T5 lighting - 4 or 6 bulbs

[beeven]

I'm looking at upgrading from PC's to T5's and I'm unsure of how many bulbs to get. Currently, I'm running 4x64W PC's over my 75 gallon tank. I'm looking at getting 6x54W T5's (Tek) but based on the dimensions it appears that the 6 bulb version isnt going to leave me enough room to keep it under my canopy... and I really like having the canopy. The 4 bulb version would still allow me to keep my canopy, but I'm worried that it wouldnt be enough to keep SPS? Am I wrong? Any advice regarding the 4 bulb T5's versus the 6 bulbs would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[an411]

Are you talking about the fixture or retro tek?

[sjm817]

<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>

In a canopy, you dont use a fixture. You use a retrofit kit. take a look here:
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Fluorescent/

Four T5s would be a lot more light than you have now if that helps.

[beeven]

I'm looking at buying the fixture. I'm not very handy (or maybe I'm just lazy) and I'd rather not have to retro fit anything.

[sjm817]

Putting a TEK fixture in a canopy will have issues with cooling.

[beeven]

Alright, I guess I just opened a can of worms. Maybe I should be looking at retrofitting it.

the question still remains - would 4x54 still be enough to keep SPS anywhere in the tank; or would 6x54 be the better choice?

[ReefRockerLive]

I would get the 6 bulb fixture because with a 4 bulb, SPS may not get enough light. Depending on how far you can stretch your budget, you can buy a better fixture with proper cooling such as the Fauna Marin UltraSolaris which should nicely fit into your canopy. The ATI Powermodule is a good fixture too, but if your going to keep the canopy, there is no point in paying extra for a fancy fixture that will be covered by it. JMO

[beeven]

Good points. Ty everyone. You guys are fast at the responses. Aquaria Central users arent nearly as fast.

[ReefRockerLive]

I should also mention that with a 6 bulb, not only will you get more light, you will also me able to further fine tune the overall color appearance of the tank with the extra 2 bulbs.

[sjm817]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12378107#post12378107 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by beeven
Alright, I guess I just opened a can of worms. Maybe I should be looking at retrofitting it.

the question still remains - would 4x54 still be enough to keep SPS anywhere in the tank; or would 6x54 be the better choice?
One nice thing about a retro is you can start with 4 bulbs and add two more later. Go with 6 if you are looking for very strong light. Depending on the canopy, 6 may be a tight fit. Use the Ice Cap reflectors. They are better, and narrower than the TEK and will allow 6 bulbs to fit.

[an411]

sjm817 that is what I was gonna say and I know that the ice cap reflectors are only 2.5 inches in width not sure how big the fixture width is? Also I like the retro kit because you can always upgrade the light size if you decide to upgrade the tank

[DarG]

6 bulbs Icecap SLR retro will take up 15" of width. If you have 15" (actually you'd want a little leeway so 15.5 ") of width inside the canopy, the 6 bulb is doable. You can also do a 5 bulb if you are a little shy on space, width wise. I agree that a 6 bulb (or 5) is a better way to go. It will assure you of having plenty of light for anything and also give you more options in the color look of the lighting. And definitely do a retro rather than a fixture. Better quality of lighting for the price, easier to cool and there is nothing tricky to getting good quality light. A retro is just endcaps wired to ballasts and bulbs and reflectors. Nothing intimidating or complicated about it. Piece of cake. Some screws and some wires, that's it.