What should I do? (Lighting upgrade)

eros · 10/16/2008, 09:03 PM

I'm looking for advice on what to do with my reef lighting. I have a 75 gallon tank with a 4 bulb T5 retro kit with 2 blueplus, 1 10k, and one super actinic. I'm would like more yeild for my corals so I'm looking to upgrade. The two things I'm considering is getting another 2 bulb retro kit with an Aquasun and a Aquablue, or there is a local reefer near me that is selling a dual 175 watt 10k halides with 2 40 watt actinics for about the same price it would cost me to add the retro kit. I dont have a chiller and dont want one. What do you guys think? What would you do?

nikon187 · 10/16/2008, 10:10 PM

at 18" deep i would just get the T5. If the actinics are PC in the halide fixture i wouldn't even consider it

Ehaze · 10/16/2008, 10:24 PM

I am a fan of both, I am going to switch to MH though.

I am going to run 2x 250watt MH pheonix. no actinic, and they still POP like it was with actinics. (i have a 75 gal too.)

Ehaze · 10/16/2008, 10:26 PM

I like your dog, I have one too! They are too cool. I have to use earplug, at night to sleep he snores LOUD.

eros · 10/17/2008, 01:57 AM

Haha, thanks. Yes they do snore. She sleeps outside when the weather is good or in the living room so we can't hear her. My male was just as bad.

Quote:

Originally posted by Ehaze
I like your dog, I have one too! They are too cool. I have to use earplug, at night to sleep he snores LOUD.

eros · 10/17/2008, 02:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by nikon187
at 18" deep i would just get the T5. If the actinics are PC in the halide fixture i wouldn't even consider it

The actinics are 48" normal output bulbs, not even PC's. I'd take them out and put a pair of my T5's with actinic bulbs. I'm leaning toward the T5's as my fiance doenst like me spending money on the fish tank and she would probably not notice if I added a couple of bulbs vs. replacing the entire fixture. Plus I think the heat will be an issue.

10/16/2008, 09:03 PM	#1
eros Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Reno, Nevada Posts: 878	What should I do? (Lighting upgrade) I'm looking for advice on what to do with my reef lighting. I have a 75 gallon tank with a 4 bulb T5 retro kit with 2 blueplus, 1 10k, and one super actinic. I'm would like more yeild for my corals so I'm looking to upgrade. The two things I'm considering is getting another 2 bulb retro kit with an Aquasun and a Aquablue, or there is a local reefer near me that is selling a dual 175 watt 10k halides with 2 40 watt actinics for about the same price it would cost me to add the retro kit. I dont have a chiller and dont want one. What do you guys think? What would you do?

10/16/2008, 10:10 PM	#2
nikon187 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 4,717	at 18" deep i would just get the T5. If the actinics are PC in the halide fixture i wouldn't even consider it __________________ ----------------- 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.

10/16/2008, 10:24 PM	#3
Ehaze Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Thornton, Colorado Posts: 1,259	I am a fan of both, I am going to switch to MH though. I am going to run 2x 250watt MH pheonix. no actinic, and they still POP like it was with actinics. (i have a 75 gal too.) __________________ 75g SPS tank, 30gal sump/refuge. Melev RO/DI, Coravue duel calc reactor, MSP 200 skimmer, 2 Vortech MP40, Mag drive 9.5 return, autotopoff.com ATO, 2 CoralVue 250W SE finished pendants(with 20k Radium bulbs), powered by 2x Icecap ballasts, controlled by a ACJR.

10/16/2008, 10:26 PM	#4
Ehaze Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Thornton, Colorado Posts: 1,259	I like your dog, I have one too! They are too cool. I have to use earplug, at night to sleep he snores LOUD. __________________ 75g SPS tank, 30gal sump/refuge. Melev RO/DI, Coravue duel calc reactor, MSP 200 skimmer, 2 Vortech MP40, Mag drive 9.5 return, autotopoff.com ATO, 2 CoralVue 250W SE finished pendants(with 20k Radium bulbs), powered by 2x Icecap ballasts, controlled by a ACJR.