The T5 Q&a Thread

[nanug7]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15596389#post15596389 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Same as what I just listed in the post above this

is this going to give me a 20K look? thats what i am looking for.

thanks

 

[missileman]

Grim,
I'm in the process of setting up my 120. What T5 set-up would you use?

I've done T5s for my 30 gal nano and loved the look and compactness of the lights.

Thanks,
Missileman

 

[zachtos]

I took thermal readings of my Icecap460 overdriven bulbs and the end temperatures range from 200F to 280F !!! My bulbs die on a regular basis around 8 months if they are lucky. I have been fighting this battle for 2 years. I have TEN 80mm PC case fans blowing across the ends and mid sections of the bulbs. The ends are open and the sides are vented.

I have purchased 14 of the new Icecap brand Reefcrest (12K) bulbs that are supposedly rated to handle the 70% overdriving.

Will this hopefully solve this problem? Any other suggestions for bulb temperature control or what they should be on a icecap? Do 36" bulbs get more overdrive then 48" bulbs?

 

[fishnub]

TIA!
65g

tank: 36"x24"Tx18"D

goal:
zoos, softies and a few sps.

What i have:

36" nova extreme pro 6 bulb
any help on what and where to put bulbs, and maybe a light schedule?

bulbs i have:
6-10k
6-460nm actinics

they all came new with purchase from current. should i get diffrent bulbs or can these work?

thanks !!!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15597777#post15597777 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nanug7
is this going to give me a 20K look? thats what i am looking for.

thanks

Opps, no go 6 ABlue Plus 1 GE and 1 UVL. That will be very blue and look nice as far as still pulling out other colors.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15597326#post15597326 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Names Brucey
Grim,

I am guessing it has been covered somewhere in this thread but I have an aqua medic ocean light, 3 x 250w with 4 x 39 T5. I am getting ready to change out all bulbs and am switching over to phoenix 14k for the halides but would like to know your thoughts on the actinics. Thanks.

I would use the ATI Blue Plus behind the halides and UVL Super Actinics in front.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15597698#post15597698 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by solitude127
Hi Grimm,
I'm setting up a 8 x 54watt ATI PM. I was wondering what the best bulb selection would be. I'm looking for a 14k ish look. The PM will be over a 60*30*20 tank which will house mainly SPS. And if I wanted a 20k look, what bulbs should I add/change? Thanks for any and all help.

Try 6 ATI Blue Plus and 2 UVL 75/25. Grab an ATI Aquablue and a GE 6500K Daylight as spares so you can play around with different mixes.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15598080#post15598080 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by missileman
Grim,
I'm in the process of setting up my 120. What T5 set-up would you use?

I've done T5s for my 30 gal nano and loved the look and compactness of the lights.

Thanks,
Missileman

I would do an 8 lamp Powermodule of the Aquactinics constellation if you aren't going to have a lot of high light critters down low.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15598291#post15598291 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by zachtos
I took thermal readings of my Icecap460 overdriven bulbs and the end temperatures range from 200F to 280F !!! My bulbs die on a regular basis around 8 months if they are lucky. I have been fighting this battle for 2 years. I have TEN 80mm PC case fans blowing across the ends and mid sections of the bulbs. The ends are open and the sides are vented.

I have purchased 14 of the new Icecap brand Reefcrest (12K) bulbs that are supposedly rated to handle the 70% overdriving.

Will this hopefully solve this problem? Any other suggestions for bulb temperature control or what they should be on a icecap? Do 36" bulbs get more overdrive then 48" bulbs?

Don't cool the center part of the lamps. Even overdriven it kills the output. Just cool the ends. I will see if I can get a temp reading on an overdriven lamp end.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15598746#post15598746 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fishnub
TIA!
65g

tank: 36"x24"Tx18"D

goal:
zoos, softies and a few sps.

What i have:

36" nova extreme pro 6 bulb
any help on what and where to put bulbs, and maybe a light schedule?

bulbs i have:
6-10k
6-460nm actinics

they all came new with purchase from current. should i get diffrent bulbs or can these work?

thanks !!!

Those should work. Try 5 of the 460's and 2 10K's but you will want to change those out after 6 months or so to get better lamps.

 

[fishnub]

hope you meant 4 and 2, only have a 6 bulb fixture . what would be optimal bulbs?

 

[Hdhuntr01]

I am building a 150 Gal setup. The canopy has a lot of room in it. Tank is 60" Long and 24" Wide. I had originally thought of using MH's but am now considering T-5's only. I will be keeping a lot of LPS Corals and a massive array of Acans. With 24" how many of what wattage T-5's should I use?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15599020#post15599020 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fishnub
hope you meant 4 and 2, only have a 6 bulb fixture . what would be optimal bulbs?

Yep

4 ATI Blue Plus 1 GE 6500K and 1 UVL Actinic White would be my choice.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15599088#post15599088 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Hdhuntr01
I am building a 150 Gal setup. The canopy has a lot of room in it. Tank is 60" Long and 24" Wide. I had originally thought of using MH's but am now considering T-5's only. I will be keeping a lot of LPS Corals and a massive array of Acans. With 24" how many of what wattage T-5's should I use?

I would do an 8 lamp retrofit kit. 5 ATI Blue Plus lamps, 2 UVL 75/25 and 1 GE 6500K Daylight.

 

[missileman]

Grim,
Thanks for the confirming my thoughts. I was thinking some softies and LPSs since I move everyu couple of years.

Thanks
Missileman!

 

[EvilE]

where is the best/cheapest place to get the T5's again? thanks

 

[Hdhuntr01]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15599227#post15599227 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
I would do an 8 lamp retrofit kit. 5 ATI Blue Plus lamps, 2 UVL 75/25 and 1 GE 6500K Daylight.

Would you go with the 60" Lamps or stick with the 48" Lamps and stagger them?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Reefgeek usually has the best selection and good deals. Aquarium specialtys too.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15599536#post15599536 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Hdhuntr01
Would you go with the 60" Lamps or stick with the 48" Lamps and stagger them?

48" no need to stagger them

 

[chris88]

Any par test or thoughts on the URI 454 Bulb?


85% Tri-band ultra blue spectrum, 15% actinic spectrum

Pops additional fluorescence from the coral tissue
Blue chlorophyll absorption utilized in natural photosynthesis
Useful life - Approximately 4500 hours.