What T5s setup should I get?

Montezuma · 09/22/2008, 12:37 PM

Im having a bit of heat issue in my tank. I have a 90 gallon in-wall tank. It was put in old existing closet. I am selling my MH fixture to get some T5s. That should help bring the heat down. My question is this, what T5 fixture do people recommend. I was thinking of a solar flare. I do have a few sps in there, but not much.

m3fan8ic · 09/22/2008, 01:11 PM

I am actually going with Retro kit. I have 4 48" and 2 36" and will be using 660 icecap ballast to run these. You can chose different color of bulbs. How deep is your tank?
mine is 30" half circle so I had to go with retro kit plus its cheaper.

chem-e · 09/22/2008, 02:01 PM

I'm using a Teklight and I have an Aquactinic being delivered (hopefully later this week). Both should be good choices, but I'd recommend the Aquactinic for the extra performance. I really wanted the ATI Powermodule, but I'm going to delay buying this for a little while and I'm hoping the Aquactinic will keep me happy until then.

James77 · 09/22/2008, 02:15 PM

For the price of the Solar Flare with bulbs and mounting, it would be cheaper to get a 6 bulb ATI Powermodule($800), or about the same price for a 8 bulb ATI($1000) with bulbs.
The only downside to the ATI is there is a waiting period of 1-2 months to get it.

James77 · 09/22/2008, 02:44 PM

If its inwall and hidden- a retro would be the best option, save a few bucks. Reefgeek.com has both high output T% as well as overdriven T5 retros with IceCap ballasts.

This kit here has the same output as the SolarFlare, minus cooling fans(a must) for $400 less:
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_...Retrofit_Kit_w!_Bulbs_by_IceCap

Montezuma · 09/25/2008, 06:48 PM

So if $ wasnt an issue, would you get the solar flare (6 bulbs) or aquatinic

Amphiprion · 09/25/2008, 07:20 PM

The most bang-for-your buck will be the IceCap retrofit kit that James77 mentioned, IMHO.

chem-e · 09/26/2008, 11:41 AM

If money wasn't an issue, I'd pick an ATI first and then the Solarflare.

LockeOak · 09/26/2008, 01:01 PM

I own an aquactinics 48" 5 bulb fixture. It works great, but if anything it's actually too much light on my 13" wide 50G tank. These things put out a lot of light... oh well, it's a good excuse to upgrade to 90 or 120G

09/22/2008, 12:37 PM	#1
Montezuma Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 370	What T5s setup should I get? Im having a bit of heat issue in my tank. I have a 90 gallon in-wall tank. It was put in old existing closet. I am selling my MH fixture to get some T5s. That should help bring the heat down. My question is this, what T5 fixture do people recommend. I was thinking of a solar flare. I do have a few sps in there, but not much.

09/22/2008, 02:01 PM	#3
chem-e Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: San Francisco Posts: 1,350	I'm using a Teklight and I have an Aquactinic being delivered (hopefully later this week). Both should be good choices, but I'd recommend the Aquactinic for the extra performance. I really wanted the ATI Powermodule, but I'm going to delay buying this for a little while and I'm hoping the Aquactinic will keep me happy until then. __________________ "Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." ~ Benjamin Franklin Current Tank Info: Elos [~] 70 powered by Profilux

09/22/2008, 02:15 PM	#4
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	For the price of the Solar Flare with bulbs and mounting, it would be cheaper to get a 6 bulb ATI Powermodule($800), or about the same price for a 8 bulb ATI($1000) with bulbs. The only downside to the ATI is there is a waiting period of 1-2 months to get it. __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater

09/22/2008, 02:44 PM	#5
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	If its inwall and hidden- a retro would be the best option, save a few bucks. Reefgeek.com has both high output T% as well as overdriven T5 retros with IceCap ballasts. This kit here has the same output as the SolarFlare, minus cooling fans(a must) for $400 less: http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_...Retrofit_Kit_w!_Bulbs_by_IceCap __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater

09/25/2008, 07:20 PM	#7
Amphiprion Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mobile, AL Posts: 6,611	The most bang-for-your buck will be the IceCap retrofit kit that James77 mentioned, IMHO. __________________ 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

09/22/2008, 01:11 PM	#2
m3fan8ic Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: N.VA Posts: 52	I am actually going with Retro kit. I have 4 48" and 2 36" and will be using 660 icecap ballast to run these. You can chose different color of bulbs. How deep is your tank? mine is 30" half circle so I had to go with retro kit plus its cheaper.

09/25/2008, 06:48 PM	#6
Montezuma Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 370	So if $ wasnt an issue, would you get the solar flare (6 bulbs) or aquatinic

09/26/2008, 11:41 AM	#8
chem-e Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: San Francisco Posts: 1,350	If money wasn't an issue, I'd pick an ATI first and then the Solarflare. __________________ "Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." ~ Benjamin Franklin Current Tank Info: Elos [~] 70 powered by Profilux

09/26/2008, 01:01 PM	#9
LockeOak Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Athens, GA Posts: 839	I own an aquactinics 48" 5 bulb fixture. It works great, but if anything it's actually too much light on my 13" wide 50G tank. These things put out a lot of light... oh well, it's a good excuse to upgrade to 90 or 120G