T5 or T12

cmc3502

cmc3502

Member
Just got a used setup that included a ballast 430, ice caps and t12 lighting (2 x 110 watts)... I noticed that I can get one more 110 watts bulb within the ballast limits... but would it be better to replace the ice caps with ones for t5s and get t5 bulbs instead?
whats the difference?
 
saltn00b

saltn00b

Active Member
t-12 are pretty much junk. i had them on my tank for a year and a half and my corals barely survived with ZERO propagation. some low light stuff got a little bigger, but never split and multiplied. they are truly WORLDS away from INDIVIDUALLY reflected T5 lighting that i have now. stuff is growin out of control. as long as your tank is under 30" deep , its really your best option IMO.
 
cmc3502

cmc3502

Member
can anyone direct me to these individual reflectors?? and I think I have to replace my ice caps...correct?
 
saltn00b

saltn00b

Active Member
do not get anyother type of TX but T5. T5 is a standard in the aquaria industry and the bulb makers make tons of bulbs just for corals. other sizes are EXTREEMELY difficult, if not impossible to find. icecap do not need to be replaced, you just need to look up the model and the amount of bulbs it can light up on the icecap website. you can also purchase icecap reflectors on there. i hear they are some of the best reflectors. over 95% reflectiveness.
 
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