T5 lighting setup?

[coraladdict]

What would be the best in terms of reflection for a T5 lighting system and how many tubes would be needed for a 48 L"x 22 "H x 18" wide 100 g tank??The tank will mostly hold sps and clams.
Thanks

 

[ambaratur]

A tank the size as the one you described is only about 82 gallons not 100 FYI.

I would say you want to make sure you have individual reflectors and go for at least 6 54w bulbs.

 

[sales weasel]

I'd say go for 3 TEK retros (6 individual lights). If you go w/three TEK retros, you'll get 3 ballasts and 6 reflectors.

My 55g is approx the same length and depth and I use two TEK retros (4 lights). It is all my SPS need and I had to add three layers of fiberglass window screen. I removed one layer every two days before my softies and LPS could tolerate the intensity.

 

[s3aL]

I just got done installing 6 bulb T5 retrofit kit. Info on them are in my sig.

I fit 6 bulbs under the canopy and only have room for MAYBE one more bulb. If you go with Tek instead of the Icecap T5 retro kit, id get the SLR reflector upgrade. Man are they bright on my tank. Heres a pic of them installed under the canopy.

 

[coraladdict]

Are there any companies out there that make 6 bulb canopies with SLR?

 

[perpetual98]

The TEK lights come in the 6 bulb flavor and they have SLRs on them.

 

[s3aL]

If you get the Tek Retrofit kit, you have to ask for the "upgraded" SLR reflectors or you will just get the Tek reflectors.

 

[horkn]

icecap has the SLR reflectors. the standard tek reflectors are not SLR, but like s3aL siad, if you upgrade the reflector on the tek retro to the IC slr, thats another way to do it.

 

[coraladdict]

I think I'll go with the Tek model with Iceccap upgrade.
Thanks

 

[coraladdict]

BTW, have any of you added fans in your retrofits?
If so which ones are the most silent?

 

[crumbletop]

If you do the normally driven T5s you don't need fans, although they probably wouldn't hurt. If you are overdriving the T5s (aka -- you are using an icecap ballast) then you will definately need fans unless you want to replace the bulbs every 6 months.

Here is a thread on quiet fans:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=839390

Jack

 

[Horace]

I think your going to be wasting your money with the Icecap ballast personally. I think it will produce more light than you want. My colors are very light right now even with normal driven bulbs because they are too bright.

 

[horkn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7436404#post7436404 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Horace
I think your going to be wasting your money with the Icecap ballast personally. I think it will produce more light than you want. My colors are very light right now even with normal driven bulbs because they are too bright.

i 100% agree with you horace.

I have the same issues. now my once green digitatas are now brown, but healthy otherwise

 

[sales weasel]

If I notice any of my SPS losing color, I may add a layer of screen to the bottom of my canopy. I had three layers over eggcrate for about a week in the beginning. I also think the IC ballast would generate too much light and heat.

 

[perpetual98]

I'm slowly bringing my tank back up from having all of the LR in the garage "cooking" and I want to take some "before" pictures so I can compare them later on. I'm also adding a Calcium Reactor in the coming weeks, and maybe changing skimmers.