T5 retrofit kits

[goody]

I have been talking with a few members and would like to try and get some more advice to help me with my decision. I am going to upgrade from PC to T5 for my 90 gallon. Currently I have softies, lps, and two monti frags.

I wanted to know which retrofit kit (Nova Extreme vs. TEK) you would recommend and why. After doing some research, it looks like I can get either setup in 48" 4x54w for around $250. I also received another offer, but it was a little more because it came with the Icecap 660 ballast, and being new, I don't know if it is worth the extra money.

Like to hear what you have to say.

Brian

[aquaboy]

for a 90 gal with lps and some sps? i wouldnt go T5, but rather MH. Dual 250's would be perfect and are easier to retrofit IMO.

[Otty]

You can never loose using MH's. There will be nothing you can't keep and you won't have to upgrade later on because of color loss on corals.

[ziggy222]

i'd choose which ever one could fit the most t5 ho bulbs over your tank.you can also try using an icecap ballast to push them brighter,i think it raises them from 54watts a bulb to 70?are you keeping those corals now in a 90 gallon tank lit by pc bulbs already successfully?a cpl mh bulbs would prolbably be easier at lighting that deep of a tank.

[gazog]

I am sure I am going to hear about this but here goes...

I am going with T5's on my 75 gallon and I found a wealth of info on.... dare I say it "reef Central". Here is one good link The T5 Q&A Thread There are other thread on RC about them too.

The Europeans have been using them with great success for years. They are Allot cheaper to run and allot less heat issues. You don't have to replace the bulbs as often and they are sometimes depending on where you get them cheaper to buy the MH.

[aquaboy]

but a 90 gal is a littl higher than a 75. You could do t5s on a 75 or 55, but on a 90 you ont have enough penetration, IMO

[gazog]

Originally Posted by aquaboy

but a 90 gal is a littl higher than a 75. You could do t5s on a 75 or 55, but on a 90 you ont have enough penetration, IMO

From what I have been reading others are using them on 90,120 240's and up. Like I said the Europeans have been using them for years and on some really big tanks. There is a thread on Uberfrags that there is a ton of photos of tanks that use T5's exclusively and some of those tanks are really beautiful.

[aquaboy]

Yes, but how many bulbs do they use? Im not opposing T5's, im just suggesteing them for more penetration, intensity and the possibility of the MH being cheaper than 8 t5's.

[ziggy222]

theres a big difference in depth from 75-90 gallons.t5's are easily doable on a 75.on a 90 you need to use alot and overdrive them if you can but the icecap balast you'll need is very expensive

[gazog]

Originally Posted by aquaboy

Yes, but how many bulbs do they use? Im not opposing T5's, im just suggesteing them for more penetration, intensity and the possibility of the MH being cheaper than 8 t5's.

In the begining maybe a little cheaper, but if you factor in replacing bulbs every 8 to 12 months for MH vrerses every 18 to 24 months for T5. Then factor in the cost of a chiller + cost of running it when using MH, I think you will find that T5's are cheaper in the long run.

And before you say anythng about the chiller and needing it with T5's most all post I have read say they are not using them becasue the have no heat issues with T5's. At most they are using a couple of 3" or 4" 12 volt fans pointed at the bulbs to cool them and not because of heat transfer to the tank but to keep bulbs cool mainly for longevity.

I am not against using MH, I just think that there is allot of proof out there that T5's are a viable alternative to MH no mater how large the tank.