The T5 Q&a Thread

[NaClCrocodile]

Alright last questions (for now). If I went with a retrofit kit, would the Aqua Illuminations or the IceCap be better? If I did go with the retrofit, is it pretty easy to figure out? I haven't done much DIY but common sense isn't lacking and I can follow instructions well.

 

[pweissma]

I have a Nova Pro Extreme 20". It has 6x18", 18W t5s and two fans. The fans create too much wind noise for me so I disconnected them. I'm wondering how detrimental this is to the light output, bulb life, and ballast life.

I originally asked on the Nova Pro Extreme forum and was directed here.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Thanks for the relpy Grim.
To be sure I understand your response. Is this right?

If I can get the ATI and UVL locally:
Front
G AB+
UVL Atin Wh
ATI B+
ATI B+
ATI B+
G AB+

If I can only get the Giessman locally:
Front
G AB+
G A+
G AB+
G AB+
G A+
G AB+

If you cant get the ATI or UVL Lamps 4 Actinic Plus an Aquablue and a Giesemann Midday if you can find one. If not the GE Daylight or just use 2 Aquablues.

 

[badger126]

Grim,
I'm running a 6 bulb t5 current nova fixture with the original bulbs, only 2 months old, over a 90 gallon tank. I'm having some issues with some sps(idaho grape monti and others) fading to less desirable colors. The idaho grape is a lot more brown than it was when I got it. Will changing some bulbs up fix the problem? I only have enough $ for 3 bulbs right now, what would you recommend replacing first and what is the overall bulb layout you'd recommend?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Alright last questions (for now). If I went with a retrofit kit, would the Aqua Illuminations or the IceCap be better? If I did go with the retrofit, is it pretty easy to figure out? I haven't done much DIY but common sense isn't lacking and I can follow instructions well.

AquaIlluminations is better. The retro's aren't very hard to figure out. Hit my home page (click on my user name) there's an explanation of how a retrofit goes together there.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I have a Nova Pro Extreme 20". It has 6x18", 18W t5s and two fans. The fans create too much wind noise for me so I disconnected them. I'm wondering how detrimental this is to the light output, bulb life, and ballast life.

I originally asked on the Nova Pro Extreme forum and was directed here.

It will kill the output and hurt the lamp life both. Hook them back up or try to find less noisy fans that will fit.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim,
I'm running a 6 bulb t5 current nova fixture with the original bulbs, only 2 months old, over a 90 gallon tank. I'm having some issues with some sps(idaho grape monti and others) fading to less desirable colors. The idaho grape is a lot more brown than it was when I got it. Will changing some bulbs up fix the problem? I only have enough $ for 3 bulbs right now, what would you recommend replacing first and what is the overall bulb layout you'd recommend?

Get 3 ATI Blue Plus and use them to replace the blue current lamps. The current blues have low PAR but look good. Hopefully the added PAR from the ATI Lamps will get you there. You could try using one of the Current blues in place of a 10K if you don't like the 50/50 mix.

 

[badger126]

If i use a current actinic in place of a 10k will that lower par?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

If i use a current actinic in place of a 10k will that lower par?

Yep

 

[badger126]

k I'll get the blue+'s on order, any idea on time length to see if it colors up? Thanks for the help!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

k I'll get the blue+'s on order, any idea on time length to see if it colors up? Thanks for the help!

Few weeks maybe.

 

[Jake007]

Thanks Grim. I checked today and the locals all carry Geissman. So I will pickup 4 more A+ since I just got two AB+ today.
So what is the best order for these Front - back.
A+
A+
AB+
AB+
A+
A+

My 120gal rock layout is in kind of a half circle with more open space near the front and higher rockwork near the back if that helps. The rock goes between 1/3 to 1/2 the way up. I have mostly LPS now with a large 1' orange cap and a few SPS frags.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Thanks Grim. I checked today and the locals all carry Geissman. So I will pickup 4 more A+ since I just got two AB+ today.
So what is the best order for these Front - back.
A+
A+
AB+
AB+
A+
A+

My 120gal rock layout is in kind of a half circle with more open space near the front and higher rockwork near the back if that helps. The rock goes between 1/3 to 1/2 the way up. I have mostly LPS now with a large 1' orange cap and a few SPS frags.

that should be good

 

[blennymower]

I wouldn't use actinics at all, you need the PAR.

Front
Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
Blue Plus
Aquablue
Blue Plus
Blue Plus

The Actinic WHite is going to make pink and purple colors come out a lot better and with all the lights on the blue plus will give you florescence like the actinics but have way better PAR.

Grim,

Any link to where I can find par readings on the bulbs?

The Fiji bulbs, what color do they emit? What colors do they bring out?

 

[GT_Jacket]

Bulb Order Recommendation

Bulb Order Recommendation

Grim and others,

I'll be joining the all T5 club shortly with an ATI 8x54 PM. Replacing a Current Outer Orbit 2 x 150MH + 4 x 54 T5 Fixture. Initially it will be staged on a std 90gal (gulp). I'm beginning to plan a 5' x 2' x 2' as the upgrade.

I'm going to utilize distance, egg crate and screen (how many layers to start?) to minimize the frying/bleaching.

What is the suggested order of the bulbs, realizing I will be running the dawn/dusk sequence fairly heavly in the beginning. I beleive these are bulbs 3 & 6 on this unit. I went with a large mix of bulbs so that I could get a feel for each.

4 x ATI Blue +
1 x ATI Blue Special
1 x GE 6500K
1 x KZ Fiji Purple
1 x UVL 75/25 14K

Thanks,
Brett

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim,

Any link to where I can find par readings on the bulbs?

The Fiji bulbs, what color do they emit? What colors do they bring out?

Fiji is similar to the Actinic White.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=8051316#post8051316

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim and others,

I'll be joining the all T5 club shortly with an ATI 8x54 PM. Replacing a Current Outer Orbit 2 x 150MH + 4 x 54 T5 Fixture. Initially it will be staged on a std 90gal (gulp). I'm beginning to plan a 5' x 2' x 2' as the upgrade.

I'm going to utilize distance, egg crate and screen (how many layers to start?) to minimize the frying/bleaching.

What is the suggested order of the bulbs, realizing I will be running the dawn/dusk sequence fairly heavly in the beginning. I beleive these are bulbs 3 & 6 on this unit. I went with a large mix of bulbs so that I could get a feel for each.

4 x ATI Blue +
1 x ATI Blue Special
1 x GE 6500K
1 x KZ Fiji Purple
1 x UVL 75/25 14K

Thanks,
Brett

Front
Blue Plus
Aquablue
75/25
Blus plus
GE 6500K
Blue Plus
Fiji
Blue Plus

 

[LocalPref]

Hello,
I am trying to find a fixture for 180 gallon tank 72x24x24. I was wondering what your opinions are on the ATI 8x80 vs the aquactinics constellation. I know with the constellation the fixture will cover the entire tank but with 14 lamps to replace it would be quite costly for yearly bulb swap outs. Anyway here is a list of questions I hope you can answer to help me make the correct decision.

1) How bad is the par drop off on the 6 inch sides that are not directly under the fixure? Would it be able to support zoas, shrooms, and LPS(like hammer or frogspawn)?

2) Could you make a guesstimate as to how much cheaper it would be to replace 8 60" bulbs over 14 36" bulbs with shipping? Is it a lot cheaper to ship a 36 over a 60?

3) If you were outfitting a 180 and needed a fixture which one would you use and why.

I know you here it alot but I just wanted to say thanks again for staying on top of this monster thread. It is people like you that make the internet a great place. I have viewed your web site and will use it when it is time to pick out bulbs.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hello,
I am trying to find a fixture for 180 gallon tank 72x24x24. I was wondering what your opinions are on the ATI 8x80 vs the aquactinics constellation. I know with the constellation the fixture will cover the entire tank but with 14 lamps to replace it would be quite costly for yearly bulb swap outs. Anyway here is a list of questions I hope you can answer to help me make the correct decision.

1) How bad is the par drop off on the 6 inch sides that are not directly under the fixure? Would it be able to support zoas, shrooms, and LPS(like hammer or frogspawn)?

2) Could you make a guesstimate as to how much cheaper it would be to replace 8 60" bulbs over 14 36" bulbs with shipping? Is it a lot cheaper to ship a 36 over a 60?

3) If you were outfitting a 180 and needed a fixture which one would you use and why.

I know you here it alot but I just wanted to say thanks again for staying on top of this monster thread. It is people like you that make the internet a great place. I have viewed your web site and will use it when it is time to pick out bulbs.

The edges will be fine for shrooms and zoos and such. I would go with the 8x80 because of the better output. It's cheaper to ship the 36 inch lamps but they are only like 4 bux less to buy 14 vs 8 way more than eats up any shipping charges.

 

[GT_Jacket]

Front
Blue Plus
Aquablue
75/25
Blus plus
GE 6500K
Blue Plus
Fiji
Blue Plus

Thanks Grim. Can somebody explain the proceedure for utilizing layers of screen on top of egg crate for new light acclimation? How many layers? How long between removing layers? etc.

Thanks,
Brett