Help me Upgrade my Lighting

pf1130 · 07/28/2008, 05:01 PM

I have a 65g (36"x18"x24") with a Power Compact (2x96w 1-12k, 1-actinic) fixure. I'm thinking of slowly scraping together parts to upgrade my lighting. What I'm thinking of doing is purchasing a canopy and doing T5HO retrofits. Who makes a good retrofit kit? I know nothing about ballasts and such. I know I've read that its important to have individual reflectors. Any suggestions on a good retrofit kit with good components (ballast, reflectors,etc)? Any ones I should stay away from? Also would 4 bulbs be enough or should I consider going with 6? I'm going to take my time this time around and slowly piece it together and do it right. Right now my tank is all softies and LPS, I'm looking for better growth and the ability to do some SPS and montipora etc maybe a clam.

Another option I'm considering is running a MH and supplementing with either PC or T5 actinics. The problem I see with this approach is the center brace on the tank. I know I have seen people replace the brace with a clear acrylic brace to avoid having that shadow. But I really dont want to tear down the tank to do that. Any way to safely remove that brace with the tank filled?

The last option I'm considering is taking apart my fixture and using those 2 96 watt PC's and adding another 2 96watt PC. The reason I'm considering this is because of cost. I already have the PC fixture and PC retrofits are cheap. Can anyone venture to guess how effective this would be? 384watts of PC or 5.9watts/gallon. I know PC's arent as effective/efficient as T5 but this is way more wattage than even 6 T5's 5.9watts/gallon vs. 3.6 watts/gallon.

I'm sorry for the longwinded post but I really want to do this right this time around. Any suggestions/experiences/links to good reading would be VERY appreciated. Thanks in advance.

pf1130 · 07/28/2008, 05:22 PM

I just wanted to add that I want to stick with a canopy setup both for looks and so that I can eliminate my glass tops. I feel the glass tops reduce the light significantly as well make it appear yellower. I do have wrasses and an anthias and need to keep them from carpetsurfing.

nikon187 · 07/28/2008, 05:44 PM

as long as the T5 have individual reflectors they will be better than the PC lights. Get a good retro like Icecap from reefgeek and do 6 bulbs. You will be able to keep anything with this lighting

pf1130 · 07/28/2008, 06:04 PM

Thanks for the response nikon187. I see there are two different 6x39w retrofit kits offered at reef geek. One of them is "overdriven" and costs $609 vs. $439. I am unfamiliar with "overdriven" bulbs. Is the overdriven a different ballast or a modified one? I'm imagining this would reduce bulb life, correct? Also is it necessary or would the "regular driven" bulbs be fine? Thanks once more

pf1130 · 07/28/2008, 08:24 PM

Is this a good retrofit kit?
TekII
http://www.aquabuys.com/miva/merchan...oduct_Count=23
around ~$380 for 6lamps once you add bulbs
IceCap SLR
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_...Retrofit_Kit_w!_Bulbs_by_IceCap
$439 w/ bulbs

Is the icecap worth the extra money? On a side note I tried to used the search to answer my own questions and couldn't access it. For those with premium membership can you easily access the search engine? I think I'm going to get the membership regardless to support this great forum. Once more thanks in advance and sorry if im asking questions that have been answered before a hundred times.

amay121 · 07/28/2008, 11:23 PM

One word.

YES.

Ice cap is worth the extra mullah.

07/28/2008, 05:01 PM	#1
pf1130 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 100	Help me Upgrade my Lighting I have a 65g (36"x18"x24") with a Power Compact (2x96w 1-12k, 1-actinic) fixure. I'm thinking of slowly scraping together parts to upgrade my lighting. What I'm thinking of doing is purchasing a canopy and doing T5HO retrofits. Who makes a good retrofit kit? I know nothing about ballasts and such. I know I've read that its important to have individual reflectors. Any suggestions on a good retrofit kit with good components (ballast, reflectors,etc)? Any ones I should stay away from? Also would 4 bulbs be enough or should I consider going with 6? I'm going to take my time this time around and slowly piece it together and do it right. Right now my tank is all softies and LPS, I'm looking for better growth and the ability to do some SPS and montipora etc maybe a clam. Another option I'm considering is running a MH and supplementing with either PC or T5 actinics. The problem I see with this approach is the center brace on the tank. I know I have seen people replace the brace with a clear acrylic brace to avoid having that shadow. But I really dont want to tear down the tank to do that. Any way to safely remove that brace with the tank filled? The last option I'm considering is taking apart my fixture and using those 2 96 watt PC's and adding another 2 96watt PC. The reason I'm considering this is because of cost. I already have the PC fixture and PC retrofits are cheap. Can anyone venture to guess how effective this would be? 384watts of PC or 5.9watts/gallon. I know PC's arent as effective/efficient as T5 but this is way more wattage than even 6 T5's 5.9watts/gallon vs. 3.6 watts/gallon. I'm sorry for the longwinded post but I really want to do this right this time around. Any suggestions/experiences/links to good reading would be VERY appreciated. Thanks in advance.

07/28/2008, 05:44 PM	#3
nikon187 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 4,717	as long as the T5 have individual reflectors they will be better than the PC lights. Get a good retro like Icecap from reefgeek and do 6 bulbs. You will be able to keep anything with this lighting __________________ ----------------- 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.

07/28/2008, 05:22 PM	#2
pf1130 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 100	I just wanted to add that I want to stick with a canopy setup both for looks and so that I can eliminate my glass tops. I feel the glass tops reduce the light significantly as well make it appear yellower. I do have wrasses and an anthias and need to keep them from carpetsurfing.

07/28/2008, 06:04 PM	#4
pf1130 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 100	Thanks for the response nikon187. I see there are two different 6x39w retrofit kits offered at reef geek. One of them is "overdriven" and costs $609 vs. $439. I am unfamiliar with "overdriven" bulbs. Is the overdriven a different ballast or a modified one? I'm imagining this would reduce bulb life, correct? Also is it necessary or would the "regular driven" bulbs be fine? Thanks once more

07/28/2008, 08:24 PM	#5
pf1130 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 100	Is this a good retrofit kit? TekII http://www.aquabuys.com/miva/merchan...oduct_Count=23 around ~$380 for 6lamps once you add bulbs IceCap SLR http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_...Retrofit_Kit_w!_Bulbs_by_IceCap $439 w/ bulbs Is the icecap worth the extra money? On a side note I tried to used the search to answer my own questions and couldn't access it. For those with premium membership can you easily access the search engine? I think I'm going to get the membership regardless to support this great forum. Once more thanks in advance and sorry if im asking questions that have been answered before a hundred times.

07/28/2008, 11:23 PM	#6
amay121 Moved On Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: WV Posts: 182	One word. YES. Ice cap is worth the extra mullah.