Buying T-5 ---> a few questions

[ringram]

Well, I just have to say that my wife is awesome. She's been watching me poke around the web and drooling at T-5 setups for the 90g that I'm converting to planted and finally just said to go ahead and buy it...it would be my Christmas gift. I spent the last of my xmas bonus on the aquasoil, so of course, I was exstatic

Long story short, here's my options:
1)Tek-Light T5 High Output Fluorescents, a grow light option for plant cloning / plant propagation from 4 hydroponics.com by Growco Indoor Garden Supply (6 bulb fixture - $359.95, 4 bulb fixture - $269.95, both w/ free shipping)

2)48" 2 x 54W Tek Light T5 Retrofit - SPECIAL!!! (48" 2 x 54w, $118.95) --> I would need two of these.

3)Tek Light T5 Fluorescent Aquarium Light 4ft 4 bulb 216W (48" 4 x 54w, $334.99)

**All of these include bulbs. The only difference among them is that option #2 is a retro-fit, so I would need to buy or build a hood, or find another way to mount it.
I'm trying to resist the urge to rush and get everything set up. I want to take my time and do it right the first time Better yet, after today, I'm off work until 1/4, so I'll have a little time to work on it.

What, in your opinion, would be the best bet?
Also, is 216w of T5 enough for a 90g? It comes out to 2.4wpg, but I think I remember hearing that T-5's are about 50% more intense than PCs.
Any feedback would be appreciated. I'll probably put the order in today or tomorrow, so that I hopefully have it sometime next week.

-Ryan

[ianmoede]

Get the tek 4x54, i love mine. In fact, i cant remember anyone being dissatisfied with their tek. Ever. 216w should be plenty for the 90. Go for it man, you will be very happy with it.

[Tacoshooter]

I know you're probably going to hear tons of information to the contrary but I really like my 6x54 over my 75 gallon. I'm currently resetting things right now after a move, but I got my best results with that on full-blast and a 7 hour photoperiod.

Keep in mind that this means a ton of CO2 and staying on top of things. I really didn't get things to take off until I went with a pH controller and did bi-weekly calibrations to make sure everything was kosher.

Good luck. Also keep in mind with the 6x54 fixture you do have more flexibility so you can go to 4 or 2 lights if needed. Plus, if you ever want to convert to a reef tank, it's a good fixture for that.

[ianmoede]

Hah, time for me to flame you taco! The consensus is, go with the tek, no matter how many bulbs, no matter what your photoperiod, join the brotherhood of tek.

[Ibn]

Option #1. Gives you more flexibility in how you stagger the lights and total output.

[original kuhli]

Are the tek lights best elevated above the glass or do you get an acceptable spread of light with them on top of the tank?

[ianmoede]

I dont think too many people leave them directly on the tank. You can suspend them or you can buy legs for them

[fish_lover0591]

those lights sound interesting. I Still have no idea what i will do with my 55 gallon tank lol.

[ringram]

Thanks for the responses. The 4 x 54w plus the $29.95 cable hanging system in option #1 would get me right around the $300 budget that my wife was expecting. The 6 x 54w is tempting, but not sure. It definately would provide more flexibility, but I doubt I would ever care about using it on a reef. If I ever set up a reef, I'd get a drilled acrylic tank, most likely, and build a sump.
That aside, I think I'd like to get 50% 6500k and 50% 10,000k bulbs, whatever option I go with. From what I've heard, this seems to be a good mix. I just want to make sure that the medium-higher light plants that I'm growing out in my 20g will be able to do well with the 4 bulb set up. I'm talking about rotala sp. 'colorata', ludwigia brevipes & gladulosa, rotala macandra, HC, HM, blyxa. I'm probably overthinking this. I should just get something and see what grows in the tank, since every tank is different.
I'm not too keen on building a canopy, as I'd have to move it every time I work on the tank. I'm also leary on the cables suspended from the ceiling idea, as I'm sure it will be fairly heavy. They also make legs to sit it on the tank rim, but those are about $50.

[dogdoc]

Here's my $.02. I love my TEK. I'd be really afraid to have more than 4 bulbs over my 75 though. On a 90, you might get away with it.

Mine is suspended from the ceiling and it works well that way. Best part about it is being able to simply raise the light up. I can now work in the tank with the lights on and actually see what I'm doing in there.

One last thing to consider. Most of the stricly hydroponic lights only have one power cord. This limits you to strictly all on or all off. The aquarium versions generally have multiple cords to allow you to run some of the bulbs on different timers. I do a "noon burst" with mine that way.

[ringram]

I'm kind of leaning towards doing what Bharada did with the bent galvanized rods. Of course, I would paint them black to blend in and look nicer, but it seems like it would be the best way, and easy to move if I change the location of the tank when we do our floors (eventually). Anyone have experience bending this stuff? I assume there's a special tool. I'm not too "handy" with that sort of thing. I'd be walking around Home Depot or Lowe's, looking like I'm lost.

Edit: Looks like you ninja-posted me dogdoc
Actually, the ceiling idea sounds good too. I *really* like the idea of being able to adjust the height. Not even necessarily during mantainence time, but during the photo-period to reduce/increase intensity a tad, if needed. I'll need to check into how I would go about that. We still have ceiling fans in the box from over a year ago that haven't been installed =[
I would definately want at least 2 power cords, so I'll need to call them and ask if I don't see an indication on the site.

[ringram]

Placed the order(s)!

Ended up getting:
Tek T-5 HO 48" fixture (6x54w) w/ clips, cable, etc for hanging it.
For bulbs, I ended up getting 2 x AM 10,000k and 4 x GE 6500k.

That should work nicely on some sort of staggered photo period.

-Ryan

[crazy loaches]

Ahh you went with the 6-tube one, good choice! Just remember, you dont have to run all 6. If you have a couple programmable timers you can make use of all 6 with a nice dusk and dawn effect, without overdoing the light, for example:

You can get 3 different combos of light out of the 6-bulb unit, so just run all 6 for say like 2 or 3 hours midday just to really get the plants jump started, then cut it back.

[ringram]

Yup, I was thinking the four 6700k bulbs for 10 hrs or so and the two 10,000k bulbs come on for 3-4 hrs tops in the middle of the day.

[Momotaro]

TEKs are the best. No doubt about it. I have them on my 50G and my 38G. if I ever redo the 75G, believe me, there will be TEK lights over that as well.

Do the conduit hangers. I have done it several times and it is as easy as can be.

If you get the 1/2" conduit for an electric supply shop, you'll get a super low price and may be able to have someone at the shop put the 90 degree bends in the conduit for you (you don't have to buy a bender then). Get the cowboys/bowlegs to attach the hangers to the stand and the conduit connectors there as well. Should cost about $8. Chains, "S" hooks and eyelet bolts another $2.

Total cost if you include primer and paint for the rods (use a good primer and a semi gloss black paint to match the fixture) would be about $18.

Mike