The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim,
Firsts off --- You the Man!! Thanks for being so kinds as to answer so many questions.

Now my turn... I have a 65g (36X18X24) and for My B-day pops got me an Icecap 660. As I am currently running an off the shelf 2X96 PC unit. Now that I have the Ballast I am planning on building a custom hood that incorporates the t5's.

As I want to limit the cost for the initial build what would you recommend of the possible options?

1) Build a 4 bulb unit with the 660 and not worry about the dusk / dawn feature.
2) Build a unit that has the 4 t5's in the front of the tank run off the Icecap 660 and then place the existing PC unit in the back half and run 2 Actinic Bulbs for the Dusk Dawn
3) Buy a 2X39 universal Ballast and Have 2 T5's for Dusk / Dawn and 4 run off the 660 for day light.
4) Tear the case open on the PC unit and Place one of the in the front and one in the back and use the PC's to run Dusk / Dawn


-- Under options 1 and 2, I can work on getting a second 660 (when the Leaves start to fill in on the Money tree I just planted out back). They will provide room to add 4 more Bulbs for a total of 8 X 36". But I am concerned that 8 X 39watts may be over kill.

-- Option 3 seem doable as the Ballast I found Here http://www.ballastwise.com/item.asp?PID=26&FID=15&level=1 is only 20 bucks, But is this the right ballast and 2 would I find myself wanting more light later?

-- Option 4 leaves me with a torn apart unit that may never again serve its purpose. But Ill have a DIY unit with 3 Plugs running 4 39 w T5 and 2 96 W PC's.

If you are running the lamps in good reflectors using a couple of PC actinics isn't a bad idea. Id do 2 ATI Blue Plus, 1 UVL Actinic White and a ATI Blue Plus on the Ice Cap then probably only run the PC's for Dusk/Dawn.

You should check to see if the PC ballast is a workhorse, they will run the T5's as good as that particular Ballastwise unit you linked.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim...You always stick a GE6500 in your 6 bulb recommendation along with an actinic white and 4 blue+. Why? What does it bring to the table? How would sticking an aquablue in its place change the look? Thanks again. Phil

Aquablue will just make the look a little more blue. The GE will bring out yellow colors and brighten some greens way better.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim
Can you help me with this issue? I have 2 advance ballast and 1 accustart ballast plug into my AC JR controller. When the lights are on my pumps, sump light and T-5 turn on whenever they feel like it. I called neptune and they told me the ballast was causing too much interference. The ballast are ground and i move the wire and controller away from the ballast. Anything i can try???
Kenny

You could try plugging the ballast into a filtered powerstrip instead of directly into the controller. Watch where you route the wires going to the lamps too, they can really mess with electronics.

 

[winklebe]

If you are running the lamps in good reflectors using a couple of PC actinics isn't a bad idea. Id do 2 ATI Blue Plus, 1 UVL Actinic White and a ATI Blue Plus on the Ice Cap then probably only run the PC's for Dusk/Dawn.

You should check to see if the PC ballast is a workhorse, they will run the T5's as good as that particular Ballastwise unit you linked.

Took the end off of the Unit today and there are Two Coralife SPL-196R-JS Ballast in the 36" Aqualight unit. I need to look a little deeper to see what type of ballast this "Really is" as I am assuming that coralife purchases them with there name on them. Any one have an idea?

Thanks For the Input, Do you think It would be fine to run the Current unit over the back half of the tank and the 4 T5's in the front ? or should I put the Unit in the middle and put 2 t5 in front and 2 in back?

 

[dustinc]

I have an SPS dominated reef that is in my 20" cube Solana tank. I'm currently running a 250 MH, but really want to switch to t5... How many bulbs would I need to be successful to keep anything. I currently have an Ultra Crocea on the sandbed that is very important. I'm just unsure of what I would need. Thanks

P.S. Are the AquaticLife T5ho link fixtures junk? I would definitely replace the bulbs, but just wondering if a combination of those would work? Thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Took the end off of the Unit today and there are Two Coralife SPL-196R-JS Ballast in the 36" Aqualight unit. I need to look a little deeper to see what type of ballast this "Really is" as I am assuming that coralife purchases them with there name on them. Any one have an idea?

Thanks For the Input, Do you think It would be fine to run the Current unit over the back half of the tank and the 4 T5's in the front ? or should I put the Unit in the middle and put 2 t5 in front and 2 in back?

I'd do the T5's front and back of the PC's.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I have an SPS dominated reef that is in my 20" cube Solana tank. I'm currently running a 250 MH, but really want to switch to t5... How many bulbs would I need to be successful to keep anything. I currently have an Ultra Crocea on the sandbed that is very important. I'm just unsure of what I would need. Thanks

P.S. Are the AquaticLife T5ho link fixtures junk? I would definitely replace the bulbs, but just wondering if a combination of those would work? Thanks

With a 20" tank you have a problem. Only one company, Current, makes lamps shorter than 24" and they are not all that great. Maybe save up for one of the new LED fixtures they have for smaller tanks instead/

 

[nasotang]

Hey Grim. I'm planning on switching to a 60Lx30W and either 20 or 22 on the height. I'll mostly be keeping SPS in the center and LPS on the sand and sides. I'd like to go all T5 this time around and have been thinking of the ATI PM 10x54. Would this be a good choice or do you have another fixture you could recommend?

 

[langtudatinh01]

looking for fiji subtitute

looking for fiji subtitute

Grim thanks for helping,

i recently acquired a tek 5 fixture. i have all Giesemann bulbs now in order from the back:

aquablue plus
pure actinic
aquablue plus
midday

i want to have more of a dawn dust effect. i am thinking to replace the midday with another actinic. i could not find any online store with reasonable shipping price for the fiji purple bulb. Is there any ATI bulb or other that can have the same effect? thanks. oh, i want to keep some sps and a maxima (on the sand bed). Can i do it with the tek system? my tank is only 18 inches deep. the light is about 5 inches from the water.

 

[whatta]

Hey Grim,

I have a bulb and ballast configuration that I need help on. I currently have 2x250w radiums on my 48x24x20 tank, but I just finished building a 8x54w T5 canopy to replace it and I am about to wire it all up and just wanted to see what you can recommend on a bulb and ballast configurations. I would like the same color that I am currently getting from the radiums or maybe even bluer.

( I have a total of 3 ballasts: 2 - 2x54w and 1 - 4x54w)

Front to Back:
Ballast 1:
Blue Plus
Aqua Blue

Ballast 2:
Fiji Pink
Aqua Sun
Aqua Blue
UVL 75/25

Ballast 3:
UVL Actinic
Blue Plus

Thanks!

 

[dustinc]

With a 20" tank you have a problem. Only one company, Current, makes lamps shorter than 24" and they are not all that great. Maybe save up for one of the new LED fixtures they have for smaller tanks instead/

I don't mind at all going with a 24" fixture. I have my light hanging above my tank now anyways, so it wouldn't be so noticeable. I've researched the new LED that the current guy helped make and it's not very powerful like a lot of the higher end led fixtures...

 

[dustinc]

Also, a guy offered to trade me a 24" catalina 6x24 fixture for my sunpod. Are those junk or if I replace the bulbs will it be fine? Thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim. I'm planning on switching to a 60Lx30W and either 20 or 22 on the height. I'll mostly be keeping SPS in the center and LPS on the sand and sides. I'd like to go all T5 this time around and have been thinking of the ATI PM 10x54. Would this be a good choice or do you have another fixture you could recommend?

That would be good for that tank.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim thanks for helping,

i recently acquired a tek 5 fixture. i have all Giesemann bulbs now in order from the back:

aquablue plus
pure actinic
aquablue plus
midday

i want to have more of a dawn dust effect. i am thinking to replace the midday with another actinic. i could not find any online store with reasonable shipping price for the fiji purple bulb. Is there any ATI bulb or other that can have the same effect? thanks. oh, i want to keep some sps and a maxima (on the sand bed). Can i do it with the tek system? my tank is only 18 inches deep. the light is about 5 inches from the water.

Get either a Giesemann Actinic Plus or ATI Blue Plus and run that with the actinic for Dusk dawn. If you want to have a maxima then get 2 ATI Blue Plus and replaces one Aquablue and the Pure Actinic with those. Use them for Dusk/dawn

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim,

I have a bulb and ballast configuration that I need help on. I currently have 2x250w radiums on my 48x24x20 tank, but I just finished building a 8x54w T5 canopy to replace it and I am about to wire it all up and just wanted to see what you can recommend on a bulb and ballast configurations. I would like the same color that I am currently getting from the radiums or maybe even bluer.

( I have a total of 3 ballasts: 2 - 2x54w and 1 - 4x54w)

Front to Back:
Ballast 1:
Blue Plus
Aqua Blue

Ballast 2:
Fiji Pink
Aqua Sun
Aqua Blue
UVL 75/25

Ballast 3:
UVL Actinic
Blue Plus

Thanks!

Try this

Ballast 1:
Blue Plus
UVL 75/25

Ballast 2:
Blue Plus
Fiji Purple
Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight

Ballast 3:
UVL Actinic
Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Also, a guy offered to trade me a 24" catalina 6x24 fixture for my sunpod. Are those junk or if I replace the bulbs will it be fine? Thanks

I wouldn't waste my money on one. Get a Tek or the ATI

 

[dustinc]

Would a 6 bulb fixture be sufficient or what would work well?

 

[nasotang]

Thanks Grim. What bulb setup would you recommend that would be similar to 20K radiums on the 10x54?

 

[jaybfresh]

Hey Grim... quick question on tweaking the color of my lights...

This setup was too white:
Blue+
GE 6500
Fiji Purple
Blue+
Aquablue
Blue+

I replaced the GE with another Blue+ and now its too blue. If I instead swap it for an aquablue, will it be a happy medium? Or should I keep 4 Blue+ and use the GE instead of the aquablue? I'm using 80w bulbs, to give you an idea of my options.

 

[asonitez]

I'm using IceCap 250w Halides as my main lighting. I plan on putting in 4 36" or 2 60" T-5's for a Dawn/Dusk Coral show-Off Actinic Lighting Mode. What Bulbs should I use to give me the best show off flourescence when they are on by themselves? They will be Retro into a Floating Canopy Tank Dimensions are 72X18X25" Should I go with

4 36" T-5's
2 48" T-5's
2 60" T-5's