The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

Thanks plenty for the info, made an account and am ordering now =)

EDIT: i was until i saw the $30 postage fee for 1 bulb....

use giesenann actinic plus or aquascience 22000k blue instead of blue plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

using a 12 inch fan in the canopy no way to blow fans across teh length of the bulb because of the endcaps being so close together ( would block the air of any attempt)

Blowing air in from the back down the endcaps on one side will do it. Just make sure there is some airflow in the area of the lamp ends, don't cool the center section.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I am putting up a 40 gal breeder i ame doing mosty sps and some chalies.i wont to know if i need 4 or 6 bulbs? And whst would be better tek or ati ?,tek and ati retro's are the same $ but ati fixturs are way more than tek am i going to get better light out of a fixtur or retro or do they do the same ? Tank is 36''long and 17'' tall and 18'' wide

Unless you are going to do clams or a bunch of SPS the 6 lamp Tek would be fine

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Essentially the same question I was going to ask. 36x18x18 FOWLR tank, with the possibility of some corals later on. Thanks!

Same answer as above

 

[TonyV]

Grim - any info on what type of Ballast are used in the PM and SP fixtures? Are the TEKs using Advanced Ballast or Workhorse?

Any thoughts on how Sunpark or Lightpark ballast stack up?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Weird question, but since I have never worked with T5 before I need to ask.
Where do you typically mount the T5 ballasts when retrofitting inside a canopy? Do they have long wires allowing for mounting inside the cabinet or are they short & thus require mounting inside the canopy? I'm clueless.

I usually mount them inside. I believe Reefgeeks aqua iluminations retrofits have a Quick Disconnect for the ballasts so you could mount them on the wall behind the tank. I have also seen the ballasts mounted on the back of the canopy.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim - any info on what type of Ballast are used in the PM and SP fixtures? Are the TEKs using Advanced Ballast or Workhorse?

Any thoughts on how Sunpark or Lightpark ballast stack up?

ATI uses Vossloh Schwabe ballasts last I looked. They are the same as Sylvania and Osram.

As far as I know Tek is using workhorses in all their stuff now.

 

[sean A.]

can a Tek 8x54w 48 inch fixture be enough light to have LPS corals on the bottom and some SPS corals
At the top of a 24 inch deep tank?

 

[clownfish1124]

Grim, I just have one more question. Have you used the UVL genesis bulb? Link below. I was looking around for bulbs and my LFS carries them. I was just wondering how they would compare to the GE 6500 bulb. Thanks!
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=UV-F24T5-865-GEN

 

[The Grim Reefer]

can a Tek 8x54w 48 inch fixture be enough light to have LPS corals on the bottom and some SPS corals
At the top of a 24 inch deep tank?

Sure. Just don't use a splash shield and keep the fixture high enough it doesn't get hit with salt spray. 4 to 8 inches is good,

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim, I just have one more question. Have you used the UVL genesis bulb? Link below. I was looking around for bulbs and my LFS carries them. I was just wondering how they would compare to the GE 6500 bulb. Thanks!
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=UV-F24T5-865-GEN

Haven't seen them before, I would guess just a low end daylight lamp I'll have to check out.

 

[sean A.]

Sure. Just don't use a splash shield and keep the fixture high enough it doesn't get hit with salt spray. 4 to 8 inches is good,

Thanks Grim

 

[TonyV]

Do you recommend always removing the splash shield on fixtures Grim? Does it cut down on PAR?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Do you recommend always removing the splash shield on fixtures Grim? Does it cut down on PAR?

No, actually if it has fans removing the splash shield will cause the cooling to go catiwampus and will cause the PAR to drop.

 

[TonyV]

I have no fans on my AquaticLife fixture. Safe to remove?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I have no fans on my AquaticLife fixture. Safe to remove?

Yes

 

[Trueno22]

Hey Grim thanks in advance. I just bought a Aquactinics TX5 I plan on putting over a 120 25 inch tall tank. I plan on keeping chalices, zoas, and palys. I want a blue look to the tank and possibly if you recommend a 6500k bulb to deliver optimum growth..

 

[-Pixie-]

use giesenann actinic plus or aquascience 22000k blue instead of blue plus

Thanks very much.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim thanks in advance. I just bought a Aquactinics TX5 I plan on putting over a 120 25 inch tall tank. I plan on keeping chalices, zoas, and palys. I want a blue look to the tank and possibly if you recommend a 6500k bulb to deliver optimum growth..

Front
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
Blue Plus
Blue Plus


Lotta par and blue.

 

[theyammieguy]

Hey Grim, I had to break down and buy the TEK 4x39 VS. the ATI 6x39.
What bulbs do you recommend? This will be over a 40g breeder.