T5 lighting for a new 75 gal

[Rolen27]

I've been looking at getting T5 lighting for my new tank and have a few newbie questions.

Is it better to get a full kit like the 4x54w or 6x54w, or can you just get them as singles?

For a 75 gal, is 4x54w enough or do you need more? I'm planning on just starting with fish and a few corals that I can handle and then moving up to the tougher stuff when I'm ready.

Thanks for your help.

[Jflip2002]

1) I have T5s, and love them. Theyre way better than PCs

But (I guess this would be 2), Im imagining your tank is deeper than 18" or so, so Id go MH. Im upgrading to a 60g, and I dont think anything less than MH will do.

If I were you, Id save a little more money, and get the Metal Halides. JMO

[Loverotties]

I'd go with the Mh also!

[REEFSTOCK]

4 bulbs can handle any coral IMO (placed apropriatly perhaps). You may want to get 6 though because I get the feeling it is the most popular one and will retain more value in that case.
Your going to be fine with either the 6 or 4 over a 75.
I used a 6 and it fits just perfect.

[Rolen27]

Originally Posted by Jflip2002

If I were you, Id save a little more money, and get the Metal Halides. JMO

I was under the assumption that the MH were more expensive, I haven't looked into them at all yet. What size/watt would you need for a 75 gal?

Also, do you always want to have lights that run the full length of your tank? So in my case, 48"?

edit: just realized... save a little MORE money, not save a little money... haha. So if I were to save a little more money and get the MH, what would I need to look at.

[StOnErSpS]

i would look at 250watt halides, with maybe some vho?

Icecap makes a good halide ballast and everyone seems to like them!

Are you using a canopy or no?

That would make a difference in price too, retro on a whole are alot cheaper then the hanging fixtures.

personally i would throw 2*250watt halides on a 75, you wouldnt need the vho, you could just buy 14k bulbs, but it all depends on what color you like in the tank

[David Grigor]

IMO: T5s is a really good fit for a 75g. Not it's not too deep and no MH is not required. You will have much less heat issues and with the right bulb combinations can get VERY near to MH performance. So close that I doubt I will every own MH again even for a SPS dominate tank, and I've been a metal halide user from 150W up to 400W MH for nearly 10 years. If you already have a canopy and even minimum DIY skills I would do a retro gives you more freedom to bulb spacing, optimimum reflectors, and can easily customize your bulb count. For you situation 3 bulbs with Icecap SLR reflectors on standard T5 ballast would likely work very well for quite some time based on your current plans and can always add more later when needed.

[StOnErSpS]

so david you like t-5's that much>?

What do You like about them that made you change ya mind about MH?

[David Grigor]

My first go at T5s several years ago the UVL brand bulbs were not available. Now that UVL bulbs are out and no longer getting the pastel colors that was my main complaints with T5s the first time there are too many PROs. I've I had to put a meter on it, I'd say I get very near performance ( with proper coral placement ).

If I were an absolute hardcore SPS nuts like back in the day, I'd opt for that little better performance and deal with the heat but those hardcore days are over and the peace of mind knowing that even on the hottest days 82 would be an extreme for my tank. Not to mention I'm getting pretty darn good performance on a 110g 5' tank with 300W of lighting that couldn't be done accomplished with the equivalent wattage in MH.

For a basic community 75g as Rolen discusses, I think T5s are a total no brainer.

[tsoperator]

I've seen some insane SPS growth shots on RC with T5's.
I have 416w of T5 over my 60g, so I'll be giving an SPS frag a try.

[Twins Guy]

if i were setting up a 75 i would totally go t5, 4 or 6 bulbs...
tg

[REEFSTOCK]

Of course your always welcome to see what racks of tanks on T-5 look like

[Rolen27]

Originally Posted by REEFSTOCK

Of course your always welcome to see what racks of tanks on T-5 look like

Do you mean your store? That would be cool, where is it located?

[Rolen27]

Originally Posted by David Grigor

IMO: T5s is a really good fit for a 75g. Not it's not too deep and no MH is not required. You will have much less heat issues and with the right bulb combinations can get VERY near to MH performance. So close that I doubt I will every own MH again even for a SPS dominate tank, and I've been a metal halide user from 150W up to 400W MH for nearly 10 years. If you already have a canopy and even minimum DIY skills I would do a retro gives you more freedom to bulb spacing, optimimum reflectors, and can easily customize your bulb count. For you situation 3 bulbs with Icecap SLR reflectors on standard T5 ballast would likely work very well for quite some time based on your current plans and can always add more later when needed.

No, I don't have a hood yet, I'd like to build one. Then you just buy a single ballast for each bulb? Where's a good place to buy the ballast and bulbs?

So if I understand correctly, buy a standard ballast but get the icecap reflector for it? That way you could just start with 3 or 4 singles and move up from there?

[REEFSTOCK]

Originally Posted by Rolen27

Do you mean your store? That would be cool, where is it located?

http://thereeftank.com/forums/showth...161#post923161

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