Planning T5 Lighting setup for a 125 gallon reef tank

Jp_here · 02/06/2009, 10:13 PM

It's a standard 125 Gallon tank 72x24x24. I want the ability to provide adequate lighting for anything from SPS to LPS and possibly clams. Most likely a mixed tank, I am planning on building my own canopy. Here is what I am thinking 9 80W T5's driven by 3 Icecap 660's ballasts if I need to overdrive the bulbs. If not I think I can squeeze 10 lights in there. I need some help figuring out what will be optimal vs. what will be overkill. Do I need to overdrive the bulbs or not? If so will overdriving bulbs be 3 or 4 lamps per ballast? If not then how many lamps per ballast can be wired with the 660â€™s?

Thanks for your time.
Jp

Jp_here · 02/06/2009, 10:27 PM

Ment to post this in t5 lighting thred ...oops

nikon187 · 02/06/2009, 11:08 PM

72x 24 x 24 is 180g just so you know.. at 24" deep you don't need to overdrive them but it won't hurt with SPS

sjm817 · 02/06/2009, 11:12 PM

I have a 180 and run 6 bulbs. 9 would be very strong. The IC 660 overdrives the bulbs a bit from 80W to 100W. These are the best ballasts to use for 60" bulbs. Most others will only drive a single bulb.

Jp_here · 02/06/2009, 11:44 PM

Math never was my srong point ... knew I should have used the calculator on the site. I seen one of the Tanks of the month, that was running T5's only and was very impressed ... I use to have a 55 gallon running 4 bulbs about 5 years ago, glad to see they are finally being accepted.

02/06/2009, 10:13 PM	#1
Jp_here Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: NC Posts: 167	Planning T5 Lighting setup for a 125 gallon reef tank It's a standard 125 Gallon tank 72x24x24. I want the ability to provide adequate lighting for anything from SPS to LPS and possibly clams. Most likely a mixed tank, I am planning on building my own canopy. Here is what I am thinking 9 80W T5's driven by 3 Icecap 660's ballasts if I need to overdrive the bulbs. If not I think I can squeeze 10 lights in there. I need some help figuring out what will be optimal vs. what will be overkill. Do I need to overdrive the bulbs or not? If so will overdriving bulbs be 3 or 4 lamps per ballast? If not then how many lamps per ballast can be wired with the 660â€™s? Thanks for your time. Jp

02/06/2009, 11:08 PM	#3
nikon187 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 4,717	72x 24 x 24 is 180g just so you know.. at 24" deep you don't need to overdrive them but it won't hurt with SPS __________________ ----------------- Current Tanks: New 210 custom 84 x 24 x 24, 60g sump, SWC 250 extreme with bubble blaster 5000, 2 vortech mp40, 2 vortech mp10, 12 T5, Water blaster 5000, warner marine bio pellets, 60g clownfish cube, red carpet anemone with a 25g sump,SRO octopus 1000sss, 250w radium, lumenarc large.

02/06/2009, 11:12 PM	#4
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	I have a 180 and run 6 bulbs. 9 would be very strong. The IC 660 overdrives the bulbs a bit from 80W to 100W. These are the best ballasts to use for 60" bulbs. Most others will only drive a single bulb. __________________ - Scott

02/06/2009, 10:27 PM	#2
Jp_here Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: NC Posts: 167	Ment to post this in t5 lighting thred ...oops

02/06/2009, 11:44 PM	#5
Jp_here Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: NC Posts: 167	Math never was my srong point ... knew I should have used the calculator on the site. I seen one of the Tanks of the month, that was running T5's only and was very impressed ... I use to have a 55 gallon running 4 bulbs about 5 years ago, glad to see they are finally being accepted.