krishj39
Active Member
Hi, I know there's a lot of info on these threads but I am hoping to get some specific advice.
I have a 5' 100g aquarium with mostly soft and LPS but I do have a few SPS, clams and an anenome. My current light fixture (2-250w MH, 1-175w MH, 2-140w VHO T12) just blew a ballast and I'm thinking of switching to T5 to save on cooling and electrical costs.
My old fixture was more than enough light and I don't really mind if I have to replace it with a less PAR T5 fixture.
Can I get away with a 4' fixture suspended over the tank or will this create noticeable dark corners? I'd prefer to use the 54w T5's since it's a more common size.
However, I would also be fine with the 5' 80w T5s. How many would I need to use? I was thinking about this fixture:
60" 4x80W SunPower T5 High-Output Fixture
Will this give me enough light? It claims to be adequate for SPS up to 105 gallons. All my high light critters are within the top 8" of the aquarium. The 6x80w SunPower is about $200 more which I'd prefer not to spend if I don't have to.
Any other suggestions on fixtures? I would consider retro-fit as well if the cost was noticeably lower. I've heard that ATI has the potential of much more PAR than Tek, any opinions? Would a 4x80w SunPower be better than a 6x80w Tek?
48" 8x54W Tek Light Elite T5 High-Output?
60" 6x80W Tek Light T5 High-Output?
Please consider that I am trying to do this as cheaply as I can without buying a piece of junk.
I have a 5' 100g aquarium with mostly soft and LPS but I do have a few SPS, clams and an anenome. My current light fixture (2-250w MH, 1-175w MH, 2-140w VHO T12) just blew a ballast and I'm thinking of switching to T5 to save on cooling and electrical costs.
My old fixture was more than enough light and I don't really mind if I have to replace it with a less PAR T5 fixture.
Can I get away with a 4' fixture suspended over the tank or will this create noticeable dark corners? I'd prefer to use the 54w T5's since it's a more common size.
However, I would also be fine with the 5' 80w T5s. How many would I need to use? I was thinking about this fixture:
60" 4x80W SunPower T5 High-Output Fixture
Will this give me enough light? It claims to be adequate for SPS up to 105 gallons. All my high light critters are within the top 8" of the aquarium. The 6x80w SunPower is about $200 more which I'd prefer not to spend if I don't have to.
Any other suggestions on fixtures? I would consider retro-fit as well if the cost was noticeably lower. I've heard that ATI has the potential of much more PAR than Tek, any opinions? Would a 4x80w SunPower be better than a 6x80w Tek?
48" 8x54W Tek Light Elite T5 High-Output?
60" 6x80W Tek Light T5 High-Output?
Please consider that I am trying to do this as cheaply as I can without buying a piece of junk.