The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

Ya, its my money, but I just dont have that much, so you only get to spend as much as I have. I wouldnt really worry about supplementing, because I would plan on running the 20k Radium. I think that would look just fine. I only worry about adding juuuuust enough heat to have to buy a chiller

What about the hamilton halide fixtures?

4 Ft Cebu Sun - Mogul Base Metal Halide & 4-High Output 54 Watt T5 Actinics

or

Cayman Sun 250 Watt HQI System with 6 LED lights, Hamilton 250W 24K HQI Bulb, Hamilton Technology 250W HQI ballast


Other than those two, I am onto the Mogul based 20k Radiums, in the Lumenarc III. Does anyone make a DE 20k bulb that is as good as the SE 20k radium that is supposed to be the best?

I'd do the radiums in the LA III's. You can't hardly go wrong with those lamps.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

So Grim. Plenty for sps and maybe a clam or two?

Yeah.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I'm thinking about replacing the reflectors out of my Tek light and put in aquactinics reflectors. Do you guys think it would be worth it? I bought the Tek used and it has some pitting on the reflectors from the previous owner, but still works good. I just wanted to have a BAMF fixture, and figured this would do it.

What do you guys think?

Not sure they will fit. You can get a replacement reflector for the tek but if you can get the Aquactinic reflectors in there it would be sweet.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

aquaactinics are the only ones that will fit into the fixture. I looked at grims thread about the different reflectors, and the aquactinics actually did better the ati, and reefgeek reflectors mid way down in the tank.

Ahhh, no. The ATI were best, then Aqua Illuminations then the Aquactinics.

The ATI and Aquactinics are the only one's you have a chance of squeezing in that fixture. The ATI's might be a little easier to get in because they seem to be a little more flexible than the Aquactinics.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I just bought a 6 bulb T5 Finnex fixture. I have a 90g tank. 48 in left to right, 24" high, 18 " front to back.

The fixture has 3 switches on it.
What bulbs would you recommend?
I have some zoos, palys, rics, mushrooms, Green LTA and want to get a larger variety but was waiting to upgrade my lights to T5's.

Any suggestions?

Unless they have seriously upgraded the Finnex stuff I would go easy on high light critters, on the rocks below the reflectors.

Try 4 ATI Blue Plus, 1 UVL Actinic WHite and a GE 6500K Daylight for lamps. Use 2 Blue Plus for dusk/dawn

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Well Id like to see if grim has a pic or diagram, I understand place it to inches from the endcap,but I cant picture it in my mind lol

Again, all you are trying to blow is blow the are in from back to front down the ends of the lamps.

 

[OceanLandlord]

Hey Grim would like some advice,
Have a 300 gallon bow front about 32" deep and have gotten 3 400W MH's with DIY Luminarcs and looking to supplement with t5's. What would you suggest? I'm thinking of 4 60" t5s (2 actinic white and 2 blue plus) run by 2 icecap 660's. I'd like to cut the MH operating hours if possible, maybe 5-6 hrs MH and blue plus, and 6 hours blue plus and actinic whites? Please let me know what you think.
Thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim would like some advice,
Have a 300 gallon bow front about 32" deep and have gotten 3 400W MH's with DIY Luminarcs and looking to supplement with t5's. What would you suggest? I'm thinking of 4 60" t5s (2 actinic white and 2 blue plus) run by 2 icecap 660's. I'd like to cut the MH operating hours if possible, maybe 5-6 hrs MH and blue plus, and 6 hours blue plus and actinic whites? Please let me know what you think.
Thanks

Do 2 ATI Blue Plus and probably 1 KZ Fiji Purple and 1 ATI Aquablue. UVL doesn't make a 60" lamp. That mix will give the most PAR and best color.

 

[scaryperson27]

Hey Grim/everyone else

I am going to set up a 6 bulb Ice Cap Overdriven T5 setup over my 24"x20.5"x11.5" frag tank. It's intense I know, but I want this unit to be able to power my 26"x24"x22" in case I ever decide to switch the lighting systems.

I already have the 660 and possibly a 430 ballast on the way. However I am trying to save a few bucks.

I was wondering if I can get away with using these endcaps:

http://www.hellolights.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1372
Would it make a difference to go ahead and get the IceCap endcaps/standoffs?

Also looking at this reflector to go over the bulbs:

http://www.hellolights.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1346
Would these make a difference in light output?

It is almost a 100 dollar difference to go with the IceCap reflectors and endcaps over the hellolight stuff.

Let me know

Thank you
Mike

 

[Fishingpcola]

How often should you replace T5 bulbs powered by icecap ballast?

 

[rodcpierce]

How often should you replace T5 bulbs powered by icecap ballast?

ide say with active cooling between 8-12 months, without as little as 6.

 

[rtparty]

Hey Grim/everyone else

I am going to set up a 6 bulb Ice Cap Overdriven T5 setup over my 24"x20.5"x11.5" frag tank. It's intense I know, but I want this unit to be able to power my 26"x24"x22" in case I ever decide to switch the lighting systems.

I already have the 660 and possibly a 430 ballast on the way. However I am trying to save a few bucks.

I was wondering if I can get away with using these endcaps:

http://www.hellolights.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1372
Would it make a difference to go ahead and get the IceCap endcaps/standoffs?

Also looking at this reflector to go over the bulbs:

http://www.hellolights.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1346
Would these make a difference in light output?

It is almost a 100 dollar difference to go with the IceCap reflectors and endcaps over the hellolight stuff.

Let me know

Thank you
Mike

Sell the ballasts and get some standard high output ballasts. Reflectors will do more than a ballast will.

A T5 bulb is only as good as the reflector it is wrapped in.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

ide say with active cooling between 8-12 months, without as little as 6.

I'd agree with that

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Sell the ballasts and get some standard high output ballasts. Reflectors will do more than a ballast will.

A T5 bulb is only as good as the reflector it is wrapped in.

Agree with that too

 

[rodcpierce]

damn grim, sorry to steal your thunder!!! Looks like we have all learned well from you. hahaha

 

[customdusty]

My new fixture arrives next week. It is a 12x39 T5. Here is what I was thinking - let me know what order or suggestions you would give be the best color, pop, and growth. How the ballasts/switches are wired are 3 groups of 4 bulbs, A, B, and C. I would prefer to run a "daylight" 4 bulb set (mostly when I'm not home) and then be able to run an 8 bulb combination of 6 Blue+ and 2 Fiji Purple. Tank is a SPS dominated mixed reef. Mostly SPS and a few LPS - lots of greens and reds, some blues.


Front

A Blue+
A Fiji Purple
B AB Special
B GE 6500k
C Blue +
C Blue +
C Blue +
C Blue +
B GE 6500k
B AB Special
A Fiji Purple
A Blue +

 

[The Grim Reefer]

damn grim, sorry to steal your thunder!!! Looks like we have all learned well from you. hahaha

By all means, keep stealing. :beer:

 

[The Grim Reefer]

My new fixture arrives next week. It is a 12x39 T5. Here is what I was thinking - let me know what order or suggestions you would give be the best color, pop, and growth. How the ballasts/switches are wired are 3 groups of 4 bulbs, A, B, and C. I would prefer to run a "daylight" 4 bulb set (mostly when I'm not home) and then be able to run an 8 bulb combination of 6 Blue+ and 2 Fiji Purple. Tank is a SPS dominated mixed reef. Mostly SPS and a few LPS - lots of greens and reds, some blues.


Front

A Blue+
A Fiji Purple
B AB Special
B GE 6500k
C Blue +
C Blue +
C Blue +
C Blue +
B GE 6500k
B AB Special
A Fiji Purple
A Blue +

Try it and see what you think. Looks good from here.

 

[CorkPullerPHL]

Hey Grim,

Do you foresee any trouble if a reefer wanted to say, (hypothetically) replace the ballasts in an ATI 36" sunpower with an Ice Cap 660 and 430. Would they fit? Is this a bad idea?

Thanks for the plethora of info.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim,

Do you foresee any trouble if a reefer wanted to say, (hypothetically) replace the ballasts in an ATI 36" sunpower with an Ice Cap 660 and 430. Would they fit? Is this a bad idea?

Thanks for the plethora of info.

Wouldn't come close to fitting. Not sure what the effects if a remote mounted ballast would be either. Cooling could be an issue.