T5s Q&A

I recently upgraded to a 90gal.
I had a 55gal with nova extreme pro 6x54w

Now, the new setup came with a canopy with:
6 x 54W T5 retrofit lighting kit from Sunlight Supply http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Fluorescent/Sunlight_Supply/Tek_2_Retrofit_Kits/48_inch__6x54W_Tek_2_T5_High-Output_Retrofit_Kit_w!_Bulbs_by_Sunlight_Supply.

Upgraded to IceCap SLR reflectors.IceCap SLR T5 Reflectors by Ice Cap - AquaCave

These are connected to 3 Accustart Electronic Ballast.. 2 New Accustart Electronic Ballast B254PUNV-D B254PUNVD - eBay (item 300486280426 end time Dec-16-10 05:40:08 PST)

I wanted to test MH's so i borrowed my friends ebay purchased fixture which is 2x250w with 4x54w t5's.

Now i am really stuck between MH and T5's.. i really like t5's but i want good coral growth.

I was thinking about selling some equipment and investing in the ATI 8x54w t5 fixture or having someone make me a new canopy and doing the whole 8x54w with icecaps 660..

Any suggestions?? Which will save me money and give me more?

EDIT: Also.. can you upgrade a fixture with icecaps?
if i get 6 bulb ati fixture and then upgrade it with the icecaps 660's.. will that ever work?

 

Any suggestions?

 

I like It and love everything about it.

I would concider Boost leds and you might could supplement with t5s that you have now to give you the best of both words and the shimmer of MHs along with less energy consumption

 

You will get excellent coral growth with T5HO. The 6 bulb unit is more than sufficient to grow any animal you want. Just purchase bulbs from ATI, KZ, UVL or Geisemann.

You will save money by using what you have. They are all quality parts. Buying Ice Cap ballasts will burn out your bulbs faster costing you more, require more energy to run costing you more besides costing you more to buy them. FYI a quality T5HO light penetration is good to 30" while 250W MH is good to 24".

 

thanks for the info and suggestion
one question; the canopy i have with the t5 bulbs is a little dificult, i wanted a new canopy built.
Its a little difficult to get inside the tank. So i will have to get a canopy built regardless.

I want to see if these 6 bulbs will be better then a 6 bulb ATI fixture. Because if the Ati will give me better output, id rather not spend money on a new canopy. But if this is better then ill just assemble the bulbs in the new canopy.

 

The ATI fixture is better than your current fixture. If you can DIY the canopy yourself it would be cheaper than getting an ATI fixture.

 

Thank you!!
I have made up my mind for a 6x54 ati.
now to come up with a nice bulb combo and order it

 

3 ATI Blue Plus, 2 ATI Aquablue Special ad 1 ATI Purple Plus. If it is too much light get a couple of ATI Actinic and replace 1 Blue Plus and 1 Aquablue Special. Aquablue Special is a 12000K white bulb.

 

I have a 15 gallon tank it's 12inches deep, I have a 24" t5ho light fixture that is 48 watt, 1-10000k and 1 actinic, would that be considered medium light level for this tank?

 

timer

I just got a solar xtreme t5 light with a built in timer, i can not figure out how to set the timer please help.