lighting question

[kidkaos520]

So I have been throwing around the idea of getting t5's for my dsa 65 I know the tank is 36'' long and it was suggested to me that if I am going to have a canopy I can use a 24'' 6 bulb ati sunpower fixture. Just wondering if it is going to be enough light and how bad of a shadow is it going to make. If it helps it would be an ati fixture not sure if I am going to do the dimmable version yet.

 

[Frick]

It would depend on how high the fixture is mounted. you would also have to make sure there is enough room for the ventilation. With a canopy, your best bet is to use a T5 retro kit instead of a fixture. A 24" fixture should still work, and I don't think shadows will be a big deal if it is mounted at least 6-8" off the water. I would just be concerned about he heat build up.

 

[kidkaos520]

Thanks for the response....I was thinking of doing a retro kit but wasnt sure if they were at the same speed as the ati fixture I wanted to get.

 

[Frick]

Really it's all in the reflectors. You want to find some that have the highest percentage of reflection. Water resistant endcaps, and corrosive resistant parts, good ballast, and a good fan system are a plus. Most of that will not come in a kit together, you would have to put the parts together and build it.

 

[bdevillier]

Reef geek sells the Miro 4 retro kits that are supposed to be really good. They use good reflectors and from what I've read, the same ballast as ati so if you plan on running ati bulbs those are the ballasts that their bulbs are speced to run on.

 

[SKAREEF]

Really it's all in the reflectors. You want to find some that have the highest percentage of reflection. Water resistant endcaps, and corrosive resistant parts, good ballast, and a good fan system are a plus. Most of that will not come in a kit together, you would have to put the parts together and build it.

+1.
Try to find german polished reflectors...

 

[kidkaos520]

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/3-ft-let-lighting-miro-4-t5-high-output-retrofit-kit-1.html
Just curious if anyone had experience with these or know about them....also it seems people are really liking the prestige led t5 combo so that's an option as well

 

[SKAREEF]

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/3-ft-let-lighting-miro-4-t5-high-output-retrofit-kit-1.html
Just curious if anyone had experience with these or know about them....also it seems people are really liking the prestige led t5 combo so that's an option as well

Those appear to be good reflectors. But I have no experience with those specific ones. I do have the Prestige and love them.

 

[kidkaos520]

if I could sell off my extra equipment I could probably afford a prestige if not I may be forced to go with retro unless someone is selling a used prestige.