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Who uses T5?

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by snowman82, Jan 29, 2010.

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  1. Jan 29, 2010 #1
    snowman82

    snowman82 Experienced Reefkeeper

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    after getting my current electric/gas bill I have determined i need to do T5's.  My furnace, stove, and hot wateter heater are all gas.  but yet my electric part of my bill was the same as my gas part....i dont like that.
    with that said, just wondering what fixtures people are using and what you are growing.  I have a 120 and going to be doing a 8 bulb unit.  currently i have Dual 400w with VHO's actinics.
    i was thinking of going cheap on the T5's and buying 2 of the 100 dollar odyssea units and put them over my tank.  for 200bucks i'd have an 8bulb unit haha
     
  2. Jan 29, 2010 #2
    Guest

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    What would you be doing with the MH bulbs?
     
  3. Jan 29, 2010 #3
    Reefdumb

    Reefdumb Inactive User

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    I'm doing T5' on my 125. Its a 48 in. 8 bulb fixture with 1 foot on each side not covered now. It is a retro fit kit and I would like to cut it down the middle to cover the whole tank. As far as what I got in the tank its a mix. look in the photo are for Fun day and that is my tank.
     
  4. Jan 29, 2010 #4
    snowman82

    snowman82 Experienced Reefkeeper

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    i would be selling my whole MH setup.
     
  5. Jan 29, 2010 #5
    acrouse

    acrouse

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    I got a 72" Constellation 14 bulb itwas worth the $$, tank stays cool and easy on the elec bill.
     
  6. Jan 29, 2010 #6
    Paleoreef103

    Paleoreef103 Inactive User

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    The only way you'll come near the output of dual 400s with VHOs is to pick up an ATI powermodule. Best T5 fixture money can buy. I just feel like dropping from 400s to odyessas would probably be a huge let down.
     
  7. Jan 29, 2010 #7
    snowman82

    snowman82 Experienced Reefkeeper

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    oh i know the bulbs suck, i'm actually looking at a TEK fixture possibly. i've had T5s before. I had an odyssea fixture on my 55 a few years ago. i know the main thing i'll miss will be the shimmer probably.
     
  8. Jan 29, 2010 #8
    Gered

    Gered Experienced Reefkeeper

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    T5's are the way to go my man..unless you can do a DIY LED setup and have a lot of cash to do it. I have had every type of light except VHO and I love my T5's. Just make sure you get something with good individual reflectors.
     
  9. Jan 29, 2010 #9
    snowman82

    snowman82 Experienced Reefkeeper

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    yeah thats why im looking at the Tek units. The current ones have the 8 bulb i want but no individual reflectors. those are the only 8 bulbs lights i can find that don't cover the whole top of my tank haha. I can't justify the ATI price tag...
     
  10. Jan 29, 2010 #10
    snowman82

    snowman82 Experienced Reefkeeper

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    i have to be able to offset most the cost of the new light with my halide setup. so trying to keep it around 500 with bulbs
     
  11. Jan 29, 2010 #11
    Gered

    Gered Experienced Reefkeeper

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    What does the 8 bulb have? I could swear my 6 bulb is individual reflectors
     
  12. Jan 29, 2010 #12
    snowman82

    snowman82 Experienced Reefkeeper

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    yeah the 6 bulb is SLR but not on the 8 bulb. atleast not that i can find..
     
  13. Jan 30, 2010 #13
    xroads La Porte City, IA

    xroads Veteran Reefkeeper Vendor

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    Personally I would look at other things first.

    8 bulbs @ 55 watts ea is going to be 440 watts by itself. then you have to have the little fans to keep them cool.

    At 12cents an hour you will save about $18 a month on your electric.

    I just traded out my 16 t-5's for 3 400w MH & am much happier.

    My par jumped from 350 to 600

    Other thing to keep in mind for me is that my heaters never run now due to the heat soak from the lights. With t-5's your heaters are going to run alot more.

    Just my thoughts

    Craig
     
  14. Jan 30, 2010 #14
    snowman82

    snowman82 Experienced Reefkeeper

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    true i just went though RC's electrical calculator and as it is now i'm spending 50 a month on my tank, i dont know where the other electrical costs are coming from though....maybe my fridge?? at my old house everything was electric and my bill wasn't this much and i was running 3 250w halides...

    are electric halide ballasts actual more efficient?
     
  15. Jan 30, 2010 #15
    xroads La Porte City, IA

    xroads Veteran Reefkeeper Vendor

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    I am not sure of the actual numbers, but I do know the electronic ballasts use less electricity & makes your bulbs last longer
     
  16. Jan 30, 2010 #16
    slovan

    slovan Experienced Reefkeeper

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    Electricity in Oskaloosa is ~$.09/kw. At any rate, magnetic ballasts tend to use more power than electronics. Something else to keep in mind is your photo period. With 2) 400W bulbs on a 120, I would think you could shorten your photo period to 5-6 hours a day and still get excellent growth and color out of them.
     
  17. Jan 30, 2010 #17
    snowman82

    snowman82 Experienced Reefkeeper

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    yeah i have my halides on for 6 hours and VHO's on for 8. i might just look into getting electronic ballasts. that way i wont be as limited to bulbs i can run. would really like to run some radiums
     
  18. Jan 30, 2010 #18
    snowman82

    snowman82 Experienced Reefkeeper

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    i dunno. i got home today and looked at my tank and i dont think i could get away halides. i would miss the shimmer way to much and love how my tank looks. think i'll just get different ballasts..
     
  19. Jan 30, 2010 #19
    Gered

    Gered Experienced Reefkeeper

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    If you want shimmer you need LED's then. My frag tank shimmers and is only running 30 watts for lights
     
  20. Jan 30, 2010 #20
    snowman82

    snowman82 Experienced Reefkeeper

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    yeah i liked how your frag tank looks....but....to do that with 8 T5's i'd need alot of LED's and the cost dont justify it. and i like having it all in one pendant kinda thing..
     
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