The T5 Q&a Thread

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NewSchool04 said:
Hey Grim, I'm looking at a new Tek 8 bulb fixture. I'm looking for a blue/white 15K look. This is what I'm thinking as far as bulbs, the first two and the last two light for the dawn effect (so 4 bulbs).

Front
Blue Plus
Figi
Blue Plus
1200 ATI
Blue Plus
GE 6500
Blue Plus
Blue Plus

Am I going to get a nice blue/white color with this combo?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

You have learned well grasshopper

Should be just what you are looking for
 
The Grim Reefer said:
If you want acros all the way to the back of the tank and clams out to the very front 10 would be better but I would say for 99% of people with that tank 8 will do.

Get 5 Blue Plus and 3 Aquablues, Just place the Aquablues in the slots where I listed the none blue plus lamps.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your opinion bro, so if i understood well, the only lack i will have is it will be better to put clams or high par needind corals in the middle and not to the very back or front of the tank if its on the bottom of it.

Doesnt seems really a problem was not planning to get anything very close to the glass anyway.

Speaking of bulbs, you dont get any ATI actinics in your selection, does the other bring that fluorescent glow i really love, or does the actinic do better in that (while i understand i'll loose par with them and wanting them might have me take the 10x just to add 2 of them but that would be a good reason enough if it brings that fluo as i love it :p) The ATI blue does it as well with better light ?
 
The Grim Reefer said:
Those Ice Cap LED's are way cool.

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

That would be around 14K or so. You could try the Giesemann Aquablue instead of the ATI Aquablue, they have less of a blue tint to them.
Click to expand...

Thanks man. You rock.

For the tank, I described, would you do one of those IceCap LED Tubes or two?
 
i have a 30 gallon tall tank which is 24 inches wide 24 inches tall and 12 inches deep. i am currently running 2x24" VHO bulbs that are underdriven by 2 workkhorse 6 ballasts. I want to switch to T5 4 bulbs set up . I am looking at a few set ups such as:
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5...put_Retrofit_Kit_w!_Bulbs_by_AquaIllumination
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5...put_Retrofit_Kit_w!_Bulbs_by_AquaIllumination
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5...5_High-Output_Retrofit_Kit_w!_Bulbs_by_IceCap
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5...y_High-Output_Retrofit_Kit_w!_Bulbs_by_IceCap


i am looking to keep mostly softies, mush, zoos some LPS.

thanks for any advice
 
theitalianczech said:
i have a 30 gallon tall tank which is 24 inches wide 24 inches tall and 12 inches deep. i am currently running 2x24" VHO bulbs that are underdriven by 2 workkhorse 6 ballasts. I want to switch to T5 4 bulbs set up . I am looking at a few set ups such as:
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5...put_Retrofit_Kit_w!_Bulbs_by_AquaIllumination
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5...put_Retrofit_Kit_w!_Bulbs_by_AquaIllumination
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5...5_High-Output_Retrofit_Kit_w!_Bulbs_by_IceCap
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5...y_High-Output_Retrofit_Kit_w!_Bulbs_by_IceCap


i am looking to keep mostly softies, mush, zoos some LPS.

thanks for any advice
Click to expand...


Get the 4x24W from Aqua Illumination. Get the normally driven setup. You don't need to overdrive the bulbs with an Ice Cap ballast for any reason.

AS far as bulbs go:

ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
UVL Super Actinic
ATI Blue Plus

Pick up an ATI Aquablue incase the above combo is too blue for you.
 
The Grim Reefer said:
If you are tight on room and can't use the reflectors use the UVL 454 with the internal reflectors.
Click to expand...

I actually have some nice reflectors, 99% German polished Indv. for each bulb run on Advance ballast. I run 250w Radiums on Galaxy ballast with the 4x39w T5's. I just want the Actinic for when the halides are off to get that "blacklight/actnic" effect
 
theitalianczech said:
thanks how far from the surface should they be placed in the canopy? AM I going to see a big difference from the 2 VHO I currently have?

thanks
Click to expand...

I would place them at least 4" if not 6" from the water. That will keep splashing on the reflectors and bulbs to a minimum.

Make sure you get a couple fans to help cool them. Put the label ends all on one side and have a fan blowing in from the back. Then on the opposite a fan blowing hot air out.

Yes you will see a HUGE difference from the VHO. You will need to acclimate your corals to the new light.
 
NewSchool04 said:
Thanks Grim. I'm also looking for a LED strip light that will be powerful enough to beat into these 8 T5 bulbs and create more of a natural look as far as shimmer.

Any suggestions?

I looked at this set up but have nothing to go by, have no idea if it will work.

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=reefbrite
Click to expand...


You probably will need the 3 watt LED's to get any decent amount of shimmer to cut though T5's. I think you would have the DIY those.
 
hi Grimm do you have any advice on my set up? thanks

i have a 30 gallon tall tank which is 24 inches wide 24 inches tall and 12 inches deep. i am currently running 2x24" VHO bulbs that are underdriven by 2 workkhorse 6 ballasts. I want to switch to T5 4 bulbs set up . I am looking at a few set ups such as:
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_...uaIllumination
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_...uaIllumination
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_...ulbs_by_IceCap
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_...ulbs_by_IceCap


i am looking to keep mostly softies, mush, zoos some LPS.

thanks for any advice
 
theitalianczech said:
hi Grimm do you have any advice on my set up? thanks

i have a 30 gallon tall tank which is 24 inches wide 24 inches tall and 12 inches deep. i am currently running 2x24" VHO bulbs that are underdriven by 2 workkhorse 6 ballasts. I want to switch to T5 4 bulbs set up . I am looking at a few set ups such as:
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_...uaIllumination
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_...uaIllumination
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_...ulbs_by_IceCap
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_...ulbs_by_IceCap


i am looking to keep mostly softies, mush, zoos some LPS.

thanks for any advice
Click to expand...

Yeah, what RT suggested or

Blue Plus
Fiji Purple
Aquablue
Blue Plus

4 lamp Aqua Illuminations retro
 
theitalianczech said:
do you recommend any fans? and are they totally necessary since i'm not overdriving the bulbs
Click to expand...

Some computer fans work great especially the controllable models.

Yes it is necessary to cool the bulbs of you want good performance and the bulbs to last more than 6 months.
 
what would be the difference between


ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
UVL Super Actinic
ATI Blue Plus

and

Blue Plus
Fiji Purple
Aquablue
Blue Plus

thanks again guys
 
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