Recommend a T5 Setup for a 120

[elephen]

I currently have a AGA RR 120G (4x2x2) setup and I'm going to switch over to T5's and try them out.

I've been looking at different lighting fixtures. Currently I have a canopy but am hoping to remove it and have it open with the T5 fixture suspended from the ceiling. But then again a T5 retrofit kit would work to and I could keep the canopy I built.

I'm looking at going 8 x 54w bulbs. Probably 4-6 ATI Aquablue and 2-4 ATI Aquablue Plus bulbs. I'm not sure if I'll use the IC660 ballast to overdrive the bulbs, not real sure what the wattage output would be if I did that but it is an option.

I have roughly $600 to spend on this and from what I have seen you can get into a very very nice T5 setup for less then $600 or so.

Anyway give me some recommendations. I'd love an ATI fixture but unfortunately they are not available here in the states. I have looked at the Aqua Medic, Aqualine Buschke and Sunlight Supply fixtures.

After doing quite a bit of reading it seems like the TEK light fixture may be a good way to go with their individual reflectors for each bulb, seems to be the best fixture available in the states atleast from everything I have read here on RC. Although if I do decide to go with the TEK fixture, can I swap the ballast out for an IC660 to get more out of my bulbs?

 

[elephen]

I could also get 4 of the 2 x 48 TEK retrofit kits, they do come with the ballast. Although if I plan to overdrive them I may look into just buying all the sperate components and building it myself.

How many 48" (54w) bulbs can 1 x IC660 ballast overdrive?

 

[elephen]

Okay so I found out a 54w T5 bulb will run at 80w when powered by an IC660 ballast.

Good news 8 x 80w = 640w

And you can run 4 x 4' bulbs fine on a 660. So it sounds like I would need 2 x 660's.

 

[elephen]

Here is the pricing I have gotten to so far.

2 x IC660 - $240
5 x ATI AquaBlue - $130
3 x ATI AquaBlue Plus - $53
8 x IC End Caps - $64
8 x IC Standoffs - $32
8 x SLS Tek 48" single reflectors - $120
TOTAL $639

Now if I just go with the normal output (non-overdriven) TEK retro...
4 x TEK 2x48" Retro $355
And the bulbs for a total of $538

Is over-driving them worth another $100?

 

[Horace]

Go with the icecap reflectors they are about 10% better than the Tek. As for using a 660, you can but its not necessary. You can get normal driven ballasts for VERY cheap from www.ballastwise.com. Also I highly recommend you wait for the UV bulbs...they will be out in the next week or so and the Super Actinic is supposed to rock! Also just to let you know if you go 5 AB to 3 B+ the tank will be pure white with no blue at all. I would run 1:1 daylights to actinic. I run 2 AB, 1GE , 3B+ and the tank is still white with just a slight hint of blue.

 

[Horace]

whoops, DP

 

[elephen]

Well I still want the color of my 20k Radiums on an HQI ballast so blue is okay with me

 

[elephen]

^bump

 

[ryannat1]

Yeah definately go with the retro. Also go with the 8 bulbs. Like Horace said it definately isnt necessary to overdrive them. You would be fine with just a regular T5 ballast. Either way you will love your T5's. Later Ryan

 

[NewSchool04]

I would do both MH and T5. Get the best of both worlds. You could easily get two 250W MH retros and a 4 bulb T5 retro over that tank. Nice coverage with the shimmer lines!

 

[elephen]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7426981#post7426981 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by NewSchool04
I would do both MH and T5. Get the best of both worlds. You could easily get two 250W MH retros and a 4 bulb T5 retro over that tank. Nice coverage with the shimmer lines!

No the reason I'm getting away from MH is because I don't want to have to purchase a chiller. Its starting to get pretty warm and even with the AC on the halides heat up the tank a significant amount (even with 2 x 4" IC variable speed fans and a large black Honeywell fan on a temp controller).

Will 8 x 54w T5's be enough to penetrate my 24" tall tank?

 

[Horace]

IMO yes, 8 T5s is enough, but if your worried you could overdrive them....Given the brightness of my tank (granted its a tad shallower), I dont think its necessary. Above 24" is when it starts becoming necessary. I will say that I have an acro frag that has doubled in size in the past month that is only 4" off the bottom in my 20" deep tank. So at 16" deep SPS grow perfectly fine.

 

[elephen]

Interesting.

Are the IceCap SLR reflectors better then the TEK reflectors? From what I have read I think that is true, not 100% sure though.

I think I might just go with the 8 x 54w T5's and not worry about over driving them. If I feel it necessary later on down the road I can always buy the IC660 and wire it up.

I think I'm pointing in the direction of the retro kit instead of a fixture. I spent many many hours (and money) on my canopy and really hate to waste alll that. Although I do like the open top too...

Decisions decisions...

 

[PITSTOP]

 

[elephen]

Pitstop- is that T5 only?

 

[PITSTOP]

no.

I have 2 systems - the one above is MH's, my other system (taken down last week) was T5's.

I was never able to get my T5 system to work properly. The T5 system was LPS/softies, they never liked the T5's though...I don't have a good explanation for this....

 

[elephen]

Probably because it was to intense lighting for them, they prefer less intensity

 

[Horace]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7428577#post7428577 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by PITSTOP
no.

I have 2 systems - the one above is MH's, my other system (taken down last week) was T5's.

I was never able to get my T5 system to work properly. The T5 system was LPS/softies, they never liked the T5's though...I don't have a good explanation for this....

Its a well known fact that most Softies and many LPS do not care much for T5. T5s are best suited for SPS only tanks. However, if you are careful about placement you can still have softies/LPS as well. I happen to have all three in my tank and all of them have adjusted just fine. If you want to light softies and LPS your best bet would be to use VHO IMO, or about half as many T5s, all normally driven.