Need help on T5HO setup

Discussion in 'T5 Aquarium Lighting' started by flipnap, May 24, 2008.

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  1. flipnap

    flipnap Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    hey guys, im about to make a purchase and cannot decide which route to go with.. i have a 20gallon long, so the depth is pretty shallow.. i currently have an open brain, some leather and mushrooms.. im upgrading an cannot decide between these two and could really use some educated advice from you gurus.. heres the choices

    30 inch Current USA SunDial T5 HO 4x24W w/ Timers & LED

    or

    30 inch Current USA Nova Extreme 2x24 watt T5 HO 10K/460nm

    im just wondering if the sundial would be too strong for such a shallow tank, and if my electric bill will go through the roof, also about too much heat generated from the 4 bulbs as opposed to two.. im plannin to remove my glass cover as well, and id like to start stocking higher light requiring corals.. just dont know if the sundial would be overkill.. any ideas id really appreciate it..

    thanks

    oh, and also with the four bulbs am i gonna blind my fish?
     
    flipnap, May 24, 2008
    flipnap, May 24, 2008
    #1

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  2. Otty

    Otty Giant Squid

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    Sorry can't help you with the T5 set up as I wouldn't own one. MH's are the way to go but there are others on here that run them and will shed light on your subject.
     
    Otty, May 24, 2008
    Otty, May 24, 2008
    #2
  3. flipnap

    flipnap Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    ha ha, thanks though.. if i ran a MH with a depth of 11 inches id have a crab boil on my hands... hmm, i am kinda hungry for some seafood ;)
     
    flipnap, May 24, 2008
    flipnap, May 24, 2008
    #3
  4. Otty

    Otty Giant Squid

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    Not with a 150w or 175w you wouldn't. Really matters what type of coral you are going to keep. Simple little softies then you will be ok. Clams, sps's you will not be able to keep happy.
     
    Otty, May 24, 2008
    Otty, May 24, 2008
    #4
  5. R34dawn

    R34dawn Ocellaris Clown

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    what are the dimensions of your tank? is it 20g long or tall? if it is the tall one you need to go with the 24" since they are fairly reasonable you might find them with 4 bulbs which
    i consider to be enough light, but the longer the t5 the higher the wattage also
    sorry I just now saw where you said it was 20g long
     
    R34dawn, May 24, 2008
    R34dawn, May 24, 2008
    #5
  6. baugherb

    baugherb Giant Squid

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    150 watt clip on????
     
    baugherb, May 24, 2008
    baugherb, May 24, 2008
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  7. R34dawn

    R34dawn Ocellaris Clown

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    that would be a great option
     
    R34dawn, May 24, 2008
    R34dawn, May 24, 2008
    #7
  8. gazog

    gazog Kole Tang

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    This is so not true! there are so many tanks out there running nothing but T5's with tons of SPS and Clams also. Its all a matter of personal preference.

    I would go with the Sundial because 48 watts just isn't enough. I am running a total of 216 watt's over that same tank. I have 4 - 48" tubes running over a 20 long and a 10 gallon that is sitting right next to it.
     
    Last edited: May 24, 2008
    gazog, May 24, 2008
    gazog, May 24, 2008
    #8
  9. baugherb

    baugherb Giant Squid

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    baugherb, May 24, 2008
    baugherb, May 24, 2008
    #9
  10. flipnap

    flipnap Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    hey thanks for the replies guys.. yeah i was leaning toward the sundial but somehow the thought of that much t5HO wattage has me a bit worried.. thats like close to the equivalent of like 170 watts or so... wouldnt that burn my medium to low light corals? i dont have that much room to shelter them... i dunno..
     
    flipnap, May 25, 2008
    flipnap, May 25, 2008
    #10
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