T5 Lighting/Electrical Question

[TheBluefish]

Hello Gang,

I'm looking to get a 36in T5 setup of some kind. My new tank measures 18.5 W, 19.5 T, 36.5 L. It has a liquid volume of 54.3 gallons - rock, sand and overflow box. A few question... Is (4) T5 lights too much, too little or just right for keeping "most" coral? I don't want to use MH because I can't power it with my other electrical needs on my circuit. Does a 36 inch bulb measure 36 inches end to end by itself or with end caps? In other words will it fit within a canopy for a 36 inch long tank?

Now for the Electrical question... I know lots of people use Ice Caps but I think I can get a great deal on some "other" ballasts and by "great" I mean free. The ballasts I can get are brand new (T12 VHO 215 Watt, Magnetic, Rapid Start Ballasts). Will these work for T5's as well? I know the Ice Cap VHO 430 ballast output is 330 watts but I think I can swing two of the other ballasts for free. What do you think? I will be building the canopy so room isn't a real problem, they measure 14x2x3. Sorry, that was a mouthful.

:loldude:

Thanks for any help.
Nick

 

[TheBluefish]

Bump!

 

[coral diver]

It will work, But i rather go with electronic standard output (54 watts) it will save you money in the long run.

 

[Kenfuzed]

Check out the retrofit kits from Reefgeek.com (in Gardena).
You don't need to go IceCap for a good system but they do overdrive the bulbs for slightly more light. The trade off is heat and bulb life. You must keep the T5 bulbs constantly cooled, especially with IC ballasts. Even non-IC driven systems should have the endcaps of the tubes cooled for best performance. Other ballasts like Advanced and Triad are good, just avoid Workhorse ballasts. WH are not very efficient and are hard on bulbs in the way they start. If doing T5 as a DIY be sure not to skimp on reflectors. Both the Tek 2 and IceCap reflectors are really good.

I am personally a huge fan of T5 lighting. Much cooler than halides and more control over the colors you can mix. I have kept SPS and clams for quite a while with T5.

 

[coral diver]

or you can check this out

http://www.ballastwise.com/category.asp?FID=15&level=1

 

[TheBluefish]

Thank you gang but just to be clear on my end... These should work, make sure I keep them cool, buy good reflectors and stay away from WH ballasts right?... or just buy something else all together. 4 bulbs will be enough?