The T5 Q&a Thread

[crotchtrout]

Enough Lighting?

Enough Lighting?

Enough Lighting?

I just got 45 gallon cube tank that is 24x24x18. it came with a ice cap 250 watt metal halide and a work horse 5 with two 24 watt actinic. i dont want to deal with the heat and long term cost of metal halides. i can only squeeze in 5 24 watt t5s with reflectors into the canopy. i know i would need a different ballast, a work horse 8.

my question is would 5 24 watt t5s be enough lighting for a mixed reef with a maxima clam?

what type of bulbs?
3 10,000k and 2 actinic.

thanks

 

[goreefers]

Front
Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
Blue Plus
GE Daylight
Blue Plus
Blue Plus

thank you Grim! This is the same bulbs configuration I have now. I want to give the Fiji Purple and ATI Aquablue Special a try, but I don't know how it will look. If I were to get Fiji Purple and ATI Aquablue Special to replace GE Daylight and UVL Actinic White, any suggestions? thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

When was the last time you tested one? There are no spacers under the reflectors which do not touch the ballasts at all. The reflectors have enough space between them and the bulbs. The fans are directly beside the ballasts so that everything is cool to touch. The whole top of the unit has a screen vent. And yes, I can change a 60 inch bulb with ease.
So most, if not, all of your information here is incorrect. Sorry to say but I see a lot of BIAS here that is so obvious.

When was the last time you have tested a unit to say that par is less than a Tek?
I do respect your knowledge when it comes to lights but not all information you do provide to us here has enough back bone. Regards

Been a few months since I did anything with the fixture. It's loaned out at the moment but when it comes back I'd be more than happy to provide pictures of their mickey mouse build if you don't believe me.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

thank you Grim! This is the same bulbs configuration I have now. I want to give the Fiji Purple and ATI Aquablue Special a try, but I don't know how it will look. If I were to get Fiji Purple and ATI Aquablue Special to replace GE Daylight and UVL Actinic White, any suggestions? thanks

Won't make a huge difference. Slightly more blue, still look good.

 

[ebe]

7 bulb recommendation

7 bulb recommendation

I have a newly built DIY hood with 7 54watt T5s. Bulbs in my inventory are 6500K, 10000K and Actinic 03. ( have more of the 6500s than the other bulbs). Also, I have individual ballasts so I can turn them on one at a time. What would be the most efficient and pleasing placement of these bulbs?

Thanks.

 

[Ty1e]

hi everyone, quick question, i'm having a braceless 36"x24"x20"h built this week, i've never used T-5's before and would like to run the ATi PM or something esthetically equal too that. The main question i have is the number of bulb's to use for a 20" deep 90% SPS set up?

any suggestions welcome.

 

[rutz81]

hi everyone, quick question, i'm having a braceless 36"x24"x20"h built this week, i've never used T-5's before and would like to run the ATi PM or something esthetically equal too that. The main question i have is the number of bulb's to use for a 20" deep 90% SPS set up?

any suggestions welcome.

I have a 48 x 30 x 20. I got a 10 bulb Powermodule. It is too much; if I was you I'd go with 6 or, at most 8 bulbs.

 

[Ty1e]

thanks Rutz81, how high off the tank to you hang your fixture?

 

[rutz81]

thanks Rutz81, how high off the tank to you hang your fixture?

At the ungodly height of 10.5"....looks almost ridiculous, and I'm still bleaching some stuff. Anything lower and my PE decreases and corals look VERY unhappy.

 

[Ty1e]

so i'm thinking a 6 bulber would do the trick in the ATi PM, maybe an 8 bulb unit in something not as powerful.

thanks again rutz81.

 

[NaClCrocodile]

I'm getting PAR readings of 250 from my 6x24w ATI PM. Those readings are ~21" down from the light itself, 18" in water. It's a great fixture, you'll be very happy with it.

 

[rutz81]

so i'm thinking a 6 bulber would do the trick in the ATi PM, maybe an 8 bulb unit in something not as powerful.

thanks again rutz81.

:thumbsup:

 

[goreefers]

Won't make a huge difference. Slightly more blue, still look good.

thanks again Grim! I will give it a try then.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

hi everyone, quick question, i'm having a braceless 36"x24"x20"h built this week, i've never used T-5's before and would like to run the ATi PM or something esthetically equal too that. The main question i have is the number of bulb's to use for a 20" deep 90% SPS set up?

any suggestions welcome.

I'd want 8 lamps. 6 will work if your willing to have a empty sandbed at the front

 

[WT_JayJay]

do you guys think 8 36" t5's will be good enough for my 100g cube (36''/36''/18'')

planning on the few sps's i have being up high and im obsessed with lps's so ill have a bunch on the sand bed..

ive thought about getting two icecap 660's for them to get some more par but i think 312 watts will be more than enough. plan on haging the fixture about 12'' above the water.

i just really dont wana go halides. had bad experiances in the past and im cheap with the ac in the summer so the house doesnt go below 78*... lol i like fans

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I have a newly built DIY hood with 7 54watt T5s. Bulbs in my inventory are 6500K, 10000K and Actinic 03. ( have more of the 6500s than the other bulbs). Also, I have individual ballasts so I can turn them on one at a time. What would be the most efficient and pleasing placement of these bulbs?

Thanks.

You really want blue lamps. With what you have I'd throw 5 10K's and 2 actinics in.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

so i'm thinking a 6 bulber would do the trick in the ATi PM, maybe an 8 bulb unit in something not as powerful.

thanks again rutz81.

I'd look for 8 lamps in something else but I am not sure there are any other options for a 8 lamp fixture that isn't 54 watt lamps. You may have to use 2 4 lamp fixtures, Teks would work. That or use a couple Actinics in the 8 lamp Powermodule.

 

[Ty1e]

I'd want 8 lamps. 6 will work if your willing to have a empty sandbed at the front

sounds good Grim, thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

do you guys think 8 36" t5's will be good enough for my 100g cube (36''/36''/18'')

planning on the few sps's i have being up high and im obsessed with lps's so ill have a bunch on the sand bed..

ive thought about getting two icecap 660's for them to get some more par but i think 312 watts will be more than enough. plan on haging the fixture about 12'' above the water.

i just really dont wana go halides. had bad experiances in the past and im cheap with the ac in the summer so the house doesnt go below 78*... lol i like fans

Be fine and at 18" tall you wont need to overdrive them either so stick with standard ballasts.

 

[Ty1e]

I'd look for 8 lamps in something else but I am not sure there are any other options for a 8 lamp fixture that isn't 54 watt lamps. You may have to use 2 4 lamp fixtures, Teks would work. That or use a couple Actinics in the 8 lamp Powermodule.

I'm sure i'll end up with the 8 lamp PM, just lift it a little higher and like you said run some actinics, hopefully its not to blue or violet.