The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

140F inside my fixture finnex, this is to hight?

1 finnex ballast and 2 advance ballast. I want install a 80mm fan on the top, this is a good idea

Id install a vent in the top or at least up high and use a fan to blow air in as low as possible

 

[tangdiver]

If you want to overdrive get the Ice Cap T5 VHO Retrofit kit from reefgeek, they come with the Ice Cap ballast that overdrives the lamps.

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actiunic White
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

How do you wire it to overdrive the bulbs with an Ice Cap ballast...or it does it on its own.

Do you wire it for 4 6 footers. Sorry again new.

thanks,

Grant

(also how high off the tank....thanks, )

 

[Frogmanx82]

I got my new light hooked up and replaced the bulbs

Old look with 2 aquablue special, 2 blue +, 1 pure actinic

And here it is with 2 Aquablue Special, 3 blue +, 2 pure actinic, 1 fuji purple, 1 5500K

I like it a lot more, and the close up shots will show how much pop there is....

Shouldn't there be some shielding on these lights so you don't pick up the glare when looking at the tank?

I used some black gorilla tape on the front of my light. I put aluminum foil on the tape leaving about a quarter inch to stick to the fixture.

Is anyone doing something different or do people not mind the light shining in their eyes?

 

[maddmaxx]

ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

All are found at Reefgeek.

how blue will the water look?

 

[stewed]

Hi Grim,

New to reef and going mixed reef. Just got a used rr 75 gal with 2 strip and 4 strip t5's. The 4 strip has 4 moonlights along the back. I''m looking for suggestions for which strip should be in front and what bulbs to put in.

Thanks!

 

[TNTFISHY]

For the price Actinic White

In other words, Fiji if price is no object? I pre ordered the 3 foot tek elite with bulbs included. So I think I could swap them out at no charge? Thanks Grim!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

How do you wire it to overdrive the bulbs with an Ice Cap ballast...or it does it on its own.

Do you wire it for 4 6 footers. Sorry again new.

thanks,

Grant

(also how high off the tank....thanks, )

Just wire it standard, it automatically overdrives.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

how blue will the water look?

Not that blue, 14K halide look or so

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hi Grim,

New to reef and going mixed reef. Just got a used rr 75 gal with 2 strip and 4 strip t5's. The 4 strip has 4 moonlights along the back. I''m looking for suggestions for which strip should be in front and what bulbs to put in.

Thanks!

Need a better description of what the lights are.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

In other words, Fiji if price is no object? I pre ordered the 3 foot tek elite with bulbs included. So I think I could swap them out at no charge? Thanks Grim!

Not really, It is all personal taste. Try the Fiji if the price is the same.

 

[reindan]

Thanks for all the great feedback Grim,

I have a 4 bulb set up and I have mostly LPS(acans especially), softies and a couple SPS up top. I'm an idiot that used the crappy bulbs that came with my light for the last year and now I want to get some good bulbs. I was thinking 2 ATI BLue plus and 1 ATI Aquablue. But what would be the best choice for the last bulb?
Thanks for any help!

 

[maddmaxx]

Not that blue, 14K halide look or so

what if i wanted to switch just one of the blue bulbs for something more white. what bulb would you recommend

 

[silverstool]

hey grim, i'm setting up an sps dominated rimless cube, 24" x 24" x 18" tall. I was going to go with a 24" ati powermodule, or sunpower with 6 24 watt bulbs. Will this be enough to grow all sps, even at 18" deep? also i used to run a 14k phoenix on its own, and loved the color, but it still lacked that exrtra pop that supplementing actinics gives. what would you recommend for maximum sps growth, but with a bit more color than a phoenix 14k bulb?

ps thanks for your help, i can't believe how huge this thread is.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Thanks for all the great feedback Grim,

I have a 4 bulb set up and I have mostly LPS(acans especially), softies and a couple SPS up top. I'm an idiot that used the crappy bulbs that came with my light for the last year and now I want to get some good bulbs. I was thinking 2 ATI BLue plus and 1 ATI Aquablue. But what would be the best choice for the last bulb?
Thanks for any help!

KZ Fiji Purple or UVL Actinic White

 

[The Grim Reefer]

what if i wanted to switch just one of the blue bulbs for something more white. what bulb would you recommend

I wouldn't. If you want a less blue look use a UVL Actinic White instead of the Fiji Purple. The Aquablue is a white lamp with a slight blue tint to it. If you want more of the 10K look do the 2 blue plus with the fiji and a GE 6500K Daylight.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

hey grim, i'm setting up an sps dominated rimless cube, 24" x 24" x 18" tall. I was going to go with a 24" ati powermodule, or sunpower with 6 24 watt bulbs. Will this be enough to grow all sps, even at 18" deep? also i used to run a 14k phoenix on its own, and loved the color, but it still lacked that exrtra pop that supplementing actinics gives. what would you recommend for maximum sps growth, but with a bit more color than a phoenix 14k bulb?

ps thanks for your help, i can't believe how huge this thread is.

Either fixture will probably work but I think I would go the Powermodule.

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

 

[markgm87]

Grim,
I'm sure this is a repeat question but this thread is huge. Getting ready to switch from leds to T-5's. I have a sps dominated with clams and chalices. 90 gallon 4 foot tank. I am doing a t-5 retro with ice cap 660's and ice cap reflectors. should i go with 6 or 8 bulbs and what kind of bulb configuration/brand to get a good amount of blue but still grow sps well. Thanks alot

 

[maddmaxx]

grim its not that i want the 10k look. i just dont want it over powered by the blue spectrum. he still wants the actinic look for when just 2 of the bulbs are on....

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim,
I'm sure this is a repeat question but this thread is huge. Getting ready to switch from leds to T-5's. I have a sps dominated with clams and chalices. 90 gallon 4 foot tank. I am doing a t-5 retro with ice cap 660's and ice cap reflectors. should i go with 6 or 8 bulbs and what kind of bulb configuration/brand to get a good amount of blue but still grow sps well. Thanks alot

WOW, going from LED's to T5's? What LED system are you using?

6 lamps over a 90. Go with 4 overdriven and 2, the first and last on a standard T5 ballast

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

 

[The Grim Reefer]

grim its not that i want the 10k look. i just dont want it over powered by the blue spectrum. he still wants the actinic look for when just 2 of the bulbs are on....

With the Aquablue and Fiji Purple running it will pick up everything really good even with all the blue.