T5 retro kit Advice

onad75 · #1 06/14/2007, 03:01 AM

Hi to all, I am going to help my friend to convert his 50g tank (36"L) FOWLR to a reef. Any suggestion of what T5 retro to get and how many bulbs he need if he want to keep LPS/SOFT corals?

Thanks

The Grim Reefer · #2 06/14/2007, 06:13 AM

I assume the footprint of the tank is 36x18?

If that is correct I would order a Tek retro through reefgeek but upgrade to Ice Cap reflectors, 2 bux a lamp extra. I would run at least 4 lamps but if your doing SPS and clamps 6 would be best.

BeanAnimal · #3 06/14/2007, 07:53 AM

Yes, the ICECAP stuff is great. Testing would seem to show that their SLR reflectors are the better of the ones available.

onad75 · #4 06/14/2007, 10:57 AM

yes its 36x18, what would be the bulb config. that has blue'ish shade like 14K for 4 lamps?

Thank you for the help.

The Grim Reefer · #5 06/14/2007, 11:07 AM

Front
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
Aquasun
Blue Plus

onad75 · #6 06/14/2007, 11:15 AM

great !! thanks The Grim, Ill check on that. How about the heat issue, does he still need chiller in the future? he got a standard canopy 6"

The Grim Reefer · #7 06/14/2007, 11:30 AM

You want to run a fan blowing down the endcaps on each side but the lights shouldn't cause an issue with heat unless the room is really hot.