The T5 Q&a Thread

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Hey Grim, I am getting ready to build a custom canopy for my 90g Aqueon tank. The tank dimensions are 48"x18"x24". I am now looking at buying a TEK 2 T5 retro kit, 6 lamps in total, and I'm thinking about going with 36" lamps and reflectors instead of a 48".
Will I be ok with the 36" lamps? Also, if I decide to go another route, would a ATI SunPower fixture be ok installed into a canopy?

Thanks inadvance
 
Rembee said:
Hey Grim, I am getting ready to build a custom canopy for my 90g Aqueon tank. The tank dimensions are 48"x18"x24". I am now looking at buying a TEK 2 T5 retro kit, 6 lamps in total, and I'm thinking about going with 36" lamps and reflectors instead of a 48".
Will I be ok with the 36" lamps? Also, if I decide to go another route, would a ATI SunPower fixture be ok installed into a canopy?

Thanks inadvance
Click to expand...

A 36" sunpower would be fine in the canopy provided you can cut a vent hole in the top above the fan so it can draw in fresh air. If you go with a retro I would use LET retros from Reefgeek.
 
Well I have a 6bulb t5 fixture and I am looking for a 14-20k look that wont make anything look washed out. What bulbs would you recommend for that setup?
 
The Grim Reefer said:
A 36" sunpower would be fine in the canopy provided you can cut a vent hole in the top above the fan so it can draw in fresh air. If you go with a retro I would use LET retros from Reefgeek.
Click to expand...

Thanks Grim,
I have decided to go with the LET retro's from ReefGeek. Now...should I go with
6 -36" lamps or 6 - 48" lamps for my 90 gal.?
 
When I turn my return pump back on both of my ice caps kick off. If I turn one of the ice caps off while I power the pump back on and then turn it back on after the pump is going everything runs fine. I've never blown the breaker outside. Maybe if I get an extra dc8 for my ac jr and run it off a separate outlet I won't have the issue. Any thoughts?
 
4tangs said:
When I turn my return pump back on both of my ice caps kick off. If I turn one of the ice caps off while I power the pump back on and then turn it back on after the pump is going everything runs fine. I've never blown the breaker outside. Maybe if I get an extra dc8 for my ac jr and run it off a separate outlet I won't have the issue. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...

Sounds like you are trying to pull more amps than the system can handle. Upon start up, the amp load can be much greater.

What type of return pump are you using? How many amps is it rated?
 
4tangs said:
When I turn my return pump back on both of my ice caps kick off. If I turn one of the ice caps off while I power the pump back on and then turn it back on after the pump is going everything runs fine. I've never blown the breaker outside. Maybe if I get an extra dc8 for my ac jr and run it off a separate outlet I won't have the issue. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...

Sounds like you ****ed off the reefing god of futility. For a bottle of scotch I'll will exercise the bad ju ju from your system.

Do the ballasts shut down or is the the Neptune? Could be too many amps for the dc8. If you are within the amp rating then check wall voltage as the pump comes on. Could be you have more amps on that circuit than it can handle. That usually happens when someone throws a 20 amp breaker on a 15 amp circuit cause they are tired of flipping the breaker.
 
Grim, interesting question:

Should I replace the actinic bulbs as often as I do with the other "regular" bulbs, or actinics don't lose their spectrum over time until they burn out?..
 
How does this bulb setup look regarding placement of bulbs from front to back. I am not sure how people usually designate which bulbs to place in what position.

Front:
ATI Blue +
ATI Blue +
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Aquablue special
ATI Blue +
ATI Blue +

Thanks much!
 
hey grim im about to purchase a ati 48 inch 6 bulb fixture i was wondering what light set up you would recommend rite now i have a 90g with mainly lps but will eventually turn it into a sps tank you think this light will be too much for the 90 and i was wondering would you think adding a red bulb in the combo will help with color pop ?
 
palyam said:
Grim, interesting question:

Should I replace the actinic bulbs as often as I do with the other "regular" bulbs, or actinics don't lose their spectrum over time until they burn out?..
Click to expand...

Actinics actually lose their spectrum and PAR the fastest. They should be replaced more often than other bulbs.

Switch them out for an ATI Blue Plus. More PAR and plenty of actinic pop still.
 
mightymizz said:
How does this bulb setup look regarding placement of bulbs from front to back. I am not sure how people usually designate which bulbs to place in what position.

Front:
ATI Blue +
ATI Blue +
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Aquablue special
ATI Blue +
ATI Blue +

Thanks much!
Click to expand...


Looks good but switch the second ATI Blue Plus with the Fiji Purple.
 
lordmbsa said:
hey grim im about to purchase a ati 48 inch 6 bulb fixture i was wondering what light set up you would recommend rite now i have a 90g with mainly lps but will eventually turn it into a sps tank you think this light will be too much for the 90 and i was wondering would you think adding a red bulb in the combo will help with color pop ?
Click to expand...

4 ATI Blue Plus, 1 GE6500k and 1 ATI Purple Plus
 
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