The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

Hello again Grim, The time of year has come for me to replace my 54w t5 bulbs. I have an 8' 300 gallon tank with 8 t5 bulbs 4 over each side powered by 2 - IceCap 660's. Last year I took your suggestions and went with.....

--------------ati blue plus ----------------------ati blue plus
--------------ati blue plus ----------------------ati blue plus
--------------6500k GE ---------------------- 6500k GE
--------------ati blue plus ----------------------ati blue plus

I only have softies and a couple SPS I just put in to see how they would do...They are growing....What do you suggest for this year?

Maybe swap the Ge's for a ATI Purple Plus.

 

[RBU1]

Maybe swap the Ge's for a ATI Purple Plus.

Thanks again sir....Will do!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I saw a thread long time ago on lots of differnet fixtures and par values, but I can't find it anymore. Is there any recent one that compares PAR of both sunlight supply tek and elite vs both sunpower and powermodule?

Thanks,
Steve

Dug this up

Sunpower testing

After 16 hours 375


Tek light

258 after 4 hours

With fan 319

Splash shield and fan 238

Sfigiloi after 4 hours 202. 223 w/ Fan Would probably do a little better with internal fan unit

Aquactinics Constellation 268 w/shield, 289 without shield.

Nova 8x54 174

 

[birdman1979]

Grim,
I read a few posts back that you recommend not using 660 ballasts. Is it ok as long a there is adequate active cooling. My 75 has two vho super actinics powered on vho ballast along with 3 blue plus and on actinic white powered by 660 ballast. the hood is cooled with (4) 4" DC fans in a push - pull configuration. What would be a better set-up in your opinion?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim,
I read a few posts back that you recommend not using 660 ballasts. Is it ok as long a there is adequate active cooling. My 75 has two vho super actinics powered on vho ballast along with 3 blue plus and on actinic white powered by 660 ballast. the hood is cooled with (4) 4" DC fans in a push - pull configuration. What would be a better set-up in your opinion?

It works but unless you have a tank full of acros.....Overkill.

If you hit the western area club forums here and go to the DARC club (Denver area reef club) PM Freddy40 and ask him what he thinks since going from 6 ice cap driven T5's to 4 standard with 3 blue LED tubs over his 75.

 

[travisw30]

Do you have par readings for Hamilton bulbs?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

No PAR reading on hamilton lamps. I never spend my money on equipment there is no chance I will use so I have no data on the budget stuff. Now that I've moved on to LED's I likely wont be testing any more T5 equipment unless I can figure out a way to get paid for it. Gets expensive buying stuff to take up space in the garage and only a few manufacturers are willing to send test samples.

 

[travisw30]

I understand. I was just wondering cause if they are like half the par of ati bulbs I would just replace them all right now.

 

[Hwang]

Is 319 PAR reading for TEK with fan mean a TEK with a fan MODDED into it? or just blowing into the bulbs?

Thanks

 

[dwinter]

Hi Grim, I have a 90g tank with a 6 bulb icecap (aquatinics solar flare). What bulb combo would you recommend for coral growth in a mixed reef?

Thanks

 

[dwinter]

Hi Grim, I have a 90g tank with a 6 bulb icecap (aquatinics solar flare). What bulb combo would you recommend for coral growth in a mixed reef?

Thanks

 

[dwinter]

Hi Grim, I have a 90g tank with a 6 bulb icecap (aquatinics solar flare).
What bulb combo would you recommend for coral growth in a mixed reef 60% LPS 40%SPS, also three calms?

Thanks

 

[dwinter]

sorry for the extra posts, kept saying server disconnected..

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Is 319 PAR reading for TEK with fan mean a TEK with a fan MODDED into it? or just blowing into the bulbs?

Thanks

External fan blowing over the top of the fixture. If you blow air directly at the lamps anywhere but at the ends it hurts output.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hi Grim, I have a 90g tank with a 6 bulb icecap (aquatinics solar flare). What bulb combo would you recommend for coral growth in a mixed reef?

Thanks

4 blue plus, 1 aquablue and 1 purple plus, all ATI Lamps.

 

[cdeboard]

Yo grim.. i saw your general recommendations for a 4 bulb...

After all of my research.. and reading through this thread.. I am thinking

FRONT:
uvl actinic white
ati aquablue
blue+
blue+
BACK
My daylight timer is on spot 1, and 2... and my actinics are on 3,4

This sound good as far as bulbs and placement? I have my finger on the order button lol let me know. Thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Yo grim.. i saw your general recommendations for a 4 bulb...

After all of my research.. and reading through this thread.. I am thinking

FRONT:
uvl actinic white
ati aquablue
blue+
blue+
BACK
My daylight timer is on spot 1, and 2... and my actinics are on 3,4

This sound good as far as bulbs and placement? I have my finger on the order button lol let me know. Thanks

Do this

Blue Plus
Blue Plus
ATI Purple Plus
ATI Aquablue

CHange the timer so the front 2 lamps are dusk dawn

 

[cdeboard]

*ordered* thanks again grim!

 

[gorey]

Hey Grim, I am just about to replace my bulbs. I have a 2 bulb t5 over my 75 with good growth in GSP and zoos. I currently have 1 blue plus and 1 aquablue over it right now. This is what you recommended about 18 months ago, and im very happy with it. Should I go with them again or is there something else you would recommend for more "pop" or color? ( I know Im limited with inly a 2 blub set up) Also if i do the same I was thinking about maybe putting a couple led stunner strips attached to the back side of my fixture for extra light. Would this have any benifit, If so what combo do you think would look best?

Merry Christmas,
Jeff

 

[Reefer08]

I recently bought some T5 UVL Super Actinics for my supplements. For some reason they fire up for a few seconds then the ballast turns off. Ive had no problem running ATI or Gmann actinics, any ideas why UVL are giving me problems? Thanks