectors. $129.99 not incl. shipping.

http://cgi.ebay.com/36-SOLAR-T5-AQUA...QQcmdZViewItem

36" 6x 39w. Reflectors, $199.99

http://cgi.ebay.com/36-SOLAR-T5-AQUA...QQcmdZViewItem
4x 39w, reflectors, $149.99

These are all from the same seller. Having fixtures that don't necessarily match is not a problem for me. I'm looking at the inside of the tank anyway.

*gears turning*

puttyman70 · 02-26-2008, 11:58 AM

I just noticed this thread has had 35,735 views. lol. Go Jessie, woot woot. Long overdue for tank of the month!

nickman · 02-26-2008, 10:58 PM

those are great prices on the fixtures but, unfortunatly, not all individual reflectors are created equal. you could probably get away with 1 or 2 fewer bulbs per side with really efficient reflectors. Sunlight Supply has a new design out and IceCap's SLR reflectors are both great. they put 300% more light into the tank than a bare bulb to put it into perspective. An inferior design will still be much better than a flat sheet of metal but go for efficiency. less bulbs, less juice, less money in the long run on a higher initial investment.

I def agree with the multi switch point and that you can tune your lights almost infinitly with the number of bulb choices out there. Look into geissman aquablue plus bulbs to cut some of the yellow if you prefer a whiter look. great PAR values although im not sure how well those apply to plants vs. coral...should be the same.

Im so glad im only setting up a 9 gallon planted tank....for now.

ok, back to cell bio homework.

-nick

ingg · 02-27-2008, 05:09 AM

I thought long and hard about using a different brand of T5 fixtures when I set up my 180g, it would have saved me a couple hundred dollars. In the end, I bought TEK's. (Should note here: I'm looking at those Catalina fixtures for an upcoming 75g, hehe.)

I'm not bashing Catalina's fixtures at all, I think they are nice, and they did redesign and address the individual reflector thing. Haven't seen one in person yet, but it will do nothing but improve the old single flat reflector design. CurrentUSA recently released a revamp, called Extreme Pro's, also with individual reflectors.

Why'd I bit the bullet on the TEK's? They are proven, I knew what I'd get. I'd seen them in action in friends' tanks, and it was unreal. I don't regret that money one bit - some of the best money I spent in the setup, honestly.

They don't use fans, which was a plus. They don't come with legs, but do come with hanging brackets, which is what I wanted to do anyhow (and we can show you a very inexpensive and easy way to make a very nice hanging bracket setup). They are typically outfitted with Geisemann bulbs, which I knew I wanted to do as I'd used them on other fixtures and really liked their color.

Funny thing about those bulbs. Total cost comparisons ended up much closer than I thought looking at list prices anyhow, mainly due to bulbs. The bulbs added cost to all other fixtures I was looking at, as the "savings" of buying a fixture with bulbs went out the window, once I knew I was going to use Geisemann bulbs.

PS IMHO there is no way you need 6x39 fixtures for a 125 unless you are pondering turning it into saltwater someday. I'm running 4x39 (twice, obviously) in my TEK's over a 180g, and you saw my tank's growth...

Jessie · 02-27-2008, 02:37 PM

Nick, ingg -- thanks so much for all this wonderful information. I truly appreciate it -- it's very helpful.

The Tek lights seem to be the best out there for T5's. The *only* thing that is stopping me right now is the price. While I'm sure they will pay for themselves over time, the cash is immediate right now. So perhaps I should just wait until I can afford the Tek's. Unless there is anyone who wants to do a group buy!?

Puttyman -- thanks! haha. I'm still shocked at how much traffic this thread gets.

Fishonthebrain · 02-27-2008, 10:18 PM

WOW.

Nice tank yada yada, but that is not why I am posting.

You know this is pretty wierd Jess. We have um... not to be creepy...A LOT in common.

List from this thread so far-

Named jessica
125 gallon tank
3 Cats
Manzanita
Still say things relating to Chuck Norris
Have something to do with belize
DRINK when you said your buds call you jesse daneils i nealry died laughing
Um I thought there was more to make you go OMG but now that I type it out its not really THAT much.

Oh yeah almost forgot girl on a fish forum. I think you also said something about threadfins which I also love and have a few of.

Good luck getting them reds!

Jessie · 02-28-2008, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishonthebrain

WOW.

Nice tank yada yada, but that is not why I am posting.

You know this is pretty wierd Jess. We have um... not to be creepy...A LOT in common.

List from this thread so far-

Named jessica
125 gallon tank
3 Cats
Manzanita
Still say things relating to Chuck Norris
Have something to do with belize
DRINK when you said your buds call you jesse daneils i nealry died laughing
Um I thought there was more to make you go OMG but now that I type it out its not really THAT much.

Oh yeah almost forgot girl on a fish forum. I think you also said something about threadfins which I also love and have a few of.

Good luck getting them reds!

Hi Jess!

That's so neat - it's always good to find people who are so similar in this hobby. Not a lot of us girls - especially with big tanks! I love your kitty. Sometimes I make my oldest girl wear a Puppy-Love dress when she's been naughty

You can't see it on her, but the top of the dress has Dalmations. She hates it, haha

I'd love to get some threadfins one day. I just don't think they'd be appropriate for my tank with where it is right now.

I just saw your thread--- BEAUTIFUL tank. I'll go post more on it in a bit.

jay973 · 02-29-2008, 03:39 PM

Jesse I'll start by saying I'm jealous and inspired.

So I went home and went to town on my 120gal tank which was just over grown and ignored. I've had very little luck with HC and think it due to lighting limitations 4x55CFL. I hope to put T5HO 2x80w over it soon. After that I'll be on a mission to find a better selection of plants in NJ.

Congrats I look foward to more pictures of your tank.