T5

[JUPITER]

Hi -- I am fairly new to the hobby (about 2 years) I am needing better lighting.
Does anyone have used t5 light (housing and bulbs) they would like to sell?
I need either 18" or 24".

Thanks

[David Grigor]

I'm not aware of 18" HO T5 bulbs so 24" is what you want.

[JUPITER]

thanks, I got lucky and found a 24" t4 for a steal on craigslist!!

[JUPITER]

I mean T5

[David Grigor]

What did you get ? Remember not all T5s are the same meaning the reflector and air flow has a huge impact on performance up to 265% from the reflector alone.

[kpete4]

I'm looking at this setup: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=12772&N=2004+113175

Is this a good t-5 setup or what should I be looking for???

[David Grigor]

Hate to tell you this but as far as T5s go that unit is the worst performer because of the flat reflectors you don't get near the output as capable. Expect it to be about 50% of what a T5 setup could be......something better than PCs but not what anywhere near what a quality T5 setup can.

If not too late I'd back out of the deal.....


Nova is supposed to be coming out with a fixture with individual reflectors for the bulbs which should be a significant improvement if they design them right. But for now the Nova is far from ideal.

[kpete4]

I'm glad you told me that, I haven't purchased anything yet. I'm still trying to figure out what I want.

Where can I get a quality t-5 fixture????

[storrisch]

do you want a fixture or a retro-kit? Diyreef.com has retrokits and you can pick icecap reflectors for like 8bucks extra so you are getting the most out of your bulb.

on that note...has anyone tested the new tekII reflectors for par vs. icecap?

[kpete4]

I'm not sure. I have a really nice canopy but I'm worried about just ordering a retro fit kit and trying to put it together. individual icecap reflectors are what I need to be looking for???

[David Grigor]

If you have a canopy, you will get the most from your T5s with a retrokit.

All except the real high end ( ie: $$$ ) fixtures have a weekness of some sort. Some it the reflectors or lack there of and others don't have fans. Unlike other flourscents heat has a significant impact on bulb output ( up to 20% ).

Don't be scared of retro. There is no soldering or anything complicated. I'd hope you can stip the ends of wires. Everything is color coded and you just slip the wires in all self locking. Screw the endscaps into the wood and your done. DIYREEF.com has retro where you can upgrade to icecap reflectors for only $4 more. This is really the best way to go to maximize your output from T5s. You will need to get you a DC fan from a computer store or the like for around $5-10 and your done. You mount the fan so that it blows the lengthwise on the bulbs.

What are the front to back demensions on your tank and what types of corals do you plan to keep this will dictate the number of bulbs.

[kpete4]

standard 75 (48x18) I'd like to be able to do as much as I can, but if it's going to be a huge cost thing, I'd be ok with leaving out some clams, stony corals or whatever. For sure I would like to be able to do soft corals and maybe some others

Are these more what I should be looking for??? And what's the difference between the the 2 besides price????
http://www.diyreef.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=55_89&products_id=459&osCsid=fbdb679aafe82e16e76cb45f188deee0

http://www.diyreef.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=355&osCsid=fbdb679aafe82e16e76cb45f188deee0

I'm not completely sold on the t-5's if there's something else you would get in the $4-500 that would be better let me know

thanks

[David Grigor]

4 bulb will be more than fine. I have 3 bulb on my 75g frag tank with only acros in it.

Don't need the Icecap 660 ballast one which is why it costs more. Standard driven bulbs is what you want which happens to be the cheaper.

Be sure to choose to upgrade to icecap reflectors. The standard tek one is comes with aren't as good.


T5s is most likely your best bet for a 75g. The tank is not very deep so T5s should penetrate all the way to the bottom very well. MH would likely be as much or more and you would be then faced with heat issues much more than T5s. IMO/IME its the best choice for your situation.