T5 Retro Kit - What do you think?

[B00TCAMP]

HI everyone! I found this on the net, This would be for my 50 Gallon
36X16x18.

http://www.specialty-lights.com/960085.html

Sunlight Supply's Tek T5 36" retrofit kit includes: 2 parabolic tek reflectors - each runs a 39 Watt T5 bulb, Stucchi moisture-proof endcaps & standoffs, major brand (universal or advance) T5 high output electronic ballast, sockets & power cord. Includes 2 -39W German made T5 bulbs, choose from 6000K Midday, Pure Actinic, Actinic Plus or Aquablue Plus or mix bulbs.

Tek Light T5 Aquarium Lighting Retrofit Kit 36"

Specifications 2 - 36" parabolic German Tek 95% reflective aluminum retrofit reflectors Each reflector takes 1 - 39W T5 Bulb (Included) Major brand T5 ballast high output electronic ballast - runs 2 lamps Waterproof end caps and sockets 8ft. of paired 18g color coded wiring 6ft. power cord - 120V Reflector dimensions: 31"L X 2"W X 1"H

Lamps/Bulbs - Included Choose from: 39W 6000K Midday 39W Actinic Plus 40% Actinic/60% Blue peaks at 450 nm 39W Aquablue Plus 11,000K 60% Actinic/40% White 39W Pure Actinic - Peaks at about 420 nm

Warranty 1 year rebuild or replacement on fixture

[Wiskey]

The Tek retros are very good, I run one myself and I am very happy with it, however you will need more than 2 bulbs, unless you also plan to run MH.

Whiskey

[B00TCAMP]

Yeah, If I get this, I plan on buying 2 of them for 4 bulbs. Would this be enough?

[Wiskey]

What corals do you plan on keeping?

I use the 48" 4 bulb Tek retro on my 50G, but it's 48*12*18, if you plan on doing all SPS then I would say you need 6 bulbs, if you plan on doing a mixed, or LPS, Sofitie tank then you are problably fine with 4.

Whiskey

[B00TCAMP]

So far for corals i have that i can think of are:
- Bubble Tip Anemone
- Crystal Coral
- Frog Spawn
- Torch Coral
- Gonapora
- bubble coral
- zoas
- polyps
- Acropora <--- i think it is dead or it is bleached really white.

[hng]

4 bulbs for what you have should be OK. Do you have a hood already built or do you plan on building one yourself? I ask cause it might be cheaper to make your own T5 lighting fixture, especially if you have an ice cap ballast already. The ice cap 660 can drive up to 4 of the 39 watt bulbs, so all you would need to buy are the reflectors, endcaps, and bulbs. In either case, the Tek fixtures are nice and will do well.

[B00TCAMP]

I just bought a canopy from the petstore my girlfriend works at, So i got a great price on it. As for anything else, I do not have it such as a ballast or anything. I am the worst DYI person, cause i have no idea where to start lol.

[Wiskey]

The retro is a good deal then, the upside with the retro is that if you want to add more bulbs later you can.

Whiskey

[B00TCAMP]

great thanks for the input, 1 last thing i guess, what type of lights would you choose from that list in the first post or would you go with different lights that are not in the list?

[hng]

Stick with the Tek fixture then, I think you'll be happy with it, and you can always add a couple more bulbs in the future if you decide to do with sps like acropora. You "might" be able to get away with montipora with 4 bulbs if you place them high on the rocks. For bulb selection, try one aquablue, two actinic plus and one midday. That should give you a very bright white light with plenty of par.

[Wiskey]

I think as long as you put the SPS up high you will be fine with 4 bulbs. My 125 used a 4 bulb fixture for the left 4 feet of the tank, and I had SPS (acros) growing and thriving under them toward the top of the tank, stylo's and monties triving toward the bottom.

The BTA is the only one I am worried about, don't forget to feed it.

I personally use 2, 11k, one atinic "blue" (atinic+) and 1 6,000K mid day.

Whiskey

[Wiskey]

Here's a pic for color:


Whiskey

[Wiskey]

Let's try that again:



Whiskey

[Wiskey]

Oh, great! Now they both showed up

Whiskey

[B00TCAMP]

Thank you so much! I am considering this very much cause i am noticing with my PC's my Corals are losing color.