Pls Help-Need Info re: T5 setup for 75g

[Abob]

I have a 75g reef tank that's about 3 years old. My power compacts are old and need to be replaced (I am getting a lot of green algae and hair algae probs b/c of it), and I'd like to upgrade to T5s. I don't want to spend the $ on MHs as I would need a new canopy, the fans are too loud for the room, etc. I only have soft corals (no clams or hard corals, although the capability to do that would be nice).

Can anyone please tell me what T5 lighting setup I should have for my 75g? I.e., what wattage and what colors, etc. I don't have the exact dimensions w/ me but it is pretty standard rectangle 75g. I'm a little overwhelmed by all the info about T5s on all of the threads I read. I'd like to do it this weekend so any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

 

[dwdenny]

Well you could do a 4X54w but that would be a lot of light for softies. But if you want to get into high light loving critters then a 6X54w would be better. If you are going to retro then just make sure you get individual refelctors like the SLR form Icecap(the BEST). However if you like the softies I would stick with PC of even VHO for that matter. Excess nutrients cause algea problems not lighting. Algea can grow with out a bunch of light. If you do go with T5 I would think that aquablue and Blue+ bulbs would be fine. With a deep tank like the 75g MH would be better to keep higher light corals or clams on the bottom. HTH

 

[Abob]

Thanks very much dwdenny. That is very helpful. The problem with MHs is (1) the cost, (2) I'd have to get a new, deeper canopy, which makes it even more expensive, (3) I worry that the fans in the canopy will be loud in our smallish family room, and (4) the heat from the MHs will make our chiller come on more often. The prob w/ PCs is they are pretty hot and I also worry about fire as they sometimes seem to be of sketchy construction. T5s just seem safer, cooler, and better.

I probably will stick mostly to softies. If so, would 4X54 W T5s be too much light?

Also I forgot to mention I already have a single bulb Helios T5 Actinic that comes on for an hour before and after the main lights are on. If I keep that, what T5 bulbs should I get? 2 midday sun, 1 aquablue, and 1 blue plus?

Again, I really appreciate the help.

 

[Abob]

Just talked to my local fish store and they recommended I stick with PCs. Said that my previous PCs were from a sketchy company (I can't remember the name), but that PCs still make sense for me. They recommend Coralife 4x65W PCs. They said that T5 HO are all made by one Chinese company and that the quality is questionable. Anyone have any thoughts?

 

[chadfarmer]

4X54w tek light that would be perfect for softies


and the bulbs last longer than pc lights

 

[Mike.B]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7311396#post7311396 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Abob
Just talked to my local fish store and they recommended I stick with PCs. Said that my previous PCs were from a sketchy company (I can't remember the name), but that PCs still make sense for me. They recommend Coralife 4x65W PCs. They said that T5 HO are all made by one Chinese company and that the quality is questionable. Anyone have any thoughts?

Thats ridiculous, Icecap has an excellent rep. Classic case of your LFS trying to screw you. I was in the same shoes you are when deciding my lighting for my 75, I was putting 5x39w T5 vs 4x95 watt PC's and I fought for the PC's to the end and the T5's was the choice I made. Your LFS has to sell all the old PC's that they have so many of, T5's are basically online only.

You should read my thread, it might help because I was defending the PC's and it took quite a few people to convince me otherwise.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=788285

 

[sjm817]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7311396#post7311396 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Abob
Just talked to my local fish store and they recommended I stick with PCs. Said that my previous PCs were from a sketchy company (I can't remember the name), but that PCs still make sense for me. They recommend Coralife 4x65W PCs. They said that T5 HO are all made by one Chinese company and that the quality is questionable. Anyone have any thoughts?

LOL
And just where does the cheapo Coralife stuff come from? FWIW, the decent T5 equipment comes from Germany.

 

[Abob]

Thanks subzero420 and sjm817. I guess it was just typical LFS bulls__t. Sigh. Just cannot trust those guys.

subzero420 - I read your thread and that was helpful. I'm convinced T5s are the way to go, esp. because I might want to try SPS corals at some point.

I said to the LFS guy "What about Icecap, that's supposed a pretty good brand for T5s?" He said, "Doesn't matter, they all use the same crappy Chinese bulbs." Do these guys have any sense of what's ethical at all?

 

[Abob]

Sounds like 4X54w T-5s is the way to go. I'd probably like a retrofit kit for my canopy. Are individual reflectors the way to go? What brands are good? From reading the forums it seems like Icecap is good. Any others?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

www.aqualuxlighting.com has some tasty deals on their going out of business sale. Just make sure you get real T5 ballasts instead of the workhorse and waterproof endcaps. 2 actinic plus and either 2 aquablues or 1 aquablue and 1 GE would be a good selection of lamps. I'd order 2 aquablues and a GE and then decide which mix you like. Then you have a spare lamp.

I would ask the LFS what country his coralife stuff is made in before making them my ex LFS. It's one thing to try to hard sell you on a product they carry but to blatantly lie?

 

[Abob]

Thanks Grim. I really appreciate it. I only wish I knew about forums like RC when I first set up my tank.

What does the 4x54w T5 setup look like? I'd like to get a retrofit-type setup for my canopy. Do I need individual reflectors? Does that mean I buy 4 separate individual kits? And if so will that fit in my 75g canopy (prob. about 6-8 in. high) and do I need fans to cool them? Or are dual bulbs okay? I'm trying to decide if I try to do this through a LFS, or order online.

 

[Abob]

Sorry - one more question:

How do I ensure that the ballasts are "real T5 ballasts?" Does that mean icecap ballasts, and do those overdrive the t5s and cause me to need fans? I read your very helpful post "T5s 101" on CrtvRfing but I'm having a little trouble putting all this together for a retrofit for my 75g

 

[AslanTheKing]

Gee, I thought they called em German T5 bulbs for a reason

Gee, I thought they called em German T5 bulbs for a reason

I'm a total newbie, but it seems to me that Geissman and ATI are based in Germany. Seems unlikely that they are producing bulbs in China. Not sure of you LFS, but unless I'm way mistaken, there are a number of bulbs produced in Europe.

Peace

Kevin

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7312000#post7312000 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Abob
Sorry - one more question:

How do I ensure that the ballasts are "real T5 ballasts?" Does that mean icecap ballasts, and do those overdrive the t5s and cause me to need fans? I read your very helpful post "T5s 101" on CrtvRfing but I'm having a little trouble putting all this together for a retrofit for my 75g

I am a little hesitent to reco the Aqualux at this point. The website is screwed up and if the order is messed up you will play hell getting it straightened out.

Go with either www.oceanencounter.com or www.reefgeek.com and order their 4 lamp Tek retro. Both are excellent companies and RC sponsors. If you have questions or problems either will take very good care of you.

Aqualux doesn't even have the mosture resistand endcaps so you would have to order from 2 different companies and it would just get confusing.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7312000#post7312000 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Abob
Sorry - one more question:

How do I ensure that the ballasts are "real T5 ballasts?" Does that mean icecap ballasts, and do those overdrive the t5s and cause me to need fans? I read your very helpful post "T5s 101" on CrtvRfing but I'm having a little trouble putting all this together for a retrofit for my 75g

The Triad that comes with the Tek retrofits is a "real" T5 ballast, You don't need to overdrive for your application.

 

[horkn]

grimmy, aqualux does sell the waterproof endcaps. the same stucci brand that reefgeek and others sell.



it is a shame about aqualux dropping out. i wonder who really made the CDR reflectors. fwiw, i never had any issues with aqualux, although my order was placed over the phone. I plan on getting in on some of the closeout prices though for my 90g that i need to get tons of stuff for...


and aqualux sells workhorse, and advance ballasts. the advance t5ho ballasts beinga spec t5ho ballast, and the workhorse, while some have said that it will kill bulbs prematurely, we all know thats not really the case in tank usage. are there better t5ho ballasts, yeah, any spec t5ho ballast is, but those that have used workhorse ballasts to run t5ho as long as its done correctly have not had any issues. myself being one of those people, with 17 months of use on my w5 driven retrofit and the original bulbs.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I went to the aqualux website and they don't have the endcaps listed, only the standoffs and I don't figure john wants to order new stock in for a GOB sale. I tried to get everything but the endcaps listed but once the website shut down I figured it isn't really the place for a newbe to order from.

John told me they were ATI reflectors and they do look pretty close to that ATI and D&D are selling minus the stiffening ridge. My bet is he got a deal on old stock before they came out with the improved design, who knows.

And by the way "we" all do not know the workhorse wont decrease lamp life for tank usage. If it cuts down on the life (as per the lamp manufacturers who created the specs) for commercial use it will cut down on life for aquarium use, just a matter of if it is days, weeks or months.

 

[horkn]

hmm, since they are going oob, then that makes sense. for me to get items from drs foster and smith (endcaps, standoffs) it isnt a big deal.. my cottage is a half hour away from rhinelander... but not everyone has it that easy..

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7313517#post7313517 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by horkn
my cottage is a half hour away from rhinelander... but not everyone has it that easy..

As I pointed out in another thread JERKWOAD!!!:rollface:

 

[horkn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7313616#post7313616 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
As I pointed out in another thread JERKWOAD!!!:rollface:

i will rub it in as long as you are jealous