[jmreef]

Hey guys, i have a 75 reef with a few leathers and some mushrooms. rite now i have a dual strip, a single strip fluorescent lights and a 24" compact on it, i have been wanting to make a new canopy for the tank. i want to but the light fixtures into it! i want to go the most economical for now so i thot about doing a lot of fluorescent bulbs like maybe six or more but i need some input about how far above the tank and how many bulbs? thanks

[Ratpack]

I have a 75g as well and I am going with 6 T5 bulbs with individual reflectors. As far as the height, the closer you keep them to the water (safely), the better they will be for your corals. With 6 bulbs, you should be able to keep almost anything, even SPS. At least I hope so, that is what I am planning.

[Samper]

Ratpack I'm keeping lots of sps in my 75 gallon with only 4 T5's over it. The way my plumbing is done I don't have room for another two bulb set but honestly I don't need it. I do have room for a single strip and I may get one at some point but right now everything is thriving.

[Samper]

In fact my 75 gallon that my dad has been keeping has 6 t5's over it but he's keeping mostly mushrooms and polyps. We don't run two of the bulbs because everything was bleaching and actually shriveling up with all six running. When we cut back to only four bulbs everything recovered nicely and looks great.

[Ratpack]

Thanks Samper, are your bulbs overdriven? Mine will not be, at least initially. I have the TEK 6x54 fixture. And my corals will be about 10" from the lights.

[Samper]

None of my bulbs have been over driven.

[Ratpack]

Cool beans, I have even more hope now that I can keep my SPS. Do you have any photos of that tank?

Jmreef, sorry if we hijacked your thread, hopefully this helps you out as well. If you decide to copy Samper with 4 T5's then you can get the retrofit kit for about $225. Two more bulbs would add about $110 to that.

[Samper]

Which one?

[Ratpack]

Originally Posted by Samper

Which one?

The 75 with SPS and T5 lights.

[Samper]

Most of the pictures that I post here are of that system. I just posted a thread on T5 reflectors in this same forum that has a decent pic of the setup.

[charlie]

You all are gonna get me to switch yet, aren't you?

[Samper]

I'm not downing metal halides in any way Charlie. If this aquaculture facility goes through I will run halides on half of the system. The first thing I'd like to do with it is compare growth and color under a variety of lighting conditions.

[charlie]

I know that, it has just been a tough few days here.

The comparison is gonna be a good thing. One thing I would watch is bulb life too. That is what I really wonder about with a system that is my size.

[Ramer]

One thing I would watch is bulb life too. That is what I really wonder about with a system that is my size.[/quote]

What do you mean by bulb life here Charlie?? T5 compared to MH?? Or running over a huge system like yours?

[charlie]

How long is the bulb going to last. I could easily change over to T5, but I would have to run probably 6 over each side, would it be economical for me to change, I guess is what I am getting at. My first impression is no, because I think it would cost more to change out 12 T5's versus 4 Metal halides. I don't really know, and haven't really looked into cost.

[Ramer]

ok, I am trying to learn here . I just didnt understand what you were getting at. But now I see clearly. And I am waiting for the answer

[charlie]

Hope you got enuf popcorn. If I have some spare time when I head to Vegas, maybe I'll research that, then again, I may just have another beer.

[Ramer]

you wil probly be busy. I know I would be busy. Get that web site page figured out, see all the race's drink beer and drink more beer when our guys finish up front, help support the local collage grils, lose Kyles money and eat somthing.

[charlie]

will do

[SouthBayPhoto]

In that order, Ramer? LOL!!!!

Ever hear of Memphis BBQ, Charlie? There is one about 5 miles or so from the track...OHHHHH YAAAAA!!!!!

Ooops, sorry, way off topic here!

If it's any consolation, my one IC660 ballast overdrives my four T5's to grow just about anything under them in my 90. I basically have the same setup as Mike/Poseidon. Kind of expensive (to me, anyway), but well worth it because I really won't have to worry about what I can grow under it if I make a mistake in buying something I shouldn't.

Not that you guys really have to worry about that type of mistake!