The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

I currently have 250W 10K reeflux halides with 1 ATI Blue + in front and 1 in the rear. The T5's are running off an Icecap 660 ballast. I am considering adding another T5 to the mix. What 3 bulb combination would you recommend that would help the colors pop when the halides are off and supplement nicely when they are on?

Fiji Purple would bring out pink and purple colors that tend to be lost with just blue plus lamps running.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hi Grim - You seem to be extremely knowledgeable and helpful here so I thought I would pose this question to you.

I'm considering setting up a 48" four bulb T5 retro overdriven by an Icecap 660 with two of the Nanocustoms Par38 20K spotlights aimed at two rock structures for shimmer on a 90 gallon. Any thoughts on whether this is enough light for a 90 gallon future SPS dominant tank? Or should I do a 6 bulb T5 retro and not worry about the shimmer? I really want to keep the shimmer that MH's have and the Par38 spotlights do provide that very well with amazing color. I recently bought one just for testing.

Here's a link to the Par38 Spotlights --> http://www.nanocustoms.com/product_i...lrrhhj6avuiip0

I currently have two 454 T5's on an Icecap 430 and a 250 HQI Phoenix. I'd really like to get away from MH due to the heat. I already have the Icecap 660 and just need more reflectors, endcaps, and bulbs to setup 6 T5's.

Thanks for the help.

Pete

The 4 T5's are going to put out good par. I would try it, just keep an eye on your critters but I spect they will do fine. Just make sure the high light stuff is either below the reflectors or being hit by the spots.

 

[saltydog64]

Hey everyone !!!

This unit seems much better, fan not so loud, built in digital timers, one elect. cord vs three,..etc...than my Nova unit ( which has failed in one "slot" after only 15 months of usage :mad2::mad2

Anyone have any experience with this brand.....good or bad !!!

I don't mean to shout....BUT ANY BODY ?????

 

[cdamiano]

Fiji Purple would bring out pink and purple colors that tend to be lost with just blue plus lamps running.

I have 2 T5's in the back of the MH and 1 in the front. Where should I place the Fiji Purple.
Thanks!

 

[TNTFISHY]

Hi Grim. I've pre-ordered the tek elite. What do you think of 2 blue plus, 2 pro color, 1 ge 6500k and 1 aquablue special? This enough for a mixed reef? What order whould you go? Thanks.

 

[freeswimmingfis]

Opinion hasnt changed since the last time I replied. It isn't "VHO" because that would be about a 35% overdrive so they should make up a new name for it. Other than that I dunno. Right now I am getting the stuff together to set up another tank while at the same time waiting for the other house to sell. If I buy anything for another light test the wife will shoot me :mixed:

If it has a programed start ballast it's probably worth a try.

Hey Grim, I got the ballast and endcaps last night, seems to be put together very well. I also checked and it is a program start ballast! I should the lamps and reflectors today...

 

[sbwood007]

I have a 20 long (30") Frag tank and I am about to order a 36" 4x39W SunPower T5 High-Output Fixture or should I get the 24" 4x24W SunPower T5? I want to prop zoa's LPS and maybe some SPS. I am concerned the 24" might not have enough coverage. After reading some of this thread I am thinking about using 3 ATI Blue Plus and 1 UVL actinc white. Any advice would be welcome..

Just mount the fixture about 8 inches above the tank so the light can spread better. Be plenty.

So I will go with the 24" Thanks! Saves me $$$. I found the (3) ATI Blue plus, is the
24W 12000K Actinic White (50/50) T5 HO Fluorescent The same as the UVL actinic white?
How would you arrange them ?

Front
Blue plus
Actinic White
Blue plus
Blue plus ?

Thanks again you have been a great help!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I have 2 T5's in the back of the MH and 1 in the front. Where should I place the Fiji Purple.
Thanks!

the spot right behind the halide.

 

[rtparty]

Grim,

Is the Fiji Purple worth the extra $10 it will cost me to get it over the Actinic White? I get everything at wholesale so the Fiji isn't too bad but still $10 saved is $10 saved.

I only have 4 lamps plus 2 LED spotlights. The spotlights are 20k so they will add some blue.

My combo is:

ATI BP
UVL AW or FP
ATI AB
ATI BP

Thoughts? I am gonna order my fixture and bulbs this week.

 

[artchang]

Hi Grim
My tank is 24"X24"X24", how many lamps I need for SPS and LPS?
May you recomend a bulb setup? thanks very much.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim,

Is the Fiji Purple worth the extra $10 it will cost me to get it over the Actinic White? I get everything at wholesale so the Fiji isn't too bad but still $10 saved is $10 saved.

I only have 4 lamps plus 2 LED spotlights. The spotlights are 20k so they will add some blue.

My combo is:

ATI BP
UVL AW or FP
ATI AB
ATI BP

Thoughts? I am gonna order my fixture and bulbs this week.

With only 4 lamps the fiji is worth the extra coin.

 

[jeremyreef]

so i want to change my lighting a little. i have a nova 8x54 t5 fixture now but i know i can get more light out of less bulbs using a retro kit. i already have 4 reef geek reflectors, waterproof lamp holders, lamps and a icecap 660 ballast to overdrive them. i plan on picking up two more reflectors, a standard t5 ballast, and lamp holders for a total of 6 lamps. i realize i should have just got a fixture but i got the retro for a good deal. my problem is i want to avoid a canopy because i like the open top but i need to mount the retro kit to something. does anyone know of any links to something like a diy fixture? this will be for a standard 90g mixed reef(sps,lps and softies).

 

[killagoby]

I think in March I'm going to switch to this set up:

ATI Blue+
UVL 75.25
14K Phoenix MH
UVL 75.25
ATI Blue +

Any thoughts if this would be a good set up to run? How will it look with the MH off? I'm shooting for high PAR and fluorescence, without it being too surreal when the MH is off.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I think in March I'm going to switch to this set up:

ATI Blue+
UVL 75.25
14K Phoenix MH
UVL 75.25
ATI Blue +

Any thoughts if this would be a good set up to run? How will it look with the MH off? I'm shooting for high PAR and fluorescence, without it being too surreal when the MH is off.

Front
Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
Halide
Blue Plus
Blue Plus

About the same look with everything on but with just the T5's running it will be blue with a slightly purple tint to it. With 2 75/25's you would have less PAR and a lot more of a purple look with just the T5's running.

 

[WiZKY]

HI

I dont read all 122 page, so i have some quastion.

ATI blue +, this is the same effect off aquascience 22K?

and

What's the difference between the blue+ and a actinic?

great topic, i found a lot of information for my new set up

 

[The Grim Reefer]

HI

I dont read all 122 page, so i have some quastion.

ATI blue +, this is the same effect off aquascience 22K?

and

What's the difference between the blue+ and a actinic?

great topic, i found a lot of information for my new set up

Same basic spectrum lamp, both blue.

Actinic is a more violet color with a little more UV light so is provides about the same amount of fluorescence but with less visible light so the effect is more dramatic.

 

[WiZKY]

all right thanks

 

[artchang]

Hi Grim

My tank is 24"X24"X24" 60 gallon, how many lamps I need for SPS?
I'm considering to pick ATI 6x24W Powermodule or 8X24w Fixture.

May you also recomend a bulb setup? thank you very much.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hi Grim

My tank is 24"X24"X24" 60 gallon, how many lamps I need for SPS?
I'm considering to pick ATI 6x24W Powermodule or 8X24w Fixture.

May you also recomend a bulb setup? thank you very much.

If you are going for higher light critters or clams on the sand you want to go 8 lamps

Front
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Actinic White
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue

 

[Chris3323]

Hey Grim, great job. Right now I have an ATI blue plus and aquablue special per your reccomendations. I am thinking that shortly I will be switching to a 4 bulb setup over my 40 breeder. What do you recommend for getting a bit bluer of a look but at the same time I want to be able to grow SPS. Thanks.