Should I upgrade to T5's

undertai · 05/05/2008, 04:57 AM

I have 2 175w mh with 2 55w pc athinics. I want to upgrade to 8 t5 54w bulbs 4 6500k and 4 blue athinics.
I'm putting all of this over a 55 gallon reef. Mostly acro's along the top and monti's and lps around the bottom. Would be this be ok todo?

Thanks

Reef-Ski · 05/05/2008, 05:10 AM

I think you should be fine with that setup. Just make sure you get a fixture that has good individual reflectors, like a Tek unit.

yeldarbj · 05/05/2008, 05:13 AM

I would read up on using a different bulb combination. Find the T5 Q & A thread for plenty of ideas.

sjm817 · 05/05/2008, 06:49 AM

8 T5s with proper reflectors wont fit over a 55G and would be way too much light anyway.

undertai · 05/05/2008, 12:46 PM

It would be a diy setup? With to t5/ho ballast that can handle 4 54w bulbs each. It will be one mirror type reflector for all 8 bulbs when i rebuild the canopy to hold the bulbs.

yeldarbj · 05/05/2008, 03:44 PM

All you need is 4 54w bulbs with individual reflectors, if you are concerned that it is not enough light, run them on an IceCap 660 ballast.

sditch · 05/06/2008, 12:47 AM

WOW, take it easy with the 6500K bulbs, you will have more nucience alge then you want, trust me. Unless you want nothin but growth I would not use them IMO.

Look for the T5 thread as mentioned on the ealier post as Grim can really help you out with bulb selction.

05/05/2008, 04:57 AM	#1
undertai Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Turlock, CA Posts: 1,110	Should I upgrade to T5's I have 2 175w mh with 2 55w pc athinics. I want to upgrade to 8 t5 54w bulbs 4 6500k and 4 blue athinics. I'm putting all of this over a 55 gallon reef. Mostly acro's along the top and monti's and lps around the bottom. Would be this be ok todo? Thanks

05/05/2008, 06:49 AM	#4
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	8 T5s with proper reflectors wont fit over a 55G and would be way too much light anyway. __________________ - Scott

05/05/2008, 05:10 AM	#2
Reef-Ski Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: MA Posts: 368	I think you should be fine with that setup. Just make sure you get a fixture that has good individual reflectors, like a Tek unit.

05/05/2008, 05:13 AM	#3
yeldarbj Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 1,295	I would read up on using a different bulb combination. Find the T5 Q & A thread for plenty of ideas.

05/05/2008, 12:46 PM	#5
undertai Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Turlock, CA Posts: 1,110	It would be a diy setup? With to t5/ho ballast that can handle 4 54w bulbs each. It will be one mirror type reflector for all 8 bulbs when i rebuild the canopy to hold the bulbs.

05/05/2008, 03:44 PM	#6
yeldarbj Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 1,295	All you need is 4 54w bulbs with individual reflectors, if you are concerned that it is not enough light, run them on an IceCap 660 ballast.

05/06/2008, 12:47 AM	#7
sditch Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Houston,Texas (USA) Posts: 750	WOW, take it easy with the 6500K bulbs, you will have more nucience alge then you want, trust me. Unless you want nothin but growth I would not use them IMO. Look for the T5 thread as mentioned on the ealier post as Grim can really help you out with bulb selction.