72'' T5 units

calamari · 07/19/2009, 10:21 PM

need some input on some good 72''T5 units. i have been looking at the nova extreme pro 72'' that has 12 39watt T5 bulbs. the only thing that i really dont like about it is that it doesnt have any moon light. which really isnt a prob becasue i could just make some but i would rather have them in the unit. does anyone have or know of a good 72'' T5 unit that has moon lights that are built into the unit.

calamari · 07/20/2009, 08:58 AM

bump

JRechcygl · 07/20/2009, 09:35 AM

Honestly Calamari, I was in your same boat last November... I knew I wanted T5 on my 180 but was limited as there are not many fixtures out there and NO 72" lamps so you get stuck doubling up 3'ers... I looked into the Constellation, as I knew if I was going to do it I was going to get the best I could afford... I looked into it... 14 36" lamps... Ouch, thats ALOT of lamps to replace every year or so!!!!
So I did what was most logical to me... I built a retro using 60" lamps. I have 8 of them of wattage wise I have a little more than the 14 36"ers and have only have the amount of lamps to replace yearly. While I do have 6" on both ends that the lamps don't cover my PAR levels still allow me to grow Monti caps and seriatoporas in that gap. You can not tell from the tank that the lamps do not run the whole length...
Since its a retro I can add fans where I want and moon lights where I want, same goes for you.... IF I were to do it all again, I would do a retro no questions. Also I saved big time $$ over buying a "GOOD" fixture.
I would also look at it this way Currents lamps and SLRs are not that good. Do you really want to buy a fixture you will most likely not be thrilled with? What happens when you end up upgrading?

Just a thought!

slider162 · 07/20/2009, 10:28 AM

I agree with JRechcygl. Get the 60" T5 retro with a good ballast. I have 6 lamps (2ea Icecap 660) above my 150G that is 27" deep, 18" wide. The lamps are staggered a bit. 6" on each side isn't going to hurt anything.

gulfcoastrfr · 07/20/2009, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by JRechcygl
Honestly Calamari, I was in your same boat last November... I knew I wanted T5 on my 180 but was limited as there are not many fixtures out there and NO 72" lamps so you get stuck doubling up 3'ers... I looked into the Constellation, as I knew if I was going to do it I was going to get the best I could afford... I looked into it... 14 36" lamps... Ouch, thats ALOT of lamps to replace every year or so!!!!
So I did what was most logical to me... I built a retro using 60" lamps. I have 8 of them of wattage wise I have a little more than the 14 36"ers and have only have the amount of lamps to replace yearly. While I do have 6" on both ends that the lamps don't cover my PAR levels still allow me to grow Monti caps and seriatoporas in that gap. You can not tell from the tank that the lamps do not run the whole length...
Since its a retro I can add fans where I want and moon lights where I want, same goes for you.... IF I were to do it all again, I would do a retro no questions. Also I saved big time $$ over buying a "GOOD" fixture.
I would also look at it this way Currents lamps and SLRs are not that good. Do you really want to buy a fixture you will most likely not be thrilled with? What happens when you end up upgrading?

Just a thought!

Do you have a picture of the retro that you built? I'm trying to design one for my tank.

Brian

calamari · 07/20/2009, 10:52 AM

wow thanks everyone...yeah pics would be great!

JRechcygl · 07/20/2009, 11:44 AM

Keep in mind these pics are from November 08 so the kids and the tank have grown considerable!!

Hope this helps!!

gulfcoastrfr · 07/20/2009, 03:28 PM

Thanks, that really helps. I was worried about how close to the water I could put them, but yours look like they are no more than 4 inches.

Brian

JRechcygl · 07/20/2009, 03:46 PM

No problem. Glad it helped..
Yeah, I put the reflectors as close to the water as possible without having too much light blocked by the braces.

calamari · 07/20/2009, 08:35 PM

awesome thanks

07/19/2009, 10:21 PM	#1
calamari Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 83	72'' T5 units need some input on some good 72''T5 units. i have been looking at the nova extreme pro 72'' that has 12 39watt T5 bulbs. the only thing that i really dont like about it is that it doesnt have any moon light. which really isnt a prob becasue i could just make some but i would rather have them in the unit. does anyone have or know of a good 72'' T5 unit that has moon lights that are built into the unit.

07/20/2009, 09:35 AM	#3
JRechcygl Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Somewhere playing with lamps Posts: 449	Honestly Calamari, I was in your same boat last November... I knew I wanted T5 on my 180 but was limited as there are not many fixtures out there and NO 72" lamps so you get stuck doubling up 3'ers... I looked into the Constellation, as I knew if I was going to do it I was going to get the best I could afford... I looked into it... 14 36" lamps... Ouch, thats ALOT of lamps to replace every year or so!!!! So I did what was most logical to me... I built a retro using 60" lamps. I have 8 of them of wattage wise I have a little more than the 14 36"ers and have only have the amount of lamps to replace yearly. While I do have 6" on both ends that the lamps don't cover my PAR levels still allow me to grow Monti caps and seriatoporas in that gap. You can not tell from the tank that the lamps do not run the whole length... Since its a retro I can add fans where I want and moon lights where I want, same goes for you.... IF I were to do it all again, I would do a retro no questions. Also I saved big time $$ over buying a "GOOD" fixture. I would also look at it this way Currents lamps and SLRs are not that good. Do you really want to buy a fixture you will most likely not be thrilled with? What happens when you end up upgrading? Just a thought! __________________ Rechcygl...Yeah only one vowel AKA Dr.Fragenstein Big Glass tank lit by thin glass bulbs Current Tank Info: Propane, 180 reef

07/20/2009, 11:44 AM	#7
JRechcygl Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Somewhere playing with lamps Posts: 449	Keep in mind these pics are from November 08 so the kids and the tank have grown considerable!! Hope this helps!! __________________ Rechcygl...Yeah only one vowel AKA Dr.Fragenstein Big Glass tank lit by thin glass bulbs Current Tank Info: Propane, 180 reef

07/20/2009, 03:46 PM	#9
JRechcygl Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Somewhere playing with lamps Posts: 449	No problem. Glad it helped.. Yeah, I put the reflectors as close to the water as possible without having too much light blocked by the braces. __________________ Rechcygl...Yeah only one vowel AKA Dr.Fragenstein Big Glass tank lit by thin glass bulbs Current Tank Info: Propane, 180 reef

07/20/2009, 08:58 AM	#2
calamari Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 83	bump

07/20/2009, 10:28 AM	#4
slider162 Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Orange City, FL Posts: 346	I agree with JRechcygl. Get the 60" T5 retro with a good ballast. I have 6 lamps (2ea Icecap 660) above my 150G that is 27" deep, 18" wide. The lamps are staggered a bit. 6" on each side isn't going to hurt anything.

07/20/2009, 10:52 AM	#6
calamari Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 83	wow thanks everyone...yeah pics would be great!

07/20/2009, 03:28 PM	#8
gulfcoastrfr Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 57	Thanks, that really helps. I was worried about how close to the water I could put them, but yours look like they are no more than 4 inches. Brian

07/20/2009, 08:35 PM	#10
calamari Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 83	awesome thanks