View Full Version : 55-gallon T-5 lighting
nwterritories
10/20/2006, 01:19 PM
I am looking into purchasing a 55-gallon tank and wanted to know how many T-5 lights I need to purchase for a reef setup?
Thanks,
Steve
Travis L. Stevens
10/20/2006, 01:50 PM
A couple will work for lower light corals. But 4x 54w T5HO should be able to let you keep anything that you want.
Depends on the 55 gallon size. MY 55 is a DAS tank and has one end with all the filtration stuff in in so the actual tank is only 32 inches. I use the 24" VHOs right now and my T-5 retro is suppose to arrive next week. If your 55 is different and you have 39 inches of space across the top then get that length. I do agree that you want 4 lights, with a variety of flavors of light. A good ballast will drive all 4, like the Ice Cap 660 for example.
nwterritories
10/20/2006, 04:14 PM
Thank you both for your imput. One last question. Does the IceCap ballast (660) has two independent switches for dawn-dusk control, one switch for two T-5s?
Thanks,
Steve
Ice Cap ballast is on or off. I dont know of a way to wire it so that you can have two switches but I bet some DIY genius has done it and told everyone about it on Reef central. Do a search and see what comes up.
horkn
10/20/2006, 04:54 PM
well, if its a standard 55g, i wouldnt run an IC ballast. it automatically overdrives the t5ho bulbs. and in reality will be too much light for a 55g.
4x54 normally driven works great on a 55g.
vBulletin® v3.8.4, Copyright ©2000-2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.