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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.

GMAX
10/20/2006, 03:19 PM
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

GMAX
10/20/2006, 04:35 PM
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.