50br lighting help please.

JMLenke · Post by **JMLenke** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 11:29 am

I set up the 50br last night, but I know I need to get better lights for the tank before I can do much more then hope it works.

36x18 foot print.

I already popped an email to AH supply asking for their input regarding their wood enclosures (2 enclosures is 1.5" too wide)

I would like to do T5s instead of using PC though.

I know Rob was talking about Hagen Glo at one point but I dont know anyone that uses them.

Looking at pricing for retro kits vs the tek fixture group buy price it seems like the group price was a MUCH better deal (assuming another buy happens).

Nearest I can figure is that a 4x39w would do well for the 50 but I dont know.

Anyone have any suggestions?

Aaron · Post by **Aaron** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 11:40 am

4 x 39 watt T5 HO is the way to go.

If you DIY I recommend the Tek II or IceCap SLR reflectors. Good ballasts can be found here.

The Giessemann Midday bulbs are where it's at.

The cheapest price I've seen for the reflectors and bulbs is www.horticulturesource.com. I recommend using www.reefgeek.com though as their customer service is usually worth the extra few bucks.

JMLenke · Post by **JMLenke** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 11:44 am

so HO and NOT the VHO?

What is the difference between Tek and Tek2?

Aaron · Post by **Aaron** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 12:05 pm

Tek II has more bends and is supposed to be slightly more efficient.

I've never heard of VHO T5s? The HO ones are the 39 watt bulbs that you mentioned.

JMLenke · Post by **JMLenke** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 12:08 pm

http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/foru ... hting.html

Taking your advice from here as well Aaron, I was gonna ask about the bulbs too..

Gimme a sec on the VHO link.

JMLenke · Post by **JMLenke** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 12:09 pm

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Flu ... ght_Supply

VHO kit

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Flu ... ght_Supply

HO kit

$70 difference between the two kits, I dont know what the difference would/will be.

Post by **krisw** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 12:26 pm

I know the craze is for T5's, but regarding AHSupply, I can definitely recommend their 2x96W setup for your 50. That what I run over my 40Br (same footprint), and it's almost too much light. I'm using a custom built canopy, and the 96W bulbs fit perfectly.

JMLenke · Post by **JMLenke** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 12:32 pm

Is there a Tek reflector equivalent for PC bulbs?

Post by **krisw** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 12:34 pm

The best reflector I know of for PC bulbs is the AHSupply one. It's more efficient that the standard PC strip lights you buy, but I haven't a clue how it stacks up against a TEK-T5 one.

Aaron · Post by **Aaron** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 12:45 pm

I've used both and the T5 setups are more efficient. The AH Supply setups cost a little less and still peform very well.

Those VHO setups are way overkill. They are meant for deep tanks or reef tanks.

50br lighting help please.

50br lighting help please.

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