The T5 Q&a Thread

Status
Not open for further replies.
On the GFCI question, I tried to find a GFCI that tripped at higher than 4-6 millamps. I even tried an electrical supplier that supplied hospital equipment to no avail. I said hell with it and just swapped my 1 gang outlet for a 2 gang outlet and run everything on a GFCI except the lights which run on the other outlet that is not in series with the GFCI. The T5 ballasts have leakage voltage at start up that kept throwing my GFCI, I have been told by the suppliers that it is just the nature of the ballast. It wouldn't happen every day either, just every once and a while. I can't handle that kind of stress.
 
gonpostal said:
Maybe I can help.
I have a 4 bulb fixture, and I've tried both bulbs. IMO, the purple color from the Actinic White is too harsh, while the purple from the KZ bulb is more subdued. The difference might not be as pronounced on your 6 bulb setup though. Also, I believe the KZ bulb puts out a little more PAR. I'm now using the Fiji Purple. HTH.
Click to expand...
Hey, Thanks. Wilmington, huh?
 
PGUY1 said:
On the GFCI question, I tried to find a GFCI that tripped at higher than 4-6 millamps. I even tried an electrical supplier that supplied hospital equipment to no avail. I said hell with it and just swapped my 1 gang outlet for a 2 gang outlet and run everything on a GFCI except the lights which run on the other outlet that is not in series with the GFCI. The T5 ballasts have leakage voltage at start up that kept throwing my GFCI, I have been told by the suppliers that it is just the nature of the ballast. It wouldn't happen every day either, just every once and a while. I can't handle that kind of stress.
Click to expand...

Thanks for helping me wrap my head around this! I'll take your advice and get the electrician to install a 2 gang box with a GFCI and regular outlet. This hobby has to complicate everything! haha

Cheers
 
Keep in mind I am not an electrician(my legal disclaimer), but that is the only solution I could come up with after much effort. I also put one of those covered external 2 gang boxes on the outlet. A real electrician needs to chime in. I've always wondered how quick the ballast would cut out if there was a short to ground...yikes.
 
grim and others,
i have a 75 gallon predator with a lion right now but will have a grouper to.i am going to be mostly be putting zoos and some hard corals in there maybe a clam.it is 15in from my sandbed to the water surface.i was trying to save alittle money and wanted to know what ya think of the wavepoint 4bulb t5ho?will it be good enough to hold those things and what would be a good bulb combo for growth and color of my fish and corals?
 
Ok - new bulbs are installed and I'm very pleased with color.

I'm overdriving four bulbs and have four regular wattage.

I can touch all eight bulbs on the label end where I'm cooling - they are warm, but are not even close to hot. Am I cooling sufficiently? NO 54w bulbs and the OD 85w bulbs are about the same temp - feeling wise.
 
LCDRDATA said:
Grim -

I have a 75-gallon reef tank with a mix of LPS, SPS, zoas and 'shrooms. My light is an eight-lamp unit (48" 54W) with two switches - the four outside lamps are on one switch and the four center are on the other. However they're all on the same circuit, which means I can only put one set on a timer (by leaving the switch "on" constantly) and the other is effectively manual. I have the outside group set to come on with the timer at 10 am and the inside is manual; unfortunately the second switch often waits until I get home from work at about 6:00 pm and turn it on and then all eight lamps go off together (on the timer) at 10 pm. To make up the difference I leave the outside switch in the "on" position once or twice a week so all eight lamps run the full 12 hours the following day.

Here is my current lighting scheme, which is close to (but not exactly) what you recommended when I discussed this with you previously last December:

[Front to back]
ATI Blue Plus (12 hours/day)
KZ Fiji Purple (12 hours/day)
TRU actinic (4-8 hours/day)
TRU 10k (4-8 hours/day)
TRU actinic (4-8 hours/day)
GE 6500k (4-8 hours/day)
ATI Blue Plus (12 hours/day)
ATI "true actinic" (12 hours/day)

It's time to replace the inner group (4-8 hour/day). Per your previous recommendations, I plan to put the new lamps in the outside positions so the increased PAR doesn't shock the tank, and rotate the four outside bulbs to the center. The one variable in this scheme would be the GE 6500k, which is 6-8 months newer than the other three "interior" bulbs.

I already have one new "true actinic" bulb, so I need to purchase three additional bulbs (or two, if you think I should keep the 6500k, which presumably would remain in the center section). I should probably note that the current setup is a bit too blue, appearance-wise, when only the exerior set is on, although everything in the tank has done well with this lighting scheme. What would you recommend, and what should the final sequence be? Thanks again! :wavehand:
Click to expand...

Grim? - Anyone else?
 
grim,

thanks for all your help. I think i've got the answer but just wanted to check.

getting a sp 6 x 80 setup for my 180 (standard 72 x 24 x 24). really liked the look of 10K XM MH + VHO actinics before and was thinking of the following bulb combo.

3 blue +
2 aquablue special
1 fiji purple

sound good or would you do something different? tank will be mixed, with about 50/50 sps vs lps. no maxima or crocea in the main display, most of the sps at least halfway up.
 
duastina said:
What makes the ATI so much better?
Click to expand...


I haven't read too many great things about the new Icecap fixtures. A local guy bought one but didn't love it. He said it wasn't even close to an ATI.

ATI's use proper ballasts, have the best reflectors on the market and use proper cooling. Combine all that with good bulbs, and you have the best fixture on the market.
 
Hey grim,
Im planning on putting a 6 bulb fix on my 40 breeder and i was wondering if i should follow your recommendations for the 6 bulb set up at the beginning of the page.
 
roni said:
grim,

thanks for all your help. I think i've got the answer but just wanted to check.

getting a sp 6 x 80 setup for my 180 (standard 72 x 24 x 24). really liked the look of 10K XM MH + VHO actinics before and was thinking of the following bulb combo.

3 blue +
2 aquablue special
1 fiji purple

sound good or would you do something different? tank will be mixed, with about 50/50 sps vs lps. no maxima or crocea in the main display, most of the sps at least halfway up.
Click to expand...

would you guys go with an 8 bulb pm? i'd like to keep the cost down if possible but don't want to look back and regret a purchase.
 
roni said:
grim,

thanks for all your help. I think i've got the answer but just wanted to check.

getting a sp 6 x 80 setup for my 180 (standard 72 x 24 x 24). really liked the look of 10K XM MH + VHO actinics before and was thinking of the following bulb combo.

3 blue +
2 aquablue special
1 fiji purple

sound good or would you do something different? tank will be mixed, with about 50/50 sps vs lps. no maxima or crocea in the main display, most of the sps at least halfway up.
Click to expand...

You could definitely get by with a 6 bulb Sunpower but be very aware that you will have to place things properly. I think a 6 bulb SP is like 13" front to back. That leaves almost 6 inches on each side of the tank with no bulbs.

In all honesty, an 8 bulb PM might be overkill but nothing a few actinics can't take care of.

Honestly both scenarios have pros and cons. Is the PM price worth it? Can you live with having to be very specific on where things get placed with the SP?
 
ryan, thanks...that's kinda what i'm worried about. i generally leave the front 3-6" of the tank open in most areas (other then polyps, ricordia, and lower light LPS. however, the back of the tank could be a problem. how much light goes to the areas not directly below the bulbs?

wish there was a 8 bulb sp :)
 
Ok grim, i was all sold on the 36" 6x39w Tek Elite fixture..... But the more im looking at the ATI Sunpower in 4x39" fixture, i don't know which one i should get. Its for a 46 bowfront. There is only like $50 difference in the two, but the tek has 2 extra bulbs. I know the 6 bulb tek will hang over the edges of my bowfront, but i can live with that. Which one would you go with if you were in my position? Also, could you give me a recomendation on bulbs for great growth and good color also? I do want to keep some SPS, but mostly LPS.
 
also, is there anything wrong with going with 2 4 x 80 sp versus 1 8 x 80 pm on the 180 (24"). looks like each fixture is 9.4" which means that if i leave about 1" between, that would cover about 20" with 2" front and back not directly covered.

cost is about 200 less, though i worry about only 1 fan per fixture versus 4 for the pm.
 
Quick question. On my new tank build (48x24x22) I will have a Sunpower 6x39. How high would you recommend hanging it over the water? This will be 70% SPS top and midddle / 30% LPS on sides and bottom.

here are my planned bulb placements.

front:
Ati Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
KZ Super Blue
GE Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
KZ Super Blue
back:

Oh, And how many hours would you recommend to run them?

Thanks alot,
-Mike :thumbsup:
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

Dr. Reef
XMAS Sale @ Dr. Reef's
Replies
0
Views
134
Dr. Reef
Dr. Reef
Dr. Reef
Dr. Reef's XMAS Sale
Replies
0
Views
315
Dr. Reef
Dr. Reef
Dr. Reef
Affordable Aquaria by Dr. Reefs Black Friday Sale
Replies
0
Views
103
Dr. Reef
Dr. Reef
Guygettnby
Stuck between 2 skimmers...
Replies
12
Views
1K
Guygettnby
Guygettnby
J
I finally "like" this hobby
Replies
5
Views
265
Guygettnby
Guygettnby
Back
Top