PC light on my tank

vinniemabuna · 05/30/2010, 07:08 PM

Hi, I have a 28 gallon bow tank, Im currently using a T5 HO 48 watt fixture, its not enough light, I even bought ATI blue + and aquablue bulbs it still is dim. Will a 130 watt PC light be a good choise for my tank, its a little narrower and my fit on top of my tank , the 4 bulb T5 may not, also how hot will it be , will it raise my tank temp ?

jenjen · 05/30/2010, 07:13 PM

What are you hoping to keep in the tank, and/or what is already in there? It's unlikely that a PC fixture will raise the tank temp significantly, but as for whether or not it will provide enough light, that will depend on what you're trying to do.

zachfishman · 05/30/2010, 07:27 PM

130 watts of PC (what I have over my 29) will definitely supply more light than 48 watts of T5. But if any 4xT5 fixture fits, go with that. Alternatively, you could grab a single 65 watt PC retro kit to supplement your T5s without needing to buy an entire new hood.

vinniemabuna · 05/30/2010, 07:34 PM

Hi guys, I have soft corals, mrooms, zoas, rics, toadstools, Im getting nuke greens and purple deaths so easy corals all doing fine. I dont understand about a retro kit how does that work, how is it added to my lighting , to the fixture ? PS, does your 130 watts of PC raise your temp some ?

zachfishman · 05/30/2010, 08:19 PM

The PCs don't raise my temp much, but the fixture has a decent fan built-in. As for retros, they're a barebones ballast, wiring, lamp and reflector kit that you assemble yourself and place wherever. Here's a single bulb kit from Hellolights:

http://www.hellolights.com/index.asp...ROD&ProdID=471

And a good selection (including single 65 watt) Coralife Aqualight retros (very plug and play) at Marine Depot:

http://www.marinedepot.com/lighting_...linear-ap.html

vinniemabuna · 05/30/2010, 08:28 PM

Thanks for the reply, the retro kit is 73.00 for 105.00 I can buy a fixture from Catalina aqarium without a fan, thanks again..

05/30/2010, 07:08 PM	#1
vinniemabuna Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 117	PC light on my tank Hi, I have a 28 gallon bow tank, Im currently using a T5 HO 48 watt fixture, its not enough light, I even bought ATI blue + and aquablue bulbs it still is dim. Will a 130 watt PC light be a good choise for my tank, its a little narrower and my fit on top of my tank , the 4 bulb T5 may not, also how hot will it be , will it raise my tank temp ? __________________ My wife said, its either me or them fish ! .WOW Im sure going to miss her !!

05/30/2010, 07:13 PM	#2
jenjen Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Langley BC, Canada Posts: 1,710	What are you hoping to keep in the tank, and/or what is already in there? It's unlikely that a PC fixture will raise the tank temp significantly, but as for whether or not it will provide enough light, that will depend on what you're trying to do. __________________ "Challenges forge the greatness in you" Current Tank Info: 180gal softy reef (Apr '09)

05/30/2010, 07:27 PM	#3
zachfishman Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: St Petersburg, FL Posts: 3,577	130 watts of PC (what I have over my 29) will definitely supply more light than 48 watts of T5. But if any 4xT5 fixture fits, go with that. Alternatively, you could grab a single 65 watt PC retro kit to supplement your T5s without needing to buy an entire new hood. __________________ Patience is a reefer's best tool. Secret Xenia lover. M.S. Marine Biology Staff - Marine Discovery Center, St. Petersburg FL Tampa Bay Reef Club BOD 2018 Current Tank Info: 34g modded Solana

05/30/2010, 07:34 PM	#4
vinniemabuna Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 117	Hi guys, I have soft corals, mrooms, zoas, rics, toadstools, Im getting nuke greens and purple deaths so easy corals all doing fine. I dont understand about a retro kit how does that work, how is it added to my lighting , to the fixture ? PS, does your 130 watts of PC raise your temp some ? __________________ My wife said, its either me or them fish ! .WOW Im sure going to miss her !!

05/30/2010, 08:19 PM	#5
zachfishman Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: St Petersburg, FL Posts: 3,577	The PCs don't raise my temp much, but the fixture has a decent fan built-in. As for retros, they're a barebones ballast, wiring, lamp and reflector kit that you assemble yourself and place wherever. Here's a single bulb kit from Hellolights: http://www.hellolights.com/index.asp...ROD&ProdID=471 And a good selection (including single 65 watt) Coralife Aqualight retros (very plug and play) at Marine Depot: http://www.marinedepot.com/lighting_...linear-ap.html __________________ Patience is a reefer's best tool. Secret Xenia lover. M.S. Marine Biology Staff - Marine Discovery Center, St. Petersburg FL Tampa Bay Reef Club BOD 2018 Current Tank Info: 34g modded Solana Last edited by zachfishman; 05/30/2010 at 08:27 PM.

05/30/2010, 08:28 PM	#6
vinniemabuna Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 117	Thanks for the reply, the retro kit is 73.00 for 105.00 I can buy a fixture from Catalina aqarium without a fan, thanks again.. __________________ My wife said, its either me or them fish ! .WOW Im sure going to miss her !!

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