The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Within a couple days you should have the color you can expect except some actinics take a little longer.
The T5 Q&a Thread
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evergreenreeftank
New member
I am having a 180 reef tank built with stand and canopy. I am looking at doing the lighting myself. I would like to go with T-5's and Icecap Ballasts. Could I get some recommendations as to how to set things up, how much light, what configurations are best, etc.?
The tank will be 72x24x24. The stand and canopy will be by ADHI and the canopy will be tall.
Thanks in advance for your help. I would also appreciate advice on the best place to buy the materials, ballasts and bulbs.
The tank will be 72x24x24. The stand and canopy will be by ADHI and the canopy will be tall.
Thanks in advance for your help. I would also appreciate advice on the best place to buy the materials, ballasts and bulbs.
sdc19982002
New member
Grim. I'm going to be using 2-6x39 watt nova pro fixtures over a 6' foot tank and need to know if I need to mod anything so the fans will work correctly. I planned on screwing the 2 fixtures together in the middle.
hey everyone,
I'm planning an upgrade for my standard 75g tank. Right now I have a Coralife 4x65w PC fixture that is in need of some new bulbs. I figure I might as well put that money toward a new light set up then continue to struggle with the PC's. Right now I have LPS, zoo's, a few softies, and some shrooms. I have tried some clams in the past but I haven't gotten past 4-6 mo. due in part to my light set up. With this upgrade I would like to keep SPS, and maybe a clam again w/o wondering if I have enough light. I am also trying to stay with in my budget of around $450. These are the options I have seen so far.
1. 48 inch Current USA Nova Extreme 8x54W T5HO with 4 Lunar Lights
At 429 this seems like a great deal and i can get rid or my lunar light setup since it is built in. http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewI...y~FILTFIT58U~category~48in_Units~vendor~.html
2. 48 inch Current USA 6x54W Nova Extreme Pro T5HO 3-10k/3-460nm Actinics
This one is 379 and looks decent w/2 cooling fans. http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewI...y~FILTFIT58U~category~48in_Units~vendor~.html
3. 48 inch 8x54W Sunlight Supply Tek Light High Output Fluorescent Lighting Fixture
466 and No active cooling. http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewI...y~FILTFIT58U~category~48in_Units~vendor~.html
4. 48 inch 6x54W Sunlight Supply Tek Light High Output Fluorescent Lighting Fixture
434 Only 30 bucks cheaper (figure if i go this route i might as well go with the 8 bulb fixture). http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewI...y~FILTFIT58U~category~48in_Units~vendor~.html
5. 48 inch - 542 watt (2-175 watt MH, 2-96 watt PC) Coralife Aqualight Elite Metal Halide/Compact Fluorescent Fixture
At 399, this looks like a deal but i don't want the chiller going all the time. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+8075+14704&pcatid=14704
As a secondary question, what bulbs should I get? If I get the Current USA, or the Coralife, I will prob stick w/the stock bulbs for a few months. With the Tek's I will need to get em.
An help would be great. Thanks
I'm planning an upgrade for my standard 75g tank. Right now I have a Coralife 4x65w PC fixture that is in need of some new bulbs. I figure I might as well put that money toward a new light set up then continue to struggle with the PC's. Right now I have LPS, zoo's, a few softies, and some shrooms. I have tried some clams in the past but I haven't gotten past 4-6 mo. due in part to my light set up. With this upgrade I would like to keep SPS, and maybe a clam again w/o wondering if I have enough light. I am also trying to stay with in my budget of around $450. These are the options I have seen so far.
1. 48 inch Current USA Nova Extreme 8x54W T5HO with 4 Lunar Lights
At 429 this seems like a great deal and i can get rid or my lunar light setup since it is built in. http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewI...y~FILTFIT58U~category~48in_Units~vendor~.html
2. 48 inch Current USA 6x54W Nova Extreme Pro T5HO 3-10k/3-460nm Actinics
This one is 379 and looks decent w/2 cooling fans. http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewI...y~FILTFIT58U~category~48in_Units~vendor~.html
3. 48 inch 8x54W Sunlight Supply Tek Light High Output Fluorescent Lighting Fixture
466 and No active cooling. http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewI...y~FILTFIT58U~category~48in_Units~vendor~.html
4. 48 inch 6x54W Sunlight Supply Tek Light High Output Fluorescent Lighting Fixture
434 Only 30 bucks cheaper (figure if i go this route i might as well go with the 8 bulb fixture). http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewI...y~FILTFIT58U~category~48in_Units~vendor~.html
5. 48 inch - 542 watt (2-175 watt MH, 2-96 watt PC) Coralife Aqualight Elite Metal Halide/Compact Fluorescent Fixture
At 399, this looks like a deal but i don't want the chiller going all the time. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+8075+14704&pcatid=14704
As a secondary question, what bulbs should I get? If I get the Current USA, or the Coralife, I will prob stick w/the stock bulbs for a few months. With the Tek's I will need to get em.
An help would be great. Thanks
Radioheadx14
Active member
I'm planning on upgrading my 2x150 MHs to a 6x54w sunpower. Need some help on bulb selection. right now i have a few montiporas, 2 clams (crocea and deresa) and zoos, rics and euphyllia on the bottom. What would be the best 6 bulb combo to achieve something bluer in appearance while still achieving good SPS growth. I would like something between 14k-20k (right now I'm using phoenix and wouldn't mind a little more blue.)
How well would this fixture light my tank? semi new to SPS. thanks for your help. I'm sure a lot of people appreciate your advice.
How well would this fixture light my tank? semi new to SPS. thanks for your help. I'm sure a lot of people appreciate your advice.
rtparty
Raise The Reef!
If you really want to keep a clam and SPS w/o worrying about light then you need the ATI Sunpower 6x54W version. They are like $579 new with bulbs from Reefgeek.
Out of what you listed the 6 bulb TEK is the best option. I would stay away from the Current stuff. If you get the TEK also go to foster and smith and buy the Azoo clamp on fan and have it help cool down the fixture.
ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple or UVL Actinic White
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue or Blue Plus
Radioheadx14
Active member
EDIT: how blue are those blue plus'? I saw they they have pretty good par for how blue they are. Also, what does the fiji purple look like? I have seen some tanks that looked too pink/purple and want to stay more in the whitish blue look. Any one have pics with a similar setup?
Last edited:
budbreak96
New member
Grim,
I have a 75 gallon tank. 48"*18"*18". Right now i have 2 48" vho's and a 48" coralife pc fixture. 4 65watt bulbs. I just bought an icecap 660 ballast and am in the process of looking for the right reflectors and bulbs. Overdrivin 4 T 5's. What reflectors and where do i get them do you recomend? What bulbs should i do for colors to pop and decent growth? Where should i order the bulbs from also? What all could i keep with this lighting set up? Do you think i should keep the 2 vho's and if so what 2 bulbs should i get?
Thanks for the help grim.
Thanks, Joe
I have a 75 gallon tank. 48"*18"*18". Right now i have 2 48" vho's and a 48" coralife pc fixture. 4 65watt bulbs. I just bought an icecap 660 ballast and am in the process of looking for the right reflectors and bulbs. Overdrivin 4 T 5's. What reflectors and where do i get them do you recomend? What bulbs should i do for colors to pop and decent growth? Where should i order the bulbs from also? What all could i keep with this lighting set up? Do you think i should keep the 2 vho's and if so what 2 bulbs should i get?
Thanks for the help grim.
Thanks, Joe
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
You just need to try it and see which way you like it best.
Radioheadx14
Active member
Current is a good brand, but the reflectors are not the greatest. The higher priced fixtures get more PAR per bulb because more of the light is reflected into the tank. Plus the bulbs they come with are not spectacular. They aren't bad, but there are better options.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
If you get reefgeek brand reflectors you could put 8 rows of lamps which would allow you to grow anything. You want to keep the lamps 4 to 6 inches above the water for the best performance.
For a fixture you could do a Aquactinics 72" constellation. With that sitting right on the tank you could still grow most critters properly placed
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
It would look good in place of the Aquablue, I'd do it.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Bad idea. You will mess with the airflow. If you already have a 39 watt fixture which I assume is why you are going to get 2 rather than using the 72" fixture they sell look at the venting. You don't want to blow the air out one and into the other if you can help it.
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