Good T5 kits??

Alaska_Phil · 03/06/2008, 04:34 PM

What T5 retro kits are good and which should I avoid?

I'm planning to build a new hood and upgrade the lighting on my 50 Long (55 but 1 inch shorter). I've used the AHsupply.com PC kits before and like the quality and price. But would like to try T5's on this project if I can get them for a comparable price. Please, don't compare the merits of PC vs T5 that's been beat to death.

Thanks.
Phil

Poisonus Yeti · 03/06/2008, 04:37 PM

Check out the T5 retrofit kit from Icecap. Reefgeek.com has them.

silverwolf72 · 03/06/2008, 04:57 PM

www.reefgeek.com retro with icecap SLR reflectors

Alaska_Phil · 03/06/2008, 06:11 PM

Thanks.
How are the Icecap reflectors compared to the Sunlight Supply ones? I see the SS ones are a little wider and the same depth, but can't find a profile of the shape. Looks like both retrofit kits use the same ballasts.

For comparison a 4x55W PC kit from AHsupply is $202 with lamps, compared to $299 for a 4x54 T5 from Reefgeek.

Phil

silverwolf72 · 03/06/2008, 06:21 PM

The IC produce more light at the center, The Tek more light off the sides. So i think it's really a toss up

Alaska_Phil · 03/06/2008, 07:11 PM

This is a tall narrow tank, I'll just barely be able to fit 4 reflectors above it, so it sounds like the IC will be better for my application.
Thanks!

Phil

jason71832 · 03/06/2008, 10:13 PM

Phil. The icecaps are great. You will get way more light out of the 4x54 t5 than you will the 4x55pc. Also t5 bulbs last longer and look better. I have 2x39 icecap retro on my 46 bow right now and it has a better look than 3x65pc did. THe icecaps are what I would call pinpoint reflectors. they really put the light in the water, not all over the place. And the icecap refelctors are about the best you can get. Reefgeek is awesome and so is there customer service. call greg and he will help you get set up and choose bulbs.

Alaska_Phil · 03/07/2008, 12:36 AM

Cool, thanks. I'm just trying to justify the extra $100. Actually it's more like an extra $150 since I already have a 2x55 PC kit over the tank. I suppose I could keep my 2x55 PC's and just add a 2x54 T5 too.

Phil

Alaska_Phil · 03/07/2008, 03:53 PM

So what's the difference between the IC High output and Very High output kits? They list the same wattage and length. Are the VHO kits just overdriving the HO lamps?

Phil

mousefish · 03/07/2008, 04:02 PM

FYI - if you have the 55W PC ballasts from AHSupply, they can also be retrofitted to power different types of FL lamps T5 - T12's. The ballast is a Workhorse 5. I think there is a website that will show you wiring diagrams if you are willing to DIY.

9Tailfox · 03/07/2008, 04:31 PM

Alaska_Phil pretty much. The only difference between those to IC kits are that the VHO are just overdriving the bulbs. So they will have a shorter lifespan and higher output.

I know its more for the T-5's but you will have more intensity them them over the PC, and will penetrate to the bottom of the tank. I guess it depends on what your building the tank for. With the T-5's you could keep just about anything. If you know you don't want light intensive stuff that I don't see anything wrong with sticking with PC's if your more comfortable with them.

Alaska_Phil · 03/07/2008, 04:50 PM

It's an existing tank, currently it has leathers, mushrooms and a couple LPS corals. I currently have a 2x55W PC kit with 10,000K lamps and 32W NO Actinic over it. The corals are doing surprizingly well for the past 2 years with this low light, but I want to start adding Zoa's and polyps as well and just don't think it will cut it. I've got one Zoa now that's slowly getting pale. Since I can't find anything else wrong I have to assume my lighting is inadequate.

I'm pretty sure going to a 4x55 PC would do the Job, but if I could get T5's for a comparable price I'd definitly go with them. The only thing I'm more comfortable with about the PC's is the price.

Thanks
Phil

afboundguy · 03/08/2008, 01:55 PM

The price of T5's in the long run is cheaper when compared to PC's. T5 bulbs last up to 2 years while PC's start fading out after 6 months... just my $.02

03/06/2008, 04:34 PM	#1
Alaska_Phil Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: North Pole Posts: 986	Good T5 kits?? What T5 retro kits are good and which should I avoid? I'm planning to build a new hood and upgrade the lighting on my 50 Long (55 but 1 inch shorter). I've used the AHsupply.com PC kits before and like the quality and price. But would like to try T5's on this project if I can get them for a comparable price. Please, don't compare the merits of PC vs T5 that's been beat to death. Thanks. Phil

03/06/2008, 04:37 PM	#2
Poisonus Yeti Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 220	Check out the T5 retrofit kit from Icecap. Reefgeek.com has them. __________________ - Yeti

03/06/2008, 06:11 PM	#4
Alaska_Phil Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: North Pole Posts: 986	Thanks. How are the Icecap reflectors compared to the Sunlight Supply ones? I see the SS ones are a little wider and the same depth, but can't find a profile of the shape. Looks like both retrofit kits use the same ballasts. For comparison a 4x55W PC kit from AHsupply is $202 with lamps, compared to $299 for a 4x54 T5 from Reefgeek. Phil __________________ Don't be afraid to fall - if you're not falling down once in a while, you're not trying anything new and probably not having much fun. Current Tank Info: 50 gal mixed reef, 65 gal freshwater planted.

03/06/2008, 07:11 PM	#6
Alaska_Phil Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: North Pole Posts: 986	This is a tall narrow tank, I'll just barely be able to fit 4 reflectors above it, so it sounds like the IC will be better for my application. Thanks! Phil __________________ Don't be afraid to fall - if you're not falling down once in a while, you're not trying anything new and probably not having much fun. Current Tank Info: 50 gal mixed reef, 65 gal freshwater planted.

03/06/2008, 10:13 PM	#7
jason71832 RRMAS Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: DeQueen Arkansas Posts: 182	Phil. The icecaps are great. You will get way more light out of the 4x54 t5 than you will the 4x55pc. Also t5 bulbs last longer and look better. I have 2x39 icecap retro on my 46 bow right now and it has a better look than 3x65pc did. THe icecaps are what I would call pinpoint reflectors. they really put the light in the water, not all over the place. And the icecap refelctors are about the best you can get. Reefgeek is awesome and so is there customer service. call greg and he will help you get set up and choose bulbs. __________________ No son, fish don't like cheeto-s. 46 Gallon Bowfront, custom stand and canopy 2-150w HQI's***2-39 watt T5's 9 Blue/ 9 White Moonlights NEW TANK BUILD 156 with a 45 sump Will be LPS/SOFTIE dominant.

03/06/2008, 04:57 PM	#3
silverwolf72 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Lake Forrest CA Posts: 1,732	www.reefgeek.com retro with icecap SLR reflectors

03/06/2008, 06:21 PM	#5
silverwolf72 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Lake Forrest CA Posts: 1,732	The IC produce more light at the center, The Tek more light off the sides. So i think it's really a toss up

03/07/2008, 12:36 AM	#8
Alaska_Phil Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: North Pole Posts: 986	Cool, thanks. I'm just trying to justify the extra $100. Actually it's more like an extra $150 since I already have a 2x55 PC kit over the tank. I suppose I could keep my 2x55 PC's and just add a 2x54 T5 too. Phil __________________ Don't be afraid to fall - if you're not falling down once in a while, you're not trying anything new and probably not having much fun. Current Tank Info: 50 gal mixed reef, 65 gal freshwater planted.

03/07/2008, 03:53 PM	#9
Alaska_Phil Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: North Pole Posts: 986	So what's the difference between the IC High output and Very High output kits? They list the same wattage and length. Are the VHO kits just overdriving the HO lamps? Phil __________________ Don't be afraid to fall - if you're not falling down once in a while, you're not trying anything new and probably not having much fun. Current Tank Info: 50 gal mixed reef, 65 gal freshwater planted.

03/07/2008, 04:02 PM	#10
mousefish Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 66	FYI - if you have the 55W PC ballasts from AHSupply, they can also be retrofitted to power different types of FL lamps T5 - T12's. The ballast is a Workhorse 5. I think there is a website that will show you wiring diagrams if you are willing to DIY.

03/07/2008, 04:31 PM	#11
9Tailfox Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: SD Posts: 47	Alaska_Phil pretty much. The only difference between those to IC kits are that the VHO are just overdriving the bulbs. So they will have a shorter lifespan and higher output. I know its more for the T-5's but you will have more intensity them them over the PC, and will penetrate to the bottom of the tank. I guess it depends on what your building the tank for. With the T-5's you could keep just about anything. If you know you don't want light intensive stuff that I don't see anything wrong with sticking with PC's if your more comfortable with them.

03/07/2008, 04:50 PM	#12
Alaska_Phil Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: North Pole Posts: 986	It's an existing tank, currently it has leathers, mushrooms and a couple LPS corals. I currently have a 2x55W PC kit with 10,000K lamps and 32W NO Actinic over it. The corals are doing surprizingly well for the past 2 years with this low light, but I want to start adding Zoa's and polyps as well and just don't think it will cut it. I've got one Zoa now that's slowly getting pale. Since I can't find anything else wrong I have to assume my lighting is inadequate. I'm pretty sure going to a 4x55 PC would do the Job, but if I could get T5's for a comparable price I'd definitly go with them. The only thing I'm more comfortable with about the PC's is the price. Thanks Phil __________________ Don't be afraid to fall - if you're not falling down once in a while, you're not trying anything new and probably not having much fun. Current Tank Info: 50 gal mixed reef, 65 gal freshwater planted.

03/08/2008, 01:55 PM	#13
afboundguy recovering acan'aholic Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ipswich MA Posts: 224	The price of T5's in the long run is cheaper when compared to PC's. T5 bulbs last up to 2 years while PC's start fading out after 6 months... just my $.02