The T5 Q&a Thread

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This thread is way long, and I have no idea what the first post says as I can't seem to get to it.

But I do have a couple questions.

I am just building my tank stand now, I have a standard 75 gallon tank.
I was thinking just a 4 bulb T5 ballast, but should I do a 4 bulb and 2 bulb ballast? I can get any combo of ballasts.
I will have a FOWLR tank for a while, but will do soft corals once my tank is nice and stable and I figure out what I want in the tank, lol.

Also what bulbs should I use?
Whats the real difference in bulbs that I can buy from a supply house and specialty ones from the LFS, I know the blue ones are special, but UV, 6500k and 10,000k bulbs are really all the same are they not?
Which bulbs should I get too?

They will be 4' bulbs as long as they are under 48 1/4" overall length with the tombstones. I have installed a lot of lights, but never thought to measure tombstone to tombstone.

I should add I will have proper reflectors.
 
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I too think this thread is too long, and I feel bad for asking a question that was probably answered already....but here it goes. I have a 55 gallon tank and a 4 X 54 watt T5 system that doesn't give enough light (my stylophora went from neon green to mint green). I was thinking of taking that system and adding lights to make it a 6 bulb system (I would of course make my own canopy and wire everything with extra ballast and all). My question is...would it be better to just buy another system like http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/for/1812651202.html and put them together in one housing since they can't both fit over my tank? or should I do something like this: http://www.aquacave.com/48-tek-2-t5-retro-kit-br--2-x-54w-lampsbr-by-sunlight-supply-695.html# ? ? ? If I did choose the retrofit kit.....then would that ballast be sufficient?
 
Hello! I'm upgrading my tank to a 75gallon and I'm thinking about getting the 6x54w Current USA Nova Extreme Pro. Would this be enough to keep SPS up top and possibly some in the mid level, or how many inches down? Also, what bulbs should i be purchasing. Please work the magic The Grim Reefer. Much thanks in advance :)
 
grim ... what do you think of this lineup in an ATI powermodule 8x24 over an 18" deep sps system ...

front
ati actinic
ati blue plus
kz super blue
kz new gen
kz super blue
kz fiji purple
kz new gen
ati blue plus

are the kz bulbs that much better than ATI bulbs?? i have used those for a long time, and, i have read recently the kz are better - not sure if it is just hype though
 
Jeff000 said:
This thread is way long, and I have no idea what the first post says as I can't seem to get to it.

But I do have a couple questions.

I am just building my tank stand now, I have a standard 75 gallon tank.
I was thinking just a 4 bulb T5 ballast, but should I do a 4 bulb and 2 bulb ballast? I can get any combo of ballasts.
I will have a FOWLR tank for a while, but will do soft corals once my tank is nice and stable and I figure out what I want in the tank, lol.

Also what bulbs should I use?
Whats the real difference in bulbs that I can buy from a supply house and specialty ones from the LFS, I know the blue ones are special, but UV, 6500k and 10,000k bulbs are really all the same are they not?
Which bulbs should I get too?

They will be 4' bulbs as long as they are under 48 1/4" overall length with the tombstones. I have installed a lot of lights, but never thought to measure tombstone to tombstone.

I should add I will have proper reflectors.
Click to expand...

2 ballasts so you can have dusk/dawn lighting control.

You should use 2 ATI Blue Plus, 1 KZ Fiji Purple and a GE 6500K Daylight. The GE you can find other places but the others are hobby specific.
 
andy.thompson12 said:
I too think this thread is too long, and I feel bad for asking a question that was probably answered already....but here it goes. I have a 55 gallon tank and a 4 X 54 watt T5 system that doesn't give enough light (my stylophora went from neon green to mint green). I was thinking of taking that system and adding lights to make it a 6 bulb system (I would of course make my own canopy and wire everything with extra ballast and all). My question is...would it be better to just buy another system like http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/for/1812651202.html and put them together in one housing since they can't both fit over my tank? or should I do something like this: http://www.aquacave.com/48-tek-2-t5-retro-kit-br--2-x-54w-lampsbr-by-sunlight-supply-695.html# ? ? ? If I did choose the retrofit kit.....then would that ballast be sufficient?
Click to expand...

Adding a retro kit will work but get it from Reefgeek, they use a real T5 ballast. They also have a lamps included option that will save you money in the long run. Get the LET retro, better reflectors for just a few bucks more.
 
ryunbaik said:
Hello! I'm upgrading my tank to a 75gallon and I'm thinking about getting the 6x54w Current USA Nova Extreme Pro. Would this be enough to keep SPS up top and possibly some in the mid level, or how many inches down? Also, what bulbs should i be purchasing. Please work the magic The Grim Reefer. Much thanks in advance :)
Click to expand...

As long as the SPS are on top of the rocks you will be OK. Get 4 ATI Blue Plus, 1 GE 6500K Daylight and a UVL Actinic White
 
lovetoreef said:
grim ... what do you think of this lineup in an ATI powermodule 8x24 over an 18" deep sps system ...

front
ati actinic
ati blue plus
kz super blue
kz new gen
kz super blue
kz fiji purple
kz new gen
ati blue plus

are the kz bulbs that much better than ATI bulbs?? i have used those for a long time, and, i have read recently the kz are better - not sure if it is just hype though
Click to expand...

From a PAR standpoint the KZ lamps aren't as good as ATI. A little surprising seeing how Sylvania makes both brands. As far as the mix of lamps it looks fine but I would move the fiji more towords the center or add another in place of the New Generation in the 4th slot.
 
Grim,

I checked your homepage and waded thru many of the posts in this thread, but I have not seen any recommended bulb set ups for a 12 bulb fixture.

I have a 72" nova extreme pro fixture. Its on a 200g tank 7'x2'x2'. Tank is a mixed reef.

Thanks for taking the time to answer the many questions thrown at you every week.
 
Greatwyte said:
Grim,

I checked your homepage and waded thru many of the posts in this thread, but I have not seen any recommended bulb set ups for a 12 bulb fixture.

I have a 72" nova extreme pro fixture. Its on a 200g tank 7'x2'x2'. Tank is a mixed reef.

Thanks for taking the time to answer the many questions thrown at you every week.
Click to expand...

Uhh, just double the 6 lamp reco

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus
 
andy.thompson12 said:
so you mean to say you would rather do retro (2 bulb setup ~$100) than taking apart a used t5 system (4 bulb setup ~$150)? Will 6 bulbs be enough?
Click to expand...

I'd rather get a good 6 lamp fixture like the Sunpower but aside from that I would just add 2 better retrofits to what you have now rather than buy another cheap fixture.
 
Hey Grim, not sure if this has been asked before but i have never run across the answer yet. With the ice-cap reflectors, how far away should the bulb be placed from the reflectors middle ^ or would I measure from the ( part of it? Please be precise on the description, I can be a little dense sometimes :o , thanks.
 
Grim you had me put in 5ati blue plus, 1 uvl actinic white, 1 ge 6500k daylight, and 1 ati blue plus. how would the set up be if i took out one of the blue plus and used an ati aqua blue?
thank you for taking the time to help myself and so many other people out with there lighting questions. It is much appreciated!!!!
 
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