T-5 Fixture

[tony9758]

This is the fixture I am thinking about buying for my 90 gallon.

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_...unlight_Supply

Do I need to buy reflectors for the fixture? or is that for retro kits?

Also, do I need the acrylic shield to block water from hitting the bulbs?
Won't the shield block light coming into the tank?

I am planning on using egg crate as a cover.

As far as the bulbs go, I am thinking 6 daytime (whites) 2 blue.

[Wiskey]

I really like that fixture,.. and it comes with the Individual Parabolic Reflectors that make T5's really shine (No pun intended) (okay,.. the pun was intended, but I don't feel good about it)

I would not get the acrilic cover, insted I would blow air across the bulbs with a fan to keep them cool,.. this will greatly extend their life.

What kind of coral do you intend to keep? With the 8 bulb fixture that's going to be a whole heck of allot of light,.. I might be quicker to suggest the 6 bulb model.

Whiskey

[slant77]

No the reflectors or for retro work. I had a 4 bulb fixure sitting 1' above my glass top so no shield. I have now switched to a different brand 6 bulb fixture with fans and at 5" a splash is needed.

[tony9758]

Originally Posted by Wiskey

I really like that fixture,.. and it comes with the Individual Parabolic Reflectors that make T5's really shine (No pun intended) (okay,.. the pun was intended, but I don't feel good about it)

I would not get the acrilic cover, insted I would blow air across the bulbs with a fan to keep them cool,.. this will greatly extend their life.

What kind of coral do you intend to keep? With the 8 bulb fixture that's going to be a whole heck of allot of light,.. I might be quicker to suggest the 6 bulb model.

Whiskey

I want to be able to keep anything without worrying if I have enough light.

I haven't really thought about it, but all the corals I've looked at that catch my eye require lots of light. I also want to keep a clam. I was afraid that the 6 bulb fixture (seems to only come in blue) would not be enough for a 2 foot tall tank. But I don't know a lot about corals or light.

I would rather get the 6 bulb if it would be enough light to keep anything in the 90

[tony9758]

Originally Posted by slant77

No the reflectors or for retro work. I had a 4 bulb fixure sitting 1' above my glass top so no shield. I have now switched to a different brand 6 bulb fixture with fans and at 5" a splash is needed.

I would rather not have a fan but would consider it, I just don't want water hitting the hot bulbs, seems like a bad thing.

[Geoff]

flourescents do not really get hot enough to be a huge splash risk like MH's are. the end caps are the only places you really need to be worried about not getting drenched.

G~

[Wiskey]

Originally Posted by tony9758

I want to be able to keep anything without worrying if I have enough light.

I haven't really thought about it, but all the corals I've looked at that catch my eye require lots of light. I also want to keep a clam. I was afraid that the 6 bulb fixture (seems to only come in blue) would not be enough for a 2 foot tall tank. But I don't know a lot about corals or light.

I would rather get the 6 bulb if it would be enough light to keep anything in the 90

If it were me I would get the 6 bulb fixture

You have the reflectors to take full advantage of the light, and by the looks of things you like a whiter tank,.. so you'll be getting more par out of the bulbs, especially if you go with Atinic "Blue" not true atinic bulbs.

With the 6 bulb fixture mounted 4" off the tank, and no splash sheild you will have plenty of light to keep LPS on the sandbed IMHO,.. and anything up top down to midway in the tank.

I would definitally re-think the eggcrate over the tank though,.. it takes away a good about of light,.. and provents easy airflow over the water making the tank run a bit hotter.

HTH,
Whiskey

[jennmac415]

Whiskey... are you saying that you don't need to use a splash shield with T-5s... I have the 72" Constellation by aquactinics... I have it sitting about 1 1/2 inches off the tank... do I need to use the shield?

[slant77]

I dont think it is bulb issue more of an issue with the reflectors. If you let salt spash get on them.