How many T5's on a 75

[mluz]

I've recently upgraded my tank to a 75. I have a tek light fixture with 8 bulbs on it right now. The problem is I am making a canopy for it and it does not fit very well, so I’m going to get a retrofit kit.
I’m looking for your thoughts on how many bulbs should I buy and if I should get the overdriven bulb/ballast combo. I am planning to buy the icecap reflectors from reefgeek.

I have mostly LPS and a few SPS up top, I would also like to keep a clam or two.
Thanks for your help,
Mario

 

[xskyzx]

i have 4 bulbs t5, keeping some sps on top and they are doing ok, but with your retrofit i think 4 is good , but if you can do 5 or 6 just to make sure. get geissmen bulbs heard they perfrom quite well. and i just using stock bulbs too. GL

 

[mluz]

Thanks for your answer.
I called Icecap and according to the dimensions they gave me I can fit 6 bulbs comfortably.

What I’m still uncertain is if I should buy the icecap ballast and overdrive them to 85w or the regular output ballast.

 

[harsh12ka4]

you will get better answer in Lighting, Filtration & Other Equipment section

 

[Tswifty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13230991#post13230991 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by xskyzx
i have 4 bulbs t5, keeping some sps on top and they are doing ok, but with your retrofit i think 4 is good , but if you can do 5 or 6 just to make sure. get geissmen bulbs heard they perfrom quite well. and i just using stock bulbs too. GL

i would advise against Geisemann... nothing to write home about as far as par, or crisp spectrum IMO.

I currently use them, because I didn't know any better when I ordered them, and plan on switching to ATI for the "color" bulbs, and UV Lighting (highest PAR ratings for T5's) for the growth bulbs.

 

[osprey77]

I have five T5 HO with good reflectors and grow sps on the bottom of my 75.

 

[Tswifty]

If you are using a 75 gallon, it has the same footprint as my 90 gallon tank, and I fit 6 bulbs comfortably.

If you're into SPS, I would go with the ICECAP BALLASTS to overdrive the bulbs. (IceCap VHO combo).

Here's the bulb layout that was recommended by (The Grim Reefer) T5 expert on RC.

- - - FRONT - - -
ATI Blue Plus
UV Lighting 75/25
UV Lighting Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
- - - BACK - - -

Here's what I currently run:

- - - FRONT - - -
Geisemann Actinic Plus
UV Lighting 75/25
UV Lighting Aquasun
Geisemann Actinic Plus
Geisemann Aquablue Plus
UV Lighting Super Actinic
- - - BACK - - -

Like I said... I just had the Geiseman bulbs on hand ahead of time, and when I reorder I will be switching to the first combo I listed.

Here's a shot of my tank. Thus far I have had great success growing SPS at all levels in the tank (24" deep).

Here is a picture of how the bulbs fit in the canopy (reflectors not on yet).

 

[mluz]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13231230#post13231230 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by harsh12ka4
you will get better answer in Lighting, Filtration & Other Equipment section

I realized that after i posted on this forum

 

[mluz]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13231306#post13231306 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Tswifty8
If you are using a 75 gallon, it has the same footprint as my 90 gallon tank, and I fit 6 bulbs comfortably.

If you're into SPS, I would go with the ICECAP BALLASTS to overdrive the bulbs. (IceCap VHO combo).

Here's the bulb layout that was recommended by (The Grim Reefer) T5 expert on RC.

- - - FRONT - - -
ATI Blue Plus
UV Lighting 75/25
UV Lighting Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
- - - BACK - - -

Here's what I currently run:

- - - FRONT - - -
Geisemann Actinic Plus
UV Lighting 75/25
UV Lighting Aquasun
Geisemann Actinic Plus
Geisemann Aquablue Plus
UV Lighting Super Actinic
- - - BACK - - -

Like I said... I just had the Geiseman bulbs on hand ahead of time, and when I reorder I will be switching to the first combo I listed.

Here's a shot of my tank. Thus far I have had great success growing SPS at all levels in the tank (24" deep).

Here is a picture of how the bulbs fit in the canopy (reflectors not on yet).

I have a few SPS at the moment, but I am really interested is in keeping a clam at the bottom, I guess with the HO's I'll be able to grow it just fine since my tank I actually a little shorter than yours.

I follow the grim reefers thread also and I placed an order for new bulbs on my 8 bulb fixture as per his recommendation to someone else, thinking that I would still be using my existing fixture.

I now realize that a 6 bulb retro kit will fit better and probably will go with your light combo.

 

[crvz]

I had six bulbs on an icecap on my 58, and now I have 8 bulbs with icecap ballasts on my 150. it's plenty of light, I have to crocea clams on the bottom of my tank.

 

[mluz]

I spoke with Greg at reefgeek and I should be ok with the HO 6 bulb unit and I placed an order for that.

Thank you so much to all for your comments and help.