Hey guys, I'm a newbie at this and am getting my equipment together. I have a 75 gallon glass aquarium (Marineland). I am thinking of getting a glass canopy to use as a lid for the aquarium and thinking about using a 4 ft T5 lighting fixture with 6 bulbs, 54watts per bulb and having it hung above the aquarium. I will be having some live rock in the tank for filitration purposes. Is this lighting and glass canopy okay...or should I be looking into something else?
T5 Lighting Question?
- Thread starter e46mpower
- Start date
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
That will do fine. It is better if you don't use glass lids on the tank because they cut down on gas exchange. You can use eggcrate instead if you are concerned about fish jumping out.
sales weasel
New member
As a user of T5s I agree with Grim. In case you don't know what eggcrate is, it's known as fluorescent light diffuser at Home Depot. It comes in 2x4 sections and is basically a plastic grid that fits over a fluorescent light fixture.
Waxxiemann
New member
SO the egg crate does not end up blocking out any light?
Chupacabras
New member
It blocks a little, not enough to really be concerned with though.
I've been looking into the Current-USA Nova Extreme or the Orbit. Anyone know what the differences are between a T5 Flouresent and a Compact? And is there such a thing as too much light? I am now thinking of using either the Nova Extreme T5 8x54watts (432watts total) or the Orbit Compact Flouresent 4x130 watts (520 total). Which is better? Is this too much light for my 75gal FOWLR tank?
Kernel Panic
New member
The key with T5HO is the single lamp reflectors. Without those you lose a lot of the benefit from using the T5's. A 4x54 watt Tek light from sunlight supply would be more than enough for your tank, and would let you keep corals in the future. The Nova fixture does not have the single lamp reflectors. You can find the Tek light at:
www.reefgeek.com
www.reefgeek.com
horkn
New member
well, the t5ho uit will be a lot better than the compact fluorescent unit. but, not even the nova extreme is as good as a tek light or aquactinics t5ho fixture because the nova does not have individual parabolic reflectors.
the nova has one reflector for the entire array. it is better than no reflector, but not optimal.
seedsetc.com has the best prices on the tek lights, and the aquactinics you can get through www.aquactinics.com.
hey i did some comparisons when looking for T5 lights for my 150 gal reef and between the Tek and the Cadlights.com T5 strips. i bought the Cadlights ones because they are more compact and lower in heat. Cadlights T5's are slightly higher than the Tek ones in price but are well worth every dollar, esspecially when they have a reef pro working there that helped me along the way in choosing the light that suited me.
they also have 2 seperate switches for MANUAL control of the actinics and daylights (which Tek didn't have) while also having 2 seperate wires for setting up timers for an AUTOMATIC dusk till dawn effect. i remember i used to have to crawl into my cabinet and sort through an endless amounts of wires to find my timers over-ride switch to turn on the blue or white lighting. check it out, heres the link wwwcadlights.com
they also have 2 seperate switches for MANUAL control of the actinics and daylights (which Tek didn't have) while also having 2 seperate wires for setting up timers for an AUTOMATIC dusk till dawn effect. i remember i used to have to crawl into my cabinet and sort through an endless amounts of wires to find my timers over-ride switch to turn on the blue or white lighting. check it out, heres the link wwwcadlights.com
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Fishball,
If you paid more for the cadlights unit than a Tek you got royally hosed. No individual reflectors, private label lamps which are likely a cheap Chinese import and who knows what for a ballast.
You sure that was a Tek light you compared that to? Even the 4 lamp Tek light has 2 power cords and 2 switches.
If you paid more for the cadlights unit than a Tek you got royally hosed. No individual reflectors, private label lamps which are likely a cheap Chinese import and who knows what for a ballast.
You sure that was a Tek light you compared that to? Even the 4 lamp Tek light has 2 power cords and 2 switches.
Thanks guys for chiming in and giving my your advice. It is very helpful. I have decided to go with the Tek Ligh 48" 6-54watt T5 HO. I have another question regarding the bulbs. It seems that there are many different types to choose from such as Pure Actinic, Actinic Plus, 6500K Day, etc, etc...Which combination of bulbs should I be getting for my tank? And does the T5 from reefgeek.com come with built in coolling fans?
UCanDoIt
In Memoriam
<IMG SRC="http://usera.imagecave.com/winner/welcome.gif"><big><big><b> to Reef Central </big></big></b>
Back to Front (most members have this configuration)
Atinic + (aka Blue+)
GE Sun 6,500K
AquaBlue
Atinic + (aka Blue+)
check out seedsetc.com if you buy the fix, it's free s/h/i and the bulbs are really cheap! they also carry all bulbs including the GE Sun now as i just called them a few days ago to check.
Back to Front (most members have this configuration)
Atinic + (aka Blue+)
GE Sun 6,500K
AquaBlue
Atinic + (aka Blue+)
check out seedsetc.com if you buy the fix, it's free s/h/i and the bulbs are really cheap! they also carry all bulbs including the GE Sun now as i just called them a few days ago to check.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
What ^ Said
Brooks_McClary
New member
I just purchased a NOVA Extreme 24" fixture. I really like it an my corals are responding well. (WOW are the LEDs bright).
Anyway, it is very very blue looking. Would substituting a GE Sun 6,500K for one of the blue or 10k bulbs help?
I heard that the actenics actually dont have much usable light for the coral. Would I get more PAR by changing an actenic for a Sun bulb?
Or would it be better to switch one of the 10k bulbs?
Or should I leave it alone and get used to the blue?
Anyway, it is very very blue looking. Would substituting a GE Sun 6,500K for one of the blue or 10k bulbs help?
I heard that the actenics actually dont have much usable light for the coral. Would I get more PAR by changing an actenic for a Sun bulb?
Or would it be better to switch one of the 10k bulbs?
Or should I leave it alone and get used to the blue?
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
C: Or should I leave it alone and get used to the blue?
Brooks_McClary
New member
Thanks Grim.
keeperofthesea
New member
Grim glad to see you posting again, it's been several months since i've been on and last i heard you were out for a while! Any way your advice on retro T5's has worker wonderfully. I'm about the only guy in the local club without MH and a $300 electric bill 
!
I'm looking for a cheap T5 fixture for a planted 55g, this time around. Anyone have suggestions for a 2X54watt? Also what kind of bulbs should i use for a planted tank?
!I'm looking for a cheap T5 fixture for a planted 55g, this time around. Anyone have suggestions for a 2X54watt? Also what kind of bulbs should i use for a planted tank?
Similar threads
