T5 Lighting for 180g AGA

[newsalt]

I'm planning an upgrade from my existing 120g reef to a 180g. I have the tank. It's a 180g AGA (72x24x24). I want to use T5 lighting. What type setup would be recommended, no. of bulbs, bulb color, etc.

Thanks for your input.

 

[jgs107]

tagging along for this one.ive got a 180 also with 2 400 watt MH,1 250 watt MH,and 4 6' vhos.electricity is getting old as well as the heat.

 

[uhuru]

I've been looking at the Aquactinics Constellation, it's basically two 3' units combined into one so it's got 14 3' bulbs, 7 on each side. Price wise I think it's the best option, but if money is no object you could do 2 x ATI powermodules (3') with 8 bulbs on each. The cost would be almost twice as much as the Aquactinics plus you have the long wait time.

I asked about the Constellation and was told by one owner that you can keep clams/sps at the bottom if you want.

 

[jgs107]

do you have any links to this light.

 

[sjm817]

I use 6 x 60" T5 retrofit into a canopy driven by a pair of Ice Cap 660s. I could fit a few more bulbs in there if i wanted to.

 

[newsalt]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12624911#post12624911 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sjm817
I use 6 x 60" T5 retrofit into a canopy driven by a pair of Ice Cap 660s. I could fit a few more bulbs in there if i wanted to.

Can you keep clams or SPS on the sand at the bottom with 6 bulbs. Where did you get the retro kit?

 

[sjm817]

I'm not much into SPS, I'm more of an LPS and softie type. I do have a monti cap that is ~ 1/2 way up that is doing well, and I also have a clam on the sandbed that also is doing fine. I got my retro kit from www.reefgeek.com.

 

[uhuru]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12623874#post12623874 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jgs107
do you have any links to this light.

http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=28_111_112&products_id=1184

 

[rlxwcapt]

I would go ATI a great fixture. Check out reefgeek.com They are great to work with. Yes you can have SPS and Clams. I have a 120 that has 4 t5 and my clams are doing great. I would do 2 fixtures 36" x 10 bulbs. good luck

 

[newsalt]

I'm probably going to buy an IceCap 48" 4 bulb retro-kit. If I bought that, can I combine that with another kit to give me enough light for SPS and clams?

 

[newsalt]

I just spoke with Hellolights, and they told me that if I wanted to keep clams on the sand of a 24" deep tank I would need more than just T5s. I don't know if this is true.

 

[Jflip2002]

T5s will be fine to keep anything you want, you just gotta have high quality stuff. I dont see a problem keeping clams on the bottom, but I would go with at least 8 bulbs, at least. 10-12 would be optimal IMO.

 

[newsalt]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12665586#post12665586 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jflip2002
...I would go with at least 8 bulbs, at least. 10-12 would be optimal IMO.

What what bulb wattage? What color bulbs? I prefer a bluer looking tank, but not a 20k blue though. How should the bulbs be arranged? How high off the water do T5 typically sit? Sorry for all the questions.

 

[Jflip2002]

Ask GrimmReefer in the T5 thread in the lighting section, hes THE MAN when it comes to T5 set ups. Im not sure how many watts the tubes are, they come different wattage based on size. You could probably stagger some 48" bulbs, and get 12 of them. But ask Grimm, again, hes the man to talk to.

 

[newsalt]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12666346#post12666346 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jflip2002
Ask GrimmReefer...

I sent him a PM. Hopefully he'll answer.

 

[Jflip2002]

Yeah, or you can post in the thread. He always answers....

 

[Black Mammoth]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12662664#post12662664 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by newsalt
I just spoke with Hellolights, and they told me that if I wanted to keep clams on the sand of a 24" deep tank I would need more than just T5s. I don't know if this is true.

It isn't true. I've kept Clams, SPS, and RBTAs for a couple years on 6x54s with my T5s on my 90g. Actually, 4x54s also work. I decided to try and run the tank on 4x54s to see how well it did. I don't overdrive either. I just have the IceCap reflectors.

I would really go with sjm's setup. I've seen it in person and it is great looking. I wouldn't doubt he can keep SPS and clams with that setup towards the bottom. It is essentially what I have...actually probably a bit more. You can do 8 if you like to be on the safe side. Remember, keeping them at the proper distance from the water is also key IMHO.

 

[newsalt]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12674860#post12674860 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Black Mammoth
Remember, keeping them at the proper distance from the water is also key IMHO.

What distance is recommended?

 

[Black Mammoth]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12675692#post12675692 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by newsalt
What distance is recommended?

Greg at ReefGeek told me around 2 to 3 inches. I think mine are about 2" - 2.5" above the water.

 

[slant77]

any you have picture of you tank using the 60 inch t5 fixture?