The T5 Q&a Thread

[maddmaxx]

Not to familiar with T5 lights. i have seen them in use. i like the look but i like the growth you get from them more. understandably within this hobby MH are the premium light, yes there are other options, but you know what i mean. currently on my 125g mixed reef im running MH and VHO. i want to change the actinics from the vho to the t5 set up. bulbs are alot cheaper and more effective and more color choices. so that would be a good upgrade at a reasonable price for my system. my mixed reef is dominated by softies with some sprinkles of sps montipora and 2 acros. but im running 4x 72" vho actinics (alot of watts) with 3x 250w 14k MH (also alot of watts). after thinking it was a good idea to switch over from vho to the t5s for actinics, i got to the thinking, hmm shud i poss take out the 3x 250w mh and add 4 more t5 bulbs?????????? would 8x 60" T5 with individual reflectors be strong enough to maintain my big monticaps that are on the bottom of my tank?

 

[schroder_reef]

Thanks Grim, I ordered the ATI. I couldn't find the GE 6500 so replaced it with a Giesemann Midday.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Not to familiar with T5 lights. i have seen them in use. i like the look but i like the growth you get from them more. understandably within this hobby MH are the premium light, yes there are other options, but you know what i mean. currently on my 125g mixed reef im running MH and VHO. i want to change the actinics from the vho to the t5 set up. bulbs are alot cheaper and more effective and more color choices. so that would be a good upgrade at a reasonable price for my system. my mixed reef is dominated by softies with some sprinkles of sps montipora and 2 acros. but im running 4x 72" vho actinics (alot of watts) with 3x 250w 14k MH (also alot of watts). after thinking it was a good idea to switch over from vho to the t5s for actinics, i got to the thinking, hmm shud i poss take out the 3x 250w mh and add 4 more t5 bulbs?????????? would 8x 60" T5 with individual reflectors be strong enough to maintain my big monticaps that are on the bottom of my tank?

I'd drop to 2 VHO Actinics and add 2 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI PUrple Plus and a GE 6500K Daylight in place of the halides. The T5's are only 60" but light up a 72" tank pretty good. The VHO Super actinic is still the best game in town so you get the best of both worlds.

 

[maddmaxx]

If I was to drop a set of vho, and the halides,,,I cud easily get 3 sets of t5s in there tho...

 

[The Grim Reefer]

If I was to drop a set of vho, and the halides,,,I cud easily get 3 sets of t5s in there tho...

I'd wan't 4 T5's in there. IF you use LET reflectors you'd need 10 inches for 4 lamps.

 

[maddmaxx]

Gotta be honest not sure wut LET reflectors are LOL....but I wud imagine ur sayin the 4x t5 is strong enough for my system

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Its a brand name, reefgeek sells them. 4 with the 2 VHO's will be enough light. You do need to add a fan to cool one end of the T5 lamps. Direct the airflow right at the endcaps on one side.

 

[maddmaxx]

I have 2x 3.5" fans on each side of my canopy.. one pulling air in the canopy and one pulling air out of the canopy

 

[Jeffy_B]

I was wondering if this combo would work on a 55 mixed reef. Probably no sps and maybe a clam.
Fiji purple
Auquasun 10k
Super actinic
Blue plus
Thanks, Jeff

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I was wondering if this combo would work on a 55 mixed reef. Probably no sps and maybe a clam.
Fiji purple
Auquasun 10k
Super actinic
Blue plus
Thanks, Jeff

Do the Fiji with a New Generation Koral Light and 2 Blue Plus if you want to try a clam.

 

[Jeffy_B]

That's sounds good. Is that gonna give a really blue look?

 

[InsaneClownFish]

I ain't the amazing Kreskin. How many lamps and how many LED strips?

Best line on RC ever. :lmao:

ATI because it's better.

Grim after answering the same question for years. :deadhorse:

 

[The Grim Reefer]

That's sounds good. Is that gonna give a really blue look?

Yeah but it will still have good color because of the red in the purple lamp. You could do a GE 6500K instead of the New Gen but thats going to be really white.

 

[Jeffy_B]

Yeah but it will still have good color because of the red in the purple lamp. You could do a GE 6500K instead of the New Gen but thats going to be really white.

I like a little white at max. I thought a 65k would be too much for my liking. I always like the blue look with a little white in it but I see lots of combos using lots of supplemental bulbs and was just wondering how the coral growth is with these combos. Thats pretty much why i was considering the 10k but if the new gen will suffice for lighting then I will for sure try that out. The blue look is pretty cool.
Thanks for your suggestions, its much appreciated

 

[foofoogil]

36" fixture guidance for new tank

36" fixture guidance for new tank

First post ever so please bear with me.

Upgrading from a 36x15x16, 40G, "Truvu Aquasystem" with built in filtration, to a 36x20x20, 60G, with a 29G sump. Looking to get a quality light for the new tank and bulb guidance. I have a 2x96 watt retrofit PC in a canopy on the current tank. I will be migrating a LTA, 2 tomato clowns, and a bi-color blenny over to the new tank once its established. The overflow on the new tank is quite large and takes up about 7" from front to back leaving me about 12" from front glass to overflow (see picture).

Also would like to have lunar lights, but I've noted that they are not integrated into many systems (ATI or TEK).

Would like to try corals eventually, but I am reading that the LTA is not compatible, however would like the light to be adequate for future possibilities. Due to the location of my tank, I would strongly prefer to mount the fixture to my tank. ATI seems to be a top pick, however, I cannot find any information on being able to mount this to a tank. Lastly, should I get a cut glass pane to cover the tank under the light? I've noticed that many T5 tank mounted fixtures say the tank should be covered.

Wife is going to kill me if I keep researching in vain, so any and all help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I like a little white at max. I thought a 65k would be too much for my liking. I always like the blue look with a little white in it but I see lots of combos using lots of supplemental bulbs and was just wondering how the coral growth is with these combos. Thats pretty much why i was considering the 10k but if the new gen will suffice for lighting then I will for sure try that out. The blue look is pretty cool.
Thanks for your suggestions, its much appreciated

The Blue Plus has about the most PAR of the T5 lamps.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

First post ever so please bear with me.

Upgrading from a 36x15x16, 40G, "Truvu Aquasystem" with built in filtration, to a 36x20x20, 60G, with a 29G sump. Looking to get a quality light for the new tank and bulb guidance. I have a 2x96 watt retrofit PC in a canopy on the current tank. I will be migrating a LTA, 2 tomato clowns, and a bi-color blenny over to the new tank once its established. The overflow on the new tank is quite large and takes up about 7" from front to back leaving me about 12" from front glass to overflow (see picture).

Also would like to have lunar lights, but I've noted that they are not integrated into many systems (ATI or TEK).

Would like to try corals eventually, but I am reading that the LTA is not compatible, however would like the light to be adequate for future possibilities. Due to the location of my tank, I would strongly prefer to mount the fixture to my tank. ATI seems to be a top pick, however, I cannot find any information on being able to mount this to a tank. Lastly, should I get a cut glass pane to cover the tank under the light? I've noticed that many T5 tank mounted fixtures say the tank should be covered.

Wife is going to kill me if I keep researching in vain, so any and all help would be greatly appreciated.

6x39 watt Tek fixture. No heatsheild and do not cover your tank, that's one of the worst things you can do. As long as the lamps are at least 4" above the water it shouldn't be an issue, just wipe down the lamps and reflectors once in a while.

 

[InsaneClownFish]

Grim take a peek at this: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2040235

Lmk what you think.

I've played around with some of the T5s I already have and it seems like it would work well, but insight is welcomed.

 

[foofoogil]

1. I see that this light is nearly 15"-16" wide depending on regular or elite. Wouldn't light be wasted shining into the overflow? I have a black acrylic cover for the overflow however I guess I could leave that off so it doesn't melt.
2. Is it worth spending extra for the elite model. Only difference I can tell is that it has the acrylic shield included (which you said not to use) and a fan.
3. For lunar lights, are there LED's that can be attached to the unit? Or do most people buy a seperate lunar light? Running out of real estate on the top of the tank with this beast.
4. For the few critters I have and for the potential to try coral later, would you recomend any of these bulb options from Aquacave:
Option 1:
4 x AquaSun 39W T5 Fluorescent Aquarium Lamps by UV Lighting
2 x Super Actinic R 39W T5 Fluorescent Aquarium Lamps by UV Lighting

Option 2:
4 x Actinic White 39W T5 Fluorescent Aquarium Lamps by UV Lighting
2 x Super Actinic R 39W T5 Fluorescent Aquarium Lamps by UV Lighting

Option 3:
2 x AquaSun 39W T5 Fluorescent Aquarium Lamps by UV Lighting
2 x Actinic White 39W T5 Fluorescent Aquarium Lamps by UV Lighting
2 x Super Actinic R 39W T5 Fluorescent Aquarium Lamps by UV Lighting

Thanks again!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

1. I see that this light is nearly 15"-16" wide depending on regular or elite. Wouldn't light be wasted shining into the overflow? I have a black acrylic cover for the overflow however I guess I could leave that off so it doesn't melt.
2. Is it worth spending extra for the elite model. Only difference I can tell is that it has the acrylic shield included (which you said not to use) and a fan.
3. For lunar lights, are there LED's that can be attached to the unit? Or do most people buy a seperate lunar light? Running out of real estate on the top of the tank with this beast.
4. For the few critters I have and for the potential to try coral later, would you recomend any of these bulb options from Aquacave:
Option 1:
4 x AquaSun 39W T5 Fluorescent Aquarium Lamps by UV Lighting
2 x Super Actinic R 39W T5 Fluorescent Aquarium Lamps by UV Lighting

Option 2:
4 x Actinic White 39W T5 Fluorescent Aquarium Lamps by UV Lighting
2 x Super Actinic R 39W T5 Fluorescent Aquarium Lamps by UV Lighting

Option 3:
2 x AquaSun 39W T5 Fluorescent Aquarium Lamps by UV Lighting
2 x Actinic White 39W T5 Fluorescent Aquarium Lamps by UV Lighting
2 x Super Actinic R 39W T5 Fluorescent Aquarium Lamps by UV Lighting

Thanks again!

If that overflow takes up most of the back where there wont be any coral there at all go with 4 lamps. The Tek Elite would be better and yes use the shield on that because it has fans. Don't use UVL lamps. Get 2 ATI Blue Plus, 1ATI Purple Plus and a KZ New Generation Coral light. Reefgeek should carry all that.