The T5 Q&a Thread
- Thread starter JohnL
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prodman
Active member
So I think I can. I i am trying to decide which two lamps to add. I am thinking about some either one new generation and one figi purple or two of one I am not sure.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Thanks i have 4 blue plus 1 purple plus 1 aquablue special with the order youve given from front to back being
BP PP BP AB BP BP so i would have the PP and AB go on for 10-12 hrs a day and the 4 bps running for 5-10 hrs? the whole dusk/dawn thing is completly new to me so i dont even know if the lights i mention would be for a dusk/dawn system. Which lights would you have on for how long
Those two are fine if you like the look, if not swap the position of the purple plus with the blue plus behind it so you have 2 blue plus as your dusk/dawn.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
I'd add a Blue Plus and a GE 6500K Daylight
coralreefdoc
New member
Grim,
Ive been looking at the 6 bulb Tek for a 60G ( 48Lx18Wx16H ) mixed reef but recently came across a good deal on an Aquactinics Constellation. Do you think running 7 bulbs over this setup is too overkill ? It will be an SPS dominate mixed reef w/ LPS bottom-mid and SPS everywhere in between w/ a clam or two. It is a peninsula style display so I would need an even spectrum between both sides of the fixture/display so there isnt any noticable color change between the two sides.
Here is what I am thinking for bulb setup:
Front
1. ATI Actinic 03
2. ATI Blue +
3. ATI Aquablue Special
4. KZ Fiji Purple
5. ATI Aquablue Special
6. ATI Blue+
7. ATI Actinic 03
What do you think ? Threw two pure actinics in there to cut down on PAR. I would use either 1-4-7 or 2-6 as dusk/dawn. Also, what would you say the color of the above would yield ? I was thinking somewhere around 16-18k. Thanks Grim, look forward to hearing from you
Ive been looking at the 6 bulb Tek for a 60G ( 48Lx18Wx16H ) mixed reef but recently came across a good deal on an Aquactinics Constellation. Do you think running 7 bulbs over this setup is too overkill ? It will be an SPS dominate mixed reef w/ LPS bottom-mid and SPS everywhere in between w/ a clam or two. It is a peninsula style display so I would need an even spectrum between both sides of the fixture/display so there isnt any noticable color change between the two sides.
Here is what I am thinking for bulb setup:
Front
1. ATI Actinic 03
2. ATI Blue +
3. ATI Aquablue Special
4. KZ Fiji Purple
5. ATI Aquablue Special
6. ATI Blue+
7. ATI Actinic 03
What do you think ? Threw two pure actinics in there to cut down on PAR. I would use either 1-4-7 or 2-6 as dusk/dawn. Also, what would you say the color of the above would yield ? I was thinking somewhere around 16-18k. Thanks Grim, look forward to hearing from you
Last edited:
Grim..... why no more T5s??????? 
Grim..... why no more T5s???????
Grim....why no more T5s????
Grim......why no more T5s????
Oh my gosh....sorry!!! I don't know why it duplicated like that!! Mods, can you please delete all but 1 of those posts by me??
Thank you!!
Thank you!!
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
I ran one on a 60" tank that was slightly taller than yours (20") and it was fine. I would use 3 and 5 as dusk/dawn because if I remember right that circuit controls one of the fans. I think your mix is fine but I would run blue plus instead of the actinics. The actinics just don't do much once all the lights are on.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Grim..... why no more T5s???????
LED's are more better
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Grim....why no more T5s????
LED's are more better
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
LED's are more better
It was time to move on to the next big thing. I've been waiting for the price to come down but they have been a good option for a couple years now.
I'm currently using a Fluorescent Ballast to light 2 - 54watts T5. Below is the link of the ballast. Bulbs are lit 10 hours per day. With this ballast and lighting duration, what is the life expectancy of my bulbs?
http://www.hellolights.com/2x54wt5hofluorescentballast-advance.aspx
Thank you for your help.
http://www.hellolights.com/2x54wt5hofluorescentballast-advance.aspx
Thank you for your help.
rtparty
Raise The Reef!
If the bulbs are properly cooled, 12 months.
If you aren't cooling them with a fan, 6 months.
I am not running a cooling fan nor do I have a PAR meter. How can I tell that the bulbs need to be replaced?
Cracking me up as always, Grim! Any pics of your current tank anywhere???
TheReefChief
New member
Hi Guys, im sure this has been answered a million times so I am sorry, but I find a bunch of different info so im a little confused.
I have a 6 bulb t5 pendant that I will be hanging from supports very much like these:
http://media.photobucket.com/image/recent/JG1inNJ/IMAG0058.jpg
Its going over a rimless 36x18x20 tank and I am wondering how high above the water I can go? On the lights feet it sits 2 inches above the water but I would prefer it 4-6 when I hand it. is 24 inches to the sand bed okay or will I see a lot of benefit from that extra 2 inches?
I have a 6 bulb t5 pendant that I will be hanging from supports very much like these:
http://media.photobucket.com/image/recent/JG1inNJ/IMAG0058.jpg
Its going over a rimless 36x18x20 tank and I am wondering how high above the water I can go? On the lights feet it sits 2 inches above the water but I would prefer it 4-6 when I hand it. is 24 inches to the sand bed okay or will I see a lot of benefit from that extra 2 inches?
rtparty
Raise The Reef!
Are they enclosed in a canopy or even a fixture?
What ballast(s) are they being driven by?
If you are not cooling them properly and they are over 6 months old, they are pretty shot at this point unless your ambient temp is in the 60s around the tank.
Properly cooled T5's last up to 12 months. I have seen some go longer but would not recommend it. Spectrum shifts and then you are asking for trouble. All the tests I have seen show that you start seeing a steady decrease in PAR around the 7-8 month mark when properly cooled.
If bulbs are not being cooled, cut that time in half.
So if they are more than 6 months old, replace them and get a cooling fan on them.
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