The T5 Q&a Thread

[Double-J]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7457942#post7457942 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
T5's are not a really good choice for a cube because of the number of lamps needed but here goes.

Run retro fits. If you can get them I would use Aqualux.com computer designed reflectors. If not I would get a Tek retro from reefgeek and upgrade to Ice Cap reflectors. I would run 6 lamps, 4 actinic plus and 2 aquablues. That should give you a 20K look and blast the colors pretty good.

Do the Tek Ballast overdrive the bulb?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I am not going to jump on the URI/UV lighting bandwagon until the lamps are proven. The Aquaz are not a bad looking lamp although they do put out the PAR the D&D lamps do, about 5% less as I remember. I do think I would have stuck with 2 rows of suns rather than 3.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7458033#post7458033 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tinytool
Do the Tek Ballast overdrive the bulb?

No, if you want lps and softies there is no reason to overdrive the lamps.

 

[Double-J]

Thanks Grim

 

[Newflavor]

thanks grim

 

[Newflavor]

Just out of curiosity. I know now that a none one reflector per bulb is no good but can you guys explain really how much loss you will get having just one reflector for like 4 or 6 bulbs? I just want to get a better in depth understanding..

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Because they are parabolic the individual reflectors utalize most of the light produced by the lamps. They minimize restrike (light reflected back through the lamp) and focus the light into the tank where you need it.

The single reflector systems do not focus the light in a particular direction and do nothing to preven't restrike. The good reflectors will nearly double the intensity of the light making it into the tank.

 

[wedge6419]

what if you were to put a strip of foil tape down the top of the tube, wouldn't it stop the light from going out the top of the bulb and act as a reflector?

 

[v8maro]

in a 40g, 36x12x18 can i keep sps? clams? do they need to be near the top?

Also, since i've installed the light, some of my coralin algea has turned white, is it bleaching? However, none of my corals are bothered.

 

[horkn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7461336#post7461336 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by v8maro
in a 40g, 36x12x18 can i keep sps? clams? do they need to be near the top?

Also, since i've installed the light, some of my coralin algea has turned white, is it bleaching? However, none of my corals are bothered.

how many bulbs are you running? and what bulbs and ballasts, as well as what reflectors?

i have many sps and a clam in my 35g with very similar dimensions as your 40g (mines 35) with 3x39 w of t5ho with 2 ati blues and 1 ge day bulb.

I have most of my sps at the top, but some are at the bottom and are doing very well there. also, my squamosa clam is very happy on the substrate

 

[yoboyjdizz]

how tall of a tank is too tall for t-5 lighting?

 

[horkn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7461683#post7461683 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by yoboyjdizz
how tall of a tank is too tall for t-5 lighting?

i really dont think any commercially made tank is too tall. how tall are you talking?

 

[yoboyjdizz]

30inches

 

[horkn]

no problem, just use Icecap reflectors and you will be fine. if you want , you could overdrive the t5s with an IC ballast, but i really dont think that is necessary.


when i set up my 90 (24" tall) i wouldnt do more than 6x54 normally driven with IC reflectors.. well, if i were only lighting it with t5ho...

many on RC have 6x54 of t5ho on thier 90s, and it works quite well.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7461254#post7461254 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wedge6419
what if you were to put a strip of foil tape down the top of the tube, wouldn't it stop the light from going out the top of the bulb and act as a reflector?

No, once the uv light strikes the phosphores the energy is expelled, the light would exit the lamp and strike the foil which isn't a great reflector and travel back through the lamp. You lose some due to the poor reflective properties of the foil and even more as the light passes through the glass lamp tube. With a good reflector the majority of the light leaving the top part of the lamp is reflected back down to the tank without passing back through the lamp.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7461700#post7461700 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by yoboyjdizz
30inches

Depends on what you want to raise. If you are content with lower light critters in the lower half of the tank running as many lamps as you can fit over the tank will be fine. If you want high light critters anywhere but the upper part of the tank you would want to overdrive them.

 

[yoboyjdizz]

i was thinking like 8-10 60watt with individual reflectors keeping soft corals and lps maybe some sps higher up no clams mainly going to focus on the fish.

 

[yoboyjdizz]

i mean the 60inch 80 watt lamps, was thinking on three 250watt halides but thinking t-5's might be better heat wise and cost wise and better overall looking?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

You should be ducky on regular ballasts but I would go with the better reflectors.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

60" lamps you cant get Ice Cap reflectors (yet) but you should still be fine with the Tek units.