T5 or PC

[IamJoshieG]

Do you think A bubble anemone would thrive in my 55 gallon tank under either a 216W T5 or a 260W PC?

[charlie]

You may be alright with T5 or PC. My personal opinion is a 175 or 250W halide. Have you already purchased the anenome???

[IamJoshieG]

Nope all I have in the tank is 45 pounds of live rock and some sand. I am just planning ahead. I wanted either the T5 or the PC because they are a bit cheaper and I want to order one soon because I currently just have an old 15W NO light on my tank right now.

[charlie]

How long has the tank been running? IMO, I don't think an anenome should be added to anything but a very established tank. You aren't thinking of making this one of your first additions, are you?

[IamJoshieG]

no way. Im gonna do FOWLR for a few months and see how that goes first.

[charlie]

no way. Im gonna do FOWLR for a few months and see how that goes first.

Good thought!!!
You may be able to get away with T5's. Get the individual reflectors for them, it make them alot more efficient from what I have heard.

[Samper]

T5's will do a lot better for you than pc lighting. The biggest thing with an underlit tank and an anemone is keeping it fed well but the t5's work as well as halides in tanks that aren't too deep. I know many people who keep clams, anemones and sps under t5's and I'm one of them. You can get the retro t5's to fit right over the top of the tank about 2" from the water.

[IamJoshieG]

Oh ok cool, I guess I will work towards getting the T5's. I dont know much about lighting so these following questions may be stupid.

1.) What exactly is the differance between a retro kit and a regular set up?
2.) Do most T5 lights come with individual reflectors, or is that something you must install afterwards?
3.) is the watts/gallon rule really appropriate for figuring out how many watts I need for a T5 set up?

I appreciate all your help.

[charlie]

1.) What exactly is the differance between a retro kit and a regular set up?

A retro setup would be where you would buy the individual parts of the lighting system you want, and you would piece it together to fit your system/canopy, ie., individual bulbs, reflectors etc.....
You can check some of our sponsors, maybe Marine Depot for example, and it is pretty much layed out for you.

2.) Do most T5 lights come with individual reflectors, or is that something you must install afterwards?

I do believe that they sell systems for T5 with individual reflectors, correct me if I am wrong. I have seen T5 setups where individual reflectors are used, and they seem to really increase the efficiency of the bulb.

3.) is the watts/gallon rule really appropriate for figuring out how many watts I need for a T5 set up?

In my opinion, "watts per gallon" is outdated. Your idea of using 4-54w, (216w), T5 bulbs should be good for what you want. You are looking the amount of lite penetration, not just putting a bunch of wattage up there. Do a little bit of searching around for the PAR on T5 bulbs, and I think you will find what you want.

HTH

[IamJoshieG]

Ok excellant, that clears a lot of things up. Im thinking about the Icecap retro set. If I were to buy this set I would need to have some sort of lamp to wire it to and I would be set?

[charlie]

Which Ice Cap retro kit were you referring to? At Marine Depot, I could only find this one, and it was VHO?????

IceCap VHO Fluorescent Lighting Systems - Marine Depot - Marine and Reef Aquarium Super Store

[IamJoshieG]

I was looking at this one... Icecap T5 Retro Kit 2,4,6 or 8 Lamp. You Choose Which Length You Want! - FinsDepot.com

[charlie]

Nice find!!! Wire it up and you would be good to go my friend.

[IamJoshieG]

Excellant! All I need is a normal flourescant strip light right?

[charlie]

Excellant! All I need is a normal flourescant strip light right?

Why would you need that? The reflectors shown will mount right to the top of your exiting hood or canopy.

[IamJoshieG]

oh haha I understand now. Wow it really is simplier than I thought. Thanks again for all your help Charlie, you have been extremely helpful and patient.

[charlie]

You are welcome!!