Collecting Parts for my 75... Now serving T5's

[funman1]

Gosh I love where I work...
They give me so much free stuff!!! (Can't hook ya up too, don't ask )

So I have this 75G tank sitting in my garage and now I think I'm ready to accept the fact I will actually set it up (for real).

Well I got the chiller for it yesterday as seen on the other post/

Here's is todays haul,
I was at my supply house and asked how much T5 ballasts cost (Expecting it to be really high like IC is) and they came back with a cost of only $45.00 per ballast that will run 2 48" bulbs.
I'm allowed to add smallish items to our job PO's because the company uses them as a write off anyways (Pure Proffit Loss) and don't mind helping out their employees now and then.. So cost to me was FREE..

Friebie, Frebie, Zip, Nada, Zilch

So I got 3 and ordered one more ballast, so I will have 8 T5 lights for my 75G tank.
Here's the ballasts I got






Do you guys think that will be enough for a full blown reef setup with SPS and clams?

Here's how I want to lay it out.. LMK what you think
(2) 10,000K bulbs for growth
(3) 14,000K bulbs for color and growth ballance
(3) 20,000K bulbs for actinic coloration

Too much? Too little? Just right?
LMK..

[H20Sidhe]

Steve, are these for T5 HO, or regular wattage?

Oops - never mind. I read the ballast in the pic you posted & it says HO right on it!

How deep is your 75g?

[funman1]

Is there such a thing as regular T5?
I thought all T5's were HO??

I have no clue I don't use them much in my industery yet.
We just use a TON of T8's right now..

The 75 dimensions are 48x18x20

EDIT: Just found this and DANG that's EXPENSIVE!!! Same bulb count as my setup will be (I think)
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_...!_Bulbs_by_ATI

Granted it'll be WAY better than mine when done but man, that's PRICEY!!

[H20Sidhe]

Well you did say 2+3+3 for the bulbs. That's 8 IME.

I've got 8 x 54 on my 90 & that's a lot of light. I'm pretty sure I'm running 5/8 actinic and 3/8 daylight. Your 75 g is a little shallower than the 90g. Justin will back me up that a huge efficiency factor for T5's is the right type of reflector. Individual parabolic reflectors are the best. IMO it is better to get the max efficiency and run fewer bulbs, than cramming in more bulbs without good reflectors & wasting energy. You can get the reflectors as retrofit parts.

I have 2 x 54 w on my 55 g freshwater planted tank & that is a lot of light. I have a 4 x 54 w for my orchids, but I only dare run 2 of the bulbs at a time. What I am trying to say is that you may find 4 or 6 bulbs (with good reflectors) will be adequate for a 20 inch deep tank. What are you planning on growing in there?

[MrMikeB]

I agree with Sherie - the reflectors are what is key with the T5s. I think Tek Light makes some of the best reflectors/setups on the market and their reflectors are within .5 degree tolerance for maximum reflection in the right areas. I have a bunch of the 8x54 watt units coming in tomorrow. You are more than welcome to steal one to check out their design to give you ideas on how to run yours if you like - I will not be needing them all right away.

As for your light config, I would shoot for full spectrum bulbs (6500k) coupled with actinics and the 14ks for coloration to get all ends of the spectrum. I plan to run 4x6500k, 2x14000k, 2x2000k on my setup. I am more geared for growth and not necessarily the deep purple/blue actinic look.