t5 set up for 72 gallon

[brdracing]

I have a 72 bowfront tank and I am looking to switch over to T5 can some one tell me a set up for my tank. Right now I am running 2 150 mh and 2 54watt Actinics.
Just to much heat.
I am looking for details on what kind and where to get this from.

Thanks
Brooks

 

[spsfarmer09]

well if you get lumenbright mini wide reflector you wouldnt have a heat issue because they have to be raised at least 16in of the water.

 

[spsfarmer09]

a good t-5 fixture is ati and you would need at least a 6 bulb and reefgeek has good prices.

 

[brdracing]

Do you think that I need the Over drive version VHO or the Standard HO that is not over driven
Brooks

 

[spsfarmer09]

i think the t5 ho would be fine

 

[brdracing]

spsfarmer09 do think that even if I am keeping SPS corals and LPS stuff?

 

[spsfarmer09]

if you want sps i would go with the 8 bulb

 

[brdracing]

I think that is where the problem is. My tank is only 18inch from to rear at the widest point so 8 bulbs will not fit on the tank.

 

[spsfarmer09]

well just to a retrofit and you should be able to fit 7 bulbs

 

[mike68]

i have a 72 bow with a canopy and 6 bulbs With individual reflectors thats all i could squeeze in mine. 7 is really gonna be tough. unless you use 1 big reflector. which you don't want to do.

6 54watt t5s will be fine my tank is primarily sps i get good growth and colors. i keep 2 clams right on the bottom and they are beautiful. 1 crocea and 1 deresa.

 

[broke1]

I had a 72 bow and a 6 bulb TEK even hung over at the corners. Even if you were to run a retro set up, most of the reflectors ar 2.5" wide, so 6 would still be 15" wide. I think you will be fine with a non overdriven set up, but overdriving will give off more light, especially when you are looking at a tank that has limited space at the ends.

 

[mcliffy2]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15224903#post15224903 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by spsfarmer09
if you want sps i would go with the 8 bulb

This is not correct. I would suggest 6 bulbs, tho you could even get by with 4 if you placed SPS directly under the bulbs. As long as you use high quality reflectors (ATI or TEK retro), you'll be fine. I have a 36" wide tank and use 12 bulbs, so 6 is fine for 18".

 

[broke1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15227699#post15227699 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mcliffy2
This is not correct. I would suggest 6 bulbs, tho you could even get by with 4 if you placed SPS directly under the bulbs. As long as you use high quality reflectors (ATI or TEK retro), you'll be fine. I have a 36" wide tank and use 12 bulbs, so 6 is fine for 18".

I agree, and It does matter what reflectors are used. I use the Icecap SLRs which are great reflectors, but the trade if is that they are 2.5" wide a piece. I built a canopy with 8 of those all on Icecap 660s on a 24" wide tank and I can say that the tank is insanely bright(I need to get a par meter). I also agree that he could get away with 4, especially if they were over driven which in essence make a 54w bulb closer to an 80w bulb. You will be replacing bulbs more often, but 4 is a whole lot easier to stomach than 6 or 8.

 

[brdracing]

Thanks guys. I think I am going to try to go to 6bulb system

 

[spsfarmer09]

just try it and if you have any more room add a bulb.

 

[mcliffy2]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15231674#post15231674 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by spsfarmer09
just try it and if you have any more room add a bulb.

I again will respectfully disagree -- why have too much light and raise the power bill unnecessarily. A 6-bulb tek retro or ATI powermodule is more than enough.

 

[spsfarmer09]

thats whats good about these threads is your getting every ones point of views and opinions , what all matters is what will be better for your situation.

 

[broke1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15231832#post15231832 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mcliffy2
I again will respectfully disagree -- why have too much light and raise the power bill unnecessarily. A 6-bulb tek retro or ATI powermodule is more than enough.

Agree to a point. If the lights were set up on ballasts that only ran two, he could actually have three stage lighting in his tank and one more T5 on his fuge if he was to go with retros. Three stage lighting with only 5 bulbs would be nice as it could be staged to come on as just one, then three, five, then go off the same way. There is a little more expense up front but the eletricity increase could be all but negated depending on the timing of the lights.

 

[reefsahoy]

I'm using a TEK 6 bulb setup on a 90 gal. I think a 6 bulb would work. if i were to use t5's again i would go ATI, aquatinics, or over driven icecaps for alittle more power.

this coral is practically on the bottom of the tank! you can just see it on the bottom of the first pic.