question on lighting, pc vs t5

[dohc97]

Im currently running 130 watts pc lighting in my 20L but im considering moving on to t5. Would a retrofit 24wattx4 t5 setup be an upgrade over 130watts of pcs?. I plan on getting a custom canopy built and i will do the wiring and install of the t5s, going with icecap individual reflectors and not sure on where to get a ballast yet. Reason why i want to install my own setup is because of the bulbs 24" length, i want to stagger the 4 bulbs so that i can light all 30" of tank. This is just a thought so far and i would buy the components over time, since im looking at over $300.

 

[squibley2]

Have you thought about maybe doing VHOs you could do 2 or 3 VHOs which are 75W per 24" bulb. The 4 T5s imho will not give you much better light then the PCs are giving you now. I wouldn't bother going with MHs due to the shallow depth of the tank but the VHOs should give you a nice color and enable you to keep just about anything in your 20L. Just my 2cents

 

[squibley2]

here is one from hellolights

http://www.hellolights.com/243lavhoreki.html

 

[dohc97]

That is interesting as no one i know has said to try vho, most people have said that t-5s with individual reflectors(specially icecaps) rival mh in light output. I will look into the vho idea.

 

[snookhunter]

I'm running 4x39 W T-5's (36") over my 50 gallon. They have an icecap ballast and individual reflectors.I really like them. I would think with the shallow depth of the 20L you could keep about anything in there with the 24" T5's.

I have SPS and they're growing very well. Some people say that T5's aren't good for SPS but I disagree. Even kept clams under the T5.

 

[Pufferpunk]

T5s are way better than PCs! They also run cooler.

 

[glassbox-design]

VHO's cant compete with t5s. We run 4x24 on our 20 high and get great growth on all our sps.

IMO overdriving them on an IC will be overkill. SLR's should give you enough punch.

HTH,

eric&flint

 

[desjardiniidj]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8255811#post8255811 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by squibley2
Have you thought about maybe doing VHOs

Good suggestion. I have heard alot of good things about T5s but you can't argue with the wattage of the VHOs. I have 4-96PCs(with my halides) but was considering 2-6' VHOs(160watts each?) instead. Intensity vs. overall watts. Example 1-400watt or 40-10watts? Either way, with the depth of the tank(like snookhunter said), you can't go wrong. PC bulbs are kind of expensive and don't last very long either. Good luck!

 

[dohc97]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8256744#post8256744 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Flint&Eric
VHO's cant compete with t5s. We run 4x24 on our 20 high and get great growth on all our sps.

IMO overdriving them on an IC will be overkill. SLR's should give you enough punch.

HTH,

eric&flint

Im not going to overdrive the bulbs, just using the IC reflectors not the ballast. Im now pretty set on what i want to do, i will do the t5 setup, just have to decide what ballast i could use at a reasonable price. I will start buying this stuff little by little so as to not alert the wallet police(gf). Im also going to get someone to build me a custom canopy to my specifications. I would try it but i dont have tools and have never worked with wood.

 

[Pescados]

I LOVE my T5's!

 

[snookhunter]

If you're interested I have two brand new Triad ballasts. They came with my 36" T-5 retro kit but I didn't end up using them because I decided to upgrade to an Icecap ballast.

I was going to list them on the equipment forum. $30 each.

Here's a link for a description.
http://www.reefgeek.com/products/categories/lighting/104054.html