Stupid Questions

I currently have standard hood lighting that came with my tank. I have t8 bulbs in them now. Can I just swap them out with T5's or are they different sized connectors? I've never purchased T5 bulbs or lighting before.

If they will use the same fittings, If I have 2 - 24" Dual bulb fixtures on a standard 55g tank with a total of 4 T5 bulbs across it, could I do corals? Or am I going to have to scrap my current fixtures to do corals?

I am also guessing the darn ballasts aren't outputting enough for T5s because it would rain on my happy parade.

My brain is Fail today. I can barely put together a simple thought... darn A.D.D.

 

T8's and T5's are def different sockets, so T5's won't fit in your current hood.

If you want to do corals I would suggest at least a 4-bulb T5 fixture mounted or hung over a 55g. Choose ATI bulbs for the fixture, a mix of Blue +, Aquablue special, Purple plus bulbs.

You could possibly get away with sustaining some softies with your lighting maybe some mushrooms or leathers. However, if you want to get LPS or SPS (ie the "good" stuff) you def need to upgrade the lighting.

Look into an AquaticLIfe 48" 4-bulb T5 fixture, they are priced reasonably and come recommended by many here. What I like about them is you get a timer for the dawn/dusk cycle, mounting legs, led moonlights, & decent stock bulbs with their fixtures, great value IMO: (select 48" from dropdown) http://www.marinedepot.com/AquaticL...ures-AquaticLife-AK01035-FILTFIT54U-4-vi.html

If you have lots of $ to waste, get a TEK or ATI 4-bulb fixture.

 

yup need a new t5ho fixture. sockets ballasts etc wont work from old t8 unit.

 

Oh well

Thanks for the quick info and help! As for a lot of disposable income, not really. I have been saving a while and looking to do a decent setup in a 55g. I technically have two 55g tanks, but I was thinking to keep on fresh water for now.

 

Shop around on craigs list and e-bay. You can usually find good bargains on T5 light fixtures there.

 

Thanks for the info, why didn't I think of that? Eh, never used them before is probably why... I usually buy new or from Amazon or something. I guess it wouldn't hurt to try it out!

 

alot of people wont recommend oydessa t5 ebay fixtures, but it will get you started atleast.. the bulbs and reflectors are not good, but it will get your feet wet. get a 4x54w, but in 6-9months I would upgrade to a better brand fixture with better bulbs and SLR reflectors for the long run.