New T5 setup for a 125...

[SiXLiNe]

Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢m looking to swap out my current vho's for a T5 setup on my 6 foot 125 gallon. Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢m thinking of going with 6 80 watt bulbs driven by the 2 icecap 660's that I already have for my vho's. Along with that, separate aqualux reflectors for each bulb. I want to have enough light to keep some sps and clams but not that much that my softies start melting.
Since these bulbs will be on icecap 660, im assuming they would be over driven to 100 watts each? Would 6 80 watt bulbs be enough for sps without melting softies or should I drop one or two bulbs? Thanks for any advice you can give me.

 

[horkn]

I would run 6x80, and since you have the IC ballasts already, run those as well.

i do not think you will have an issue with melting softies even wuith that much light. it is all about acclimation, and about bulb choice. i would run 1 ge 6500k day bulb, 2 aquablues, and 3 blue+ if you want it more blue, 1 ge, 3 aquablue, and 2 blue+ for a little whiter, or 2 ge, 2 blue+ and 2 aquablue.

i would probably run 2 sets of 2 bulbs at first, then run the ge day and whatever the other bulb(totalling 6 then) is on it after they corals acclimate a few days

 

[SiXLiNe]

Thanks for the info but Aqualux is having some problems with the manufacturer of their reflectors so they donââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t know how long it will take to get them in. Are the Tek reflectors any good for my 80 watt t5 or should I hold off for who knows how long for the Aqualux ones?

 

[horkn]

i would hold off.

the teks are a PITA to keep clean, and really are not as good as the aqualux sold CDrs

you could always run a couple of the shorter cdrs, and sell those when they finally get the 5 footers.
or if you are impatient, get the tek reflectors. in my experience, anything in this hobby requires patience.

 

[20 20]

Tek reflectors not as good as Aqualux, eh? What's the difference, other than being a PITA to clean? And why are they more of a PITA to clean than Aqualux reflectors? If clean, how much (approximately, of course) does the Aqualux 'outperform' the Tek? 20%? 40%? I'm considering T5's for my 125 also, and am just trying to get as much info as possible before buying.

 

[SiXLiNe]

For now I think I will hold off and run the lights without reflectors, but what I have heard from Aqualux is for the time being they might switch over to the tek reflectors until they get the CDr manufacturing situation straightened out. If your looking to get the Aqualux t5 CDrs you might be out of luck for a while.

 

[horkn]

if that is the case, that sux for the reefing community.

teks are 10% less PAR than ic or aqualux at the surface, and a whopping 20% less Par than the IC or aqualux at a depth of around 16". AFAIK, nobody has ever measured par comparisons deeper than that.

and IC does not make 5 foot reflectors. tek and the CDR's come in 5 footers.

let me shoot aqualux an email. they were very quick and hellpfulk when i got my retrofit months ago.

 

[sjm817]

I wouldn't run without reflectors. How much space (width) do you have for the bulbs? You will need 18" for the CDR, 15" for the TEK.

 

[SiXLiNe]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7162768#post7162768 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sjm817
I wouldn't run without reflectors. How much space (width) do you have for the bulbs? You will need 18" for the CDR, 15" for the TEK.

Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢m pretty sure I have 18" to spare under my canopy. Should I just go with IC reflectors centered in the middle of the tank leaving the ends of the tank a little dimmer for low light corals or would I be better off going for the tek 5 footers?

 

[sjm817]

I wouln't do that. You have 3 choices:

Wait for CDR
Use Tek
Use two sets of IC (48" + 12" or 36" + 24")

 

[old salty]

Sixline,

Just an FYI, I am using TEK lights on my 125 and keep a clam on the bottom. It seems that no matter where I put my shrooms, they aren't too happy. Right now, I've got them stashed underneath a rock at the very bottom of the tank so they get no direct lighting at all. They seem to be coming around now.

I'm not too sure where the percentage measurements came from nor do I intend to refute them. Just don't get too wrapped around the axle that giving 10% or 20% less par means substandard lighting.

 

[horkn]

dont get me wrong old satly, the teks are not bad, but for less $$ the aqualux are easier on the wallet, they do not stain like the teks, and according to the tests, they do make more light available out of the same watts. basically, you get the effect of running an overdriving ballast, without the extra energy costs by using IC or aqualux reflectors.

these tests came from the grim reefer that was on RC. search for a thread entitled "the great t5 reflector glarathon"

 

[sjm817]

58.5" Computer Designed Reflectors for T5Bulb clips included
$22.93

Sunlight Supply T5 Parabolic Retrofit Reflector for 1-80W Bulb
$21.95

I dont see the savings.

 

[drew22to375]

Here is the thread along with the ballast compared thread.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showt...erpage=25&highlight=t5 glarathon&pagenumber=1

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=724967&highlight=reflector

Drew..

 

[drew22to375]

FYI:

I have a set of the tek reflectors that are 3 years old. They are good reflectors but as Horkn points out they stain. I cleaned them every month and after 3 years I am going to have to use a power buffer or something to get them shiny again. Elbow grease just isn't cutting it.

Drew..

 

[REMF]

Just my 2 Ã"šÃ‚¢, Don't use the tek reflector, use 2 IC or wait for Aqualux, you will see the difference. I have a 5x54w T5 retro, with 4 Aqualux reflectors and 1 tek. The tek IMO is a POS.

 

[horkn]

they used to be a lot less than tek or icecaps, now they are nearly the same price sjim. but, since you pointed out that the 5 foot CDr isa litlle more $$ than the 5 foot tek, i must point out that all the shorter lengths of CDR are less money than the teks...

staining of the teks is my biggest problem with them. no matter what you do, they get stained, and it will affect the PAR of the retrofit.

seeing that the teks make less in the first place, it isnt a winning proposition

 

[sjm817]

You are splitting hairs with the prices IMO. A dollar or two is not a big deal especially in this hobby. The prices have been similar for some time now.

The staining of the reflectors is a big deal. I wouldn't be too happy with that.

 

[horkn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7167799#post7167799 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sjm817
You are splitting hairs with the prices IMO. A dollar or two is not a big deal especially in this hobby. The prices have been similar for some time now.

The staining of the reflectors is a big deal. I wouldn't be too happy with that.

Also a big deal is 10-20% less par than the IC or aqualux for basically the same $$