convert pc's to t-5's

[eaj43081]

I have had a mixed reef tank for about 6 months now but did not find out about RC until 3 weeks ago. After reading many threads I know that I have made many mistakes in setting up my tank. The biggest concern that I have is my lighting system. Advise from my lfs I puchased the orbit 4 pc lighting system( 6500, 10k, 420nm, 460nm) for my 55gal. I now know that for what I have in my tank this is not good enough, mainly because of clams.
My question is using the box for the pc's could I take out the pc light and retro t-5's in it? If so how many t-5's would be enough for the clams and any advise on the bulbs are welcomed. My biggest concern is the price. I pretty muched wasted $550+ on this set up and would like to convert for as little as possible till I upgrade to a new tank.
sorry for the long post but any input is welcomed. Thanks

[USC-fan]

you might want to try the DIY forum here.

And welcome to RC.

[jobob]

try and sell that light and buy a new set up. retro will cost about the same.

[eaj43081]

I was looking at 4-54w retro with IC ballast, would this be enough or should I go for a 6-54w set.

[Icefire]

I would go for 4x54w t5ho with a workhorse/triad ballast.

How big is the fixture?

[eaj43081]

48"x12"x4.5"

[Icefire]

Don't know if you can squeeze 4 reflector in it.

[eaj43081]

I was also looking at just upgrading to mh. this is a local forum with a pfo 250w dual ballast, 2pfo horizontal pendents and 6500 bulbs for sale. Is this a good set up for what I need?

[jobob]

6.5k is a little yellow but it has great PAR. most people who use 6.5k bulbs use alot of actinics. I personally like 10k with actinic. If your getting them at a good price, get it and switch the bulbs.

[labatt]

I had sort of the same thread in the diy forum and a few people said the PC ballasts would fire T5's. If that is true then all you need is bulbs, end caps and reflectors......Havn't tested yet so I'm not 100% positive it will work though.

[eaj43081]

If that is true then it would save alot of money. I will try a post in diy forum and see if anyone has tried this. I might still pickup th MH, they will work for the next tank. Thanks everyone for your input. I wish someone tipped me off to this website months ago.

[stereomandan]

What wattage are your PC bulbs? If they are the 96W PC's then you have plenty of light already, even for clams. (well, at least Squamosa's)

The problem with PC's is mainly due to how costly the bulbs are and how fragile they are. They put out a good amount of light though.

Dan

[eaj43081]

One of the clams is a maxima, from what I've read, the pc's are probable not good enough. I've had it for about 3 months and notice it is not as bright as it was when I first bought it.

[skydvr]

What about swapping out the 6500 for another 10,000?

How old are those bulbs?
They shift out of the light spectrum long before they burn out. Usually the 12 month point is a good time to swap them out.

[stereomandan]

6500 bulbs typically have more PAR than 10000 though. The only problem with 6500 bulbs is that they can look a little yellow by themselves.

Dan

[David Grigor]

By the time you do the retro, the only thing resusable is the fixture piece itself ( ballasts, bulbs, encaps, reflectors all need replaced ).

I'd say sell the fixture as a whole and use the money towards the retro lighting. Use a canopy or build a light box for it.

Be sure to get Icecap reflectors at diyreef.com it's only a $4 upgrade to do so....

doing a retro this way all the pieces will be resusable in a future tank vs. buying another pre-built fixture.

[eaj43081]

I'm going for the MH and building a box. I was looking at using MH for my future tank so at least this way I can swap the lights out. I was also looking at trading the pc's for a pair of t-5's for the actinics. I will probably be swapping out the 6.5k bulbs very soon for something between a 10k-15k. I want a nice blue tint but I think the 20k is to blue.