What do you guys think about this retrofit kit?

[zmazza]

I found a T5 ballast that runs two 39 watt T5 bulbs... it's 36" in length, but they have a special on T5 TRU bulbs for $5 dollars.

Total $121 dollars per PAIR of T5 bulbs w/ ballast.

I'm thinking about getting two of them... it appears that it comes with the clip on parabolic reflectors and end caps... I'm guessing that would mean that each bulb has it's own reflector... that sounds like a good thing... what do you guys think? Would I be better off with a pre-built system?

I figure at least with this route I can always pair up the bulbs with a metal halide bulb when I finally get one.

Let me know what you guys think...

Here's a link to the bulbs...

http://www.hellolights.com/362x39wt5hor.html


Thanks guys!

 

[fishdoc11]

This is the retro I ended up going with on my 29:
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Fluorescent/Sunlight_Supply/Tek_Retrofit_Kits/
I would go with reputable bulbs. In lighting the bulbs are one of the most important things IMO and going with cheap bulbs typically just leads to frustration. The ATI, Giesmann and UV lighting bulbs all have good reps. Normally I like Hellolights but the bulbs are probably cheap for a reason

hth, Chris

 

[zmazza]

They do offer some different bulbs, they just had those on sale.

If I bought different lights, do you think it would work?

Meanwhile, I'm going to check out that retrofit link.

 

[zmazza]

That one is $40 dollars more, but I have a feeling that has to do with the nicer bulbs.

Are you impressed with yours? Is that giong to be enough light to see my zoanthids, mushrooms and xenia flourish?

Should I go a different route? Would spending $160 dollars on metal halide be better?

 

[fishdoc11]

If they are going over a 29 it should be enough for lower light corals. Whether or not you should go with MH depends on things like personal preference, what you want to keep and lots of other things. I went with 4 T5's over my little 29 FWIW. I don't recognize any of the bulbs on the Hellolights retro and it's the same price as the SLS retro if you figure in bulbs.
Chris

 

[zmazza]

True, true.

It's going on the new 30 gallon tank that I've got, and it's 2" shallower than a 29 gallon. I'm figuring I should be able to keep a lot with the 175 w mh... How hard are SPS to keep? Any special requirements? I'm going to try and stay on top of my 10% weekly water changes on my 30... so I'm figuring if I keep it moderately stocked I shouldn't need a calcium reactor, right?

 

[fishdoc11]

You won't need a Ca reactor to keep SPS but you will need to suppliment Ca and alk. Here is some good reading about SPS. Browse the links in the second post:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=421812

hth, Chris

 

[Hurley12]

Well if you wait till monday I will be getting mine in the mail, i ordered the 24 in from hellolights. I didnt get the tek brand though because i have heard some mixed reviews on the workhorse ballast they use so i went with the one they put together. Only big difference is the tek has a little better reflector, which wasn't that big of a deal since i am only using them for supplementation to my halide.

 

[zmazza]

Sounds good, Hurley.

Fishdoc11... thanks for the link. I'll check it out. I've never had the lighting to keep SPS, so this should be interesting. It will open up a new world of corals, I'm sure.

How long would you let a tank stabalize before doing that? I put established live rock and my new 0 TDS RO/DI water in there a week ago... I've got two damsels and some feather caulerpa in there at the moment. Doing great.

My xenia that I am putting in here are in my 29 gallon that the moment. I'm considering taking apart this 48" 55 watt x 2 fixture that I've got and retrofitting it into my 29 gallon hood to give me 3 55w bulbs...

What do you guys think? Good idea? Bad idea?