wanting to get T5

Fireworm · 09/02/2008, 06:16 AM

I have 2-400w MH and a 250w MH over my 90. I want to switch over to T5 and get rid of the MH. Any suggestions on which ones to look at? What reflectors or blulbs I should look at?

kodyboy · 09/02/2008, 06:39 AM

Auactinics T5X, constellation or solar flare, awesome units that can sit directly on the tank.
diyreef.com

amay121 · 09/02/2008, 07:06 AM

1) Price range you're looking at?

If there was no issues on price, I'd go with in order:
1) ATI PowerModule 10 bulb
2) Aquactinics Constellation
3) Aquactinics Solar Flare
4) Aquactinics TX5
5) Sunlightsupply Tek 8 bulb
6) Sunlightsupply Tek 6 bulb

If you're going retro:
1) 2 x IceCap 660 1 x IceCap 430
2) 10 x Aquactinics SLR (Silver coated)
3) Pic your bulbs and you'll rock.

Just a warning though, ATI's are taking forever to ship over to the US and will require a waiting list time of anywhere from 2 weeks to 4 months (ugh).

Fireworm · 09/02/2008, 08:35 AM

The price I am not so worried about. I hope to be able to sell my MH to help pay for the T5. I don't think I will have enough room for a 10 bulb unit though. I was thinking 6 or 8. I have heard awesome things about the ATI and the Ice Cap reflectors, so I figured I would go with them. I heard though that the Ice cap reflector will spead more light because it is a little wider, compared to the ATI which I was told will give you more of a direct light.

I will have to go with a retro DIY style, because of my canopy I don't think I would be able to do a fixture.

Logzor · 09/02/2008, 08:42 AM

You will save a ton of money doing the in canopy installation. I wish their was not a wait on ATI. I really wonder how much better the ATI is than the constellation.

With the exchange rate and VAT wouldent the price be around the same?

Fireworm · 09/02/2008, 12:27 PM

I hear the ATI is awesome. You can fit more bulbs is less space, because the reflectors are not as wide. The bad side is that you don't get the light spread. I have heard that the ice cap ones are about the best for the money

qfrisco · 09/02/2008, 02:38 PM

Fireworm - you've heard right - the Icecap SLR reflectors are the ones your want to get. If retro is the way you are going - there's only one place to go, in my opinion - reefgeek.com. They have complete retrofit kits including Icecap SLR reflectors, Icecap ballasts, bulbs, etc.

I got my 4x54w T5 retrofit kit from reefgeek, and it was $367.00 shipped and complete. Although for your 90g I'd recommend at least 6 bulbs. The SLR reflectors are 2.5" wide, and I could fit only 6 of them in the canopy over my 90g.

Fireworm · 09/02/2008, 03:52 PM

I figured I would start with 6 bulbs and go from there. My canopy doesn't leave much room from side to side, but front to back, I could go to a 24" tank and still have plenty of room.

I just have to find someone to buy my MHs now so I can get the money for the T5s.

Anyone one want some awesome MHs?

Fireworm · 09/02/2008, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by qfrisco
Fireworm - you've heard right - the Icecap SLR reflectors are the ones your want to get. If retro is the way you are going - there's only one place to go, in my opinion - reefgeek.com. They have complete retrofit kits including Icecap SLR reflectors, Icecap ballasts, bulbs, etc.

I got my 4x54w T5 retrofit kit from reefgeek, and it was $367.00 shipped and complete. Although for your 90g I'd recommend at least 6 bulbs. The SLR reflectors are 2.5" wide, and I could fit only 6 of them in the canopy over my 90g.

Did that come with the bulbs?

qfrisco · 09/02/2008, 04:20 PM

Yes, it was complete with bulbs. Greg Morgan at reefgeek will also help you select the bulb combination to achieve the kind of look you're looking for.

Fireworm · 09/02/2008, 05:29 PM

really, that is awesome to know. I will keep that in mind.

qfrisco · 09/02/2008, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Fireworm
really, that is awesome to know. I will keep that in mind.

Yes, and just to clarify my kit came with an Icecap ballast, so my 54w bulbs were being overdriven with about 80w each.

If you go to reefgeek.com and look at the Icecap SLR retrofit kits, the ones called "High-Output" come with normal T5HO ballasts. The ones called "Very High-Output" are the ones that come with Icecap ballasts.

Fireworm · 09/02/2008, 06:25 PM

Awesome. If I run a 6 bulb system, I should have no problem keeping my clams should I? I have 1 crocea, and 1 dersa. I would still like to get 1 or 2 more. Like a maxima and squamosa

Logzor · 09/02/2008, 06:32 PM

You should have no problem keeping a clam.

09/02/2008, 06:16 AM	#1
Fireworm Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ft. Wayne, IN Posts: 2,967	wanting to get T5 I have 2-400w MH and a 250w MH over my 90. I want to switch over to T5 and get rid of the MH. Any suggestions on which ones to look at? What reflectors or blulbs I should look at?

09/02/2008, 08:35 AM	#4
Fireworm Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ft. Wayne, IN Posts: 2,967	The price I am not so worried about. I hope to be able to sell my MH to help pay for the T5. I don't think I will have enough room for a 10 bulb unit though. I was thinking 6 or 8. I have heard awesome things about the ATI and the Ice Cap reflectors, so I figured I would go with them. I heard though that the Ice cap reflector will spead more light because it is a little wider, compared to the ATI which I was told will give you more of a direct light. I will have to go with a retro DIY style, because of my canopy I don't think I would be able to do a fixture. __________________ Proud member of FWMAS. Current Tank Info: Empty 75g sitting in the garage. Needs to be up and running

09/02/2008, 12:27 PM	#6
Fireworm Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ft. Wayne, IN Posts: 2,967	I hear the ATI is awesome. You can fit more bulbs is less space, because the reflectors are not as wide. The bad side is that you don't get the light spread. I have heard that the ice cap ones are about the best for the money __________________ Proud member of FWMAS. Current Tank Info: Empty 75g sitting in the garage. Needs to be up and running

09/02/2008, 03:52 PM	#8
Fireworm Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ft. Wayne, IN Posts: 2,967	I figured I would start with 6 bulbs and go from there. My canopy doesn't leave much room from side to side, but front to back, I could go to a 24" tank and still have plenty of room. I just have to find someone to buy my MHs now so I can get the money for the T5s. Anyone one want some awesome MHs? __________________ Proud member of FWMAS. Current Tank Info: Empty 75g sitting in the garage. Needs to be up and running

09/02/2008, 05:29 PM	#11
Fireworm Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ft. Wayne, IN Posts: 2,967	really, that is awesome to know. I will keep that in mind. __________________ Proud member of FWMAS. Current Tank Info: Empty 75g sitting in the garage. Needs to be up and running

09/02/2008, 06:39 AM	#2
kodyboy Moved On Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 2,990	Auactinics T5X, constellation or solar flare, awesome units that can sit directly on the tank. diyreef.com

09/02/2008, 07:06 AM	#3
amay121 Moved On Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: WV Posts: 182	1) Price range you're looking at? If there was no issues on price, I'd go with in order: 1) ATI PowerModule 10 bulb 2) Aquactinics Constellation 3) Aquactinics Solar Flare 4) Aquactinics TX5 5) Sunlightsupply Tek 8 bulb 6) Sunlightsupply Tek 6 bulb If you're going retro: 1) 2 x IceCap 660 1 x IceCap 430 2) 10 x Aquactinics SLR (Silver coated) 3) Pic your bulbs and you'll rock. Just a warning though, ATI's are taking forever to ship over to the US and will require a waiting list time of anywhere from 2 weeks to 4 months (ugh).

09/02/2008, 08:42 AM	#5
Logzor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Kenwood, Ohio Posts: 4,073	You will save a ton of money doing the in canopy installation. I wish their was not a wait on ATI. I really wonder how much better the ATI is than the constellation. With the exchange rate and VAT wouldent the price be around the same?

09/02/2008, 02:38 PM	#7
qfrisco Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Dallas, TX Area Posts: 1,389	Fireworm - you've heard right - the Icecap SLR reflectors are the ones your want to get. If retro is the way you are going - there's only one place to go, in my opinion - reefgeek.com. They have complete retrofit kits including Icecap SLR reflectors, Icecap ballasts, bulbs, etc. I got my 4x54w T5 retrofit kit from reefgeek, and it was $367.00 shipped and complete. Although for your 90g I'd recommend at least 6 bulbs. The SLR reflectors are 2.5" wide, and I could fit only 6 of them in the canopy over my 90g.

09/02/2008, 04:20 PM	#10
qfrisco Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Dallas, TX Area Posts: 1,389	Yes, it was complete with bulbs. Greg Morgan at reefgeek will also help you select the bulb combination to achieve the kind of look you're looking for.

09/02/2008, 06:25 PM	#13
Fireworm Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ft. Wayne, IN Posts: 2,967	Awesome. If I run a 6 bulb system, I should have no problem keeping my clams should I? I have 1 crocea, and 1 dersa. I would still like to get 1 or 2 more. Like a maxima and squamosa __________________ Proud member of FWMAS. Current Tank Info: Empty 75g sitting in the garage. Needs to be up and running

09/02/2008, 06:32 PM	#14
Logzor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Kenwood, Ohio Posts: 4,073	You should have no problem keeping a clam.