thinking of going t5 on my 90

[Waxxiemann]

I am considering of going with an 8 bulb tek light on my 90 gallon. I am also considering 2 250 watt mh's and 2 t5's as supplementation.

With my DSB it is about 20" to the sand from the top of the tank.

I want to keep SPS and clams wherever I want in the tank.

What do you guys think is the better choice? I really like the look of the tek light but I would have to have an open top then.

I'm torn ; I have seen some really impressive results with t5.

[sales weasel]

I started with pc lighting while my tank cycled. I bought MH to use once I started adding corals but never used them. I kept reading about T5 and seeing lots of beautiful tanks under T5. After about a month of reading about T5, I decided to go with T5. I never even used my MH and still have them in a box. If you want to see what can be accomplished under T5s, look at this:
http://www.reefland.com/rho/0106/feature8.php

[GL]

The 8 bulb unit is as wide (front to back) as the 90 is, if it is a standard 90 (18 in.)

I have the 6 bulb unit on my 90. I have SPS's that are doing just fine, even towards the bottom for some of them

I have trouble with mushrooms and some softies, they don't like all the light.

Greg

[Waxxiemann]

Cheers guys, thanks.

[ltt83]

i also have a 90g with 4t5 icecaps 2 anticinc(sorry spelling) and 2 blue plus do you think i can keep a mixed tank sps on top and maybe a clam?

[sales weasel]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7367191#post7367191 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sales weasel
I started with pc lighting while my tank cycled. I bought MH to use once I started adding corals but never used them. I kept reading about T5 and seeing lots of beautiful tanks under T5. After about a month of reading about T5, I decided to go with T5. I never even used my MH and still have them in a box. If you want to see what can be accomplished under T5s, look at this guy's reef:
http://www.reefland.com/rho/0106/feature8.php

[Waxxiemann]

Can you believe that tank!?!! It almost looks fake! I read the guy's (Iwan's) posts on RC, he seems like a hardcore scientist. I only dream of having as much success as him.

[horkn]

5or 6 x54 of t5ho on a 90 is more than adequate.

if i were to do only t5ho on my next tank (90g) i would not run more than 6 x54. well, unless you want an sps/ clam dominant tank.

[vanceny]

on a 90gal mixed reef tank would a tek 4x54 be enough or would the icecap be better or too much? I figure I could go icecap and then add more lighting down the road if I needed more light.
i don't think I really need to overdrive the bulbs on a mixed tank. The only thing I like about the 4 bulb tek is that it comes with 2 ballasts so i can have a dusk to dawn.
Maybe go with a 4 bulb tek and add another 2 bulb later on. I could even get the icecap for the 2 bulb addition. What do you think?

[GL]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7370768#post7370768 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by vanceny
on a 90gal mixed reef tank would a tek 4x54 be enough or would the icecap be better or too much? I figure I could go icecap and then add more lighting down the road if I needed more light.
i don't think I really need to overdrive the bulbs on a mixed tank. The only thing I like about the 4 bulb tek is that it comes with 2 ballasts so i can have a dusk to dawn.
Maybe go with a 4 bulb tek and add another 2 bulb later on. I could even get the icecap for the 2 bulb addition. What do you think?

I would do the 6 bulb unit, you can always run with just 4 if you want. Sooner than later you will want the extra light, this way it won't be a total upgrade. :D

[thor32766]

yeah I have T5's on my 220 and i am blown away at the lights power. I dont understand how there isnt a rush to switch to t5's! i will never go back

[crumbletop]

I'm getting a 6 x 54 retrofit from reefgeek for my 90. I'm getting the TEK retrofit with the IC SLR reflectors. What kind of bulbs and what order would you do? I ordered 3 AB, 3 B+, and 2 GE Daylights so I could play around with different lighting schemes. They are going to be replacing 4x65W PCs.

Jack

[ltt83]

thats the thing with ice caps alot of people say that a 6x54 is good enough for a sps/clam tank and that would put out 324 watts of light but if you go with the 4x54 ice caps which i hear they overdrive to 80w? it would = 320 wats? im a bit confused with my system i have a 90g which is 24" deep but i also have a 3inch sandbed with the icecaps so /confusion here lol

[Kronnk7]

Hey guys, I just got new lights in and they are T-12's. I am setting up a 90 gal. and I got a retro kit with 3 x 110 watt coralife bulbs and a ARO 440 watt ballast. I've never used T-12's before but I've heard they had change.

[sjm817]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7382025#post7382025 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ltt83
thats the thing with ice caps alot of people say that a 6x54 is good enough for a sps/clam tank and that would put out 324 watts of light but if you go with the 4x54 ice caps which i hear they overdrive to 80w? it would = 320 wats? im a bit confused with my system i have a 90g which is 24" deep but i also have a 3inch sandbed with the icecaps so /confusion here lol
I went through the same thing when picking out lamps for my 90G.

The IC 4 bulb setup is cheaper
The IC has one ballast. No dusk dawn, but simpler installation.

I went with the 6 x 54 setup with IC reflectors
More variety of bulb combos
bulbs run cooler
3 ballasts for 3 stage duck/dawn

[fsn77]

I'm considering adding T5 on our 90 g, too. What I have planned out is to add 4 x 54 T5 with individual reflectors (IceCap SLR) run by an IceCap 660 to a 4 x 65 PC mounted up in the canopy. I need to double check some measurements, but I think it'll all fit. I decided to go this route since the IceCap 660 provides a lot of flexibility -- if the T5s are too much, I can tone it back by switching out 2 of them to NO fluorescent or PC just by changing out the endcaps. If I need to switch out, the hardware "upgrade" would be less than $20, instead of the cost of another fixture. In keeping the PC we already have (and performing a DIY retrofit), I can retain the dusk to dawn. Retrofitting the T5s will cost more than the pre-made fixtures I've seen available, but I'm already hating the fact that the fixture we currently have gets in the way whenever I need to access the back 1/2 of our tank to retrieve our veggie clip or rescue a conch that's wedged himself into a crevice and can't get out -- and we've only been doing this for a couple months! I'd hate to think of how much of a pain it would become as the years go by if I left the light fixtures sitting on top of the tank.

[horkn]

fsn77, you could do it that way, but i think you would be better off with 6x54 non overdriven t5ho .

many people here on RC (inc sjim a few posts above) use 6x54 on a 90g and it works really well.

now if you already own the IC ballast, then go that route, but otherwise, you will save $$ and have more lighting flexibility with 3 separate ballasts running 2 t5 bulbs each.

[fishball]

a 59 watt x 6 bulb 48" t5 strip from Cadlights.com is definitely better than the tek t5's. i put them on my tank and i am keeping sps, softies and some clams, they are doing fine in my 150 gal. i looked at the Tek t5's and they are quite large and bulky when i compared them to the NEW Cadlights.com ones. the price is a bit higher, but it is so much smaller and newer ballast system where it produces less heat.

the coolest part is that they give you the ceiling mounts for free so it came out as the same price as the Tek T5's. it also had 2 seperate switches for manual control of the actinics and the daylights. also 2 seperate wires for setting up timers for automatic control. and NO BALLASTS!!

[horkn]

i would hope it would have ballasts. somewhere...


the tek light has ballasts inside of it fwiw.

i will need to check that cadlight site out.

is that a typo "59w" did you mean to type 54w? ? i hope so, because i have not seen 59w t5s ever.

[horkn]

just checked cadlights out.
ballasts are internal, as i thought,
it comes with either the legs, or susp wire hardware
it looks like a decent unit..but



there is not one word written about the reflectors on it. considering thats the most important part of a t5ho light, i think thats quite an oversight.

the unit could be very good though, so if you have any pics of the unit, esp the reflectors, please post them.

[ltt83]

maybe i can get a dusk/dawn effect if i get some moon lights ie. run the moon light from 10pm-2am and then from 6am-10am or somthing in that matter

[fsn77]

horkn, thanks for the additional idea. Using separate T5 ballasts would offer more flexibility, but I was trying to work out a way to keeping using the PC we already have (and mount it up in the canopy -- was going to gut the fixture, which has some cosmetic damage). But, if we go 6 T5s (instead of the 4 PCs and 4 T5s), we can save the PC for our FOWLR tank the wife wants to set-up in the near future. Sounds like a good argument to persuade the wife. Thanks!

[horkn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7384147#post7384147 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fsn77
horkn, thanks for the additional idea. Using separate T5 ballasts would offer more flexibility, but I was trying to work out a way to keeping using the PC we already have (and mount it up in the canopy -- was going to gut the fixture, which has some cosmetic damage). But, if we go 6 T5s (instead of the 4 PCs and 4 T5s), we can save the PC for our FOWLR tank the wife wants to set-up in the near future. Sounds like a good argument to persuade the wife. Thanks!

glad to have helped:)

[ltt83]

all my friends still think i should get rid of my t5 and run MH on my tank its so annoying...kinda ****es me off i wonder why they dont like t5's on my tank

[fsn77]

horkn... did some looking around, looks like I could save a lot of $$$ if I bought a Workhorse 7 & Workhorse 5 ballast instead of an IC 660, plus get 6 T5s on the 2 Workhorse instead of only 4 with the IC 660 (about $65 vs. $150 in ballast costs). Any thoughts?

[The Grim Reefer]

Stick with the program start ballasts instead of the Workhorses (hard start) Check out www.ballastwise.com The 4x54 watt ballastwise T5 ballast is 30 bucks, no reason to run workhorses when you can get the right ballast cheaper. These are programed start with end of life protection for the lamps.

[fsn77]

Thanks for the info.

Getting opinions on my ideas has really helped point me in the right direction. With every additional person's thought / opinion, all of this makes a lot more sense than it originally did. It's definitely helped me understand some of the finer differences between ballast X and ballast Y. Otherwise, I would end up spending 2 - 3 times as much money as is really necessary.

BTW, is that Aurora, OH?

[The Grim Reefer]

Colorado, as of Friday, I am still hiding in Montana.

[horkn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7385627#post7385627 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Stick with the program start ballasts instead of the Workhorses (hard start) Check out www.ballastwise.com The 4x54 watt ballastwise T5 ballast is 30 bucks, no reason to run workhorses when you can get the right ballast cheaper. These are programed start with end of life protection for the lamps.

i agree with grim on this.


although i am the "official RC t5ho workhorse guinea pig" and have 17 months of 3x39w t5ho run by my w5 ballast with not one single issue all on the original bulbs, i say get the program start triads, advance, or the ones from ballastwise.

[sales weasel]

My TECs have Universal ballasts ( I think). I don't know anything about them but they work well and they came in the TEK T5 retro kit that was drop shipped to me directly from SLS. They're just like this: http://sunlightsupply.com/aquarium/products/lighting_fixture.shtml#bw5

[sjm817]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7385627#post7385627 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Stick with the program start ballasts instead of the Workhorses (hard start) Check out www.ballastwise.com The 4x54 watt ballastwise T5 ballast is 30 bucks, no reason to run workhorses when you can get the right ballast cheaper. These are programed start with end of life protection for the lamps.
Grim, have you or anyone else used the ballastwise 4x 54w ballast? My 3 ballast setup is kind of a pain due to the wiring and fit of 3 ballasts. Going down to two would allow me to tidy things up some.

[bassnman11]

I use 2 workhorse 5 ballast on 4X54 T5s with no complaint. I used these same ballast for PCs on my freshwater planted tank for a year before.

[billyzbear]

Grim, is this the ballast you are talking about http://www.ballastwise.com/item.asp?PID=26&FID=15&level=1
Where is a good place to get bulbs, reflectors and endcaps?

Billy

[billyzbear]

How about 6' long bulbs, reflectors and ballast?

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7388703#post7388703 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by billyzbear
Grim, is this the ballast you are talking about http://www.ballastwise.com/item.asp?PID=26&FID=15&level=1
Where is a good place to get bulbs, reflectors and endcaps?

Billy

This is the 54 watt 4 lamp ballast http://www.ballastwise.com/item.asp?PID=24&FID=15&level=1

You can get the endcaps and such at www.reefgeek.com

I heard www.commodityaxis.com was coming out with a better 6 ft T5 setup but haven't seen anything myself. You can contact them through the website and see whats up.

SJM, I haven't tried the ballasts yet but I think a rest drive will be in order once I get moved. Centrium, Triad, Ballastwise and Dynamic. BUSY BUSY BUSY:D

[billyzbear]

Thanks Grim. Just for peace of mind. With 6 t5's I can keep SPS's?

[horkn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7394857#post7394857 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by billyzbear
Thanks Grim. Just for peace of mind. With 6 t5's I can keep SPS's?

on a 90g? yeah, they will grow like weeds..

[simion3]

Do running t5s off of ice cap ballasts overdrive them?

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7395320#post7395320 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by simion3
Do running t5s off of ice cap ballasts overdrive them?

Yes, bout 80 watts.

[billyzbear]

I'm thinking 6 4' bulbs on a 150g. 6'x24"x20" high. SPS's would be in the center 2' overlapping. How about 5' bulbs? Grim, can you point me to the right ballast? I do have 2 4' bulbs, reflectors and ballast now. Tank is being buffed now and I'm planning setup now. Buffing isn't fun.

[sales weasel]

I still don't know why anyone would want to overdrive them. I have four TEKs over a 55g which is the same height as a 90 and I'm still not used to how bright they are. I still have a few screens over mine. I think overdriving will also shorten the life life and probably generate more heat...again, I think. I'm sure Grim or Horkn who have made lots of posts about T5s would know. My TEKS are definitely hotter than I expected.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7395320#post7395320 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by simion3
Do running t5s off of ice cap ballasts overdrive them?

[horkn]

yes, overdriving t5s does make more heat, thus you NEED to have a fan(or 4) on the bulbs so they dont get too hot.

While a fan is a good thing to have on any canopy with t5ho thats normally driven, it is not needed.

I have had my original bulbs in for 17 months, and the tank still is very bright, and the corals all act the same as they did when the bulbs were new. But new bulbs are planned soon.
Also,my t5ho setup doesnt raise the temp at all, and i dont have a basement sump.

[Kernel Panic]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7395671#post7395671 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by billyzbear
I'm thinking 6 4' bulbs on a 150g. 6'x24"x20" high. SPS's would be in the center 2' overlapping. How about 5' bulbs? Grim, can you point me to the right ballast? I do have 2 4' bulbs, reflectors and ballast now. Tank is being buffed now and I'm planning setup now. Buffing isn't fun.

I would like to know too. I have done a lot of searching and have been unable to find a spec T5HO ballast with programmed start and end of life protection for the 5' bulbs. You may be stuck with a workhorse or icecap.