Let's see your T5 SPS tanks!

DAPG8GT · May 11, 2014

No build thread yet but I am planning on doing it soon. I've been waiting till its actually something to show lol. Still young but it's going well so far.

revhtree · May 12, 2014

Sweet tanks!

Towner · May 12, 2014

6 Geissmann t5 3 Actenic+ 3 Aquablue+, powered by 2 coralvue (formaly ice cap) 660 ballasts, and individual ice cap reflectors.

ReeferEric · May 13, 2014

My tank has some growing up to do but here are some pictures

Killer · May 13, 2014

Bill@IA said:

Very nice!

Bulb combo?

revhtree · May 13, 2014

Beautiful tanks!

Bill@IA · May 14, 2014

Killer said:
Very nice!

Bulb combo?

Thank you.

At that time I was using 2 x Giesemann Actinic 03s, 4 x ATI Blue Plus and 2 x ATI Coral Plus.

Fish Art · May 14, 2014

This is my 75 gal, have been running ATI T-5s for eight years.

ImageUploadedByREEF2REEF1400094765.832978.jpg

revhtree · May 14, 2014

Cool tank!

Chris155hp · May 15, 2014

Big E said:
T5s all the way---

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Wow what color!!! What bulb combo and what lighting schedual are you using

Towner · May 15, 2014

Nice pics! I never realized you could grow such nice SPS with t5's until my own tank started blowing up!

Big E · May 16, 2014

Chris155hp said:
Wow what color!!! What bulb combo and what lighting schedual are you using

Coral+ and blue+ overdriven on an Ice cap ballast

8 1/2 hours a day...........all on and all off at the same time.

Chris155hp · May 16, 2014

Any advantage/disadvantage to bulbs being over driven? Most of us use stock fixtures like ati and I am not sure if the ballast are over driven?

iReef86 · May 16, 2014

Chris155hp said:
Any advantage/disadvantage to bulbs being over driven? Most of us use stock fixtures like ati and I am not sure if the ballast are over driven?

The obvious disadvantage is that the bulbs are overpowered, cutting into their duration of use pretty drastically. A good advantage though is that because of the already decent spread you get from a T5, overdriving them increases the PAR throughout the tank.

Chris155hp · May 16, 2014

What about in terms of spectrum? Does it cause a shift?

iReef86 · May 16, 2014

Bill@IA said:

Gorgeous tank Bill@IA

iReef86 · May 16, 2014

Chris155hp said:
What about in terms of spectrum? Does it cause a shift?

I don't know the true answer to this question. As an optics expert though, I would expect it to fluctuate a little, if not a medium amount. White bulbs that are overdriven tend to turn slightly yellowed, from my experience.

cimmorine · May 16, 2014

I have a 72" maristar 3x250w and 4x39w t5 system over my 150. Currently I have 3 20k bulbs and 4 tru actinics. I'm thinking of switching my t5s for 2 coral plus and 2 KZ fiji purple. Any thoughts?

Big E · May 16, 2014

Overdriving the bulbs produces a lot more par & as mentioned they only last about 6 months versus 12.

I get about 200 more par when measured with a par meter just under a single bulb vs an ATI ballast.

The blue+ bulbs will run a little less blue but it's almost un-noticable visually and my tank will look a tad brighter. I don't know if the secptrum is much different.

The overdriven bulbs/ballasts are making a slight resurgence because VHO is going away and people with deep tanks that were using VHO supplementing can transition to T5. If you haven't noticed Coralvue has re-introduced the 660 ballast and also the DIY kits are available.