T-5 lighting question

pumpdogs · 04/22/2006, 06:46 AM

I have a 180 gal tank.They do not make 6 ft fixtures for t-5s.I am thinking about using 2 36 inch but all I can find is 39 watt fixtures.Is this going to be enough light?I am going to start with softies and then add some sps corals.

Yak-52 · 04/22/2006, 08:29 AM

Check aquactinics..

http://www.aquactinics.com/Store/Lighting_Systems.htm

sales weasel · 04/22/2006, 08:41 AM

I assume you are going to place the 36" lights end to end to fit your 6' tank. If you only plan to use a total of two lights or 78w, that's not enough. However, you can use four or five rows of two and have enough. If you are using a canopy, you could also try using four lights and staggering them. However, for SPS, I don't think the latter would be enough. Also, that many T5s would be expensive and you'd probably be better off using MH.

Putawaywet · 04/22/2006, 08:45 AM

What are your reasons for wanting to use T5 over other types of lighting?

Just curious, because you can easily make it work, but like already mentioned, it's going to boil down to how deep your pockets are.

If you can absorb the cost I'd say go for a 4x39w setup overdriven by an IceCap 660 and coupled with 4 idividual reflectors from the likes of SLS, IceCap or Aqualux (sp?)

Then, as your needs dictate, you can add another 4x39 setup later on with a 2nd IceCap 660.

And later on a 3rd or 4th setup if necessary.

Not the cheapest road to take, but a road that will get you to where you want to be nonetheless.

Brett

pumpdogs · 04/22/2006, 09:43 AM

Electrical cost in delaware are going up 59% in may.I found a 6 ft set up from aquauniverse.8 80 watt set up for around $500.Anybody ever heard of this store?

bassnman11 · 04/22/2006, 09:45 AM

You can get 80 watt, 60 inch T5ho from aqualux lighting. You can stagger these for full coverage.

sales weasel · 04/22/2006, 10:11 AM

pumpdogs,
Go to reefgeek.com I just looked and they have 57.5" T5 tubes. This is one of the best suppliers and you'll find many happy customers on RC. Here is a link to the T5 tubes. All you need are reflectors and ballsts:

http://reefgeek.com/products/categor...uorescent.html

bklynmet · 04/22/2006, 12:09 PM

reefgeek has great customer service and they pack and ship their bulbs really really well. I got my 6x54 setup about a week and a half ago and was very pleased.

bigfruits · 04/22/2006, 12:12 PM

id get the 6 bulb tek retro or icecap retro. upgrade to slr reflectors if you go tek. ive heard the tek are hard to clean. not to say thats terrible, but it shouldnt cost you more than a few bucks to upgrade.

id stagger 6 5 ft bulbs. you could always add more if needed down the road.

old salty · 04/22/2006, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by pumpdogs
I have a 180 gal tank.They do not make 6 ft fixtures for t-5s.I am thinking about using 2 36 inch but all I can find is 39 watt fixtures.Is this going to be enough light?I am going to start with softies and then add some sps corals.

I am using two 36" fixtures over a 125 (6 39 watt bulbs each.) I would say this would work for your tank, as mine is a bit more narrow. This puts quite a bit of lighting over the two huge overflows. If you had the fixtures towards the front of the tank (as I do), this should be plenty of light. I am in the process of moving my SPS a bit lower in the tank as the ones closest to the lights aren't growing nearly as fast as the ones in the middle.

You could make your own retro fit. I stayed away from this as I don't want a canopy.

The Grim Reefer · 04/22/2006, 01:35 PM

If or until Ice Cap does a 60" reflector you are limited to either Tek or Aqualux reflectors, if you do the Aqualux get them to include an extra lamp clip and mount it in the center. The reflector sags a bit because of the weight. Definatly use a couple of Ice Cap 660 ballasts but make sure you ran a couple fans to keep things cool.

Aquactinics has a 6 foot T5 hood with 7 rows of 39 watt lamps side by side that would work if you need a fixture. If you use teks I would get 2 8 lamp 39 watt fixtures.

old salty · 04/22/2006, 01:56 PM

Do they make 8 lamp fixtures in 39W configs??

EDIT: Nevermind, I just found them. Kinda wish I found them a few months ago.

If so, then definatley go 8 lamp.

pumpdogs · 04/22/2006, 03:40 PM

Why is the 48 inch 54 watt and the 72 is 39watt. I would think it would be 80 watts.I am thinking of getting the 72 inch 8 bulb 80 watt unit from aquauniverse.It also has a 6 bulb unit.I found the web site on ebay.

The Grim Reefer · 04/22/2006, 03:47 PM

We are talking about running 2 39 watt lamps end to end to cover 72". 72" T5's are 105 watts and very hard to find.

jimbo045 · 04/22/2006, 08:20 PM

With a 6' tank, I would run VHOs. They are only 5' long, and a 140 watts. Back them up with a few Halides and you got it made. JD

redstorm6 · 04/22/2006, 11:10 PM

yeah.. made with a huge electric bill, chiller costs, and the same fixture/bulb cost..

old salty · 04/23/2006, 08:34 AM

Seems to be some confusion. Here are two 36" fixtures on top of a 72" tank.

04/22/2006, 06:46 AM	#1
pumpdogs Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Posts: 735	T-5 lighting question I have a 180 gal tank.They do not make 6 ft fixtures for t-5s.I am thinking about using 2 36 inch but all I can find is 39 watt fixtures.Is this going to be enough light?I am going to start with softies and then add some sps corals.

04/22/2006, 08:29 AM	#2
Yak-52 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Newark, DE Posts: 11	Check aquactinics.. http://www.aquactinics.com/Store/Lighting_Systems.htm __________________ Fly low, Go Fast, Turn left!! Current Tank Info: 54G Corner //Always looking for the next one

04/22/2006, 08:45 AM	#4
Putawaywet 20 and over club Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Long Beach, CA. Posts: 2,720	What are your reasons for wanting to use T5 over other types of lighting? Just curious, because you can easily make it work, but like already mentioned, it's going to boil down to how deep your pockets are. If you can absorb the cost I'd say go for a 4x39w setup overdriven by an IceCap 660 and coupled with 4 idividual reflectors from the likes of SLS, IceCap or Aqualux (sp?) Then, as your needs dictate, you can add another 4x39 setup later on with a 2nd IceCap 660. And later on a 3rd or 4th setup if necessary. Not the cheapest road to take, but a road that will get you to where you want to be nonetheless. Brett __________________ She ain't broke, but can we fix her more better? Current Tank Info: A big box of water with some stuff in it.

04/22/2006, 12:09 PM	#8
bklynmet Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Elkhart Posts: 527	reefgeek has great customer service and they pack and ship their bulbs really really well. I got my 6x54 setup about a week and a half ago and was very pleased. __________________ PBITAWA!!! Removing skimmate, scraping algae, now changing a new set of baby diapers... will the crap ever end? Current Tank Info: 75g, 16g Lifereef sump w/ Lifereef VS2-24 mag 7 return, 6x54w T5, Separate 20g RR Oceanic w/ 10g Sump, Separate 4g office pico tank

04/22/2006, 12:12 PM	#9
bigfruits Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: NOVA Posts: 406	id get the 6 bulb tek retro or icecap retro. upgrade to slr reflectors if you go tek. ive heard the tek are hard to clean. not to say thats terrible, but it shouldnt cost you more than a few bucks to upgrade. id stagger 6 5 ft bulbs. you could always add more if needed down the road. Last edited by bigfruits; 04/22/2006 at 12:30 PM.

04/22/2006, 08:41 AM	#3
sales weasel Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Atlanta burbs Posts: 646	I assume you are going to place the 36" lights end to end to fit your 6' tank. If you only plan to use a total of two lights or 78w, that's not enough. However, you can use four or five rows of two and have enough. If you are using a canopy, you could also try using four lights and staggering them. However, for SPS, I don't think the latter would be enough. Also, that many T5s would be expensive and you'd probably be better off using MH.

04/22/2006, 09:43 AM	#5
pumpdogs Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Posts: 735	Electrical cost in delaware are going up 59% in may.I found a 6 ft set up from aquauniverse.8 80 watt set up for around $500.Anybody ever heard of this store?

04/22/2006, 09:45 AM	#6
bassnman11 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Corona Ca. Posts: 674	You can get 80 watt, 60 inch T5ho from aqualux lighting. You can stagger these for full coverage.

04/22/2006, 10:11 AM	#7
sales weasel Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Atlanta burbs Posts: 646	pumpdogs, Go to reefgeek.com I just looked and they have 57.5" T5 tubes. This is one of the best suppliers and you'll find many happy customers on RC. Here is a link to the T5 tubes. All you need are reflectors and ballsts: http://reefgeek.com/products/categor...uorescent.html

04/22/2006, 01:35 PM	#11
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	If or until Ice Cap does a 60" reflector you are limited to either Tek or Aqualux reflectors, if you do the Aqualux get them to include an extra lamp clip and mount it in the center. The reflector sags a bit because of the weight. Definatly use a couple of Ice Cap 660 ballasts but make sure you ran a couple fans to keep things cool. Aquactinics has a 6 foot T5 hood with 7 rows of 39 watt lamps side by side that would work if you need a fixture. If you use teks I would get 2 8 lamp 39 watt fixtures. __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

04/22/2006, 01:56 PM	#12
old salty Genius Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: The Island of Misfit Toys Posts: 3,131	Do they make 8 lamp fixtures in 39W configs?? EDIT: Nevermind, I just found them. Kinda wish I found them a few months ago. If so, then definatley go 8 lamp. __________________ "The man who reads nothing at all is better educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers." Thomas Jefferson Current Tank Info: Out of the marine aquarium hobby

04/22/2006, 03:40 PM	#13
pumpdogs Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Posts: 735	Why is the 48 inch 54 watt and the 72 is 39watt. I would think it would be 80 watts.I am thinking of getting the 72 inch 8 bulb 80 watt unit from aquauniverse.It also has a 6 bulb unit.I found the web site on ebay.

04/22/2006, 03:47 PM	#14
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	We are talking about running 2 39 watt lamps end to end to cover 72". 72" T5's are 105 watts and very hard to find. __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

04/22/2006, 08:20 PM	#15
jimbo045 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Aiea, HI. Posts: 1,788	With a 6' tank, I would run VHOs. They are only 5' long, and a 140 watts. Back them up with a few Halides and you got it made. JD

04/22/2006, 11:10 PM	#16
redstorm6 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Columbia, South Carolina Posts: 21	yeah.. made with a huge electric bill, chiller costs, and the same fixture/bulb cost.. __________________ Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely Current Tank Info: 30 Gal. Cube w/ 4 x 54 TEK Light

04/23/2006, 08:34 AM	#17
old salty Genius Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: The Island of Misfit Toys Posts: 3,131	Seems to be some confusion. Here are two 36" fixtures on top of a 72" tank. __________________ "The man who reads nothing at all is better educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers." Thomas Jefferson Current Tank Info: Out of the marine aquarium hobby