Wanted--60" T5 fixture

[rjmayes34]

Like the title states im looking to upgrade from my power compacts to T5's. I have a 125 gallon-60" long tank,25.5" deep and 18" wide. Im thinking a 4 bulb one would be fine but a 6 would work also. Thanks,and if you parting out a tank and need lights still while you part out/sell off, we could switch lights and you could knock a little off the price for me,then you still have lights to go with your system. Just a thought...
thanks again,
ryan

[magdelan]

A 125 is 72" (6 feet) long. You probably want to find a 6ft unit and use 12 3ft bulbs. I don't think that 4 rows will be enough light.

[DEEP BLUE SIX]

RJMayes34,

PM for you.

[jaybfresh]

Originally Posted by magdelan

A 125 is 72" (6 feet) long. You probably want to find a 6ft unit and use 12 3ft bulbs. I don't think that 4 rows will be enough light.

I bet he has an acrylic tank... most 125 gallon acrylics are 60" long

[dreaminmel]

They are not as common, but glass 125's do come in the 60" length. That's what I had for the past 5 years.

G'luck with finding the T5 setup Ryan.

[rjmayes34]

im not too sure of the formula to firuire out how mouch water it holds. I bought the set up off of craigslist,and thats what he said it was. Either way yeah its 60" (5 feet long) also thinking of the metal halides?? Either way if you have a 60" set up that you getting rid of let me know. Dont want to spend the money on replacing my PCs if im going to upgrade might as well do it sooner than later.
If nothing comes up i will be buying some brand new next wekk. Thanks everybody!!

[jaybfresh]

Check out reefgeek if you end up buying new... They have some good 60" retro kits

[rjmayes34]

would i have to put together the retro kit? or is it just put the bulbs in ,mount the legs then put it on the tank and plug it in?

[rjmayes34]

which brand would you go with also? if putting them together is simple enough then that might be the way to go.

[jaybfresh]

Retro kits need to be screwed into a canopy but are still pretty simple. But if you dont want a canopy they arent really a good option. ATI makes some of the best pre-made fixtures (Expensive, but you get what you pay for), and icecap retros are probably the best option if you go that route

Whichever you pick, make sure you get something with individual reflectors for each bulb

[rjmayes34]

yeah i dont have a canopy so then i guess thats out of the question. Im debating over ths ATI and the TEK. I think i like the ATI sunpower better,it says it puts out more light. But i like the look of the TEK light better so i dont know...prolly go with the ATI Sunpower if it comes with the feet to attach it to the top of my aquarium.

Neither of these say if they have built in moon lights any one have an ides if they come with them??
thanks

[jaybfresh]

I dont think many T5 fixtures have moonlights, but good ones will have multiple ballasts so you can run just the blue bulbs at dawn/dusk

[DEEP BLUE SIX]

Not going too get specific here. But I've seen the lights(even all T5 ones),
with any option really you'd want to have. Some are not as common. But if you search enough you can find lights with any type of built in combo you want.
Including T5s with Leds or moonlights.

I know that does not help much specifically. But when I was looking a few times in the past I found all kinds including what your referring too. They are available out there. I've seen all in one fixture 4, 6 or 8 bulb T5 fixtures with LED or Moonlight options. They are out there. Just keep searching.

[rjmayes34]

thanks!!! About your pm,for now im going to look for t5's and go from their but i will keep that in mind. Thanks!!!

[Johnny C]

If you are willing to spend the money on the Sunpower, I'd go for it. You are going to sacrifice a lot of quality just to have a fixture that includes LED's. Current just released some LED strips that are 5MM thin and come with 3M sticky tape. You can throw a few of those on if you really want the moonlight effect. JMO, hope this helps!

[rjmayes34]

Found out the ati sunpower does not come with legs and they don't make legs for them!!! I/my wife does not want it hanging from the celeing and I don't want it sitting on top of my tank either so it looks like I'm going with the teks. I'm going to buy them tomorrow I'm pretty sure.
Thanks again everybody!!

[rjmayes34]

That is unless someone has something to get rid of, even a metal halide set up.I already have a chiller. Planned on selling that once I got t5s but I could keep it and the halides would work. I like the halide t5/t12 combo but am too cheap to buy That brand new :-) so I guess any 60" lighting besides power compacts will do. Let me know what ya got before it's too late and I make a purchase.

[GMaquarium]

I have a 60" tank with 48" t5. I run 4 retro kit 54w lamps in a canopy. Wouldn't do it any other way. Loose 6" on sides but gain a much better variety of lamps and save quite a bit on the set up. Depending on how the rock will be set up in the aquarium there may not be any difference between 4 or 5 foot lights.

[rjmayes34]

trying to do it with out having to buy a canopy also. I ordered the Tek Lights,60" fixture. I can return my order when it comes in fri if something else comes. I just hev to pay return shipping on it. So im still looking to take some lights off someones hands!! 60" T5 fixtue with legs, or a metal halide fixture with t5 and legs (wife dosent want a hanging fixture)
When my t5s come in if i dotn find anythign else i will be selling my chiller if i dont need it. From what ive heard i wont need it so if i dont i will be posting that this weekend. And my 2 60" Power Compacts fixtures also i will be posting.
thanks