T5 with SPS and Clams

[Alieu07]

I have a Nova Extreme T5 36" fixture total 156w over my 21" tall tank.

 

My question is it ok to keep SPS and Clams with that fixture? Enough light?

 

If ok can i put SPS in such a 2 months old tank?

 

Thank you in advance.

Edited July 11, 2007 by Alieu07

[Black Mammoth]

I have a Nova Extreme T5 36" fixture total 156w over my 21" tall tank.

 

My question is it ok to keep SPS and Clams with that fixture? Enough light?

 

Thank you in advance.

 

I'm not 100% sure, but if you keep them up high enough they'll will probably be OK. I have 6x54s on my 90g and I keep, SPS, Clam, and RBTA with no problems. Actually, I have SPS growing on the sand bed. You don't have as much light as I do, but if you keep them closer to the top there's a good chance you can keep them. I would get a cheap SPS frag and see how that goes. If it is too close to the light the SPS may not like it. So if it doesn't do well initially, try moving the frag around and see how it does.

[Donny]

i run 8 x 80 on my tank and have no issues at all. my tank is also a 6 foot tank aswell.

[Charlie97L]

that t5 fixture isn't really what people are referring to with T5's being ok with sps clams.

 

that's basically a glorified PC light, as the bulbs do not have individual reflectors. the nova has one big reflector, like a pc light.

 

i'd say you *might* be ok with some easy sps. but this isn't comprable to MH or T5s where each bulb has it's own reflector.

[steveoutlaw]

that t5 fixture isn't really what people are referring to with T5's being ok with sps clams.

 

that's basically a glorified PC light, as the bulbs do not have individual reflectors. the nova has one big reflector, like a pc light.

 

i'd say you *might* be ok with some easy sps. but this isn't comprable to MH or T5s where each bulb has it's own reflector.

 

I absolutely disagree. This is a high output T5 fixture. Granted individual reflectors would increase the light output, but even with the single reflector this light far outperforms PC lighting. You should be able to keep SPS and Clams on your sandbe no problem. I had a similar fixture on a 26g bowfront (24" tall) and I kept SPS and a Clam on the sandbed.

[Grav]

One of my tanks is a 90g with 4 54w T-5s on a single reflector (not individule reflectors) and I've had SPSs (up high in the rock) brown a bit. The water quality is good enough for me to think that the primary cause is the lighting.

[Alieu07]

I think it depend on how many T5 bulb over your tank. The more the better. I have a NOVA 36" which only 4 bulbs 2 blue and 2 daylight. So i don't really trust it. So is there anyway to over-drive the T5?

 

I personally like MH but i am worry about heat issue to my tank size.

 

Andy

I absolutely disagree. This is a high output T5 fixture. Granted individual reflectors would increase the light output, but even with the single reflector this light far outperforms PC lighting. You should be able to keep SPS and Clams on your sandbe no problem. I had a similar fixture on a 26g bowfront (24" tall) and I kept SPS and a Clam on the sandbed.

[Guest NSC]

One of my tanks is a 90g with 4 54w T-5s on a single reflector (not individule reflectors) and I've had SPSs (up high in the rock) brown a bit. The water quality is good enough for me to think that the primary cause is the lighting.

 

 

The browning from light over exposure?

[Guest NSC]

Bump...I have a 8x54 nova and have an acropora I am currently moving around my tank to find out if its my lights that have it browning.

 

 

The browning from light over exposure?

[trble81]

I have a Nova Extreme T5 36" fixture total 156w over my 21" tall tank.

 

My question is it ok to keep SPS and Clams with that fixture? Enough light?

 

If ok can i put SPS in such a 2 months old tank?

 

Thank you in advance.

 

 

I know you mention SPS in your original post but I wouldn't put a clam in such a young tank. Everyone that I've talked to says you should have an established tank for a while prior to putting a clam in there.

 

[modelrr]

I put a deresa in my tank when it was just a couple months old .. it's doing great

[Grav]

I got a PM and the comments / questions here tell me I need to be more clear.

 

I beileve that there are a few major causes of SPS browning out. The most common is too much nutrients (usually Phosphates or Nitrates) in the water and 2nd is TOO LITTLE light. Too much light is more likely to cause short term burning and or bleaching, not browning.

 

These are all 4 ft tanks with 4ft 54w T-5s

 

On a 90g we have a unit with 4 T-5s and a single reflector. With 216w of light, the light is far stronger than a 4*65 (260w) PC fixture. On this unit, I am able to keep Monti Caps and they do well growth is good but not stunning. Monti Digi are just getting by, and a bit brown.

 

On a 120 I have 3 retro fit kits for a total of 6 T-5s with individule reflectors. On this tank, I'm able to have Monti Caps, Digis and a birdsnest that are all thriving. I've not yet added Acros, but I plan to at some point. I expect that they will do "okay" but not sure about some of the very high light demanding ones... we will see.

 

On my 150h I have a Tek Light with 8 t-5s and individule reflectors. This is a new light for the tank and replaced 6 110w VHOs. HUGE upgrade, nearly too much light. I had to dial back the photo period for fear of burning. This tank has several SPS that do great, but it is a LPS and softie dominated tank, so no acros.

 

 

Hope that is more clear.

[rrubberbandman]

that t5 fixture isn't really what people are referring to with T5's being ok with sps clams.

 

that's basically a glorified PC light, as the bulbs do not have individual reflectors. the nova has one big reflector, like a pc light.

 

i'd say you *might* be ok with some easy sps. but this isn't comprable to MH or T5s where each bulb has it's own reflector.

errrrrrrrrrrrr wrong

[rioreef]

6x54w T5s. No problem and excellent growth, near to much. My preference, is to OVERDIRVE

[bigJPDC]

errrrrrrrrrrrr wrong

 

<sigh> This Nova fixture causes the exact same thread to evolve every time.

[Charlie97L]

<sigh> This Nova fixture causes the exact same thread to evolve every time.

 

sorry guys, i stand corrected. i'd read less than stellar reviews of the NOVA fixtures on RC, and was just sharing that info. wasn't trying to start anything.

 

if i'm wrong, i'm wrong! can't win em all.

Edited July 26, 2007 by Charlie97L

[yauger]

 

If ok can i put SPS in such a 2 months old tank?

 

 

 

I can't believe no one said anything about this.... No I would not suggest putting SPS or clams in a 2 month old system. for sps and claims to thrive it must be in a establish tank.

[Black Mammoth]

I think people are underestimating the power of T5s.

 

I have a 90g with retrofit T5s. The setup has Triad Ballasts with Ice Cap reflectors. I also have a variety bulbs.

 

OK, I have 6x54s, but one of my timers got messed up and I've been running 4x54. Since I have been so busy, I haven't had the time to straighten it out. I've been running 4x54s for at least 2 months if not 3. A few of my SPS frags (including Acros) got knocked over by some crabs. On top of that, my bulbs are pretty darn old. They are about 2 years old. I have the bulbs to replace them, but I haven't yet.

 

So basically I have 4 bulbs running on my 90g, 2 year old bulbs, and SPS on my sand bed. Oh yeah, on top of that my Calc and Alk is on the low side. The ones on the sand bed are doing great! I've seen a huge growth spurt with those guys.

[Charlie97L]

I think people are underestimating the power of T5s.

 

I have a 90g with retrofit T5s. The setup has Triad Ballasts with Ice Cap reflectors. I also have a variety bulbs.

 

OK, I have 6x54s, but one of my timers got messed up and I've been running 4x54. Since I have been so busy, I haven't had the time to straighten it out. I've been running 4x54s for at least 2 months if not 3. A few of my SPS frags (including Acros) got knocked over by some crabs. On top of that, my bulbs are pretty darn old. They are about 2 years old. I have the bulbs to replace them, but I haven't yet.

 

So basically I have 4 bulbs running on my 90g, 2 year old bulbs, and SPS on my sand bed. Oh yeah, on top of that my Calc and Alk is on the low side. The ones on the sand bed are doing great! I've seen a huge growth spurt with those guys.

 

i think mainly the debate is how much having individual reflectors increases the useful light output.

[bigJPDC]

yep, and many of the most knowledgeable on the lighting forums on RC would agree with your statements on the Nova with regards to reefing.

[treesprite]

I have this Nova Extreme fixture. I can understand what people are saying about the use of individual reflectors, and I'm wondering if there's a way to mod the fixture without taking it all apart, like put something in the middle to make it like 2 bulbs have a reflector and the other 2 bulbs have a reflector. I'm not sure off hand (am not at home to look) how close together the bulbs are, if there would be enough room.

 

Has anyone tried doing this, or do the reflectors need a wider space around the bulbs?

 

What about raising the fixture an inch or two and making a reflector that is the full heigh, that is a little bent outwards at the bottom on each side to cover a wider area, than just having the fixtire right on the top of the tank or only the height of the little legs (the legs aren't working out for me so I'm not using them).

Edited July 26, 2007 by treesprite

[bigJPDC]

I don't think so Tree - from what I've read it is pretty tough to make and bend your own SLR, and I wouldn't hack apart a perfectly good light fixture.

[toastiireefs]

well my idea- was too glue metal sheet on either side of two bulbs-- wouldnt that wourk? all youd need is glue

 

im not using the stands either im using rubber feet

[treesprite]

I don't think so Tree - from what I've read it is pretty tough to make and bend your own SLR, and I wouldn't hack apart a perfectly good light fixture.

 

I was hoping there was a way to do it without hacking anything up. Wouldn't even reflective metal around the outside edges help to keep light from escaping outward instead of more concentrated downward?

 

I've been interested in (eventually) keeping SPS, but no clams. Going slow.

[bigJPDC]

guys - I would just enjoy your fixtures, instead of trying to soup them up with sheet metal. ON the next tank, give an SLR retro a try, and you can compare the results.