Wattage for T-5s on 75 Gal tank

[loans_n_fishes]

I am looking to upgrade my lights in the near future. I am trying to decide between T-5s and PCs. It is a 75 gal tank with only softies for now, but I would like to light it for years to come (clams if possible, but not necessarily). I don't really want to deal with the $$$ and heat of metal halides right now.

What is the wattage I am looking for in PC and T-5? I don't want overkill, but I don't want to be in the position of replacing them in a couple of years to upgrade.

Approximately how much $$ will this set me back? Actually am hoping to buy gently used from an individual, but have seen the 260W Pcs for around $120 including shipping on ebay. :unsure

[Ram_Puppy]

quite simply I don't think you can 'overkill' with T-5's.

You will need to look for a couple things in your lamp set.

1) Awesome reflectors. best on the market are made by teklite, and I believe reefgeek sells them (actually I know, i own some. :)

2) good ballast. Icecap T5 ballasts actually overdrive the lamps just a teeny bit, so life time is a bit shorter but you get more out of them.

As far as wattage, measure your tank, go find a kit that will fit in that space, and buy as many of them as you can afford to fit in said space.

there are some great pictures of tanks on reef central that use T5's and have clams. most likely though, you will be limited to the uper 1/3 of the tank with clams on a T-5 only setup.

[Ed]

For a 75g you would want the 46.5" 54W T5HO bulbs. I have seen as few as 4 and as many as 8 bulbs on a 75g.

As Ram said, reflectors are very important with T5s. I too have TEK reflectors. Our very own Polkster13 sells them.

If you are looking for a complete fixture, the ones sold by Sunlight Supply have TEK reflectors.

You will likely spend more for T5s than PCs, but the difference in light output is stunning.

I run T5s on my 180g and successfully keep clams and SPS among other things.

HTH.

[loans_n_fishes]

So, with 4 t5s, what am I limited to?

[dwdenny]

If on and IC 660 or 2 430 ballast nothing really. On a T5HO ballast still can keep higher light critters but higher in the tank of course. Shrooms and other low light critters dont like the T5 lighting. Brains have problems as well. Look up the big T5 thread called Tanks lite with T5 only and that has a bunch of 75g setup and the lighting they use. Here is a couple it just looked up http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=602732 and http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=741281 iannot find the other one will look and post later

Edit: on an IC 660 you can run 4X54w on a IC 430 you can only run 2 or any T5. They will also push the 54 watters to 80w each. There is some debate on the life span as some euro reefes notice a change at about 6-9 months and change them at this time and they are not over driving them at all. The GE daylight is the best PAR bulb out there and the aquablue bulb just as good as the ATI 6000k bulb. URI is coming out with a T5 super actinic and supossed to be released this month! HTH

[loans_n_fishes]

ok, so since right now (and maybe always) it is a softie and perhaps LPS tank, what wattage should I use? Would PC be a better choice in this instance? What am I looking for for softies and LPS?

Guess I will just have to have another tank for SPS and clams later on. :)

[TroyPham]

just set up my t5 D&D (gueismen)sp pure 03 actinics last night. it's a 4x54wtt with icecap slr reflectors and a triad ballast. i'm just using it as suppliment to my 3 Mh's. they look nothing like the uri vho's. i'm hoping that the t5 uri's look more purple then these do. i don't know if i'm happy.... kinda but not really..

picked up everything from reefgeek. everything needed for $280. best price i found for a set up with this good of equipment.

[dwdenny]

Yeah the T5 pure actinics are not all that great. I know ASH from IC has been testing the URI's and he says they are just as good. Of course that is his opinion but I am sure they will be good(as good as the VHO I am not sure) Try using the blue+ bulbs they are not as good as the VHO but do help out a bunch from what I have seen and heard. There is another option as well which are the super blues from comodityaxis.com you will have to call them on them as they are not on the site. Grim posted some pics and man did they make the colors pop.

[Ed]

ok, so since right now (and maybe always) it is a softie and perhaps LPS tank, what wattage should I use? Would PC be a better choice in this instance? What am I looking for for softies and LPS?

Guess I will just have to have another tank for SPS and clams later on. :)

I keep softies, LPS, SPS, and clams in the same T5HO lit tank. Placement is what helps make it work. I have shaded areas for the lower light stuff, ledges up high for the high light stuff, etc. I would definitely still recommend the T5s over PCs. JMHO. ;)

[loans_n_fishes]

I may be able to get a 48" 4x54w T5 fixture for around $100...new bulbs included (2 actinic 2 daylight). Is this going to fit the bill? Sounds like an awesome deal...am I right?

[dwdenny]

I would like to know where you are getting it for $100 including bulbs? If it has individual reflecotrs like the TEKs, IC, or even aqualuxlighting.com one that is a steal and I would jump on it. If it has one reflector for all bulbs then pass on it for sure. For softies and LPS might want to do 1 aquablue and three blue+ will be a little on the blue side maybe a 20K look. Another possibility is to run 2X54w T5 aquablue and vho actinics. The quablues are a bright white with a hint of blue if that helps any.

[loans_n_fishes]

It's on ebay

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=ADME:B:WNA:US:11 1&item=7752682338&id=&sasel=

used fixture but new bulbs. Is this one reflector for all?

[Ed]

Hard to tell from the pic, but if it had individual reflectors, the seller would probably say so.

[dwdenny]

well those bulbs look to close to have reflectors to me at least. The IC SLR reflectors are 2 1/4" wide the Teks are 2 1/8" and the aqualuxlighting.com ones are 3 1/8" wide. With those numbers it is easier to say that not those do not have individual reflectors. Could always email the seller and ask what brand they are to get a better idea and research at least.

[loans_n_fishes]

I just sent the seller some questions. I also noticed that the picture is the same one used in another seller's auction (new unit in this auction is $199.99 plus $25 shipping.) Here is a description in that auction:

This is a 4 X 54 watt (216 watts total!) T5 HO hood brand new in box ready for delivery - with bulbs included! Unit is 48 inches long.

Picture shows 6 X 54 watt hood, but you will receive a 4 X 54 watt hood.

-Unit has a 5 year warranty on its ballast

-Unit is made in the United States

-Unit comes equipt with 6 German Style T5 bulbs - 3- 10k and 3- 7100k actinic bulbs. If you would like a different combination of bulbs please state the combination of bulbs you would like in your payment (not email)

-Unit is equipt with the best German Polished aluminum mirror Reflector in the industry -making way for 99% more reflectivity.

T5 lighting is the most efficient way to light aquarium tanks. The light of the T5 bulb penetrates great debths of tanks encouraging and stimulating growth of coral and inverts. It is a very affordable way to light your tank because it is the most efficient light made for aquariums today. It has a very low heat output as well helping aquatists save money by not having to buy chillers..

The unit comes with legs that lift the unit 2.5 inches above the very top of the tank.

The reflective design of the hood unit discourages growth of algea on the front and back glass of the aquarium tank.

Unit comes equipt with an acrylic lens to keep the splash out.

Unit comes with 2 chords and 2 switches so user can add the unit to personal timers to implement the dawn and dusk effect.

Unit is 48 inches long, 7 and 1/8 inches wide and 2.5 inches thick.

Hood is aluminum - which will not rust from heavy moisture over the years. This is a very solid fixture to last for many years. Thanks for checking out our auction please check out our others - we can and would love to satisfy all of your lighting needs. Have a great day! We ship Via federal express for $25 - we will make sure the unit gets to you in prestine condition.

Please ask for out of country shipping quotes or shipping to hawaii or alaska.

[dwdenny]

Unit is equipt with the best German Polished aluminum mirror Reflector in the industry -making way for 99% more reflectivity.

Only one reflector for all the bulbs that is no good. For softies it will be fine but if you want SPS and Clams in t he future then I would look at the TEK or retro if you have an existing canopy. Sorry they look good I just dont trust to many things on ebay but that is me. Plus 199 with bulbs is cheap and the 7100k blue will not make coral colors pop like the VHO super actincs or the blue+. I am in the same boat as you I want MH but might go T5 the price is not all that different to be honest. So what I am doing now is trying to figure out if I can beat the heat during the summers. If I install two fans in the canopy with a single 175w with Iwasaki 14k bulb I should be fine(40g breeder) I feel 250w is too much but might not be(Zoanthid dominated tank for me). Oh well this is my problem not yours. Hope that I help you out a little.

[loans_n_fishes]

The guy wrote me back and says it has 4 reflectors and that the picture is a stock picture. What do ya think? Didn't give the brand...says it's German.

[Yankee]

Here is what I am going to buy but not sure which one yet. I just spend my light money replacement on a new 24gal Aquapod. Both of these come with bulbs and the oony down fall is that the retro don'e have moonlight. Also both will fit under my canopy. I will let you know when I purchase them.

http://www.aquauniverse.com/component/page,shop.product_details/flypage,shop.flypage/product_id,1053/option,com_phpshop/Itemid,31/


http://www.aquauniverse.com/component/page,shop.product_details/flypage,shop.flypage/product_id,1060/option,com_phpshop/Itemid,31/

[dwdenny]

Once again no individual reflectors!!!! Not worth the money. The reflectors make the T5 lighting good. If you want a cheaper T5 retro talk with Polkster or look here www.aqualuxlighting.com. If you get each piece then it is cheaper then the TEK retro even of www.reefgeek.com. The aqualux reflectors are not as good as theIC reflectors but better then the TEK ones. Aqualux are 3 1/8" wide the IC 2 1/4" and the TEK are 2 1/8"