T8 V T5S

[DIVEPHOTO]

Hi Guys.. I have up-graded to a Jewel Rio 240 (this is now the 3rd tank upgrade in 5 months ,, i think iv'e got the salty bug)it is fitted with twin T8s . will they be ok for my corals or do i need T5s if so can i get away with changing light tubes ??
Also does anybody know of anyone in west lothian scotland who has some white Xenia for sale

 

[ben1987]

Some soft corals can be alright under t8s, they would grow slowly though.

T5s would be better as they are more powerful. You cant just change bulbs though. Its a different lighting ballast. More than two t5s would be better too

 

[DIVEPHOTO]

Some soft corals can be alright under t8s, they would grow slowly though.

T5s would be better as they are more powerful. You cant just change bulbs though. Its a different lighting ballast. More than two t5s would be better too

Yeh i thought that .. But was just hoping that there was a cheap solution ,, i guess not , after all this is the satly side ???
Thanks for the advice .. away to check out prices

 

[seffieuk]

Well there is a cheaper way than buying an ibar or a lighting unit - you could buy some arcadia or the like remote ballasts for t5, take off the old fittings on the light bar and replace them with t5 fittings on the remote ballasts

or

sometimes you can pick up an ibar or arcadia bar on fleabay for a good price - you could keep the lights you have for now and then watch for a bargain If you want to keep hard corals, you really do need four t5 tubes imo

Or

replace the whole lot with a brand new/secondhand light fitting, there are many out there

Seffie x

 

[DIVEPHOTO]

Well there is a cheaper way than buying an ibar or a lighting unit - you could buy some arcadia or the like remote ballasts for t5, take off the old fittings on the light bar and replace them with t5 fittings on the remote ballasts

or

sometimes you can pick up an ibar or arcadia bar on fleabay for a good price - you could keep the lights you have for now and then watch for a bargain If you want to keep hard corals, you really do need four t5 tubes imo

Or

replace the whole lot with a brand new/secondhand light fitting, there are many out there

Seffie x

Thanks seffie .. it is polyps , bubble tip anemmone and the like .. nothin to fancy . I have checked out mt LFS and they have a replacment T5 unit for £71 plus tubes .. I think i will prob get this monday (day off) what tubes would you recommend for a twin set up

 

[seffieuk]

If you have a bubbletip in there you could do with having x 4 T5 really, the bubbletip doesnt need the actinic, but it will need at least the two white t5. However with no actinic your zoas etc wont glow so much

Seffie x

 

[DIVEPHOTO]

If you have a bubbletip in there you could do with having x 4 T5 really, the bubbletip doesnt need the actinic, but it will need at least the two white t5. However with no actinic your zoas etc wont glow so much

Seffie x

Hi seffie .. stupid question .. can i assume that i can not get actinic tubes for the T8s, i think i have found on fleabay a diy sort of T5 set up . so if poss combine T5 & T8 .
Also nothin to do with lighting .. when i got the tank i inherited a Fluvel 305 external filter. now as i do not have a sump i was going to use the fluvel but not sure what media to put in .. any suggestions .. cheers stevie

 

[ben1987]

you could use the T8s for blues no problem. you must take into acount you hardly get any par or usable light from actinics though. so you would have to have more white tubes.

you8 can diy a T5 set up quite cheap. lamp holders and ballasts mounted onto a sheet of marine ply and wired up.

 

[seffieuk]

when i got the tank i inherited a Fluvel 305 external filter. now as i do not have a sump i was going to use the fluvel but not sure what media to put in .. any suggestions .. cheers stevie

I would use it for phosphate and nitrate removers, maybe carbon as well

Seffie x

 

[DIVEPHOTO]

Seffie & Ben as always supperb help , going shopping tomorrow .. now iv'e got a list ......cheers stevie