T5 retro? Which one?

[Primetime33]

After a lot of feedback from many LFS , I have decided to change my 110 Tall 48x18wx30h reef tank to a 150,60x24x24 tank. Most everyone is telling me that my 110 Tall is not suitable for a reef, especially since I want SPS. The lighting would be too difficult (costs and heat factors) and to aquascape/maintain the darn thing is tooo much work (too deep to reach). Now that I have decided to swap/buy for a shorter tank, I have also decided that I want to go with a T5 setup. Although the owner of the LFS is totally against T5's for some reason. He does not stock any type of lighting fixtures but only recommends MH's. Now, the meat of my post...

What retrofit kit would you recommend?

6 bulb or 8 bulb ?
What combo of bulbs for SPS, LPS, zoa's, softies, and possibly a clam or 2?
Can I still place LED's under the hood with the kit?

Thank you,
Prime

 

[Amphiprion]

Either one would work for what you are trying to do, but you would probably want the 8 bulb configuration for sps, just to maximize available light. As long as there is room for LEDs, it should be fine (may be too little room with the 8 bulb config).

 

[GSMguy]

icecap reflectors are key

 

[Amphiprion]

^^^Yes, very good point that I failed to mention.

 

[Primetime33]

Thanks guys. GSM, you always seem to have the right answers for me. I will call Reefgeek to see if they have the icecap reflectors. Any bulb combo recommendations?

Prime

 

[Primetime33]

I talked to Greg at ReefGeek. He suggested the following combo of Lights:

3 ATI Blue+
2 Super Atinics (UV Lighting)
1 Aquasun (UV Lighting)
2 GE 3000 Daylights

What do you think of this combo and what order should I place them? The unit will come with 2 660 ballasts.

Thank you,
Prime

 

[dc_909]

You might want to work a AB in the mix instead of 2 GE 3000

 

[Primetime33]

Dc,
as in an aquablue 10000k?
..by the way.. Murietta is about 20 minutes away from me
Do you ever go to Crystal Cove?


Prime

 

[dc_909]

I believe that ATI AB is 11k and 12k. As far as which bulbs go where, just try different combos.Yeah I go to Crystal Cove every week. I just ordered the 4 x54w T5 retro from them and they are great. I got my order in 2 days and the stuff was nearly bulletproof in the packing. What city are you in? If you have any items to trade, LMK.

 

[Wryknow]

Sorry - but I think that you need to questions the judgement of anyone telling you that you cannot grow SPS in a 30" tall tank and need to change tanks. I wouldn't waste the money on a new tank myself; you're not adding a lot of water volume and only a foot in length. The depth of the water column has nothing to do with PAR unless you're planning on putting SPS in the sand on both tanks! The 48" width will be also more economical to light.

In my experience the 48" tank will be very brightly lit by 4 x 48" T5s w/ 1 ICECAP 660 (two 6.5K and two blueplus) plus two 48" VHO bulbs for actinic light. You can grow SPS within 6-18" of that set-up just fine. I am growing acropora, monitpora, and digitata in my tank with a similar set-up, with a 29" deep tank. Don't believe the hype!

 

[Primetime33]

Wryknow,
Maybe I mis-stated. Its not that I cant grow, SPS in a 30" deep tank, I just have a hard time placing anything in it. I dont have the longest arms in the world to be able to reach the bottom properly. Also my wife, who is heavily involved, is only 4'11" she defnately has a hard time doing any coral placement. I understand that I can place SPS near the top, but I dont want to be limited to just that area. Also with the 150 tank, there is a more room front to back for better aquascaping. Also, I think the tangs that I want to add will be better of in the bigger tank. What ya think?

Prime

 

[Wryknow]

Well, tangs will definitely appreciate more space, especially the larger species, but I'm not sure that there will be a huge difference between a 4' and 5' tank. If you're going to go to the trouble and expense of doing a new tank I would highly recommend going to a 6' tank - something along the lines of a 180 (72x24x24) or a 210 (72x24x29) gallon tank. This seems like a lot of trouble to me for a 6" difference in tank height but it's your tank so do whatever is best for you!

For what it's worth, I use a tool myself for reaching things on the bottom of the tank but I find that I very seldom need to do this anymore! It was something of a conern when I set up the tank initially but I doubt I use it more than once a week or so don't have any hesitancy about recommending it to you. I really like the extra height on the tank for aesthetic reasons mainly.

Aqua-scaping wise, if you keep your current tank, you can certainly use the whole tank, you just need to plan the species accordingly. Softies and zoos are doing great near the sand bed of my tank, LPS species are in the middle of the water column, and SPS are occupying the top layers. If you really want all SPS then maybe a shallow tank is best for you.

 

[Primetime33]

Thank you Wryknow. I wish I could get a 6' tank. Physical space is limited . But my wife being only 4'11", the deep tank is very hard for her to maintain. The tank is not only 6" shorter but has 6" more width. We do indeed plan on keeping mainly SPS with softies, zoas etc as accents.

Thank you,
Prime