T5 fixture suggestions needed

[ToeJam]

Hi,

I am setting up a frag/clam tank and am looking at using T5s for the lighting. The tank is a ~30 gallon and the dimensions are 24x24x12. I was thinking I needed a 6 or 8 bulb fixture, but I think that would probably be overkill based on the depth of the tank. My budget is $200-$300.

Thanks

 

[redfishsc]

A 4X24" TEK Retrofit from www.diyreef.com or www.reefgeek.com, standard T5HO should do you fine.
Put 1/2-1" in between the reflectors to spread them out a bit.

An Icecap would be even better so long as you put a fan on them to cool them, but then the IceCap Retro's are nutty expensive and the fan just adds more cost.... then you have to change the lights out every 6 months or so, whereas with standard T5HO you can get a year out of good quality lights.


Personally for a tank of that size I would consider putting an Icecap 150W HQI halide over it. You can get a retrofit with a good bulb for around $250-280.

For plug-n-play you could also get a Current Sunpod 150 HQI for about the same price.

 

[bsbarton]

The Mh would make the growth insane, with the heat issue of halides. For color the T-5's would get my final vote.