The T5 Q&a Thread

[reefergeorge]

I have to say a huge thanks! I went with 2 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Aquablue and a UVL Actinic White as advised, and my corals have colors I have never seen before.
Thanks for the advice. What a difference.

 

[snaza]

Hi Grim,

I Asked this question on the ATI forum and was wandering if this will infact reduce the lifespan on the bulbs

thanks

Originally Posted by snaza
I got a 10 bulb PM and thinking about running a 3 stage photoperiod.

11am-12:30 - bulbs 3&8 dusk dawn
12:30-2 - Bulbs 3&8 go off then other 8 come on.
2-6 - All 10 bulbs on
6-7:30 - Bulbs 3&8 go off then other 8 remain on.
7:30-9pm - bulbs 3&8 dusk dawn

Anyone else doing this? I just dont want 10 bulbs on for too long. my tanks is 60 x 32 x 20

Aaron

Aaron,

That looks like a great idea. I can't remember if T5 lifetimes get diminished after many power cycles. Essentially, bulbs 3 and 8 may have useable life reduced since it power cycles twice a day.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hi Grimm,

Here is the link to the specs on the various bulbs
http://www.wave-point.com/Lighting_folder/LampMain.html


Here are the bulbs that I have coming and the order I was thinking..
Front.
Blue Wave (4 of those ordered)
Coral Wave or Sun Wave (1 each ordered)
Blue Wave
Tropical Wave (1 ordered)
Blue Wave
Reef Wave (1 ordered)

thanks again

The one that rally interests me is the red wave.

I would try 4 Blue Wave with a coral wave in the 2nd position and a sun wave in the 5th, assuming 1st and 6th are dusk/dawn. Then play around from there.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Is there parts of the tank that receive more par than others, is it a general thing or is it specific to your own tank? Would that be something I would have to just test for myself? With that combination would a maxima clam on the sand bottom receive enough light, do I need to still try to keep acros and birdsnest as high as I can? Sorry for all the questions just trying to keep my corals and clam happy. Thank You

The area directly below the reflectors will get the most light.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hate to bug you with another ?, but on a 60x24x12(h) frag tank (SPS and LPS), what do you think of this:

Front:
B+ on IC 660 for 10 hrs
FP or 75/25 (normal output) for 5 hrs
B+ on IC 660 for 10 hrs
GE 6500 (normal output) for 5 hrs
B+ on IC 660 (normal output) for 10 hrs

I have another 2 bulb (normal output) kit I could add, if needed.

Be fine although I wouldn't waste a Ice Cap ballast over such a short tank. I'd run 6 lamps on regular ballasts.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hi Grim,

I Asked this question on the ATI forum and was wandering if this will infact reduce the lifespan on the bulbs

thanks

Originally Posted by snaza
I got a 10 bulb PM and thinking about running a 3 stage photoperiod.

11am-12:30 - bulbs 3&8 dusk dawn
12:30-2 - Bulbs 3&8 go off then other 8 come on.
2-6 - All 10 bulbs on
6-7:30 - Bulbs 3&8 go off then other 8 remain on.
7:30-9pm - bulbs 3&8 dusk dawn

Anyone else doing this? I just dont want 10 bulbs on for too long. my tanks is 60 x 32 x 20

Aaron

Aaron,

That looks like a great idea. I can't remember if T5 lifetimes get diminished after many power cycles. Essentially, bulbs 3 and 8 may have useable life reduced since it power cycles twice a day.

Perhaps a little less life because of the off on cycles but you are running them less hours so I wouldn't expect it to be a huge difference.

 

[Reefer08]

Even with an internal reflectors the VHO's can't touch a good T5 system.

I think it an unfair competition since the T5's obviously have high end reflectors whereas the vho have a cheap inner reflector.

 

[Reefer08]

Ice Cap was messing with it for a while and dropped the project when they figured out the reflector would have to be about 5" wide for a single lamp.

However, I believe a Tek II reflector might actually have a impact on the output, just not sure if it would be enough to justify the cost.

I think even if the reflector was 5" it would still have a large market demand since most VHO users run them along with their metal halides as supplements. 5" seems large but if we angled them inwards towards the tank it would be great for most average 24" to 30" deep tanks.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I think it an unfair competition since the T5's obviously have high end reflectors whereas the vho have a cheap inner reflector.

Unfair? Thats like saying it's unfair to compare halides to PC's. It is what it is. VHO's were great in their day but with new technology they are pretty much obsolete now with the exception of Actinics and LED's seem to have an advantage in the fluorescence department so I think VHO's days are numbered.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I think even if the reflector was 5" it would still have a large market demand since most VHO users run them along with their metal halides as supplements. 5" seems large but if we angled them inwards towards the tank it would be great for most average 24" to 30" deep tanks.

Ice Cap didn't seem to think so. Besides you are talking actinic supplementation so you are looking more for spread than intensity. That's why I think using a Tek T5 reflector with a unreflected VHO might be worth a shot. It will concentrate the light in a single direction but it wont be a tight focus so it should serve the purpose.

 

[rtparty]

Grim,

I got my 4 bulb Sunpower in today and it is awesome! Once I get the new tank set in it's final resting spot I will take some pics.

I did want to not a few things for you though. The vent holes are on the opposite of the fan and the bulbs fire 1,3 and 2,4.

Thought that would help you out for some recommendations.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim,

I got my 4 bulb Sunpower in today and it is awesome! Once I get the new tank set in it's final resting spot I will take some pics.

I did want to not a few things for you though. The vent holes are on the opposite of the fan and the bulbs fire 1,3 and 2,4.

Thought that would help you out for some recommendations.

They place the fans like that so air will pass across the ballasts before going out the duct holes.

 

[FlaReefDude]

hey grim, im trying to decide what 4 t5 bulbs to get to supplement my 2x150w de phoenix setup. my tank is a standard 90g. i will have some sps. i was thinking 4 blue plus or maybe 3 blue plus and 1 fiji purple. i like the 12k - 14k look.

 

[ryddo]

I am setting up a frag tank and I am trying to choose between a 4,6 or 8 bulb 48" sunlight supply Sun Blaze fixture. The tank is 48"x24"x12". I would normally opt for the 8 bulb, but with the tank only 12" deep, do I need it? Which fixture, bulbs, and positions would you recommend?

Thanks,
Ryan

 

[LI NEON 72]

Grim,
Im starting up my first reef tank after having fresh and saltwater fish for years. I have a 46gl bowfront tank and want to upgrade once. What company and lighting combo would you suggest ?
thanks
Rob

 

[rtparty]

Grim,
Im starting up my first reef tank after having fresh and saltwater fish for years. I have a 46gl bowfront tank and want to upgrade once. What company and lighting combo would you suggest ?
thanks
Rob

For the bowfronts I really like the Aquactinics TX5 fixture.

3 ATI Blue Plus, 1 KZ Fiji Purple and 1 GE 6500K.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

hey grim, im trying to decide what 4 t5 bulbs to get to supplement my 2x150w de phoenix setup. my tank is a standard 90g. i will have some sps. i was thinking 4 blue plus or maybe 3 blue plus and 1 fiji purple. i like the 12k - 14k look.

3+1 Fiji Purple sounds good.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I am setting up a frag tank and I am trying to choose between a 4,6 or 8 bulb 48" sunlight supply Sun Blaze fixture. The tank is 48"x24"x12". I would normally opt for the 8 bulb, but with the tank only 12" deep, do I need it? Which fixture, bulbs, and positions would you recommend?

Thanks,
Ryan

6

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

 

[LI NEON 72]

What are your sugestions Grim???

 

[hazmat319]

I downsized my tank from a 90 gallon to a 75 but upgraded my light to a Solar Flare.
I did the usual Blue plus, Aquablue special and Fiji purple on the 90 and again on this fixture. I read (somewhere??) that the Solar Flare might be a bit too intense for the softies on the 75. I do have it mounted on the brackets but that only raises it 2 inches.

I bought the fixture used so I'm ready to buy new bulbs. Do you agree with the intensity part? And if so should I buy a bulb that is going to give me less PAR? I have nothing in the tank yet as far as livestock. Only CUC. Right now its:
Front
Blue plus
Aquablue special
Fiji purple
Aquablue special
Blue plus
Blue plus

I have to put the Blue plus together because of the dusk/dawn spacing. This is a pretty good color combo too.
What does anyone think?