Greeners for reef?

**BikerBret** · 03-27-2011, 08:14 AM

Does anybody know anything about these lights? cant really tell by the pics if they have good reflectors but for the price its pretty tempting? T5 Designer Fluorescent System 4 Foot - Greners.com

**Manoj's Reef** · 03-27-2011, 08:24 AM

Originally Posted by BikerBret

Does anybody know anything about these lights? cant really tell by the pics if they have good reflectors but for the price its pretty tempting? T5 Designer Fluorescent System 4 Foot - Greners.com

The par on these blues+fixture combination will not be enough for your corals. They seems to be for regular lighting.

**BikerBret** · 03-27-2011, 08:47 AM

I know that the bulbs that it comes with wont really work but if you switched them out for 10k's and actinics it should work right? i am under the assumption that all 48" t5 bulbs are 54 watts? not sure though?

**Manoj's Reef** · 03-27-2011, 08:57 AM

Originally Posted by BikerBret

I know that the bulbs that it comes with wont really work but if you switched them out for 10k's and actinics it should work right? i am under the assumption that all 48" t5 bulbs are 54 watts? not sure though?

The ballast on those are not powerfull enough to drive those bulbs to their best performance.

**jstan** · 03-27-2011, 09:23 AM

It looks like those are regular T5's good for plants & freshwater tanks.

What your looking for are T5 HO
(high output). Just look for the HO next to the T5.

**BikerBret** · 03-27-2011, 10:06 AM

ok! now i got ya! ive seen the HO by the t5 but dident realize that they had different outputs! Thanks for the Clarification! one more question i had was that i have a coralife 65x4 pc ballast, i was wondering if there is a way to mod it to run T5, by using resistors to bring it down to 54w? i read something similar to this on another forumm but just wondering if anyone has any experiance doing this?

**Heidi** · 03-27-2011, 02:19 PM

Bret, there are only a few things in this hobby that are worth spending as much money as you can on them to get the best quality you can afford. 1. Lights 2.Protein Skimmer After those two there are lots of cheap ways to go with just about everything else. I would be willing to bet (correct me if Im wrong folks) After tanks and stands themselves Lights are the most expensive thing people put towards their reef tanks. Lights have to be done just right or, they are unsafe and they wont keep coral happy and alive. Just a thought.
Heidi

**tankdude** · 03-27-2011, 02:26 PM

I have to agree with Heidi, one area where you don't want to skimp is lights. If you think about it, if they are done wrong you could cause a fire, and that is NOT good.

**BikerBret** · 03-27-2011, 06:57 PM

Thanks for the advice! I will keep saving my pennies and try to get a 4 bulb t5HO fixture!

**MizTanks** · 03-27-2011, 08:48 PM

AquaticLife has some awesome fixtures! Price isn't so bad either. I got the 4x24 t5ho 4xlunar ran by a digital timer controling all 3, which means 1 power cord and no fans for quiet running. Price= $269 no bad and they'll run any t5ho lamp