The T5 Q&a Thread

[Snookster]

Hi guys - I'm currently running a 4 bulb retro and have 2 more reflectors and standoffs (and a ballast) on the way to make it 6 on my 75.

I currently have 2 aquasuns and 2 ati blue+'s.
They are from back to front...
aquasun
blue+
aquasun
blue+

and 1 aquasun and blue+ running on each ballast.

I'm looking to get more/better color out of my red and pink zoanthids.

Fiji purple? Midday? Or both? Or one of those and what else? Gonna have room for 2.

Or should/can I readjust/reconfigure the 4 I got and be happy with it?

Thanks

 

[Snookster]

oops

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hi guys - I'm currently running a 4 bulb retro and have 2 more reflectors and standoffs (and a ballast) on the way to make it 6 on my 75.

I currently have 2 aquasuns and 2 ati blue+'s.
They are from back to front...
aquasun
blue+
aquasun
blue+

and 1 aquasun and blue+ running on each ballast.

I'm looking to get more/better color out of my red and pink zoanthids.

Fiji purple? Midday? Or both? Or one of those and what else? Gonna have room for 2.

Or should/can I readjust/reconfigure the 4 I got and be happy with it?

Thanks

Front
Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
Blue Plus
Aquasun
Blue Plus
Blue Plus

 

[creepdogg]

Ice Cap, Aquactinics, Aqua Illumination reflectors, whichever you can get the best deal on. Reefgeek will make retro packages minus the ballast if you call them.

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus

If you want to mess with wiring up 3 ballasts use one 430 for the first 2 blue plus, the other 430 for the second 2 and the 660 for the actinic white and Aquablue so you can do 2 stage dusk/dawn. Otherwise do the first 2 blue plus on the 430 and the other 4 lamps on the 660.

Thanks Grim
So no big deal on reflectors between the 3 great, I will shop for price.
Has anyone had a chance to try these out
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/dual-water-proof-socket-for-t5-bulbs.html

Looks like they can save you a fair amount of money in the long run for end caps, and you only need half as many standoffs

 

[kimber45]

looks like they may force the bulbs to close together for good reflectors.

oh and just wanted to add tek to the reflector list. their new ones are very nice.

 

[creepdogg]

looks like they may force the bulbs to close together for good reflectors.

oh and just wanted to add tek to the reflector list. their new ones are very nice.

Hmm didnt think about that, so is it worth it to find the aquactinic reflectors vs the IC or Aqualumination ones that reefgeek sells? Will I see that big of a difference in relectivity? I mean I will already be incresing my output from 4 t12's to 6 t5's I thought its looked like "GOD" before shining in, I can only image what its going to look like now If I get everything from reefgeek its free ship

Also can I reuse my IC stand offs I have now?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Thanks Grim
So no big deal on reflectors between the 3 great, I will shop for price.
Has anyone had a chance to try these out
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/dual-water-proof-socket-for-t5-bulbs.html

Looks like they can save you a fair amount of money in the long run for end caps, and you only need half as many standoffs

As long as they are spaced far enough apart to fit in the reflectors why not. If you get them measure the distance between the center of the lamp holes and let us know.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

looks like they may force the bulbs to close together for good reflectors.

oh and just wanted to add tek to the reflector list. their new ones are very nice.

Unless they changed them again the Tek reflectors being 3" wide really limits their usefulness.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hmm didnt think about that, so is it worth it to find the aquactinic reflectors vs the IC or Aqualumination ones that reefgeek sells? Will I see that big of a difference in relectivity? I mean I will already be incresing my output from 4 t12's to 6 t5's I thought its looked like "GOD" before shining in, I can only image what its going to look like now If I get everything from reefgeek its free ship

Also can I reuse my IC stand offs I have now?

The Aquactinics reflectors do a good job. If those endcaps don't space the lamps 2 1/2 inches apart they won't work for the other reflectors. Thats 2 1/2 on center, from the center of one lamp to the center of the other.

 

[creepdogg]

The Aquactinics reflectors do a good job. If those endcaps don't space the lamps 2 1/2 inches apart they won't work for the other reflectors. Thats 2 1/2 on center, from the center of one lamp to the center of the other.

Can I reuse my standoff mounts from my t12's?

 

[coyote97]

Hi Grim,
I took your advice on lighting with a slight change. I am going with an Ice Cap Retro 48" set-up. 6 lamps. I have a 430 and 660 ballast. I have the following lights:
Blue Plus (x3), UVL Actinic White, GE 6500K and Fiji Purple. I substituted the Fiji Purple for one Blue Plus to differ from your recommendation slightly. What order should I place the bulbs and to which ballast? I was thinking the UVL Actinic White & GE 6500K on the 430 and the rest on the 660? Would the four bulbs on the 660 then be overdriven? Thanks Grim. You are a great resource!!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Can I reuse my standoff mounts from my t12's?

I don't know, check with the vendor.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hi Grim,
I took your advice on lighting with a slight change. I am going with an Ice Cap Retro 48" set-up. 6 lamps. I have a 430 and 660 ballast. I have the following lights:
Blue Plus (x3), UVL Actinic White, GE 6500K and Fiji Purple. I substituted the Fiji Purple for one Blue Plus to differ from your recommendation slightly. What order should I place the bulbs and to which ballast? I was thinking the UVL Actinic White & GE 6500K on the 430 and the rest on the 660? Would the four bulbs on the 660 then be overdriven? Thanks Grim. You are a great resource!!

Front
ATI Blue Plus 430
Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus
Actinic White
GE
Blue Plus 430

The 430 doesn't drive the lamps quite as bright so use that for the dusk/dawn pair.

 

[dustinc]

I hooked up my 6x24 ati light today and it looks amazing. My only question is you told me to position the bulbs in this order

Front
Blue plus
Fiji purple
Blue plus
GE daylight
Blue plus
Blue plus

The 2nd and 5th bulb are on one ballast and the other 4 are on the other. So will those 2 bulbs do well for the dusk to dawn or should I swap some bulbs around. Thanks

 

[Newreeflady]

Sorry, with the # of pages this has probably been asked, but the search fxn doesn't allow #s

For a 2x 24 watt T5 fixture, what is recommended? I am also running a 4 bulb LED actinic (460nm).

Would the ATI Aquablue & ATI True actinic (420nm) be a good combo, or will this be blue death? The ATI pro-color says that it isn't good unless you have 3 or more bulbs.

Thanks!
angela

 

[coyote97]

Front
ATI Blue Plus 430
Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus
Actinic White
GE
Blue Plus 430

The 430 doesn't drive the lamps quite as bright so use that for the dusk/dawn pair.

Thanks Grim!

 

[dygaar]

I've got a Nova Extreme 4x54, I want to upgrade the bulbs but, I'm not sure what would be best. I have some SPS and LPS and would like for them to do better.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I hooked up my 6x24 ati light today and it looks amazing. My only question is you told me to position the bulbs in this order

Front
Blue plus
Fiji purple
Blue plus
GE daylight
Blue plus
Blue plus

The 2nd and 5th bulb are on one ballast and the other 4 are on the other. So will those 2 bulbs do well for the dusk to dawn or should I swap some bulbs around. Thanks

try swapping the position of the Fiji with the blue plus behind it and see which you like better. The positions I list are nothing set in stone, it's personal preference.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Sorry, with the # of pages this has probably been asked, but the search fxn doesn't allow #s

For a 2x 24 watt T5 fixture, what is recommended? I am also running a 4 bulb LED actinic (460nm).

Would the ATI Aquablue & ATI True actinic (420nm) be a good combo, or will this be blue death? The ATI pro-color says that it isn't good unless you have 3 or more bulbs.

Thanks!
angela

ATI Blue Plus and either the ATI Aquablue or KZ Fiji Purple. If you run the purple you may or may not see a slight purple caste to the light but pink and purple critters will show up way better with it.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I've got a Nova Extreme 4x54, I want to upgrade the bulbs but, I'm not sure what would be best. I have some SPS and LPS and would like for them to do better.

2 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Aquablue and KZ Fiji Purple with give you more PAR and better color.