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T5ho
- Thread starter BLunted
- Start date
maxfischer
Instigator
I would pick up a ice cap 660, it will overdrive the t5's to i think 84watts(i might be wrong on this number, if i am someone will chime in). You can get them used for arouns $75-$100. Start with the ballast that comes with the light you buy, if you want more you can upgrade. If your gonna have a hood i would just use a retro kit, trust me your gonna want MH soon in this hobby. You will be able to keet tons of corals with t5's, but in the end your gonna want more!
Jill & Brian
Reef Hiatus
I agree with Cory on the IC660. The most important thing you can do with the t-5's is to get a fixture or retro kit with individual reflectors. I would say that you can keep 90% of corals commonly seen under t-5's. I Have been running t-5's for over a year, I have kept an anemone and many different types of hard corals.
Good luck!
Good luck!
merk1_99
Salting away
You can keep different levels of clams/coral depending on the actual fixture. They are not all created equal. Some have active cooling with fans, some have individual reflectors, some have both some don't have either. Some have better individual reflectors that are better than others. So it all depends on the fixture.
I have read enough threads that overdriving isn't needed depending on the depth of the tank. RC has a boatload of threads on this.
I have read enough threads that overdriving isn't needed depending on the depth of the tank. RC has a boatload of threads on this.
OP
OP
BLunted
Non-member
Thanks for the answers...
Ok what do you think is the best deal for a setup on this link...good for a newbie for a year or so? I will have a regular dimensioned 55G tank to start with...
http://www.nextag.com/nova-extreme/search-html
Tell me what you think i should do to a setup like this, if anything at all to maximize my output on the T5HO fixture..Im pretty bad with anything electrical, so i hope its easy.
But i really just want to start slow.. im a full time student so I need to go as slow as the money comes in...
Thanks again!
Ok what do you think is the best deal for a setup on this link...good for a newbie for a year or so? I will have a regular dimensioned 55G tank to start with...
http://www.nextag.com/nova-extreme/search-html
Tell me what you think i should do to a setup like this, if anything at all to maximize my output on the T5HO fixture..Im pretty bad with anything electrical, so i hope its easy.
But i really just want to start slow.. im a full time student so I need to go as slow as the money comes in...
Thanks again!
Jill & Brian
Reef Hiatus
The only problem I see with the nova fixture is that it has only 1 reflector for all 4 bulbs. if you can wait on the money, I would save for somthing like this :
http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=28_111_112
THat is the fixture I am running, but I retrofitted it with an IC660. Another option is to look for a new or used sunlight supply tek fixture...
http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=28_111_112
THat is the fixture I am running, but I retrofitted it with an IC660. Another option is to look for a new or used sunlight supply tek fixture...
OP
OP
BLunted
Non-member
thanks for the Link, those are nice lookin lights, but im broke and in college..
Think that the one reflector light can atleast house an anenome? i prolly wont veen get an anenome, im just wondering.
Can i buy individual reflectors for the nova?? also what tank size is your light on? thanks again
Think that the one reflector light can atleast house an anenome? i prolly wont veen get an anenome, im just wondering.
Can i buy individual reflectors for the nova?? also what tank size is your light on? thanks again
smcnally
Tankless
I hate to say it, but trying to save money by buying cheaper lighting ends up costing you more. I don't know one person that has bought cheap lighting that hasn't put it up for sale (and lost out big on it) months later. IMO, you have two realistic options....either wait to get light demanding things for your tank and save up for the right lighting the first time (best option in my opinion), or get less expensive lights and take a chance with everything you put in your tank that is a more light demanding species.
OP
OP
BLunted
Non-member
Besides my uncle has a halide fixture he used for his 92G but put in the closet for the time being... he went fish only after algae whiped out his corals.
Im sure i can get it for like 100$
smcnally
Tankless
4x54W T5 should be fine for a decent amount of corals in a 55g tank, IMO. But If you get a cheaper one with poor reflectors, than it won't be. That's what I'm getting at, get the right equipment the first time and save yourself money in the long run. You keep saying that you're a broke college kid, but it really doesn't mean anything. Either you can afford the hobby or you can't 
FinzAquatics
Non-member
agreed!, i tell the same thing to people at my work
Jill & Brian
Reef Hiatus
That's why I sugested used. You can usually find a 4X54W or 6X54w tek light for sale here or on RC. I would wait for something like that before getting the nova fixture.
The aquactinics fixture IMO is nicer than the tek lights because it is fan cooled and can be placed directly on the tank. It is also a perfect depth for a 55. The downside is that you are looking at $400 bucks by the time you put bulbs in it, and they are really hard to find used.
Honestly, the nova fixture will be fine for a BTA and probably some easier SPS, but if you can find a tek light used, you will have better results long term. Either way, all of the fixtures are better than a PC light.
Whatever you end up with, you are doing the right thing by asking questions and looking at options. Whatever you buy, at least you will know the +'s and -'s.
Good Luck!!!
The aquactinics fixture IMO is nicer than the tek lights because it is fan cooled and can be placed directly on the tank. It is also a perfect depth for a 55. The downside is that you are looking at $400 bucks by the time you put bulbs in it, and they are really hard to find used.
Honestly, the nova fixture will be fine for a BTA and probably some easier SPS, but if you can find a tek light used, you will have better results long term. Either way, all of the fixtures are better than a PC light.
Whatever you end up with, you are doing the right thing by asking questions and looking at options. Whatever you buy, at least you will know the +'s and -'s.
Good Luck!!!
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