light upgrade help

supernatura1 · 02/28/2016, 03:08 PM

I am looking to upgrade from my power compact fixture. One of the problems i am finding is that my tank is 72 inches long and t5 fixtures aren't that long. Is it possible to put 2 36 inch long fixtures next to each other or do i need to make my own with the retrofit setup that are out there. I have one anenome and soft corals only so t5 should be better but is vho another option ? any help would be appreciated.

Ron Reefman · 02/29/2016, 05:40 AM

PC fixtures are getting pretty old.

You can get 2 t5 fixtures (vho is just a newer high output t5), or 2 led fixtures that will fit your tank end to end. Don't look for 36" as it will end up being just a touch too long due to cords out the end or legs at the end. I have a 72" tank and I have 2 led fixtures that are each 32" long and they light up the entire tank.

supernatura1 · 02/29/2016, 08:59 AM

Thanks for the reply. I didn't think about the cords getting in the way.I am glad I asked. I was in cape coral area last week. Nice area .my Mon lives in port Charlotte.

Bpb · 02/29/2016, 03:22 PM

T5HO fixtures (at least ATI ones) come in 60", and if suspended 10" or so above the water will provide perfectly adequate coverage for a 72" tank. Lots and lots of folks going that route.

supernatura1 · 02/29/2016, 08:24 PM

I'll have to look into the 60 inch ones also to see what will work the best . Thanks for the reply.

grigsy · 02/29/2016, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by supernatura1

I am looking to upgrade from my power compact fixture. One of the problems i am finding is that my tank is 72 inches long and t5 fixtures aren't that long. Is it possible to put 2 36 inch long fixtures next to each other or do i need to make my own with the retrofit setup that are out there. I have one anenome and soft corals only so t5 should be better but is vho another option ? any help would be appreciated.

Just change out your PC lamps. That would save you money vs buying a new fixture.

For years I ran a Custom Sealife 4 x 96 watt fixture and it worked great. Kept everything in my tank except SPS. Clams even did well.

Your bulbs probably just need to be changed.

supernatura1 · 03/01/2016, 04:29 PM

thanks for the reply. the bulbs do need changed also one of the light sockets went bad so i need to either replace it or get a new fixture . i was just thinking of maybe going with the t5 though.

Ron Reefman · 03/02/2016, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by supernatura1

Thanks for the reply. I didn't think about the cords getting in the way.I am glad I asked. I was in cape coral area last week. Nice area .my Mon lives in port Charlotte.

Ha! I lived in Columbus Ohio for about 15 years before I moved down here. I use to race sports cars up in NW Ohio at Nelson Ledges. I get to Port Charlotte fairly regularly with a Miata club I belong to.

supernatura1 · 03/02/2016, 07:36 PM

I had to Google Nelson ridge. The quarry campground looked awesome.

Ron Reefman · 03/03/2016, 06:19 AM

There is a Nelsen Ledges Race Track near by as well. It's a road race facility, kind of a rough version of the Mid-Ohio race track. For a number of years they did a 24 Hour Race for sports cars. It's mostly used by clubs like the SCCA (Sports Car Club of America).

supernatura1 · 03/03/2016, 04:34 PM

its sad they closed down the race track i would have loved to take my car there.

02/28/2016, 03:08 PM	#1
supernatura1 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: nw ohio Posts: 50	light upgrade help I am looking to upgrade from my power compact fixture. One of the problems i am finding is that my tank is 72 inches long and t5 fixtures aren't that long. Is it possible to put 2 36 inch long fixtures next to each other or do i need to make my own with the retrofit setup that are out there. I have one anenome and soft corals only so t5 should be better but is vho another option ? any help would be appreciated.

02/29/2016, 05:40 AM	#2
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	PC fixtures are getting pretty old. You can get 2 t5 fixtures (vho is just a newer high output t5), or 2 led fixtures that will fit your tank end to end. Don't look for 36" as it will end up being just a touch too long due to cords out the end or legs at the end. I have a 72" tank and I have 2 led fixtures that are each 32" long and they light up the entire tank. __________________ The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017

03/03/2016, 06:19 AM	#10
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	There is a Nelsen Ledges Race Track near by as well. It's a road race facility, kind of a rough version of the Mid-Ohio race track. For a number of years they did a 24 Hour Race for sports cars. It's mostly used by clubs like the SCCA (Sports Car Club of America). __________________ The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017

02/29/2016, 08:59 AM	#3
supernatura1 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: nw ohio Posts: 50	Thanks for the reply. I didn't think about the cords getting in the way.I am glad I asked. I was in cape coral area last week. Nice area .my Mon lives in port Charlotte.

02/29/2016, 03:22 PM	#4
Bpb Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 3,148	T5HO fixtures (at least ATI ones) come in 60", and if suspended 10" or so above the water will provide perfectly adequate coverage for a 72" tank. Lots and lots of folks going that route.

02/29/2016, 08:24 PM	#5
supernatura1 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: nw ohio Posts: 50	I'll have to look into the 60 inch ones also to see what will work the best . Thanks for the reply.

03/01/2016, 04:29 PM	#7
supernatura1 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: nw ohio Posts: 50	thanks for the reply. the bulbs do need changed also one of the light sockets went bad so i need to either replace it or get a new fixture . i was just thinking of maybe going with the t5 though.

03/02/2016, 07:36 PM	#9
supernatura1 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: nw ohio Posts: 50	I had to Google Nelson ridge. The quarry campground looked awesome.

03/03/2016, 04:34 PM	#11
supernatura1 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: nw ohio Posts: 50	its sad they closed down the race track i would have loved to take my car there.