The T5 Q&a Thread

[cjilge]

First off thanks for the help! I currently run a 4 bulb fixture and a 2 bulb retro over my 65. I'm switching out the fixture for a full retro, "just waiting on reflectors" currently have all gueisman bulbs, 4 actinic +, 1 10k, 1 460 actinic. I think I would be better off with some blue + bulbs and I also just p/u a couple of new pro colors I want to try. With the retro I may have an option to add 1-2 more bulbs if needed. if it will fit. What configuration would you sugest using 1 pro color? for a 6, and 8 bulb layout. running three ballasts so control can be wierd in any order. also runnung an acjr controler on them. Thanks again!!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim.

setting up a 50x12x9 SPS frag tank. going to light it with 3 x 54w IC SLR with osram HO ballasts. What 3 bulbs would you suggest?

thanks
]
p.s know anything about the new KZ blue bulb?

Don't know anything about the KZ blue but nothing about the performance of their other lamps would cause me to even consider trying one if they put the same premium on the price they do their other lamps.

Front
ATI Blue Plus or Gmann Act Plus
GE Daylight or Giesemann Midday
Blue Plus or Act plus.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I am switching from 3x 250w halide (Icecap ballast XM10K bulb)

I have a standard 125. 72*18*22

I really wanted to order ATI reflectors from reefgeek but I cannot get anyone to answer there so I have moved on.

I have about $700 to spend
My halide fixture is sold and will be picked up this weekend so I need to have the new lights here this week. I can order from premium and have it next day I live in Indiana.

I was wanting a 8 or 9 bulbs setup all powered by Icecap ballasts either 3 660 or 2 660 and a 430

Anyway I need this ASAP So I dont think I have a chioce but to order the TEK II reflectors from Premium. Aquarium Specialties wants $150 to ship 2 day assuming they can get the order out same day. That is unacceptable.

My 125 is 99% SPS with over 70 colonies

Anyway Here is my question:
I can easily fit 6 80W bulbs with the TEK reflectors:
3 ATI AB special
2 ATI Blue +
1 KZ Fiji purple

That will be whit and that's OK I need the PAR.

Would I be better off using 8 bulbs and slightly "squeezing the reflector?
The TEK reflectors are 2.75" If I squeeze them to about 2.3" I can fit 8 over the 125.

I know I will loose a lil output by squeezing the the reflectors but I think it would be overall much more by having the extra 2 bulbs.

The TEK fixtures have 8 bulbs and are only 9 inches including the fixture housing so I have to assume they too are "squeezing" the reflectors?

Thoughts, opinions, suggestions?
I am ordering today for delivery tomorrow.

With 8 bulbs I will have:
4 ATI AB special
2 Blue +
1 KZ Fiji
1 ATI 03 actinic.

I really wanted UV SA but they do not make a 80w bulbs

Reefgeek has the Aqua Illumination retros that will work or the 60" ATI fixtures.

In either case

Front
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus or Actinic
ATI Aquablue


I personally wouldn't use an Actinic, just doesn't make enough difference once all the lights are on to make the sacrifice of PAR isnt worth it.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

First off thanks for the help! I currently run a 4 bulb fixture and a 2 bulb retro over my 65. I'm switching out the fixture for a full retro, "just waiting on reflectors" currently have all gueisman bulbs, 4 actinic +, 1 10k, 1 460 actinic. I think I would be better off with some blue + bulbs and I also just p/u a couple of new pro colors I want to try. With the retro I may have an option to add 1-2 more bulbs if needed. if it will fit. What configuration would you sugest using 1 pro color? for a 6, and 8 bulb layout. running three ballasts so control can be wierd in any order. also runnung an acjr controler on them. Thanks again!!

Try 4 Actinic Plus, 1 Pro Color and 1 10K. If you go 8 add the actinic and a Aquablue

 

[ckusnierek]

Well I ordered today.
I got 8 bulbs/reflectors TEK II

4 ATI SB Special
3 Blue +
1 KZ fiji

2 Icecap 660
1 430

I can only fit about 6 bulbs over my tank.
Should I make the reflectors a lil more narrow?
I know I will loose a lil performance but won't the reward of 8 bulbs out weigh looking a lil performance of 6 bulbs??

I also figure being over driven by Icecap I'm already ahead of the curve so to say...

One last thing should I keep all bulbs centered or stagger them slightly?
I have little SPS on the outer 6" of my tank.

Wonce I get a handle on thi whole t5 thing I will look into ATI reflectors. I just was in a time crunch.
I have had halide for years and this is my first time ever with T5

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Alright Grim, I just acquired an icecap 660 and 4 sets of end caps. being new to the whole T5 lighting, I want to light my 72 (48 wide) so that I can move all my SPS coral from my 125 for a temporary staging area so I can move the 125 across country.


What 4 bulbs would you recommend so that I keep great coloration in the 20" deep tank?

 

[FranktheTankTx]

Grim -

I asked a question similar to this a couple months ago, but I wanted to confirm with you. With tank dimensions below in signature, I have a 12" tall canopy. Still debating MH+T5 supplementation or T5 alone.

Guide me on the T5 alone option. Would 8x54w (overdriven to 85w each) Ice Cap from ReefGeek provide plenty of light for SPS dominated reef? I would supplement with 2 Ice Cap LED T5 tubes to give some moonlight & possible shimmer.

I guess big issue is T5's would be roughly 10" off water surface - but would be overdriven. I'm still iffy on the MH inside a canopy in Texas. Trying to avoid $700 chiller.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Well I ordered today.
I got 8 bulbs/reflectors TEK II

4 ATI SB Special
3 Blue +
1 KZ fiji

2 Icecap 660
1 430

I can only fit about 6 bulbs over my tank.
Should I make the reflectors a lil more narrow?
I know I will loose a lil performance but won't the reward of 8 bulbs out weigh looking a lil performance of 6 bulbs??

I also figure being over driven by Icecap I'm already ahead of the curve so to say...

One last thing should I keep all bulbs centered or stagger them slightly?
I have little SPS on the outer 6" of my tank.

Wonce I get a handle on thi whole t5 thing I will look into ATI reflectors. I just was in a time crunch.
I have had halide for years and this is my first time ever with T5

If the Tek reflectors are still their original size you are going to be squeezing them just to get 6 in there, they are slightly more than 3" wide.

A friend did a PAR check on a 135 with 6 lamps over it on ice caps, 5 months old I believe and at the sand it was in the 240's on PAR.

I wouldn't stagger the lamps.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Alright Grim, I just acquired an icecap 660 and 4 sets of end caps. being new to the whole T5 lighting, I want to light my 72 (48 wide) so that I can move all my SPS coral from my 125 for a temporary staging area so I can move the 125 across country.


What 4 bulbs would you recommend so that I keep great coloration in the 20" deep tank?

2 Blue Plus, 1 ATI Aquablue and 1 UVL Actinic White.

That was a good deal on the ballast and stuff it it is the deal I am thinking you got. Did you get reflectors?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim -

I asked a question similar to this a couple months ago, but I wanted to confirm with you. With tank dimensions below in signature, I have a 12" tall canopy. Still debating MH+T5 supplementation or T5 alone.

Guide me on the T5 alone option. Would 8x54w (overdriven to 85w each) Ice Cap from ReefGeek provide plenty of light for SPS dominated reef? I would supplement with 2 Ice Cap LED T5 tubes to give some moonlight & possible shimmer.

I guess big issue is T5's would be roughly 10" off water surface - but would be overdriven. I'm still iffy on the MH inside a canopy in Texas. Trying to avoid $700 chiller.

Should be fine with T5's. Paint the inside of the canopy gloss white with marine paint to maximize any light scatter being reflected back into the water, and try to space the lamps down as much as possible. Even if you can bring the lamps down a couple inches the additional top spacing will make it a lot easier to cool the lamps which is always a good thing.

 

[Bigshow]

Hey grim, I just got the tek 5 in today. It looks awesome. I just installed the lights in the order you told me. But do i need to change the reflectors in any way?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey grim, I just got the tek 5 in today. It looks awesome. I just installed the lights in the order you told me. But do i need to change the reflectors in any way?

There is no way to change the reflectors other than replacing them, with the same reflector.

 

[FranktheTankTx]

Should be fine with T5's. Paint the inside of the canopy gloss white with marine paint to maximize any light scatter being reflected back into the water, and try to space the lamps down as much as possible. Even if you can bring the lamps down a couple inches the additional top spacing will make it a lot easier to cool the lamps which is always a good thing.

Thank you! I considered installing a couple of those Ice Cap fans (or knock offs) on each side of the canopy to push air length wise across the bulbs. I considered doing this anyways if I go MH. I assume I need to do this if overdriving T5's as well.

Do you have any experience with the Ice Cap T5 tube LED? Could it (2 of them) provide shimmer to T5 only lighting set ups such as you & I have discussed? I have no experience with it?

P.S. When are you getting back into the hobby with a tank?

 

[ckusnierek]

If the Tek reflectors are still their original size you are going to be squeezing them just to get 6 in there, they are slightly more than 3" wide.

A friend did a PAR check on a 135 with 6 lamps over it on ice caps, 5 months old I believe and at the sand it was in the 240's on PAR.

I wouldn't stagger the lamps.

Is that good?

I talked to the gut at reef geek tonight and he said stick with just 6 bulbs

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Thank you! I considered installing a couple of those Ice Cap fans (or knock offs) on each side of the canopy to push air length wise across the bulbs. I considered doing this anyways if I go MH. I assume I need to do this if overdriving T5's as well.

Do you have any experience with the Ice Cap T5 tube LED? Could it (2 of them) provide shimmer to T5 only lighting set ups such as you & I have discussed? I have no experience with it?

P.S. When are you getting back into the hobby with a tank?

I have never tried cooling down the length of the lamps so I can't say.

Don't know about the tubes, seems to me kind of dumb to add another layer of plastic for the light to have to penetrate.

Getting stuff rounded up now to set up the 120 but probably not before spring. Gotta road trip to Ga in March before the kid goes to the sand box so probably when I get back. Might try to get water in it before we leave just to let it cycle.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Is that good?

I talked to the gut at reef geek tonight and he said stick with just 6 bulbs

240 is enough to grow SPS just about anywhere in the tank you want.

 

[dedecv3]

I curently have an Odyssea MH fixture over my 75 gallon but i'd like to switch to a nicer T5 fixture instead. I am wandering if I should go with 6 or 8 bulbs? It is a mixed reef with mainly Soft and LPS but a few SPS. Tank is a standard 75 (48x18x21). Any advice would be appreciated. I am pretty new to this.

 

[FranktheTankTx]

I have never tried cooling down the length of the lamps so I can't say.

Really??? I thought that was the "preferred" way to cool a T5 bulb? Do I have the wrong plans/idea?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I curently have an Odyssea MH fixture over my 75 gallon but i'd like to switch to a nicer T5 fixture instead. I am wandering if I should go with 6 or 8 bulbs? It is a mixed reef with mainly Soft and LPS but a few SPS. Tank is a standard 75 (48x18x21). Any advice would be appreciated. I am pretty new to this.

6 lamps would be fine. ATI Sunpower would be ideal

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Really??? I thought that was the "preferred" way to cool a T5 bulb? Do I have the wrong plans/idea?

The good fixtures do it sort of that way but it's more about cooling the cold spot at the label end of the lamp than the rest of the tube. I have better luck blowing air in from the rear to cover the lamp ends.