T5 fixture suggestions needed

ToeJam · 02/23/2009, 05:14 PM

Hi,

I am setting up a frag/clam tank and am looking at using T5s for the lighting. The tank is a ~30 gallon and the dimensions are 24x24x12. I was thinking I needed a 6 or 8 bulb fixture, but I think that would probably be overkill based on the depth of the tank. My budget is $200-$300.

Thanks

redfishsc · 02/23/2009, 06:13 PM

A 4X24" TEK Retrofit from www.diyreef.com or www.reefgeek.com, standard T5HO should do you fine.
Put 1/2-1" in between the reflectors to spread them out a bit.

An Icecap would be even better so long as you put a fan on them to cool them, but then the IceCap Retro's are nutty expensive and the fan just adds more cost.... then you have to change the lights out every 6 months or so, whereas with standard T5HO you can get a year out of good quality lights.

Personally for a tank of that size I would consider putting an Icecap 150W HQI halide over it. You can get a retrofit with a good bulb for around $250-280.

For plug-n-play you could also get a Current Sunpod 150 HQI for about the same price.

bsbarton · 02/23/2009, 06:16 PM

The Mh would make the growth insane, with the heat issue of halides. For color the T-5's would get my final vote.

02/23/2009, 05:14 PM	#1
ToeJam Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 77	T5 fixture suggestions needed Hi, I am setting up a frag/clam tank and am looking at using T5s for the lighting. The tank is a ~30 gallon and the dimensions are 24x24x12. I was thinking I needed a 6 or 8 bulb fixture, but I think that would probably be overkill based on the depth of the tank. My budget is $200-$300. Thanks

02/23/2009, 06:13 PM	#2
redfishsc Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Wake Forest, NC Posts: 3,696	A 4X24" TEK Retrofit from www.diyreef.com or www.reefgeek.com, standard T5HO should do you fine. Put 1/2-1" in between the reflectors to spread them out a bit. An Icecap would be even better so long as you put a fan on them to cool them, but then the IceCap Retro's are nutty expensive and the fan just adds more cost.... then you have to change the lights out every 6 months or so, whereas with standard T5HO you can get a year out of good quality lights. Personally for a tank of that size I would consider putting an Icecap 150W HQI halide over it. You can get a retrofit with a good bulb for around $250-280. For plug-n-play you could also get a Current Sunpod 150 HQI for about the same price. __________________ "The measure of a life is not its duration but its donation." Corrie Ten Boom “The tyrant dies and his rule is over, the martyr dies and his rule begins” -- Søren Kierkegaard Current Tank Info: ghetto grad school reef.....11g rimless tank, 36X9X9, lit by Cree and Rebels scobbled together. Stocked mostly with free stuff I got from panhandling my fellow reefers.

02/23/2009, 06:16 PM	#3
bsbarton Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Harrison Township Posts: 33	The Mh would make the growth insane, with the heat issue of halides. For color the T-5's would get my final vote.