T-5 Lighting Options for a small SPS tank

surprise · 01/21/2006, 07:58 PM

I have a 26 gallon bow that is 24" wide and 20" tall. Currently I have a 175 watt 10K XM halide providing light to my inhabitants that includes a tort, several caps and a couple of staghorns. Due to issues firing the XM and the heat and energy that is produced I am looking to replace my setup. Currently my halide is in a canopy and is 5" above the water, due to this I am running a glass shield directly below the lamp. I also have 2 24w T-5 Blue+ to supplement the halide.

What would be better for my tank:
1. Switch the current 10k XM for a 10K Reeflux
2. Buy a SLS TEK retro with 11k bulbs
3. Buy the SLS TEK retro but upgrade to IC reflector with 11K bulbs
4. By the IC retro with 430 ballast and IC reflectors with 11k bulbs

With the T-5 setup would I still have to run the protective glass shield?

What would you choose?

Lights Are Bright · 01/22/2006, 01:28 AM

You shouldnt need the glass shield if you have waterproof endcaps. The IceCap reflectors are better, and the ballast overdrives the bulbs, so its really strong but on a tank that shallow, I think it won't matter.

mpcart · 01/22/2006, 11:25 AM

I don't know which would be better, but I run T-5 SLS Retros on my 21" deep tank and have good SPS growth. My lamps are 3-4" above the water and I don't run a shield. No problems so far.

-Mike

surprise · 01/22/2006, 10:56 PM

Thanks for your help!

01/21/2006, 07:58 PM	#1
surprise Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 73	T-5 Lighting Options for a small SPS tank I have a 26 gallon bow that is 24" wide and 20" tall. Currently I have a 175 watt 10K XM halide providing light to my inhabitants that includes a tort, several caps and a couple of staghorns. Due to issues firing the XM and the heat and energy that is produced I am looking to replace my setup. Currently my halide is in a canopy and is 5" above the water, due to this I am running a glass shield directly below the lamp. I also have 2 24w T-5 Blue+ to supplement the halide. What would be better for my tank: 1. Switch the current 10k XM for a 10K Reeflux 2. Buy a SLS TEK retro with 11k bulbs 3. Buy the SLS TEK retro but upgrade to IC reflector with 11K bulbs 4. By the IC retro with 430 ballast and IC reflectors with 11k bulbs With the T-5 setup would I still have to run the protective glass shield? What would you choose?

01/22/2006, 01:28 AM	#2
Lights Are Bright Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Cerritos, CA Posts: 386	You shouldnt need the glass shield if you have waterproof endcaps. The IceCap reflectors are better, and the ballast overdrives the bulbs, so its really strong but on a tank that shallow, I think it won't matter.

01/22/2006, 11:25 AM	#3
mpcart Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: O'Fallon, IL Posts: 2,465	I don't know which would be better, but I run T-5 SLS Retros on my 21" deep tank and have good SPS growth. My lamps are 3-4" above the water and I don't run a shield. No problems so far. -Mike

01/22/2006, 10:56 PM	#4
surprise Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 73	Thanks for your help!