DIY T5 help!!!
- Thread starter Boydx2
- Start date
Here ya go Get ready for a little sticker shock :eek1:Boydx2 said:
The T5's are priced basically the same for 24" - 48" tanks. Once you go to 60", you must use an Ice Cap Ballast and the price jumps significantly. The 48" setups are really the sweet spot for T5.
Compare 4 lamp setups:
Sunlight Supply 24" Retrofit: 4-24W T5 HO Fluorescents $309.00
Sunlight Supply 36" Retrofit: 4-39W T5 HO Fluorescents $329.00
Sunlight Supply 48" Retrofit: 4-54W T5 HO Fluorescents $329.00
Sunlight Supply 60" Retrofit: 4-80W T5 HO Fluorescents $549.00
IceCap 24" Retrofit: 4-24W T5 HO Fluorescents $409.00
IceCap 36" Retrofit: 4-39W T5 HO Fluorescents $419.00
IceCap 48" Retrofit: 4-54W T5 HO Fluorescents $429.00
IceCap 60" Retrofit: 4-80W T5 HO Fluorescents $549.00
The overdriven setup would have the most light. One good thing is that 660 ballast is very widely used. That same ballast wll run (4) 48" or (3) 60" T5s overdriven. May be handy down the road.
Compare 4 lamp setups:
Sunlight Supply 24" Retrofit: 4-24W T5 HO Fluorescents $309.00
Sunlight Supply 36" Retrofit: 4-39W T5 HO Fluorescents $329.00
Sunlight Supply 48" Retrofit: 4-54W T5 HO Fluorescents $329.00
Sunlight Supply 60" Retrofit: 4-80W T5 HO Fluorescents $549.00
IceCap 24" Retrofit: 4-24W T5 HO Fluorescents $409.00
IceCap 36" Retrofit: 4-39W T5 HO Fluorescents $419.00
IceCap 48" Retrofit: 4-54W T5 HO Fluorescents $429.00
IceCap 60" Retrofit: 4-80W T5 HO Fluorescents $549.00
The overdriven setup would have the most light. One good thing is that 660 ballast is very widely used. That same ballast wll run (4) 48" or (3) 60" T5s overdriven. May be handy down the road.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
WPG is a joke, too many variables. Order a 4 lamp Ice Cap retro from reefgeek. If you can't use 4 reflectors use 3 for a daylight and 2 Blueplus lamps and run an actinic without the reflector. once you upgrade the ballast will fire 4 54 watt or 3 80 watt T5's or up to 96" VHO's. It is more money up front but a much more upgradable system. You can even re use the reflectors on longer lamps and Ice Cap's are the best so not a bad thing to have laying around.
horkn
New member
the wpg is a good measure to start off with..
yes the dimensions of the tank will alter it, but if you expect to keep corals under1 24w bulb, its not happening, (for the most part)
now under 4, sure...
as long as you compare each type of lighting with same type, the wpg is a rule, although not a hard rule..
yes the dimensions of the tank will alter it, but if you expect to keep corals under1 24w bulb, its not happening, (for the most part)
now under 4, sure...
as long as you compare each type of lighting with same type, the wpg is a rule, although not a hard rule..
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
As I said before WPG is a joke, too many variables.
JustOneMoreTank
New member
Sorry this is coming in late.... Someone mentioned that one vendor was a better deal because a listed price included bulbs and that ReefGeek did not include bulbs. That is incorrect. I am certain that ReefGeek does come with bulbs in the T5 retro kits.
Good luck on deciding how many bulbs and to overdrive or not to overdrive.
Good luck on deciding how many bulbs and to overdrive or not to overdrive.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
The shortest T5's are 2 feet long. If your tank is long enough go for it.
Boydx2
New member
no its cool, I think I am going with the 4 T5's, but not overdrive them. I dont know I hear a millon different opinions everyday and almost went with a MH, but I have heard so many people say you can make it without MH especially with a 37gal tank. Eventually I will go with a bigger tank then probably splurg on a MH setup.
