The T5 Q&a Thread
- Thread starter JohnL
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rtparty
Raise The Reef!
Reefgeek.com
rtparty
Raise The Reef!
I think you will fry your softies in that tank with that fixture. A Solar Flare is pretty powerful.
I would look at the Ice Cap bulbs. Supposed to handle overdriving a little better and not as much PAR. You certainly don't need high PAR bulbs with that fixture.
I would run some actinics but the issue is overdriving kills them pretty quick.
hazmat319
New member
Thanks....can you give me some specific suggestions? As far as actinics should I just go for any of the bulbs that say "actinic"? So I got a great deal for the light fixture but now I can't keep anything under it? Should I try raising the fixture? I definitely want softies! I haven't delved into SPS yet either....
rtparty
Raise The Reef!
Yeah just raise the fixture to like 10 inches to begin with. Watch your corals carefully and see how they react. I have seen zoanthids directly under a 400W halide and growing like crazy but they had to be acclimated to that point.
I don't know the Ice Cap bulbs very well. The Twilight is equal to a Blue Plus.
I will let Grim jump in here.
rtparty
Raise The Reef!
No problem. I read it afterwards and was like crap! I sounded mean in that post. No hard feelings here. Just one of those mornings. :bounce2:
Onedeadbob
New member
Hello Grim,
I have a new/used tank that has a DIY 8 bulb retrofit in the canopy (picture below). I also included a pic of the ballast.
Specs: 72g bowfront (about 4'x18"x21"). The canopy puts the bulbs about 6" above the water. The retro has 2 bulbs per reflector.
What would be a good combination of bulbs to use?
Also, with this fixture and being that high above the water, what coral limitations am I looking at (SPS ok near top?, clams ok?, bubble tip anenome ok or only softies until I upgrade either lighting or tank?)
Thanks a bunch :wave:
I have a new/used tank that has a DIY 8 bulb retrofit in the canopy (picture below). I also included a pic of the ballast.
Specs: 72g bowfront (about 4'x18"x21"). The canopy puts the bulbs about 6" above the water. The retro has 2 bulbs per reflector.
What would be a good combination of bulbs to use?
Also, with this fixture and being that high above the water, what coral limitations am I looking at (SPS ok near top?, clams ok?, bubble tip anenome ok or only softies until I upgrade either lighting or tank?)
Thanks a bunch :wave:
tangers
New member
Grim,
I am looking for a second opinion... I plan on purchasing a 12x80 (non overdriven) T5 retro kit from reefgeek. It will go above my 300 gallon 10' long tank. (6 bulbs on each side) The tank is 24" deep and 24" high. I was told this should be plenty for a mixed reef, just wondering what you think.
Also I will be looking for a good bulb combo for that same unit. I am currently running 2x 250w pheonix 14k mh de, and 4x24w t5's ( 2 blue+, 2 75/25's) I like the way the red's look but I would really like the color to look a little "bluer".
Thanks in advance.
I am looking for a second opinion... I plan on purchasing a 12x80 (non overdriven) T5 retro kit from reefgeek. It will go above my 300 gallon 10' long tank. (6 bulbs on each side) The tank is 24" deep and 24" high. I was told this should be plenty for a mixed reef, just wondering what you think.
Also I will be looking for a good bulb combo for that same unit. I am currently running 2x 250w pheonix 14k mh de, and 4x24w t5's ( 2 blue+, 2 75/25's) I like the way the red's look but I would really like the color to look a little "bluer".
Thanks in advance.
R33FST4R
New member
Grim, I am looking for a 5x54 light combo for my 55g I have a 4x54 Icecap retro kit and a single 1x54 strip, lights are about 6" off water. I want mainly sps with some a couple acans and blastos. I Like a little blue but also want good growth. I like ATI but I am not opposed to using any combination of brands. Thanks!:thumbsup:
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Hello Grim,
I have a new/used tank that has a DIY 8 bulb retrofit in the canopy (picture below). I also included a pic of the ballast.
Specs: 72g bowfront (about 4'x18"x21"). The canopy puts the bulbs about 6" above the water. The retro has 2 bulbs per reflector.
What would be a good combination of bulbs to use?
Also, with this fixture and being that high above the water, what coral limitations am I looking at (SPS ok near top?, clams ok?, bubble tip anenome ok or only softies until I upgrade either lighting or tank?)
Thanks a bunch :wave:
I'd go easy on clams as far as the high light stuff. SPS on top of the rocks is a safe bet
Front
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Front (all x2)
ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus
Grab a couple ATI Aquablues just in case that is too blue.
tangers
New member
will this fixture be ok for a 300 gallon mixed reef though?
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Use a Blue Plus for the single then 2 Blue Plus, 1 UVL Actinic White and a GE 6500K for the other 4.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
If that tank is 24" front to back I would probably go with 2 more rows of lamps, another Blue Plus and a GE 6500K Daylight, 2 of each.
webdizzy
New member
I'm getting ready to change my bulbs and would like some advice on what to use. I have a Current USA SunDial T5 HO 4-bulb fixture on a 46 bowfront, mixed reef -- softies, LSP and SPS. Right now I just have what the fixture came with -- two Daylight 10K and two Actinic Blue 460nm. I'd like to get the right bulb mixture to maximize coral growth & color and prefer a little more white (brighter) than blue. I have an extra Daylight 10K and a GE 6500K which I can use if either will work in the suggested scheme.
Thanks in advance!
Thanks in advance!
Onedeadbob
New member
Thanks Grim!
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