The T5 Q&a Thread
- Thread starter JohnL
- Start date
- Status
M88A2
New member
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Thanks Grim for the advice. Light spill isn't my issue with the halide, actually I quite like the light so the spill is something we just deal with. My issue for maybe getting rid of it is the heat and power consumption. My electric bill is outrageous so trying to cut out a few things that suck up so much energy. That's my main reason for thinking about T5. Use possibly half the wattage and not have to worry about the heat it's releasing into the tank and the living room.
Is there a manufacturer that offers a 2 bulb 36" fixture? Maybe I could look into that and a 4 bulb 24" fixture.
Thanks again!
sfexplicit
New member
Thanks in advance for the help. I'm running 6X54 on IceCap with 4 small fans across the back of the canopy on a sps tank. What is the ideal temp under the bulbs? Just want to know if I have enough or too much cooling in there for good performance. Placed a digital thermometer on my center brace and it reads 110 degrees with all lamps on. Lamps are 3-4" off the top of the water. I could try stronger fans or add one on each side of the canopy or leave it be.
Mordoff
Member
Hey Grim I really need help. I need new T5 bulbs. I bought the tank and the lights from a guy and Ive never used t5s before but the bulbs Ive been using since I got it are
2 Blue+, UVL Super Actinic, and GE 6500k
I have SPS, LPS, and zoas in my tank so I need something that will be right for them all. Could you help me? Im not 100% sure but Im pretty sure the bulbs are 39watt. My tank is a 40br.
2 Blue+, UVL Super Actinic, and GE 6500k
I have SPS, LPS, and zoas in my tank so I need something that will be right for them all. Could you help me? Im not 100% sure but Im pretty sure the bulbs are 39watt. My tank is a 40br.
rtparty
Raise The Reef!
ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
They can all be found at Reefgeek and Premium Aquatics (I think)
Mordoff
Member
What kind of color with this give the over all tank?
rtparty
Raise The Reef!
I would call it 14K. White with a strong blue tint to it.
If you want bluer than that then change the Aquablue for another Blue Plus
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
I think Tek makes 2 lamp fixtures. If you have a canopy you could use their ready fix retrofits, they are plug 2 lamp units and play so you don't have to mess with any wiring.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
You only want to cool the label ends of the lamps so place your fans blowing in at one end directed at the endcaps. You could use the other fans blowing out at the opposite end to set up a airflow across the canopy.
You want the tamp at the endcap to be around 114 degrees on a non overdriven lamp but for an overdriven one I don't know, you probably can't keep them that cool nor would want them to be that cool.
lcs
It's Spring!!!!!!!
I have a 30" Sundial (24" lamps) with timers at 1/3 and 2/4. I am currently running Geismanns as follows:
front
Actinic Plus
Midday
Actinic Plus
Aquablue
When I'm due to replace them I'd like to try something new/different - maybe the Fiji purple and/or the ATI bulbs. I have zoas, rics, and plan on adding some softies, low light stuff, but I'd like to maximize the colors while still enjoying the overall color of the tank (ie not too blue). Is this even possible? :hmm3:
front
Actinic Plus
Midday
Actinic Plus
Aquablue
When I'm due to replace them I'd like to try something new/different - maybe the Fiji purple and/or the ATI bulbs. I have zoas, rics, and plan on adding some softies, low light stuff, but I'd like to maximize the colors while still enjoying the overall color of the tank (ie not too blue). Is this even possible? :hmm3:
rtparty
Raise The Reef!
Your colors usually come from the blue light. Too white and you wash everything out and with too much yellow everything goes brown.
2 ATI Blue Plus, 1 KZ Fiji Purple, and 1 ATI Aquablue looks identical to a Phoenix 14k to my eyes. I was recently at a friend's house and he has two frag tanks. One is lit by 250W Phoenix bulbs and the other with the above T5 combo. The tanks looked identical in color to me and even his frags looked the same between the two tanks. The nice thing about the T5 frag tank was that the corals were more evenly colored if that makes sense.
The tanks are stacked so I was staring at both up close and from a distance.
rtparty
Raise The Reef!
With an 8 bulb ATI Powermodule you could keep SPS anywhere in that tank without an issue.
Even cheap T5 fixtures keep up with 150W halides. The good stuff like ATI put out some serious light. You will have no issue wondering if SPS can be kept. You will actually wonder how you can keep LPS alive without frying them. LOL I don't say that to show how big and bad ATI is but to let you know that T5's are serious and much stronger than people think.
Check out rimlessreef dot com. That will answer some questions.
rtparty
Raise The Reef!
- Status
