T5 upgrade

sfarid123 · 08/20/2007, 01:51 PM

Hey guys,

I'm plannig to upgrade from a PC lighting to T5, so I can grow anemones in my 55 gallon reef tank. My current fixture is a 260watt current usa satllite; Would it be more economical to retrofit if any kits available for that fixture or better off buying a whole new fixture?
Also what kind of total wattage would i need for my tank if using 14000k T5's ?

thanks

Amphiprion · 08/20/2007, 04:22 PM

The retrofits are usually more economical and are, in fact, better than most of the fixtures out there. Using an IceCap ballast, you can overdrive the T5 lamps and get greater intensity than any of the standard fixtures out there (except the Aquactinics solar flare, which uses the same ballast). You would need to install fans as well as individual reflectors to get the most benefit. As for a source, I recommend reefkgeek.com. I would go ahead and get the 48" 54 watt T5s--4 of them (or 5 if you get an icecap 660 and one 430). You can't really fit more than that. BTW, what bulb are you going to use? That will have more of a difference than just the color temperature.

sfarid123 · 08/20/2007, 06:57 PM

Great , thanks for the reply

As far as the bulb temp I'd probably have to go with 14000K since supposedly it promotes anemone growth. I don't know anything about T5's, what light setup would you suggest?

Also how do you overdrive w/ icecaps??

Amphiprion · 08/21/2007, 10:04 AM

Anemones don't really seem to have too much of a preference (some exceptions, like H. magnifica). In general, I would just make sure the intensity is adequate, so a combination of daylight tubes and blue tubes (I like GE, ATI, and UVL bulbs) would work well. Overdriving is automatic with the ice cap ballast. Simply wiring it as per the instructions will overdrive them.

08/20/2007, 01:51 PM	#1
sfarid123 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: maryland Posts: 456	T5 upgrade Hey guys, I'm plannig to upgrade from a PC lighting to T5, so I can grow anemones in my 55 gallon reef tank. My current fixture is a 260watt current usa satllite; Would it be more economical to retrofit if any kits available for that fixture or better off buying a whole new fixture? Also what kind of total wattage would i need for my tank if using 14000k T5's ? thanks Last edited by sfarid123; 08/20/2007 at 02:05 PM.

08/20/2007, 04:22 PM	#2
Amphiprion Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mobile, AL Posts: 6,611	The retrofits are usually more economical and are, in fact, better than most of the fixtures out there. Using an IceCap ballast, you can overdrive the T5 lamps and get greater intensity than any of the standard fixtures out there (except the Aquactinics solar flare, which uses the same ballast). You would need to install fans as well as individual reflectors to get the most benefit. As for a source, I recommend reefkgeek.com. I would go ahead and get the 48" 54 watt T5s--4 of them (or 5 if you get an icecap 660 and one 430). You can't really fit more than that. BTW, what bulb are you going to use? That will have more of a difference than just the color temperature. __________________ You've done it now, haven't you? Current Tank Info: 40g breeder patch reef w/ seagrass; 2-250w XM 10K; Vortech MP40wES & MP10wES; BM Curve 7 skimmer; carbon & occasional GFO

08/21/2007, 10:04 AM	#4
Amphiprion Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mobile, AL Posts: 6,611	Anemones don't really seem to have too much of a preference (some exceptions, like H. magnifica). In general, I would just make sure the intensity is adequate, so a combination of daylight tubes and blue tubes (I like GE, ATI, and UVL bulbs) would work well. Overdriving is automatic with the ice cap ballast. Simply wiring it as per the instructions will overdrive them. __________________ You've done it now, haven't you? Current Tank Info: 40g breeder patch reef w/ seagrass; 2-250w XM 10K; Vortech MP40wES & MP10wES; BM Curve 7 skimmer; carbon & occasional GFO

08/20/2007, 06:57 PM	#3
sfarid123 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: maryland Posts: 456	Great , thanks for the reply As far as the bulb temp I'd probably have to go with 14000K since supposedly it promotes anemone growth. I don't know anything about T5's, what light setup would you suggest? Also how do you overdrive w/ icecaps??