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View Full Version : $425 to spend on Lighting (T5)


whyamisofly
10/08/2008, 04:48 PM
60g tank (36" long 20" tall or 17" to top with sandbed) currently has 3-96w PC's.......gotta go!!!

I will be doing zoanthids, mushrooms, an anemone, and a colony of bright pink birdsnest (<-------the whole reason for changing lights, its a MUST!).

In all honesty, that is the only LPS or SPS that I have actually liked and plan to keep.

So, I have $425 to spend out the door (bulbs and all). I am looking at t5HO.

I will be keeping my canopy as it just finishes off the tank look. I can add fans if needed.

So, let your opinions and suggestions run wild!!! - Retro's and DIY are fine by me!

Logzor
10/08/2008, 04:52 PM
I would definitely get a T5 retro kit from reefgeek. If you want to keep mushrooms be careful how many bulbs you put in.

My 4x54 tek light fried all of my normal mushrooms. Took months for some to come back.

whyamisofly
10/08/2008, 05:19 PM
Could you be a little more specific in which retro exactly??

I also just realized that the entire unit is $10 cheaper than the retro......HA HA, that is really odd!

greenmonkey51
10/08/2008, 06:28 PM
I would do the 4x39w tek retrofit with the icecap reflectors. I did that for my actinics and I really enjoy it. I would stay away from the Tek fixtures, the reflectors aren't very good.

whyamisofly
10/08/2008, 06:57 PM
What about -

36" 4 Lamp Complete T5 Retrofit Kit by IceCap for $343.95 shipped (including UV lighting bulbs) or $367.95 shipped with Giesemann bulbs.

I can always add 2 more bulbs in the future.

silverwolf72
10/08/2008, 08:14 PM
I would stay with the HO and then upgrade to the VHO if you need to later. The VHO version drives the bulbs to like 60W.

whyamisofly
10/08/2008, 09:01 PM
what about this??

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=ICE-4X36R&Category_Code=Icecapvhor

silverwolf72
10/08/2008, 09:38 PM
Sorry, the icecap T5 with the icecap ballast is overdriven which makes it VHO if you look on reefgeek they have 2 versions HO and VHO. The price you quoted was for the VHO version. The T5HO ones are $50 cheaper.

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Fluorescent/IceCap/SLR_Retrofit_Kits/36_inch__4x39W_SLR_T5_High-Output_Retrofit_Kit_w!_Bulbs_by_IceCap

Daoust
10/08/2008, 10:00 PM
4x54w with IC ballast and individual reflectors seems to be pretty popular i currently use MH but was contemplating t5's in that configuration.
Good luck on your search for the perfect lighting scheme
D.

whyamisofly
10/09/2008, 05:35 PM
Any reason I shouldn't go with this setup??? Is there any advantage buying a fixture over a retro??

http://www.aquacave.com/36-4-lamp-c...cecap-1849.html

with -

2 of these http://www.aquacave.com/t5-waterpro...cecap-1223.html

and

2 of these http://www.aquacave.com/slr-t5-refl...e-cap-1851.html

This way I have a 6 bulb t5ho setup with an icecap ballast and SLR reflectors.

Stoney G
10/10/2008, 09:50 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13510149#post13510149 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by greenmonkey51
I would do the 4x39w tek retrofit with the icecap reflectors. I did that for my actinics and I really enjoy it. I would stay away from the Tek fixtures, the reflectors aren't very good.
I think the Tek lights now have miro 4 polished reflectors that are 96% reflective like the ATI PM. I was in a LFS the other day and noticed a sticker about this on one of the Tek light boxes.
Anyone else know anything about this?

sjm817
10/10/2008, 09:58 PM
You are overdoing it. A normally driven 4 or 6 bulb setup with good bulbs and reflectors will work fine.

I'd get this setup (http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Fluorescent/IceCap/SLR_Retrofit_Kits/36_inch__4x39W_SLR_T5_High-Output_Retrofit_Kit_w!_Bulbs_by_IceCap)

jamesdawson
10/10/2008, 10:41 PM
Teklights suck because of no active cooling.

Get an Aquactinics TX5. Good fixture from a good company. You can easily keep SPS with it.

Aquarium Specialty and Premium Aquatics from the sponsors page carry it.

Good luck,

James

James

jamesdawson
10/10/2008, 10:44 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13524934#post13524934 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jamesdawson
Teklights suck because of no active cooling.

Get an Aquactinics TX5. Good fixture from a good company. You can easily keep SPS with it.

Aquarium Specialty right now has free shipping on this fixture and Premium Aquatics also carry it.

Good luck,

James

James

Mark426
10/11/2008, 06:10 AM
I agree...get the Aquactinics fixture. FAR, FAR better then the TEK.
I have had both and even though the TEK is a fine fixture, its not in the same class with the Aquactinics.

If you go retro, the other posters were right...For your tank and corals - DO NOT get the VHO retro from reefgeek, get the normal HO-T5 retro they sell.

jgskt620
10/11/2008, 10:05 AM
go with this its not a bad price

http://www.aquariumsupplyworld.com/Products/Heaters-(1)/T5/Current-USA/36--Nova-Extreme-Pro-6-X-39-Watt.aspx

AquamanE
10/11/2008, 12:54 PM
I have nova extreem pro and keep SPS throughout tank. Its a complete 6 x 39W with fans and reflectors. Plug and play!

whyamisofly
10/13/2008, 04:09 PM
thanks everyone, I have used everyones input and purchased accordingly.

Thanks again!