The T5 Q&a Thread

[ReefKeeperRob]

Grim, looking to upgrade my 48" sundial T5 fixture to something which will allow me to grow anything anywhere in my 55. To achieve my goal, what would be better - the 4 bulb 48" overdriven icecap retro kit with included reflectors - or the 4 bulb 48" ATI powermodule. I like the price of the kit better but ultimately I'm looking to do this right. Are either of these two options going to accomplish the goal? It's not clear to me whether the ATI fixture overdrives the bulbs or not. If it doesn't then it's possible the retro kit might be superior for someone willing to build a canopy?

Thanks.

 

[freedominco]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Help with new fixture

Re: Re: Re: Re: Help with new fixture

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15627484#post15627484 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
OK

go with 5 Blue Pluses, 2 Aquablues and a Pro Color. If you pro color is toasted then go with a UVL Actinic white. Grab a GE 6500K Daylight too. Try it in place of an aquablue or blue plus to see what you thing.

Using the 8 ATI bulbs, (5 Blue Pluses, 2 Aqua blues and the Pro Color) what order should they be in the fixtures? Also if I was going to stagger them on/off what bulbs should come on when?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15628887#post15628887 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by uhuru
Going to be running a 10 x 39w ATI PM on a non-photosynthetic tank (originally bought it for an SPS setup). Looking to run about 6 pure actinic bulbs, 1 fiji purple, 2 blue+, 1 aquablue special.

Who makes the best pure actinic bulb and what do you think of this combo? I'm hoping to prevent algae overgrowth as the tank will be constantly infused with food. Also I'm going for a deepwater look.

I like UVL and ATI's Actinics, they have a little more blue in them. If you want the violet look go for the Giesemann or better yet mix it up. You could even blow off the fiji purple and work a couple of UVL 75/25 lamps in there instead.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15629561#post15629561 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ReefKeeperRob
Grim, looking to upgrade my 48" sundial T5 fixture to something which will allow me to grow anything anywhere in my 55. To achieve my goal, what would be better - the 4 bulb 48" overdriven icecap retro kit with included reflectors - or the 4 bulb 48" ATI powermodule. I like the price of the kit better but ultimately I'm looking to do this right. Are either of these two options going to accomplish the goal? It's not clear to me whether the ATI fixture overdrives the bulbs or not. If it doesn't then it's possible the retro kit might be superior for someone willing to build a canopy?

Thanks.

The retro will work. So would a 4 lamp Sunpower ATI fixture.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Help with new fixture

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Help with new fixture

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15629719#post15629719 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by freedominco
Using the 8 ATI bulbs, (5 Blue Pluses, 2 Aqua blues and the Pro Color) what order should they be in the fixtures? Also if I was going to stagger them on/off what bulbs should come on when?

You would want the Pro Color about center or slightly front of center with an aquablue near the front and one toward the rear. Just get them arranged so you have 2 Blue Plus for dusk/dawn and then play with the positions of the Aquablues, it will slightly change the look you get.

 

[PRDubois]

How long do T5 bulbs last.

 

[ndml]

I've got the Current Nova Extreme Pro (48") fixture with 6 bulbs; however, it has only 1 single reflector that bends around each bulb. The fixture is 12" wide and fits perfectly over my 80 gallon bowfront. (24" to sand bed)

I just purchased a canopy and I'm debating on whether I should use this 6 fixture setup or go with a 4 bulb setup with individual reflectors. I can't fit 6 bulbs in the canopy because it would require 15" and i only have 12" on each end.

My current corals like the 6 bulb setup. I need to know if the 4 bulb setup will provide about the same amount of usable light or if I should try a couple halides and 2 48" t5's. I'd prefer to stick with t5 bulbs to reduce heat, but I'm stuck.

Thanks for the help and advice!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15629765#post15629765 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by PRDubois
How long do T5 bulbs last.

Depends on your particular setup but anywhere from 10 to about 18 months.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15630695#post15630695 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ndml
I've got the Current Nova Extreme Pro (48") fixture with 6 bulbs; however, it has only 1 single reflector that bends around each bulb. The fixture is 12" wide and fits perfectly over my 80 gallon bowfront. (24" to sand bed)

I just purchased a canopy and I'm debating on whether I should use this 6 fixture setup or go with a 4 bulb setup with individual reflectors. I can't fit 6 bulbs in the canopy because it would require 15" and i only have 12" on each end.

My current corals like the 6 bulb setup. I need to know if the 4 bulb setup will provide about the same amount of usable light or if I should try a couple halides and 2 48" t5's. I'd prefer to stick with t5 bulbs to reduce heat, but I'm stuck.

Thanks for the help and advice!

You could go with the overdriven 4 lamp Ice Cap setup or Aquactinics makes a reflector and standoff that is 2" wide. Depends what you want to raise. The Normally driven Aquactinics setup would be a step up, the Ice Cap a little more. You could even use Aquactinics reflectors with the Ice Cap ballast if you want a lot of clams and SPS.

 

[watson_barrett]

MAX Height???

MAX Height???

What is regarded as optimal height for T5's used to supplement MHs?

What is regarded as max height for T5's used to supplement MHs before they start to loose a lot of PAR?

Water 24-28" deep

Thanks.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: MAX Height???

Re: MAX Height???

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15631278#post15631278 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by watson_barrett
What is regarded as optimal height for T5's used to supplement MHs?

What is regarded as max height for T5's used to supplement MHs before they start to loose a lot of PAR?

Water 24-28" deep

Thanks.

over 28" or so and they really lose punch

 

[watson_barrett]

Re: Re: MAX Height???

Re: Re: MAX Height???

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15631320#post15631320 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
over 28" or so and they really lose punch

greater than 28" above water surface
or are you saying water deeper than 28"???

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: Re: Re: MAX Height???

Re: Re: Re: MAX Height???

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15631356#post15631356 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by watson_barrett
greater than 28" above water surface
or are you saying water deeper than 28"???

Water depth, you don't want the lamps mote than about 6 inches above the tank.

 

[Dubin]

I'm running 3 250w 20k Radiums about 10" off the water and I wanted to get 2 80w actinic T5s, one for the front and one for the back. What's a really nice actinic bulb, and is it worth it to "overdrive" them?

 

[zachtos]

Is it safe to say that a well designed T5 system will be equivalent to your average 250W MH setup?

I get 300-500 PAR in most 12-6" depths but never could get SPS to really grow deeper then that, and I can barely keep my SPS color up on many of my SPS polyps regardless (great water quality and INSANE flow)

I am thinking of scrapping my T5 assembly for a 400W MH setup as this seems to beat out even the best T5 setups? Is this a safe assumption?

 

[PRDubois]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15630703#post15630703 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Depends on your particular setup but anywhere from 10 to about 18 months.

How do you know when to replace? Wait for a black spot on the side like a normal floresent?

 

[ndml]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15630729#post15630729 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
You could go with the overdriven 4 lamp Ice Cap setup or Aquactinics makes a reflector and standoff that is 2" wide. Depends what you want to raise. The Normally driven Aquactinics setup would be a step up, the Ice Cap a little more. You could even use Aquactinics reflectors with the Ice Cap ballast if you want a lot of clams and SPS.

Thank you so much! I've been hunting for 2" standoffs and could not find them anywhere! I've decided to go with the Aquatinics reflector and a 54W with regular HO Ballasts.

Anyhow, thanks again. That solved my problem perfectly!

 

[d2mini]

What size hanging HO T5 fixture (length of bulbs and how many) would you use over a 36" x 36" x 24"tall rimless cube?

 

[kev24k]

Grim,

60x18x25 tank with canopy. Planning to keep a few of the easier sps and the rest mixed. How many bulbs and which combo do you recommend? Would I have to stagger the bulbs because of the length of my tank? Would any prewired/plugnplay setup work for my tank?

Thanks for all the help.

 

[jorgy27]

225 gallon lighting

225 gallon lighting

Grim,
First of all let me say that your efforts in helping people like me are greatly appreciated by me and im sure everyone who has read this thread feels the same way. I have learned a lot from reading this thread already and continue to learn more and more everyday.
I am in the process of setting up my 225 gallon tank (72x24x30). I have been fortunate enough that a friend of mine gave me a sunlight supply new wave 48" 8 bulb t5 fixture. First of all i started researching the light a little and i see that it is not made for use on an aquarium. I also figured out that it is an 8 x 54 watt light that advertises that it is max cooling due to a slotted and louvered exterior. Also, it is 120v 4amp 432watt 60hz. My question is can i use this light for my tank and what other supplemental lighting would i want to use (mh, led, etc.). I plan on keeping soft corals to start and eventually want to get into lps and sps. basically i want to set this system up to allow me to do basically anything i want to do in the future.
If i can use this light what type of bulbs and which configuration would be ideal for me. I plan on having a 5-6 inch dsb if that helps at all with the 30" depth of my tank.

Again i thank you for all of your time and efforts and any help you have for me is greatly appreciated.