The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15607012#post15607012 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ReeferJam
So initially, when I'm running 6 bulbs...should I use 3 ballasts, or 2? Thanks, RJ

Use the 2 Ice Caps

 

[Pchromis]

Thanks grim.....and about using an ATI in a topless canopy?

Looks like the built in fans are top mounted..

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15607016#post15607016 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Pchromis
Thanks grim.....and about using an ATI in a topless canopy?

Yes, that is fine, just make sure the one end of the fixture with the exhaust vents isn't blocked.

 

[ReeferJam]

And the 8 bulb combo would be 5 ATI Blue +, 2 GE 6500K, and 1 Fiji Purple?

What temp is this going to look like you think...14K?

 

[Pchromis]

Thanks again,,,,but the ATI manufacturers picture shows top mounted fans....but then again, I know little about this fixture...

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15607024#post15607024 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ReeferJam
And the 8 bulb combo would be 5 ATI Blue +, 2 GE 6500K, and 1 Fiji Purple?

What temp is this going to look like you think...14K?

Yes and probably 15K or so on the color

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15607029#post15607029 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Pchromis
Thanks again,,,,but the ATI manufacturers picture shows top mounted fans....but then again, I know little about this fixture...

In the top, out the side

 

[Pchromis]

haha....I knew you could help...
thnx

 

[ReeferJam]

Thanks Grim...you're the best. I might get an aquablue as well...I don't like the color to be too blue, but I'm looking to get away from my current white coloration (2 aquablue, 1 midday, 1 pure actinic, and 2 actinic plus)

What would be your recommendaton if I wanted to move the color to the 13-14K range?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15607059#post15607059 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ReeferJam
Thanks Grim...you're the best. I might get an aquablue as well...I don't like the color to be too blue, but I'm looking to get away from my current white coloration (2 aquablue, 1 midday, 1 pure actinic, and 2 actinic plus)

What would be your recommendaton if I wanted to move the color to the 13-14K range?

Sneak in the aquablue in place of a blue plus

 

[Pchromis]

One final thing grim, what would you suggest for a bulb combo for a slight blue effect?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15607086#post15607086 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Pchromis
One final thing grim, what would you suggest for a bulb combo for a slight blue effect?

4 Blue Plus, 1 Actinic White and 1 GE 6500K Daylight. Grab an ATI Blue Plus for a spare and you can slip that in if you want to tone back the blue more.

 

[tdawgnjlo]

Grim,

I have a 12 inch canopy over a 60 " x 24" deep x 24 " tall 150 gallon tank. I have a dual 250 W PFO HQI ballast that can run Radium mogul 20 K bulbs, or I can retro 8 x 48 " T5 bulbs with 4 on a 660 ballast, and 4 on 2 Triads with Reef Geek reflectors.

Canopy is too high for T 5 retro. Would you go with a combination of MH and T5's? If so, what do you recommend. If you are not the MH expert, do you have a link or contact that you could refer me too?

Thanks

 

[tdawgnjlo]

Grim,

I have a 12 inch canopy over a 60 " x 24" deep x 24 " tall 150 gallon tank. I have a dual 250 W PFO HQI ballast that can run Radium mogul 20 K bulbs, or I can retro 8 x 48 " T5 bulbs with 4 on a 660 ballast, and 4 on 2 Triads with Reef Geek reflectors.

Canopy is too high for T 5 retro. Would you go with a combination of MH and T5's? If so, what do you recommend. If you are not the MH expert, do you have a link or contact that you could refer me too?

Thanks

 

[cykenp]

Thanks for the advice grim!

So after all your tests/experience, which bulb out there do you think pops the fluorescent colors the most? Some people I know like the UV Super Act. for that but seems to get drowned out by Blue Pluses pretty easily

 

[Txcowboy22]

Grim,

I was thinking about using a nova extreme pro for my mixed frag tank. sps/lps/palys. The tank is 4x2x1. I was wondering what bulbs I should get and would I get good growth with this set up?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15607360#post15607360 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tdawgnjlo
Grim,

I have a 12 inch canopy over a 60 " x 24" deep x 24 " tall 150 gallon tank. I have a dual 250 W PFO HQI ballast that can run Radium mogul 20 K bulbs, or I can retro 8 x 48 " T5 bulbs with 4 on a 660 ballast, and 4 on 2 Triads with Reef Geek reflectors.

Canopy is too high for T 5 retro. Would you go with a combination of MH and T5's? If so, what do you recommend. If you are not the MH expert, do you have a link or contact that you could refer me too?

Thanks

A couple 10 or 14K halides with 4 T5's (2 in front ans 2 behind) is a nice setup if you can find a small enough halide reflector. You would need 10" for the T5's.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15607388#post15607388 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cykenp
Thanks for the advice grim!

So after all your tests/experience, which bulb out there do you think pops the fluorescent colors the most? Some people I know like the UV Super Act. for that but seems to get drowned out by Blue Pluses pretty easily

I don't even mess with actinics any more. The blue pluses give you the glow and par so why bother? I can just tell with some greens that an actinic is running. If you have a lot of lamps throwing an actinic in the dusk/dawn mix is nice.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15607466#post15607466 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Txcowboy22
Grim,

I was thinking about useing a nova extreme pro for my mixed frag tank. sps/lps/palys. The tank is 4x2x1. I was wondering what bulbs I should get and would I get good growth with this set up?

You will get OK growth in the areas not directly under the lamps. Probably cool for the variety of corals you want to grow, I would do 4 ATI Blue Plus and 2 UVL Actinic White.

 

[Txcowboy22]

hmm, so would you suggest using a 2x250 halides with good reflector for better growth? I was thinking of keeping mostly sps under the lights and palys/zoas on the edges. Do you think halides are better for growth?