T5 and Heat

mr_bigl · May 4, 2013

If you run all T5s do you also run a chiller? I thinking of trying t5 but I am not sure how much heat they put out. I appreciate any feedback.

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T.W. · May 4, 2013

I run a 24" 4 bulb T5HO on my 20g tall. It is approx 4" above water surface and I do not need a chiller. My night temp runs about 76F and my afternoon temp runs at most 79F. I have a well insulated house in AZ and no problems (yet)

skinz78 · May 4, 2013

I don't run a chiller on my setup. It depends on where you are located though. I rarely see daytime temps over 85deg here in NW Washington.

Reefing Madness · May 4, 2013

If its in an enclosed canopy it can get alittle warm, but no need for a chiller, just throw a couple cpu fans on over the tank.
Cooling Fan 2 Fans Aquarium Chillers 80L Fish Tank Power Adapter 12V | eBay

mr_bigl · May 4, 2013

Sweet. I have some fans . I was worried they got really hot. Does this also depend on the fixture? I'm looking at an aquatic life 48" 8 bulb. But it doesn't have built in fans.

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Reefing Madness · May 4, 2013

Yes, alot depends on the unit. Some have fans on top, some have fans on the sides, some are just enclosed.

mr_bigl · May 4, 2013

Any thoughts on the aquatic life in particular?

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mr_bigl · May 4, 2013

I have a Tunze aquawind that I could possibly mount so that it blows though the vent openings?

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Reefing Madness · May 4, 2013

Nice unit. I like the fans blowing across the water surface anyways, this will keep the water in the summer months cooler. And move the air around that does come from the Lighting unit.

mr_bigl · May 4, 2013

I know ATI is considered top of the line. If any one can chime in that's had an ATI and aquatic life fixture as to which one put out more heat.

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LivinTheSwreefLife · May 6, 2013

Hi, I have the 8-bulb AquaticLife fixture, and have been running it since last summer. I have been very happy with it and have not had any problems with the tank overheating. I do not run a chiller, and live in Maryland where it can get to around 100 on a really hot summer day... however I do have the tank on the ground (basement) floor, so it is a bit cooler down there usually than it is in the rest of the house (still hot in the summer though)... just not sure if I'd need a chiller if I had it up in one of the bedrooms or something.

Let me know if you have any other specific questions about the fixture. It's very nice, I'd definitely recommend it, and I've been able to keep every type of coral I've tried (though I've found that my acans need to be placed in shade with the intensity of the light).

mr_bigl · May 6, 2013

Fat_Cat said:
Hi, I have the 8-bulb AquaticLife fixture, and have been running it since last summer. I have been very happy with it and have not had any problems with the tank overheating. I do not run a chiller, and live in Maryland where it can get to around 100 on a really hot summer day... however I do have the tank on the ground (basement) floor, so it is a bit cooler down there usually than it is in the rest of the house (still hot in the summer though)... just not sure if I'd need a chiller if I had it up in one of the bedrooms or something.

Let me know if you have any other specific questions about the fixture. It's very nice, I'd definitely recommend it, and I've been able to keep every type of coral I've tried (though I've found that my acans need to be placed in shade with the intensity of the light).

What bulbs are you running?

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LivinTheSwreefLife · May 6, 2013

mr_bigl said:
What bulbs are you running?

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4 x KZ super blues
1 x KZ Fiji purple
1 x KZ 14,000 K
and the remaining 2 are the original 420/460 actinics that came with the lamp.

mainereefer · May 6, 2013

led is cheaper and better light, t5 is a step up from powercompact but still outdated just the price of the bulbs that will last only a year cost more than led

LivinTheSwreefLife · May 6, 2013

mainereefer said:
led is cheaper and better light, t5 is a step up from powercompact but still outdated just the price of the bulbs that will last only a year cost more than led

Yes, and the bulbs I chose in particular were very expensive lol... but I have no experience with LED so I cannot comment on quality

mr_bigl · May 6, 2013

mainereefer said:
led is cheaper and better light, t5 is a step up from powercompact but still outdated just the price of the bulbs that will last only a year cost more than led

Please don't derail this thread. It's not a debate on which is cheaper. It's about T5s and bulbs and the heat they put out. Thanks

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jaguars4263 · May 6, 2013

I have 6 T5's over my 75 gallon and i run a chiller. I live in Jacksonville FL so it can get alittle hott here! Stabile water paramiters are key that goes with temp. So if you have a sps tank i would recommend to get a chiller. You dont want the temp to be 80 during the day and 76 at night thats to much of up and down temp.

LisaD · May 6, 2013

I have a 6 bulb t5 VHO unit and I don't use a chiller. The unit has 3 fans on it. And that has worked fine for keeping the heat managed. The unit is about 5-6" off the surface and not in a canopy.

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jgraz · May 6, 2013

I've got 8 t5's over my 90. This will be my first summer with this particular setup. Temps do creep up during the day lately so I'm gonna try a fan first. I have no interest in a chiller though, so I will make every attempt to make this work.

mr_bigl · May 6, 2013

I dont plan to have a chiller. I do have fans i can place at the water level and sump. With a 15 gallon ATO container. If it starts to creep up ill just freeze some RODI and place in te container so the water going in will be much cooler