What Would You Do

i AM GOING TO ADD ADDITIONAL LIGHTING TO MINE. i HAVE THE CORALIFE PC 2 X 65 WATT 50/50. I AM GOING TO BUILD ANOTHER FIXTURE TO SIT ON TOP OF MY TANK NEXT TO THE PC. I AM STUCK BETWEEN 2. METAL HALIDES NOT AN OPTION.

EITHER 2 X 54 WATT T5HO RETROFIT KIT (CORALVUE)

OR 2 X 110 WATT VHO (PFO RETROFIT)

THANKS FOR ALL THE HELP

 

Well, you are asking the question of the ages,"How much light do I need and what kind of light is best." Everyone has their personal preferrence. But let's start by getting some more info on your tank. How big is your tank and how deep is the water? Do you have a canopy or anything that limits the space you have available? What kind of coral do you want to grow? Also, do you have access to a chiller? Also, are you interested in selling your current light (not to me, lord knows I don't need any more light) and taking the profits into a new light.

 

Personally i would go with the T5.

Marc.

 

T5 HO's hands down. Newer technology. More energy efficient. More light for the watt.

Jim

 

T5 HO with reflectors. (SLR's)

 

Is it just me or has anyone noticed the three people suggesting T5s don't use them? Nemo, I'd still like to hear about your tank and what your limitations are. There are so many things to consider if you are building a light to last. I mention some earlier, but one more came to mind:
How accurately do you want to simulate daylight progression. Some people believe that making your light progressively brighter and then dimmer through the day is easier on the corals. Now I have 350W that kick on after only a 65w warm up with my actinics and I have seen no ill affects. But, some like this either for coral health or for the desire to mimic a reef environment more accurately. Just another thing to consider.

 

In my case, I already have the IceCap SLR's and the IceCap 660 ballast, and am looking for Santa to bring me the Giesemann 54W lamps.
After 13 years, I'm finally going to make a change because of some of the T5 lit tanks I have viewed in the last year.
For a small light, coupled with the reflectors, they were much more impressive than any VHO tank I've seen to date.

 

True I have PC's right now but as soon as my bulbs are due to be replaced im replacing everything with T5's

Marc.

 

Wow. Alot To Think About. I Would Sell My Current Fixture But Not Sure To Whom? Most Wouldn't Touch Pc's Now After The T5's That's Why I Was Thinking Of Adding On To My Current Light System As To Spend $400 For A New Fixture Is Astronomical On My Budget. I Don't Have A Canopy So I Would Be Building A Box For The Retrofit Kit To Sit In Or Hang Them. I Am Still Looking At Options And Hoping I Will Get Money For My Bday That I Can Put Towards Lighting. I'm Not Sure About Doing The Sun Up Down Effect But I Want More Than 130 Watts Lighting So I Have More Options On What I Can Keep And To Keep Everything Thriving Not Just Surviving. I Will Post Pics Of Different Fixtures I Am Looking Into When I Get Home Tonight.

 

Hi Again,

So, we're on a budget but limited by space......If I had to do it all over again I'd probably also go with T5s. They run cooler than MH and take up very little space. That said, you may aim for T5s. Now, here's what I found for price reference:
2x54W T5 ~$150
2x110W VHO ~$190
4x54W T5 CurrentUSA full fixture ~$200
8x54W T5 CurrentUSA full fixture ~$400
With this in mind, I'd probably suggest you sell your PC fixture for ~$60 on Craiglist and just buy a T5 fixture. Builing a retro is something intended to give you more control over your lighting or allow you to cutomize a canopy. Also, when you build the canopy you will need additional supplies: plastic, fans, wire. For your need selling your fixture and buying the 4x54W T5s would cost the same or less and give you better results. If you can save $200, then the 8x54W would give you easily enough light to grow almost anything (assuming you have a 55Gal tank).
I'll be glad to assist if I can provide any more information.