Retro Fit kit...what is it????

[Octoberfest]

O.k., I'm trying to figure out what I want for lights in my 75 gallon tank and have come across all these things called a retro fit kit. Now I'm assuming this is somewhat of a do-it-yourself thing but can someone please explain this.

If you order a retro fit kit does it really save you that much money? Do they usually come with everything you need to run the lights once it's put together?

Basically I'm trying to figure out what to get, I woudl like to spend less than $400, even cheaper would be better but I don't even know if under $400.00 is possible. I have a wood canopy for my tank as well not sure if that matters.

As far as what I want to keep in my tank I have no idea, FOWLR for now maybe some easy corals. I was going to get PC's at first but I see so many people saying not to get them.

 

[little_squid]

if you have a nice hood then retro is the way to go! yes all you should have to do is screw the lights into your hood and your good to go

if you like corals then one day you will buys some so going mh is the way to go!

 

[Octoberfest]

can you point out a link to a good kit for a 75?

 

[horkn]

mh and t5ho are both very good. both have pluses and minuses though...


foresteronw, what do you want to keep in the 75g?and is it the standard 4 foot 75g?

 

[mdt178]

If you like T5HO, for around $320

http://www.reefgeek.com/products/categories/lighting/104068.html

If you like MH, 2 of these for around $400-450, depends on bulb choice.

http://www.hellolights.com/25methalbalk.html

 

[Octoberfest]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7438128#post7438128 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by horkn
mh and t5ho are both very good. both have pluses and minuses though...


foresteronw, what do you want to keep in the 75g?and is it the standard 4 foot 75g?

so what are the disadvantages of MH's and T5's?

It's a standard 48" 75 gallon. As of right now it's going to be a FOWLR and some easy to keep corals like mushrooms. I know most will want to burn me alive for saying this but to be honest the fish are what drive me in this hobby and what interest me much more than the corals.

 

[horkn]

well, t5ho will use less electricity than a similar MH rig, the bulbs will last longer, they dont heat the water as much as MH.

but, some lps dont really like t5ho, and also some softies dont do that well either.

Mh has the ability to grow anything under it, but the bulbs do not last as long, they can heat the water up, similar MH setups will have more power consumed as well. and you get shimmer lines.

if you really plan on it being a fowler tank, dont get MH. t5 is the best option, esp since you will not need as many t5s as a reef would

 

[mdt178]

T5 HO is more scalable. Go with 2x54W for now. You can easily upgrade with more down the line should you choose to try a few more corals.

 

[sjm817]

If you have an existing canopy you have to consider height too. A MH retro will need a much taller canopy than a T5 retro.

 

[Octoberfest]

one more question, what do T-5's do that power compacts don't?

what about this, would this work on a FOWLR and some easy corals?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Nova-Extreme-T-...ryZ46314QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

or this

http://cgi.ebay.com/T5-T-5-HO-Aquar...ryZ46314QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

or this

http://cgi.ebay.com/T5-T-5-HO-48-6X...ryZ46314QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[Octoberfest]

what's the deal with these metal halide set-ups? Why are they so cheap, are they worth the money or not? I mean I know they aren't going to be the best out there but will they get the job done?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Odyssea-48-Meta...769506849QQcategoryZ46314QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[NCreefwannabe]

well it says 175 watt hqi. I dont think they even make those?? I thought hqi was like 150, 250, so on.

And where in the hell did this storm come from?

 

[Octoberfest]

not sure I'm in massachusetts right now...lol

 

[NCreefwannabe]

....weird stuff man. I ws typing back saying hopefully everything is ok, because we've lot power a fwe times today.... WHEN BAM


We lose power again... I had just typed the words lost power when this happened.

 

[Rainbowofcolors]

Foresteronw,

I was looking into those lights as well and was told to steer clear from them. I have not pulled the trigger yet. I figure since you need ro use a credit card anyway if something were to be incorrect with the purchase it can always be disputed. You might loose $50 in the deal if anything. I have a 225 that has been sitting empty now for 5 months. I have a 100 now I am slowly gearing up to start the larger project.

Michael.

 

[Octoberfest]

Michael,

If either of us decide to get that unit send the other a PM on how bad or good it is. The more I'm looking into things I'm starting to think about going with T-5's but I'm not 100% sure yet.

 

[NCreefwannabe]

unless he buys my setup lol. So how was the trip for bike week? I meant to ask. And what do you think top speed is now???

 

[horkn]

whats different about t5ho and PC?

they only thing theyhave in common os that they are both fluorescent light, and both 5/8th of an inch in diameter.


t5ho use less watts, make more PAR, create less heat, and last longer than PC.
also, the way that PCs are designed, they cont lend themselves to being properly reflectored like a t5ho can be.

 

[Rainbowofcolors]

Will do.

 

[jtemple42000]

I'm running 2 36" 96w Current SunPaq retrofit kits in my 75g. I really like them, they install real easy, they put out plenty of light for fish only and some corals. About $120 each.

http://www.current-usa.com/sunpaqretro.html