T5 lighting first timer....

bramjansen · 09/22/2006, 12:39 AM

I have a 135 gallon tank (footprint 72inch by 18inch wide by 24 inch deep. Never had t5 lighting. I want to install a retri kit in the canopy.

Firstly, what do you think of these guys...http://www.innovativelights.com

Secondly, what should I get!?!?!? Thanks!

theatrus · 09/22/2006, 01:15 AM

Hum, 72 will be a problem, as the bulbs come in 48" (well ok 46.5")... and 80"... and I'm not sure you're going to have enough space to do a weird 48" + 24" staggered install. You may be stuck with staggered 48", which means less light at the extreme edges.

Second of all, what do you want to keep (SPS + clam or no)? Blue look or more daylight look?

I've never dealt with Innovative Lights, but dealt with ReefGeek.com before (and just ordered some T5 reflectors and bulbs from them

).

horkn · 09/22/2006, 07:32 AM

he meant 60" not 80". there is a 72" t5ho retro available, but the bulb isnt sold separately yet. shipping even the 5 footers is a tough thing to do, they break so easily, which is why not every company makes the t5s in 5 footers.

bramjansen · 09/22/2006, 07:53 PM

Thanks guys! This is what the guy recommends from www.innovativelights.com What do you think? This is what he said:

You can go with the 4x80 Watt T5 Retrokit. That will give you 320 watts total lighting. These lamps are 60" long, so for your setup you can either center them 6" from each side or you can also stagger them as well.

Here is the link to the retrokits:

http://www.innovativelights.com/ret-t5-480.html

As for lamp selections I would go with (2) 11k Aquablue and (2) Actinic Blue PLUS lamps.

Let me know if you have anymore questions.

DeLiBoY · 09/22/2006, 08:09 PM

You will need more than 4 bulbs for a 135. At least 6 but prolly 8.

AJ69 · 09/22/2006, 08:53 PM

Deliboy is right,I have a 65 running 4/39 and looks way much better than MH I used to have,you might need more than 6

wpar · 09/23/2006, 09:00 AM

Your simplest solution, if it fits in your canopy, would be this fixture - 14 39W bulbs.

http://www.aquactinics.com/Products/...HO_Systems.htm

You can see pictures of it on tanks in this thread:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...hreadid=913092

Bill

09/22/2006, 12:39 AM	#1
bramjansen Premium Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Redwood City CA 94063 Posts: 166	T5 lighting first timer.... I have a 135 gallon tank (footprint 72inch by 18inch wide by 24 inch deep. Never had t5 lighting. I want to install a retri kit in the canopy. Firstly, what do you think of these guys...http://www.innovativelights.com Secondly, what should I get!?!?!? Thanks!

09/22/2006, 01:15 AM	#2
theatrus 100-mile-commuter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: almost nevada Posts: 4,721	Hum, 72 will be a problem, as the bulbs come in 48" (well ok 46.5")... and 80"... and I'm not sure you're going to have enough space to do a weird 48" + 24" staggered install. You may be stuck with staggered 48", which means less light at the extreme edges. Second of all, what do you want to keep (SPS + clam or no)? Blue look or more daylight look? I've never dealt with Innovative Lights, but dealt with ReefGeek.com before (and just ordered some T5 reflectors and bulbs from them ). __________________ Custom electronics purveyor. blueAcro.com Current Tank Info: 90g SPS+mixed reef (10 yrs): LEDBrick LEDs, 40g custom sump, Ca reactor, chiller, Vortech, lots of custom electronics

09/22/2006, 07:32 AM	#3
horkn Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: milwaukee wisconsin Posts: 4,125	he meant 60" not 80". there is a 72" t5ho retro available, but the bulb isnt sold separately yet. shipping even the 5 footers is a tough thing to do, they break so easily, which is why not every company makes the t5s in 5 footers. __________________ people write stupid things in this space Current Tank Info: 200g DIY wood reef, 2x 250w SE 10k MH 2x80 t5ho, 75g sump, Geo Ca RX, ASD 6" recirc skimmer

09/22/2006, 07:53 PM	#4
bramjansen Premium Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Redwood City CA 94063 Posts: 166	thanks Thanks guys! This is what the guy recommends from www.innovativelights.com What do you think? This is what he said: You can go with the 4x80 Watt T5 Retrokit. That will give you 320 watts total lighting. These lamps are 60" long, so for your setup you can either center them 6" from each side or you can also stagger them as well. Here is the link to the retrokits: http://www.innovativelights.com/ret-t5-480.html As for lamp selections I would go with (2) 11k Aquablue and (2) Actinic Blue PLUS lamps. Let me know if you have anymore questions.

09/22/2006, 08:53 PM	#6
AJ69 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Clermont, FL Posts: 2,116	Deliboy is right,I have a 65 running 4/39 and looks way much better than MH I used to have,you might need more than 6 __________________ "Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles ..." - Hunter S. Thompson "Better to fight for something than live for nothing" - G. Patton Current Tank Info: rimless cube

09/22/2006, 08:09 PM	#5
DeLiBoY Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Youngstown, OH Posts: 286	You will need more than 4 bulbs for a 135. At least 6 but prolly 8.

09/23/2006, 09:00 AM	#7
wpar Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Texas Coast Posts: 90	Your simplest solution, if it fits in your canopy, would be this fixture - 14 39W bulbs. http://www.aquactinics.com/Products/...HO_Systems.htm You can see pictures of it on tanks in this thread: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...hreadid=913092 Bill