The T5 Q&a Thread

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freeswimmingfis said:
CROSS POSTED FROM A SEPERATE THREAD:

Well, I picked up a 90g RR tank/stand/canopy a few days ago, so now I need lights. Long story, but I had an IC660 T5 setup, but no longer....
Anyway, I found this setup from Hellolights, what are the opinions?

This setup comes with a VHO ballast (says it will overdrive 15%), endcaps with standoffs, individual refelectors AND lamps for $200.
Kit Includes:
* Four Parabolic clip on reflectors (42.5" x 2" x 1")
* One Hellolights Very High Output T5 ballast (15% overdrive)
* Four Pairs Moisture Resistant German End-caps
* Four Pair End cap Stand-Offs
* Two 48" (HO,T5) 10,000K 54W - TRU
* Two 48" (HO,T5) Actinic 03 54W - TRU

The lamps will get me through the first year while I get the tank up and running & cycled. After I get stocked and have an idea what I will be keeping, then I will make differant lamp choices if needed.
So, is this a decent setup and worth buying? Or what else should I be looking at for the same amout of money. I only have about a $200 budget. I need a retro/DIY fit kit, as it will be attached to the top lid of my canopy.
Here is the link:
http://www.hellolights.com/index.asp...OD&ProdID=1824

Thanks for you opinions
Joe
Click to expand...


I really know nothing about that setup. I would think it would at least be fine to get started. If you do order it let me know what the wiring layout is. I suspect those are just Workhorse ballasts but maybe not.
 
Bzar said:
Awesome Grim. Thank you.....You really do help.

And before I buy stuff, Just couple more questions I forgot (wife was rushing me out the door while I was trying to post my previous questions :mad2:)

1) for a normal output ballast which would be best....workhorse, or advance?
2) normal end caps ok to use? or is water proof totally needed?
3) in fixture fans still encouraged for normal output lighting?
4) I live by SWC and they have their own brand of reflectors. The owner says they are made from anadolum (or something like that), and are 98% reflective. They are 2.75 wide, and I can fit 8 in my fixture with my curved design....kind of like a Aquatinics TX. Would these be plenty for sps?

and that's it :)
Thanks again.
Click to expand...

1. Normally driven is fine, Advance ballasts

2. Water Proof is better but normal will work if they are not too close to the water. You need to check them for corrosion when you change lamps.

3. You don't HAVE to use fans but it will help

4. You mean Alanod? They make Miro, the good stuff. Probably be OK for your system if it is the good material.
 
Guys,
I am setting up a frag tank. I have a 24" 4 bulb T5 fixture, and I just got new bulbs per recommendations of Reefgeek. I have 2 blue +, 1 12k Aquablue,and 1 Figi Purple. Can comeone recommend bulb placement within the fixture from front to back? Thanks.
Dave
 
AcroporAddict said:
Guys,
I am setting up a frag tank. I have a 24" 4 bulb T5 fixture, and I just got new bulbs per recommendations of Reefgeek. I have 2 blue +, 1 12k Aquablue,and 1 Figi Purple. Can comeone recommend bulb placement within the fixture from front to back? Thanks.
Dave
Click to expand...

i would do

front
blue+
fiji
aquablue
blue+
back
 
Hi Grim,
Well I talked to the store owner about the bulb selection, and he informed me he's out of ATI and doesn't know when he'll get more. I'm in Canada so it's hard to get good stores. There's another one here that sells Giesemann, and URI. You quoated
For lamps do 6 ATI Blue Plus and 2 Giesemann midday
Click to expand...
for a blue look on an 8 bulb setup. Also seems I can't fit 8 in this fixture, only 7. So with the new bulb selection, and now only 7 available lamps....what's good choice for a sps, blue or blue/purp look?

cheers,
bzar
 
The Grim Reefer said:
I really know nothing about that setup. I would think it would at least be fine to get started. If you do order it let me know what the wiring layout is. I suspect those are just Workhorse ballasts but maybe not.
Click to expand...

Are workhorse ballasts any good? My tank has no water in it right now, so I am in no real hurry, would it be better to just spend a bit more and go with an Icecap setup again?
I dont want to buy it twice.
 
rtparty said:
Too much red from the 75/25 and Actinic White. Go buy either an ATI Aquablue or an ATI Blue Plus and play with them.

I would try this first:

ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
Click to expand...

Thank you. I guess I'll just order a Aquablue.

Anyone need a 75/25? haha...
 
Bzar said:
Hi Grim,
Well I talked to the store owner about the bulb selection, and he informed me he's out of ATI and doesn't know when he'll get more. I'm in Canada so it's hard to get good stores. There's another one here that sells Giesemann, and URI. You quoated

for a blue look on an 8 bulb setup. Also seems I can't fit 8 in this fixture, only 7. So with the new bulb selection, and now only 7 available lamps....what's good choice for a sps, blue or blue/purp look?

cheers,
bzar
Click to expand...

do 5 Gieseman actinic Plus and 2 UVL Actinic White. Will look like a 20K halide with a little red in the mix. Grab a Giesemann Aquablue as a spare, you can use it to brighten up the look if you want by swapping it in for an Actinic Plus.
 
freeswimmingfis said:
Are workhorse ballasts any good? My tank has no water in it right now, so I am in no real hurry, would it be better to just spend a bit more and go with an Icecap setup again?
I dont want to buy it twice.
Click to expand...

Workhorses will work but not as well as a real T5 ballast. Check reefgeeks pricing on the retros and see how they compare.
 
Well I read through a great portion of this thread and I'm sure questions very similar have been asked, so I apologize if this has been answered before...but...considering going all T-5, the tank will be 36x30x18(h), 100% sps.

I like the ATI Powermodule and want to go with the 36" 8 bulb unit. So the question is, will the 8 bulb unit suffice, or should I go 10 bulbs being that the tank will be 30" wide? I don't plan on having any rockwork anywhere near the glass so the coral will be placed a good 4 inches off of the glass in any direction so I assume the 8 bulb unit is more than enough?

Thanks for your input...
 
jasony816 said:
Are you referring to the coverage as I have a 55 now and that is the same height as the 75, however the 90 would be taller and wider. Also what bulb selection do you recommend for SPS for the tx5?
Click to expand...

Yeah, both are wider.

Front

ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus.
 
Jmason95 said:
Well I read through a great portion of this thread and I'm sure questions very similar have been asked, so I apologize if this has been answered before...but...considering going all T-5, the tank will be 36x30x18(h), 100% sps.

I like the ATI Powermodule and want to go with the 36" 8 bulb unit. So the question is, will the 8 bulb unit suffice, or should I go 10 bulbs being that the tank will be 30" wide? I don't plan on having any rockwork anywhere near the glass so the coral will be placed a good 4 inches off of the glass in any direction so I assume the 8 bulb unit is more than enough?

Thanks for your input...
Click to expand...

Should be fine.
 
Easy question for you:

120g (48 x 24 x 24), ATI Sunpower 6 bulb 54w. Pretty much all SPS (no LPS), strategically placed according to light demand.

What bulb combo would you recommend?

Thanks!
 
jasony816 said:
What is the difference between the actinic white and the ge6500k and what about the ulv75/25? Is that the combination best for sps growth/colors?
Click to expand...

Actinic White has more red spectrum and Actinic. The 75/25 is just a more subtle version of the Actinic White. It's better if you only have 4 lamps or want to run more than one reddish lamp
 
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