The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

grim onceagain iv had all t5 lights start to burn out this time using a workhorse ballast ( i stoped overdriving with the icecaps)

do you think waterproof endcaps could be causing to much heat?

Never heard of it. You might want to check you outlet to make sure you have the correct voltage being applied. I would assume the ballasts would still provide the right current through the lamps but maybe not.

 

[hazmat319]

Try this

Front
New Gen
Deep water
Twilight
Giesemann Aquablue
Twilight
Twilight

Thank you! Do you agree with the fixture/bulbs being too intense for a 75? The above combo will be OK for softies as well as a clam and SPS? Just making sure
As always...thanks for your input and being the "guru"!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

OK Grim this is what I doing. I'm going with the 6 bulb sunpower for my mixed 90 gallon. Right now I have brand new bulbs in my Nova Extreme Pro. Front to back

Blue plus
aquablue
Fiji purple
aquablue
blue plus
actinic

It was recommended that I change to 3 blue plus, 1 aquablue, 1 fiji and the ge 6500. Which would you go with and what order. I will be getting new bulbs with the fixture since its cheaper in the long run that way.

Front
Aquablue
Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple or UVL Actinic White.
Blue Plus
Blue Plus
Aquablue

Better because of 2 and 5 being the dusk/dawn pair.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Thank you! Do you agree with the fixture/bulbs being too intense for a 75? The above combo will be OK for softies as well as a clam and SPS? Just making sure
As always...thanks for your input and being the "guru"!

I dunno.

I have a friend who overdrives T5's over his 75 and it does good for him.

If you keep high light clams up off the bottom they should be fine, probably OK on the sand is they aren't little fellers.

 

[hazmat319]

I dunno.

I have a friend who overdrives T5's over his 75 and it does good for him.

If you keep high light clams up off the bottom they should be fine, probably OK on the sand is they aren't little fellers.

Yeah...the 75 is still 21" deep. I had a Tek over my 90 gallon. Thought I was doing good buying the solar flare. It's an awesome fixture compared to the Tek.
I always like to put clams up on the rock anyway. I'm more looking at my tank wondering if I have enough "shaded" spots for softies. I'm probably over thinking all of this!

 

[tahiriqbal]

I may have missed out but why you have never suggested ATi's Actinic bulbs for any setups? I got one 54 watt Actinic bulb which I am thinking of replacing it with ATi blue plus but would like to know if it would be a wise idea!!!

Current layout front to back

ATi blue plus
Osram 6500K white
ATi blue plus
ATi blue plus
Aqua rays 2 x marine blue 1 x aqua blue LED strips
ATi blue plus
ATi blue plus (thinking about changing it to ATi Actinic)? or GE/Osram 6500K ?
ATi Aquablue
ATi blue plus

Could I also use another Osram 6500K in the same setup as tank looks too blue to my linking, I am looking for around 12K to 14K look?

Thanks for your help Grim....

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I may have missed out but why you have never suggested ATi's Actinic bulbs for any setups? I got one 54 watt Actinic bulb which I am thinking of replacing it with ATi blue plus but would like to know if it would be a wise idea!!!

Current layout front to back

ATi blue plus
Osram 6500K white
ATi blue plus
ATi blue plus
Aqua rays 2 x marine blue 1 x aqua blue LED strips
ATi blue plus
ATi blue plus (thinking about changing it to ATi Actinic)? or GE/Osram 6500K ?
ATi Aquablue
ATi blue plus

Could I also use another Osram 6500K in the same setup as tank looks too blue to my linking, I am looking for around 12K to 14K look?

Thanks for your help Grim....

Even the best actinic seems to get lost once the blues come on, you just don't really see the difference. Another 10K would probably be a good idea.

 

[tahiriqbal]

Thanks Grim and where shell I position this 10K bulb and which brand (if)? Could I leave the 10K out and use 2 x Osram 6500K instead of using 10K bulb? Sorry for asking too many questions...

 

[AZRC]

Hi Ive been out of the hobby for quite some time does anyone know the heat output of lets say 4-6 36" t5ho. Does it run cooler then 1 250watt hqi. I am considering setting up a 40 gallon breeder for sps...

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Thanks Grim and where shell I position this 10K bulb and which brand (if)? Could I leave the 10K out and use 2 x Osram 6500K instead of using 10K bulb? Sorry for asking too many questions...

My bad, the Osram in the position you listed is good

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hi Ive been out of the hobby for quite some time does anyone know the heat output of lets say 4-6 36" t5ho. Does it run cooler then 1 250watt hqi. I am considering setting up a 40 gallon breeder for sps...

The T5 won't cause the heat issues a halide would.

 

[stewed]

Is it advisable to stagger the timeframe for replacing bulbs? It seems like replacing all the bulbs at once would shock corals, etc. So on a 6 light fixture would it make sense to replace some of the bulbs periodically rather than all at once? Definitely esaier on my budget.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Is it advisable to stagger the timeframe for replacing bulbs? It seems like replacing all the bulbs at once would shock corals, etc. So on a 6 light fixture would it make sense to replace some of the bulbs periodically rather than all at once? Definitely esaier on my budget.

I think at least staggering replacement by a few days per lamp is a good idea.

 

[Reefbuoy]

2 Actinic Plus, 1 Midday and 1 Aquablue

What would be the photo period for a 2-tiered system with SPS?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

What would be the photo period for a 2-tiered system with SPS?

Blues on 10 to 12 hours and the daylight 8 to 10

 

[pfoster40]

Hey guys, I've been thinking about changing out my 6500k GE bulb with the giesemann aqua flora bulb. The color spectrum seems to be quite intense all over the board with this bulb. The only thing is I can't quite figure out what color its going to throw off in my tank. Is it close to the GE bulb? Also how is the par compared to the GE bulb..... better... worse?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey guys, I've been thinking about changing out my 6500k GE bulb with the giesemann aqua flora bulb. The color spectrum seems to be quite intense all over the board with this bulb. The only thing is I can't quite figure out what color its going to throw off in my tank. Is it close to the GE bulb? Also how is the par compared to the GE bulb..... better... worse?

Dunno, Never used one but they are pinkish so you'll pick up red and lose yellow.

 

[pfoster40]

Will it cause an algae boom like the GE 3000k bulb does? I really like to keep things simple

 

[pfoster40]

Will it cause an algae boom like the GE 3000k bulb does? I really like to keep things simple or what about the ati sun pro

 

[GoCougsKev]

Help, need advice on new T5 lights replacing Halides

Help, need advice on new T5 lights replacing Halides

I have a 120 gallon tank that currenly has two 250 metal halides. The tank is SPS dominated. Tank has been up for 3 years without any problems other than hardware. Only problem I have had over the years is my halides. I have had terrible luck with my Icecap ballasts which has cost me a ton of money. I am sure I could fix the problem by going with something other then Icecap, but I am just distgusted with matel halides, I would rather go T5 and be done with it. Will my SPS suffer from the transittion to T5? Can T5 grow SPS well without any other light source? How many 48" T5 would I need, 8, 10, 12? Also I just plan on powering these T5 with a couple of Icecap 660-009 ballasts, these ballasts seem to work over the metal hallides that crap out and burn out my bulbs prematurly.

Also I havent been in the lighting loop for years, where is LED lighting at?