The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

when i build my canopy (im gonna build it around the 6 bulb fixture) im going to fit in a few more t5's on either side

Still you are going to have a 12" bar of mediocre light in the center. I would go with an 8 lamp retro when you throw the SPS in there.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Thanks for the tips...what would swapping the 75/25 for a Figi Purple do? I've never tried the figi but I see its quite popular. I've tried the GE 6500k and it was too white for my likeing.

Thanks again.

The fiji isn't going to be a huge change but might be worth a try.

 

[DustnF]

Not sure on the temp with the halide, fans can work but if your room temp hovers around 80 very much you are going to be well within the range of needing the chiller.

Not really anything less expensive than the tek that will work well for clams and sps if your tank is more than about 18" tall.

Ok, thanks for all of your help and fast replys. Do you know if a Glad lid would help keep the temps lower?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Ok, thanks for all of your help and fast replys. Do you know if a Glad lid would help keep the temps lower?

Glad lid?

 

[xr4kw]

The fiji isn't going to be a huge change but might be worth a try.

OK, thanks again.

Would you set up the first recomendation

Blue+
Blue+
Actinic White
Blue+

 

[DustnF]

Glad lid?

I am sorry, I meant a glass lid over the tank, between the lights and the water.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

OK, thanks again.

Would you set up the first recomendation

Blue+
Blue+
Actinic White
Blue+

I really don't know what you are looking for and neither do you. You are really going to have to play. If any of the lamps are available locally I would start with what is available and cheapest which would be the GE followed by another blue plus to swap out that aquablue. The Fiji is eaxpensive so that would be my last resort.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I am sorry, I meant a glass lid over the tank, between the lights and the water.

You don't want the lid on the tank, think green house. Things will get hotter.

 

[Whattup32526]

I really don't have a program that would allow me to do that.

If you mount a fan on the rear of the canopy pointing in so the air will blow in from the back as close to the end of the lamps as possible you will be good.

So the fans dont have to be below the bulbs aiming u diagonally ?? They can just be right close to the endcaps mounted on the ends of the canopy aiming in ??

 

[The Grim Reefer]

So the fans dont have to be below the bulbs aiming u diagonally ?? They can just be right close to the endcaps mounted on the ends of the canopy aiming in ??

It can angle a little if you need to. Main thing is too make sure the airflow hits all the lamps near the end.

 

[AlphaCorals]

Grim, your the man!!! Thanks for giving so much advice for so long!


Any chance I could get you to post a comment on my thread?

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=16709176#post16709176



BIG thanks!
Kris

 

[xr4kw]

I really don't know what you are looking for and neither do you. You are really going to have to play.

You're right hehe. Just looking for some advise on 4 bulb combos that work good together.

I like this look but I only have 4 bulbs to achieve it :rollface:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=10898761#post10898761

 

[biecacka]

grim, i have a 220 thats 30inches tall and right now i have 2 250 wt MH on it only, it is a softy/lps tank. two digi sps in it but wont add more, i just like the look of the softy tank. anyway i am thinkin about switching up my lights as i dont really think i need that much light on the tank. plus w only 2 Mh on it i dont get full coverage, pretty close tho as the lumen pendants are 22in each i think. anyway the tank is 60 inches long, im looking for a recommendation on a good affordable fixture. i know affordable is realative but could you give me a few different options starting at a couple hundred and up a bit in price?
thank you
corey

 

[rtparty]

You're right hehe. Just looking for some advise on 4 bulb combos that work good together.

I like this look but I only have 4 bulbs to achieve it :rollface:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=10898761#post10898761

ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

 

[Anthonius]

Depends. If you are using a crappy E bay fixture with Xhang Fung Koo 7.99 lamps you will play hell keeping stonies.

With a quality fixture and good lamps you will be fine.

ok great. i have a retro fixture i made with the lid of one of those stainless steel diamond plated truck bed tool box lids. im still really considering MH but atleast this way i know i can hold off for a bit.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

You're right hehe. Just looking for some advise on 4 bulb combos that work good together.

I like this look but I only have 4 bulbs to achieve it :rollface:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=10898761#post10898761

Pull the 75/25 and put in the UVL Actinic White which will have more red in it. Should bring in a purple tint like Fiji's tank had.

 

[dudley moray]

hey grim can you give me your thought on possible bulb combo : 90 gal rr standard dimensions right now i have in a 6x 54watt fixture 4 old crappy no name actinics and two new url bulbs 1 75-25 and 1 actinic white it's a little on the red/purple side to me i'm looking for a crisp 20k look the tank is sps dominant with a couple of clams and a nem i was thinking 3 gmann aqua blue + and 3 actinic + but if i can find ati bulbs i will go with them as the par is much better

 

[The Grim Reefer]

grim, i have a 220 thats 30inches tall and right now i have 2 250 wt MH on it only, it is a softy/lps tank. two digi sps in it but wont add more, i just like the look of the softy tank. anyway i am thinkin about switching up my lights as i dont really think i need that much light on the tank. plus w only 2 Mh on it i dont get full coverage, pretty close tho as the lumen pendants are 22in each i think. anyway the tank is 60 inches long, im looking for a recommendation on a good affordable fixture. i know affordable is realative but could you give me a few different options starting at a couple hundred and up a bit in price?
thank you
corey

8 lamp Tek light would do it. On that tall a tank the 48 inch fixture should cover it just fine.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

ok great. i have a retro fixture i made with the lid of one of those stainless steel diamond plated truck bed tool box lids. im still really considering MH but atleast this way i know i can hold off for a bit.

If thats your reflector I wouldn't be adding SPS. Without parabolic reflectors T5's are no better, not as good as T5's.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

hey grim can you give me your thought on possible bulb combo : 90 gal rr standard dimensions right now i have in a 6x 54watt fixture 4 old crappy no name actinics and two new url bulbs 1 75-25 and 1 actinic white it's a little on the red/purple side to me i'm looking for a crisp 20k look the tank is sps dominant with a couple of clams and a nem i was thinking 3 gmann aqua blue + and 3 actinic + but if i can find ati bulbs i will go with them as the par is much better

Add 4 ATI Blue Plus to the 2 UVL lamps you have now. Grab a Aquablue as a spare and to play with different mixes.

If you use Giesemann lamps use 4 Actinic Plus and 1 Aquablue