The T5 Q&a Thread

[King Nine]

King, so you have a canopy? or just an open top tank?

the 125 is open. the 75 has a canopy but that isn't much help is it.

 

[rodcpierce]

here yah go King:
http://www.marinedepot.com/Current_...es-Current_USA-CU01092-FILTACMOFTHK-0-vi.html

 

[gravity316]

Hello Grim,
Great info.
I wanted to get you opinion on a new T5 fixture for my tank.
I only plan on keeping softies of LPS in my 90 gallon (48x18x24).
I have a canopy I bought with the tank that I would like to keep.
The inside of the canopy is approx 49x18x5.
So the Extreme Pro is out, and I did not know about the TEK or any other reasonably priced fixtures?
Would overheating be a concern with the fixtures?

Thanks in advance.

 

[rfields82]

hey Grim i need your advice...

can you suggest a good 6 bulb combo... the fixture will be a Tek 6 x 36... i will be keeping fish only for the time being but im planning to add a BTA and Zoas... maybe a clam... thanks in advance...

 

[jbob]

anybody know where i can see a pic of this set-up?

Blue+
Actinic White
Blue+
GE 6500K
Blue +
Blue+

 

[King Nine]

here yah go King:
http://www.marinedepot.com/Current_...es-Current_USA-CU01092-FILTACMOFTHK-0-vi.html

That is cool. Now I just have to figure out how to move the tank forward so I can attach them to the back of the stand.

I'm not sure I got an answer to one of my MANY questions. Is there a fixture that doesn't need better bulbs than it comes with?

 

[larryjohnson525]

Grim

Thanks for the help! I will follow your advice.

10

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

3 and 8 are the dusk/dawn lamps so keep that in mind if you play with positions. Might try the fiji in 3 instead of that blue plus, kind of a cool dusk/dawn effect.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hello Grim,
Great info.
I wanted to get you opinion on a new T5 fixture for my tank.
I only plan on keeping softies of LPS in my 90 gallon (48x18x24).
I have a canopy I bought with the tank that I would like to keep.
The inside of the canopy is approx 49x18x5.
So the Extreme Pro is out, and I did not know about the TEK or any other reasonably priced fixtures?
Would overheating be a concern with the fixtures?

Thanks in advance.

A 6 lamp retrofit kid with Ice Cap or Aquaillumination reflectors would be good. Not the overdriven version, just the triad ballasts. Check reefgeek.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

hey Grim i need your advice...

can you suggest a good 6 bulb combo... the fixture will be a Tek 6 x 36... i will be keeping fish only for the time being but im planning to add a BTA and Zoas... maybe a clam... thanks in advance...

Do 4 ATI Blue Plus and 2 GE 6500K daylights. Look good for fish and corals for beginner stuff.

 

[rodcpierce]

That is cool. Now I just have to figure out how to move the tank forward so I can attach them to the back of the stand.

I'm not sure I got an answer to one of my MANY questions. Is there a fixture that doesn't need better bulbs than it comes with?

nope. Unless you buy the TEK or ATI with uvl/ati bulbs!

 

[King Nine]

Hey guys, I found this 72" fixture on our local BB for $300. Here is what the reply I got back from them was: "its nova extreme pro, really great I had 92 t5s over my tank but replaced with solatubes, it has 6 39 wt 460 atinics and 6 39 wt 10000k"

It seems like a good deal for the price. I think I might need to jump on it unless there is a good reason to avoid the Nova as none of you have recommended that fixture. BTW, what is a solatube?

 

[tinyfish]

I am trying to find a little better color combination for a T5 4 x 24w retro over a 20g long tank that contains SPS only. Something just does not look quite right to me. The bulbs I am using currently have a * next to them. One of my bulbs has purple ends but the writing has come off. I am guessing that it is the UVL but it has a red light instead of blue.

These are the bulbs I have tried:
T5 bulbs
Giesemann Pure Actinic
* Giesemann Aqua FLora
* 2 ATI Blue Plus
* GE 6500k Daylight
UVL 75/25 14000k Aquablue

I don't know what to try next.

Also, could I get two more ballasts so each bulb could be independently lit?

 

[dustinc]

I was wondering, with my individual reflector, would I be better off going with UVL bulbs over ATI? I've read they have an internal reflector but didn't know if it really helped or if it was some sort of gimmick. Thanks

 

[jrp1588]

Hey guys. Can someone tell me the figures on efficiency drop on T5's as the temperature rises. I was trying to explain it to a friend, but I couldn't remember the exact numbers, or what the ideal temperature was. If someone has a link to an article, that would be helpful.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey guys, I found this 72" fixture on our local BB for $300. Here is what the reply I got back from them was: "its nova extreme pro, really great I had 92 t5s over my tank but replaced with solatubes, it has 6 39 wt 460 atinics and 6 39 wt 10000k"

It seems like a good deal for the price. I think I might need to jump on it unless there is a good reason to avoid the Nova as none of you have recommended that fixture. BTW, what is a solatube?

For LPS and Softies it would be OK but forget clams and be really careful that any SPS would be on the rocks right under the lamps. Current's stuff is OK quality wise, they just make a budget version of a T5 fixture that isn't total crap. It wont perform like the big boys but it will do OK.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I am trying to find a little better color combination for a T5 4 x 24w retro over a 20g long tank that contains SPS only. Something just does not look quite right to me. The bulbs I am using currently have a * next to them. One of my bulbs has purple ends but the writing has come off. I am guessing that it is the UVL but it has a red light instead of blue.

These are the bulbs I have tried:
T5 bulbs
Giesemann Pure Actinic
* Giesemann Aqua FLora
* 2 ATI Blue Plus
* GE 6500k Daylight
UVL 75/25 14000k Aquablue

I don't know what to try next.

Also, could I get two more ballasts so each bulb could be independently lit?

Front
ATI Blue Plus
Fill in the blank
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus

Play around with #2. Try the GE and Actinic to see which you like.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I was wondering, with my individual reflector, would I be better off going with UVL bulbs over ATI? I've read they have an internal reflector but didn't know if it really helped or if it was some sort of gimmick. Thanks

The internal reflector lamps will hurt output if you use individual reflectors. They help if you don't have a reflector.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey guys. Can someone tell me the figures on efficiency drop on T5's as the temperature rises. I was trying to explain it to a friend, but I couldn't remember the exact numbers, or what the ideal temperature was. If someone has a link to an article, that would be helpful.

 

[hansonfam]

How much of a difference does overdriving the t5 bulbs make or is it really not worth it?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

How much of a difference does overdriving the t5 bulbs make or is it really not worth it?

About 15% increase in output from a gain of about 19% in power. Not a bad deal.