The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim... I just checked out the aqua illumination reflectors on reefgeek. It says they increase out put by 300%. I want to mainly do shrooms, zoas,and some softies. This will all be in a 48"x 18"x 23H" tank. I was figuring for my low light requirments that I could get away with running 4 48" T5 bulbs. But if the reflectors do what they say they do, should I still run 4, or maybe 2? Also, what do you think is a good quality low cost ballast to use. I saw that the aqua illumintations had a whole kit, 2 bulbs, ballast, wiring, reflectors, and sockets for $159. Is this a good kit? I'm not trying to get the best quality stuff, but I don't want to buy crap either. I can't see spending too much because with tuition, mortgage and the cost of lowriding (building classic Chevys gets expensive), there isn't much left at the end of the month. I also found a ballast at my LFS. It's by a company called GLO http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=19811 that consist of a completely wired ballast for 2 bulbs. It goes for $48 and seems like a great deal. But if it's crap, I'll stay away from it. Thanks for the help Grim. It's much appreciated.

4 lamps would be fine and I think the Glo ballasts would be OK. Not sure I would reco them in a high lighting condition just because I know nothing about them. I need to get my hands on one to try out. If nothing else it would make a great testing mule.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim,

I am about to purchase a 72"x40"x18" rimless peninsula style tank. I want to keep various types of corals.

I'm trying to decide on my lighting solution. The plan is to run two fixtures next to each other along the length. I'd like your thoughts on these fixtures and how they will fill out and produce light for the entire tank.

There are basically two sizes I'm considering, 60" and 72". What are your opinions on filling out the tank and will I see bleed over from the 72"?

2 x 60" 8x80W ATI Powermodule
58.1" x 17.5" x 2.3"
This leaves me roughly 5 inches to spread out

2 x 60" 6x80W ATI Powermodule
58.1" x 13.5" x 2.3"
This leaves roughly 13 inches to spread out

2 x Aquactinics T5 Constellation 72" Series
72"L x 14"W x 3"H
This leaves me roughly 12 inches to spread out
Will I see much bleed over with it being the entire tank length?


How would you lay out the bulbs for your recommendation?

Sfiligoi makes a 12 lamp fixture that might be worth looking at if it is available in 60 inch length. I would probably lean toward 2 6x60 powermodules, I don't think you need 16 lamps over that tank UNLESS you plan on having lots of clams, then the 2x8x80 watt fixtures would be the best way to go.

for 12

Front
ATI Aquablue
Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
Blue Plus
Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue


For 16

ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
Blue Plus
Fiji Purple
ATI Aquablue
Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
Fiji Purple
Blue Plus
Blue Plus

That should give you 3 blue plus and a fiji purple for dusk/dawn which should look sweet. Grab an extra of each lamp I listed so you can play with the mix.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim,
I've got an 18'' wide tank with 2 vho super actinics. I have a icecap 660 that will power 4 t5's. what t5 bulb combo do you recommend for this setup? Thanks for the great advice you've given all of us over the years.

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

Should look about 14K or so

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Wow great thread it's helped me pick the fixture for over my 75g. I'm going with ATI Sunpower 48" 6x54w or should I get an 8 bulb fixture?

Bulb choice has me brain all scrambled though.:hmm4:

I currently have a OuterOrbit fixture with 2x150 Phoenix 14k MH and 2x130w PC dual blue 420nm/460nm bulbs. I like the color but need more to get my SPS to color up. I have some SPS that the very tips get a great purple color but the rest of the colony is just a cream color.

What bulbs and in what order would you recommend?

6 lamps

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

 

[nmbr6]

Thanks for the advice Grim,

It's probably against forum rules but you should totally have a donate button. You spend a lot of time and energy on this thread. I would have floated you a donation for the advice given.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

That donate button would allow me to buy more stuff to test, and trinkets for the wife to appease her for the loss of the livingroom while I am doing said testing

 

[nmbr6]

That donate button would allow me to buy more stuff to test, and trinkets for the wife to appease her for the loss of the livingroom while I am doing said testing

That it would... Just don't tell the wife about it and buy more AQUARIUM STUFF. You should seriously see if the board would let you or if it's against the rules.

 

[lorawalters13]

Hi,

I am looking at lighting a 24" cube housing mainly lps, zoas, and a couple clams. Would the Tek 4x24w fixture be a good choice for me?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hi,

I am looking at lighting a 24" cube housing mainly lps, zoas, and a couple clams. Would the Tek 4x24w fixture be a good choice for me?

Your clams would need to be below the light and even then I think I would want the ATI Sunpower at least.

 

[nanokeeper]

Hey Grim,

I'll keep it short. Thanks very much for all your advice on this thread.

I'm currently running a Phoenix 250 and an Icecap 430 w/ two 454 bulbs. I planned on going full T5 and already have an Icecap 660 and was going to buy the additional 4 reflectors, bulbs, and endcaps for 6 bulbs total over a 90 gallon. I'm worried that I won't have the proper cooling and don't like the splashing that happens (damn tangs) on the bulbs/reflectors.

Is the ATI Sunpower a much better choice over an Icecap retro kit due to the active cooling and splash shield? I have a hood over my 90 gallon so aesthetics don't matter. I'd rather make the switch to T5s right the first time. I have no problem selling the Icecap ballasts.

Thanks,
Pete

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim,

I'll keep it short. Thanks very much for all your advice on this thread.

I'm currently running a Phoenix 250 and an Icecap 430 w/ two 454 bulbs. I planned on going full T5 and already have an Icecap 660 and was going to buy the additional 4 reflectors, bulbs, and endcaps for 6 bulbs total over a 90 gallon. I'm worried that I won't have the proper cooling and don't like the splashing that happens (damn tangs) on the bulbs/reflectors.

Is the ATI Sunpower a much better choice over an Icecap retro kit due to the active cooling and splash shield? I have a hood over my 90 gallon so aesthetics don't matter. I'd rather make the switch to T5s right the first time. I have no problem selling the Icecap ballasts.

Thanks,
Pete

I personally would prefer the fixture for the reason you listed. If you keep it a couple inches above the tank that will easily make up for the overdrive.

 

[theyammieguy]

Thanks again Grim.

 

[alpinestar]

Thanks Grim,
the other question i had is will my par level be greater with that setup and would i be able to use a fiji purple bulb for other colors to pop in this setup.And will the 10k bulb add to much yellow to the tank.
Thanks in advance

 

[Mr..Tang]

Here's a question for you. I got a UV a4+ ballast with four t5's. IT turned on and than a few minutes turn off like a fuse pop or something. I go to the timer and turn it back on and the t5's fire up for like 3 seconds and than off. But only two fire up. The other two do nothing. Bad bulbs or bad ballast????

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Thanks Grim,
the other question i had is will my par level be greater with that setup and would i be able to use a fiji purple bulb for other colors to pop in this setup.And will the 10k bulb add to much yellow to the tank.
Thanks in advance

You're going to have to quote my answer to ya, My memory is good but I ain't a computer :lmao:

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Here's a question for you. I got a UV a4+ ballast with four t5's. IT turned on and than a few minutes turn off like a fuse pop or something. I go to the timer and turn it back on and the t5's fire up for like 3 seconds and than off. But only two fire up. The other two do nothing. Bad bulbs or bad ballast????

If two of them flash and two don't you most likely blew the ballast. Normally the lamps that don't flash is an indication that the lamps are loose or bad but that usually only happens with one, not 2.

There is some question as to if the A4 is T5 capable. Ice Cap has changed their story on that so many times I don't know what the current recommendation is but I do know if you don't run the heat sink it will blow for sure.

 

[hatemeyet]

hey Grim,

I seem to struggle trying to find a good combination of lights..Im looking for a more bluish look using ati, Giesemann or another brand you might recommend..I still want the corals to pop and have steady growth.

What would your combination be?

My tank is 95% sps dominated.

My fixture Is a 72" current usa nova extreme light with 3 icecap ballast over driving 12 bulbs..

Thanks for your help grim.

 

[NaClCrocodile]

Hey Grim,
I'm looking at a T5 fixture and I'm pretty stuck between the new Tek Elite fixture and the ATI Sunpower. It'd be the 6X54W for lighting a 75G tank. I'm also wondering how much usable light they put out. I'm no T5 veteran, but it seems like you recommend the ATI Blue + often. What makes these bulbs so good? Growth rate? Color? Both? You recommended ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
Blue Plus
Blue Plus
to me a few weeks ago and it just hit me how many blues there are compared to the number of whiter bulbs. Will this setup provide enough light for any SPS/Clams I may get? Thanks Grim.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

hey Grim,

I seem to struggle trying to find a good combination of lights..Im looking for a more bluish look using ati, Giesemann or another brand you might recommend..I still want the corals to pop and have steady growth.

What would your combination be?

My tank is 95% sps dominated.

My fixture Is a 72" current usa nova extreme light with 3 icecap ballast over driving 12 bulbs..

Thanks for your help grim.

How long have you been overdriving the lamps? I will be interested in the long term lamp performance, keep us posted

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

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim,
I'm looking at a T5 fixture and I'm pretty stuck between the new Tek Elite fixture and the ATI Sunpower. It'd be the 6X54W for lighting a 75G tank. I'm also wondering how much usable light they put out. I'm no T5 veteran, but it seems like you recommend the ATI Blue + often. What makes these bulbs so good? Growth rate? Color? Both? You recommended ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
Blue Plus
Blue Plus
to me a few weeks ago and it just hit me how many blues there are compared to the number of whiter bulbs. Will this setup provide enough light for any SPS/Clams I may get? Thanks Grim.

By my readings the Blue Plus had good readings but according to a number of people Sanjay Joshi tested the Blue Plus with a spectrometer and they had the highest PAR of any lamp he tested which included the UVL Aquasun wich was the highest of any lamp I have tested.

Reason for that is the PAR meters under read blue light and over read red. I had always figured the blue plus was really good, I just didn't figure on them having more PAR than the Aquasun or GE Daylight.

And I would get the Sunpower, the Tek elite supposedly uses the workhorse ballasts. I prefer spec T5 ballasts to those.