T5's for a 90g

fishyz · 03/12/2008, 11:34 AM

Within the next couple of weeks, I'd like to order a new light fixture for my 90g. I'm tired of my old pc's, and I was thinking of going to T5's. I want to have mainly lps in my tank, with a clam or 2 near the top of the tank. I like those "plug and play" fixtures, and I was thinking of going with the tek fixture, but the lack of cooling on the fixture has kind of shyed me away. I really do not want to spend over 500 on lights. What fixture should I go with? Thanks

tpenn187 · 03/12/2008, 11:46 AM

i would go with the tek system just based on value. you can get the complete system for under 500 and have all the bulbs too.

DarG · 03/12/2008, 11:54 AM

The Aquactinics TX5 is fan cooled, excellent fixture. It is under 500 bucks, between 400 and 500, but bulbs are not included.
Its a 5 bulb fixture and the quality bulbs will cost you another 120 bucks or so. You can probably get it for a little under 600 bucks with bulbs and after shipping. Price increase occured on these a few months back, unfortunatley. But these are excellent fixtures with quality individual reflectors and very effective cooling. Would be a great choice for your 90. If you want to go cheaper there is the Current USA Nova Extreme Pros. These are effectively fan cooled, 6 bulb fixtures with bulbs included for maybe a little over half of what it would cost for the Aquactinics complete.

Reflectors are not individual. It;s a single bent reflectors with formed channel for each bulb. It would be fine for your 90 with what you want to keep. You could actually keep high light corals as well with the fixture. There are quite a few reefers using these fixtures with no problems. You may need to keep the highest light corals of the bottom if you were to go to lots of SPS in the future, but with what you are planning now it should work with few if any limitations in placing your critters. Fosters and Smith carries these for a good price I believe. Probably can get a better price by shopping around some. If you want more infor, post specific threads asking about these fixtures. Lots of users of both of these here at RC.

customdusty · 03/12/2008, 12:11 PM

I just put T5s on my 90g... I searched and compared everything under $500 and ended up with one off eBay. It is 8x54 with led lunars, 3 separate switches and cords, and 2 fans. It does not have individual reflectors nor does it have a splash guard, and the fans are pretty weak, but all in all, a good unit with a lot of power - for $300. Since I am using a glass versa top (no splashing) and put additional fans in my canopy, I am pretty happy with what I ended up with and though my tanks is new, life is thriving already.

andyjd · 03/12/2008, 12:13 PM

dbl post

andyjd · 03/12/2008, 12:14 PM

have a chat with ReefGeek.com, you will get good advice

fishyz · 03/12/2008, 04:48 PM

thanks for the replies. If I go for the tek system, should I go for the 6 or 4 bulb? I'm thinking the 6, but with the 4 would I still be able to have clams?

moondoggy4 · 03/12/2008, 06:53 PM

Try to get one where you can turn them on an off two bulbs at a time. This will give you alot more options

reefergeorge · 03/12/2008, 07:48 PM

If you can afford the six get it. You can always only run four. It is a little harder to add two bulbs.

andyjd · 03/12/2008, 07:50 PM

go for the 6, gives you a lot more options

03/12/2008, 11:34 AM	#1
fishyz Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 423	T5's for a 90g Within the next couple of weeks, I'd like to order a new light fixture for my 90g. I'm tired of my old pc's, and I was thinking of going to T5's. I want to have mainly lps in my tank, with a clam or 2 near the top of the tank. I like those "plug and play" fixtures, and I was thinking of going with the tek fixture, but the lack of cooling on the fixture has kind of shyed me away. I really do not want to spend over 500 on lights. What fixture should I go with? Thanks

03/12/2008, 12:13 PM	#5
andyjd International Nomad Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Dunedin, NZ Posts: 1,147	dbl post Last edited by andyjd; 03/12/2008 at 12:21 PM.

03/12/2008, 07:48 PM	#9
reefergeorge Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: St Louis MO Posts: 4,222	If you can afford the six get it. You can always only run four. It is a little harder to add two bulbs. __________________ $35-50 for a <1" frag of some stupid named thing that came from a colony you bought for $40-60 wholesale and chopped into 20-40 pieces? No thanks. "JasonH" Current Tank Info: 125 aggressive reef, DIY led lighting, swc cone skimmer, 33 gallon sump, posiden Ps3 return.

03/12/2008, 11:46 AM	#2
tpenn187 Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: central illinois Posts: 630	i would go with the tek system just based on value. you can get the complete system for under 500 and have all the bulbs too.

03/12/2008, 11:54 AM	#3
DarG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,515	The Aquactinics TX5 is fan cooled, excellent fixture. It is under 500 bucks, between 400 and 500, but bulbs are not included. Its a 5 bulb fixture and the quality bulbs will cost you another 120 bucks or so. You can probably get it for a little under 600 bucks with bulbs and after shipping. Price increase occured on these a few months back, unfortunatley. But these are excellent fixtures with quality individual reflectors and very effective cooling. Would be a great choice for your 90. If you want to go cheaper there is the Current USA Nova Extreme Pros. These are effectively fan cooled, 6 bulb fixtures with bulbs included for maybe a little over half of what it would cost for the Aquactinics complete. Reflectors are not individual. It;s a single bent reflectors with formed channel for each bulb. It would be fine for your 90 with what you want to keep. You could actually keep high light corals as well with the fixture. There are quite a few reefers using these fixtures with no problems. You may need to keep the highest light corals of the bottom if you were to go to lots of SPS in the future, but with what you are planning now it should work with few if any limitations in placing your critters. Fosters and Smith carries these for a good price I believe. Probably can get a better price by shopping around some. If you want more infor, post specific threads asking about these fixtures. Lots of users of both of these here at RC.

03/12/2008, 12:11 PM	#4
customdusty Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Geneva, IL Posts: 1,095	I just put T5s on my 90g... I searched and compared everything under $500 and ended up with one off eBay. It is 8x54 with led lunars, 3 separate switches and cords, and 2 fans. It does not have individual reflectors nor does it have a splash guard, and the fans are pretty weak, but all in all, a good unit with a lot of power - for $300. Since I am using a glass versa top (no splashing) and put additional fans in my canopy, I am pretty happy with what I ended up with and though my tanks is new, life is thriving already.

03/12/2008, 12:14 PM	#6
andyjd International Nomad Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Dunedin, NZ Posts: 1,147	have a chat with ReefGeek.com, you will get good advice

03/12/2008, 04:48 PM	#7
fishyz Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 423	thanks for the replies. If I go for the tek system, should I go for the 6 or 4 bulb? I'm thinking the 6, but with the 4 would I still be able to have clams?

03/12/2008, 06:53 PM	#8
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	Try to get one where you can turn them on an off two bulbs at a time. This will give you alot more options

03/12/2008, 07:50 PM	#10
andyjd International Nomad Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Dunedin, NZ Posts: 1,147	go for the 6, gives you a lot more options