Changing Lighting From PC to T5

[Darkside]

I am currently looking to upgrade my PC 265w system for a 65 Gallon Aquarium approx 17 1/2 deep with a T5 fixture so that I can add more light to accomidate more of the stoney corals like clams/frog spawn/hammer/etc. My question is do I need to replace the PCs watt for watt? How many bulbs will I need? I see fixtures on e-bay with anywhere from 4 to eight bulbs. I can't use metal halide because of heat reasons and LEDs are out because of cost. Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Darkside

[NaClFinatic]

Make sure youre loking at HO T5s. I think the 3' are 39W each or 4' are 54W depending on your tank length. There are lower wattage T5s out there that don't have the same kick. Another factor that will help is highly reflective individual reflectors on each bulb. This will help reflect more light into the tank rather than loosing it in the fixture. I would go for as many bulbs as you can fit over the tank. If you can turn some on and off independently that is a nice feature too so you can do the dawn and dusk actinic effect.

[Dreed]

I have a 65g that's 36x18x24. I currently have 4 36 inch 39w T5HO bulbs but I'm ordering the other two. The wattage is said to be equal in light with less power because it is spread over a larger area and the bulbs are thin to allow more reflection. Right now I run from front to back, an ATI Blue Plus, ATI Actinic, UVL Aquasun and an ATI Aquablue. I'm getting another two bulbs since I'm goin reef. They will be another Blue plus and either a Pro Color or a 10K Daylight. Not sure yet. I haven't had it with water in it yet but the bulbs are VERY bright without water and I've seen many 24" deep tanks with great results on the boards I got my retro kit from reefgeek.com

Here's a few pics of what I have....
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh298/ndfastang/DSC05314.jpg

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh298/ndfastang/DSC05316.jpg

I considered going with a 175MH in place of the other 2 T5's but have gone against that idea now.

I'm happy so far but haven't seen the tank with water in it yet. Oh, the bulbs are 8 inches off of where the water level will be in these pics. I've spaced them down to 5 inches now.

Good luck
Dave

[JustDavidP]

Dave (NaClFinatic (http://www.talkingreef.com/forums/member-tank-projects/4440-naclfinatics-90-gallon-reef.html))

Can you look at my post under "member tank projects" about my T5 questions? You seem knowledgeable about the technology and I am sooo not.

Dave