25" of water and I want T5. Any fixtures come to mind?

Raibaru · 09/03/2008, 03:01 PM

I'm trying to find a good tier5 fixture that will be reliable for a tank that is 25" deep. This is probably an impossibility, but I'd really much prefer T5 over MH due to the heat issue.

I've never owned either a T5 or MH in the past, only PC. But T5 seems to be the most ideal.

I will have a mixed reef. SPS at the top will probably be possible, but I also want the option to keep stuff on the sand. Especially an anemone and possibly a clam.

I asked before and not much really came of it so figured I'd ask again.

The fixture must use a splash screen as I want to run an open topped tank. And the fixture must have some kind of self cooling as I'm really trying to avoid ghetto rigging this up. LEDs would be nice, but not a deal breaker.

James77 · 09/03/2008, 03:10 PM

T5's can easily do SPS down to the sand in a 25" tank, even a 30" with good refletors.

ATI is about the best complete fixture, Aquactinics Constellation, TX5 or Solar Flare are other very good ones.

Raibaru · 09/03/2008, 03:15 PM

ATI is the power module right?

With theirs, they say they have active cooling. Is this just a vent on the side or is there a fan insuring good air movement?

I assume it's designed to work either way, I'm just curious.

James77 · 09/03/2008, 03:23 PM

Yes, the powermodule- I am getting the light as soon as I decide the size of my next tank. They are designed to work with the fan, which blows air inward across all the bulbs and out the side.

Raibaru · 09/03/2008, 03:30 PM

Looks good. How many bulbs would you suggest for a 36" tank if I want to keep an anemone on the bottom and sps pretty much anywhere?

Budgeting may not allow for the 8. Even the 6 may push me above my budget :/ Especially at twice the price of the tek light.

d4a2n0k · 09/03/2008, 04:38 PM

What are all the dimensions of your tank? I just got my 8 x 54w Powermodule a few weeks ago, here are a few pics so you can see how it cools.

Each section houses 2 bulbs and 1 fan pulls air from the top.

The fixture has channels built in that direct the air flow to the end caps and the hot air is exhausted out these vents.

Here it is suspended. Its a very sleek unit.

Its twice the price of the Tek lights but puts out twice as much light and the build quality is second to none. Well worth the money and waiting time IMO.

Raibaru · 09/03/2008, 06:47 PM

Yea, they look like solid units but they are quite expensive so if all I'd need is 4 bulbs I'd rather get the 4 bulb unit.

My tank's dimensions are 36.5x18.5x25. It's an oceanic 70g tech tank.

But speaking of tanks, what kind is yours? I can't tell how your overflow box is built. could you go into a little detail about your tank? It looks nice.

d4a2n0k · 09/03/2008, 08:56 PM

The 4 bulb would probably cut it if you keep the SPS and clams up top but the 6 bulb would probably be best.

The tank was made by Aquarium Obsessed. 48 x 18 x 18 with an external overflow. Basically the back glass has a notch cut into it and the water flows through that into the overflow which is siliconed to the back of the tank. You can see the standpipe because I need to cover it with a piece of black acrylic. The benefit is that you lose no space inside the tank.

Jay180reef · 09/03/2008, 09:46 PM

Well, if you are concerned about price, The Icecap 660 kit runs about $250. You get a ballast, 4 T5s, reflectors, wiring, and the hardware. You'd have to build your own fixture.

I did it with home depot angle brackets and some plywood.

Jay180reef · 09/03/2008, 09:47 PM

I should mention they are 48", so a 36" kit would be even less.

09/03/2008, 03:01 PM	#1
Raibaru Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 979	25" of water and I want T5. Any fixtures come to mind? I'm trying to find a good tier5 fixture that will be reliable for a tank that is 25" deep. This is probably an impossibility, but I'd really much prefer T5 over MH due to the heat issue. I've never owned either a T5 or MH in the past, only PC. But T5 seems to be the most ideal. I will have a mixed reef. SPS at the top will probably be possible, but I also want the option to keep stuff on the sand. Especially an anemone and possibly a clam. I asked before and not much really came of it so figured I'd ask again. The fixture must use a splash screen as I want to run an open topped tank. And the fixture must have some kind of self cooling as I'm really trying to avoid ghetto rigging this up. LEDs would be nice, but not a deal breaker.

09/03/2008, 03:10 PM	#2
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	T5's can easily do SPS down to the sand in a 25" tank, even a 30" with good refletors. ATI is about the best complete fixture, Aquactinics Constellation, TX5 or Solar Flare are other very good ones. __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater

09/03/2008, 03:23 PM	#4
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	Yes, the powermodule- I am getting the light as soon as I decide the size of my next tank. They are designed to work with the fan, which blows air inward across all the bulbs and out the side. __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater

09/03/2008, 09:46 PM	#9
Jay180reef Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Calgary Posts: 431	Well, if you are concerned about price, The Icecap 660 kit runs about $250. You get a ballast, 4 T5s, reflectors, wiring, and the hardware. You'd have to build your own fixture. I did it with home depot angle brackets and some plywood. __________________ Jay Current Tank Info: 180G reef, 2x45G sumps, 45G fuge, MH lights w/T5s, ReefOcto skmr, Barracuda pump, Magnum powerheads

09/03/2008, 09:47 PM	#10
Jay180reef Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Calgary Posts: 431	I should mention they are 48", so a 36" kit would be even less. __________________ Jay Current Tank Info: 180G reef, 2x45G sumps, 45G fuge, MH lights w/T5s, ReefOcto skmr, Barracuda pump, Magnum powerheads

09/03/2008, 03:15 PM	#3
Raibaru Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 979	ATI is the power module right? With theirs, they say they have active cooling. Is this just a vent on the side or is there a fan insuring good air movement? I assume it's designed to work either way, I'm just curious.

09/03/2008, 03:30 PM	#5
Raibaru Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 979	Looks good. How many bulbs would you suggest for a 36" tank if I want to keep an anemone on the bottom and sps pretty much anywhere? Budgeting may not allow for the 8. Even the 6 may push me above my budget :/ Especially at twice the price of the tek light.

09/03/2008, 04:38 PM	#6
d4a2n0k Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 2,485	What are all the dimensions of your tank? I just got my 8 x 54w Powermodule a few weeks ago, here are a few pics so you can see how it cools. Each section houses 2 bulbs and 1 fan pulls air from the top. The fixture has channels built in that direct the air flow to the end caps and the hot air is exhausted out these vents. Here it is suspended. Its a very sleek unit. Its twice the price of the Tek lights but puts out twice as much light and the build quality is second to none. Well worth the money and waiting time IMO.

09/03/2008, 06:47 PM	#7
Raibaru Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 979	Yea, they look like solid units but they are quite expensive so if all I'd need is 4 bulbs I'd rather get the 4 bulb unit. My tank's dimensions are 36.5x18.5x25. It's an oceanic 70g tech tank. But speaking of tanks, what kind is yours? I can't tell how your overflow box is built. could you go into a little detail about your tank? It looks nice.

09/03/2008, 08:56 PM	#8
d4a2n0k Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 2,485	The 4 bulb would probably cut it if you keep the SPS and clams up top but the 6 bulb would probably be best. The tank was made by Aquarium Obsessed. 48 x 18 x 18 with an external overflow. Basically the back glass has a notch cut into it and the water flows through that into the overflow which is siliconed to the back of the tank. You can see the standpipe because I need to cover it with a piece of black acrylic. The benefit is that you lose no space inside the tank.