switching from compact flour to t5

[shyland83]

I have a coralife compact flourescent fixture, with 1-65w actinic, and 1-65w daylight. i want to get some sps and a clam, so i am considering switching to t5. this fixture in particular.
http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/product/productInfo.web?infoParam.mode=1&infoParam.itemKey=204868
Do you think 96w is going to be enough for my 29g, and is it going to be a considerable upgrade from my current fixture? Its time to replace my bulbs so now is the time. thanks for any advice
-Scott

 

[ming81]

1. That fixture is too small, only 24" long. Your tank is 30" long if its a standard 29 gallon tank
2. The reflectors aren't individual to each bulb so its not nearly as efficient as the Tek T5's. If you got it, the only sps I would try are monti's.

I would go for a Tek T5 fixture in your case

 

[shyland83]

does 3 inches of space on either side of the light really make a difference??? and the reflectors? I like this fixture over the retrofit kit (besides being cheaper) because it's a lot easier to just hang it over the tank rather than having to mount all those bulbs in the canopy somehow. but i dont want to buy something thats not going to do what i want it to do either. please more opinions, i dont know what to do

 

[qy7400]

I think Mings referring to this light fixture. The T5s perform best when each bulb has it's own reflector, the Current fixture uses a single reflector for all 4 bulbs so you get less PAR from it.

 

[rtecanoe]

Try reefgeek.com, T5 retrofits. They're so easy even I could do it!! You definately want a separate reflector for each bulb.

 

[keefsama2003]

Talk to les also i got a 24" T5 retro setup from him and its pretty good and fair priced.

 

[fishome25]

without individual reflectors I think you would be getting less light into your tank with that fixture. In my opinion you have enough light already for sps, however they might not hold their best coloration.

 

[shyland83]

now i'm thoroughly confused. I've been to a few lfs in the last 2 days, and read a lot online. I've heard everything from what i have is enough, to I need halides. I've heard the one reflector is fine, but that was from someone that was definately biased. So..... unless more info comes to change my mind, i'm going with either the tek fixture with the 4 bulbs, or 4 bulb retro kit. If i can find either one locally i'm going to do that. Id rather get it local as long as they dont gouge me.

 

[fishome25]

well what you "need" all depends on the results you want in the end. if you want to be able to keep coral with very high lighting requirements and have them maintain eye popping colors I'd say you need halides.
Tek lights are good but aren't so cheap.