T5 Lights

[reeffreak]

I linked to Premium Aquatics but try also Reef Geek.

If you do decide on the Icecap retro I have to warn you first.Those retros are very high output T5 retro kit.They are we call overdriven meaning the watts are increase but cuts about 6 months out of the life of the bulbs.Say 12 months instead of 18 months.The good is its even better for light loving corals,anemones and clams.Better than my fixture which is a T5-HO(high output) and those Icecap is a T5-VHO(very high output).Dang,I starting to wish I went with those instead.One other thing,they don't come with cooling fans so count into putting at least two fans in the canopy.

[Piggy]

60" Deluxe 4 x 140W Fluorescent VHO Fixture by Hamilton Technology - AquaCave Are these any good?

[reeffreak]

Hamilton makes excellent fixtures but....(I had a Hamilton VHO back in 92')

They are VHO which is different than T5's.They don't have the light intensity of T5-HO/T5-VHO lighting and they don't penetrate as well either.Another bad thing is the bulbs only last 6 months.Personally,I think VHO is on the way out.
It would be great for LPS and softies and a big MAYBE for some clams,anemones and sps.

You know that won't fit in a canopy right?Maybe go to Hamilton's main site and look at there 60'' MH/VHO and MH/PC fixtures.

[Bifferwine]

VHOs are getting harder and harder to find because they are being replaced by the more popular T5s. They don't have nearly the same power as T5s and, like Freak, I think it will get harder and harder to find decent bulbs for them.

[Piggy]

I think I'm going to go with the 48" both sites said that would be my best bet. So how do I figure out what type of bulbs? I need to get them ordered soon.

[reeffreak]

You talked to Premium Aquatics and Reef Geek?
So you are going with 48'' T5's?
How many bulbs?

The look I like might not be what you like.Reef Geek can help you with bulb choices.

[Piggy]

Yep talked to both. Both said 48" and gave me some to choose from.

[reeffreak]

How many bulbs?
All I can do is tell you what bulbs I have.My tank is on the bluer side.
I do prefer the ATI and UV bulbs for best PAR(more light for corals) and GE6500k or 3000k for midday.

Here's my bulbs(14 bulbs-2 rows of 7 bulbs)

ATI Blue Plus(blue-actinic 03 mix)
Sfiligoi Super Actinic(purple 420nm true actinic)
UV Aquasun 10k(pink daylight bulb)
ATI Blue Plus
GE3000k(orange midday-yellows,orange,reds really pop under these)
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue Special(12k-white daylight with a very slight blue hue)

[Piggy]

I haven't decided how many bulbs yet. Would more be better seeing I'm going with a 48"? Also was told I could put corals that require less lighting to the sides. I just hate to order something and wish I went with something else. Already went through that once.

[reeffreak]

Yeah,I know the feeling of buying something and later wanting something else.

The width of the tank is also something you need to put into account.6-8 bulbs sounds about right.The more the merrier of course.