The T5 Q&a Thread

[JohnL]

This thread was automatically split due to performance issues. You can find the rest of the thread here: http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?postid=6405470#post64054700

 

[charlesjordanjr]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6403813#post6403813 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Giz
Is there anyone that you know of using 3 blue+? Is there a way to run the T5s to give the output of pcs? I'm sort of at a loss. I've had most of my zoos for a month and a half and only showed very slight improvement in coloration when when raising the lights from 5'' to 7''. How high can I raise the lights?

My configuration has three blue+ and is as follows:

Blueplus
Aquablue
GE Daylight
Blueplus
Aquablue
Blueplus

My zoos look better than ever. The colors really pop! The lights are 3" off of the water's surface. Did you acclimate the corals to the new lighting with layers of screen?
-Chuck

 

[w.a.c.]

ok being new to t5's and haveing just ordered a 4x39 hood for a 40 gallon breeder I have to ask I hear everyone talking about useing screens when going from pc'sto t5's are we talking regular window screens or what have to admit i'm A little nerves about this change thank's Bill

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Fiberglass window screen. Should be at HD or lowes.

 

[Hobster]

How many T5's would be be good for a 29 gal tank? 30" wide.
This would be a retro to fit in the canopy.

Thanks.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

2 or 3 in the 29 depending what you want to raise.

 

[Hobster]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6407596#post6407596 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
2 or 3 in the 29 depending what you want to raise.

Thanks!. Is there a way to "guesstimate" the wattage of T5's per gal as is often done with other lighting? The old 5 w per gal which gives a rough estimate depending on depth of the tank and if sps vs softies.

So in a 29, you think 2 x 24w would be enough for soft coralsand 3 x 24 for sps?

For the price, $160. I might just go with this 4 bulb unit.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=12772&N=2004+113175

 

[The Grim Reefer]

That unit doesn't use parabolic reflectors. 4 lamps in there would be about the same as a 2 lamp Tek unit.

 

[REMF]

Hobster you are about the third person asking about that light in the last 3 days. Trust Grim you want the individual reflectors but here is a cool mod for it, you will have to do the math and shopping to see if you will save any $ doing it like that or a tek. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=738984 and in that thread I even asked mmoore0803 about his light output even though I knew it was significant.

 

[jdellman]

Grim,

Thank you for all the information, and for answering the same questions over and over.

I am a newbie planning a reef tank, a 120 gallon, 48" x 24" x 24" and eventually would like to be able to keep anything . The only limitation I have is that I want to keep the lights under a canopy.

Since I am buying everything new and have the flexibility now, what is your suggestion for type, brand, etc.? I have read many, many posts, and seem to be going back and forth based on different points made, and am ready to just be done with it and buy something. So, any advise from the expert would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Jim

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Your best shot for under a canopy would be T5's. You could either go with a Tek 8x54 watt system or get a 4x54 Ice Cap system with aquablue lamps and a 2x54 Tek system for Actinicplus lamps. You should run a couple of fans to keep the lamps cooler.

 

[Hobster]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6408313#post6408313 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by REMF
Hobster you are about the third person asking about that light in the last 3 days. Trust Grim you want the individual reflectors but here is a cool mod for it, you will have to do the math and shopping to see if you will save any $ doing it like that or a tek. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=738984 and in that thread I even asked mmoore0803 about his light output even though I knew it was significant.

The unit in that thread is a Finnex. Similar to the Current Nova Extreme.
The Nova does have a parabolic reflector which appears to be only one for all 4 bulbs. Not the individual ones as in the TeK. Could do the (reflector) mod for $68 and Champion has it on sale for $149, so around $217 with fan, splash guard and moon lights.

hmmmm.

 

[jdellman]

Thanks for the advice Grim. How about a few additional questions-

I'm curious why you recommended a 4x54 system and a 2x54 system for Ice Cap instead of a 6x54 system? My guess is flexibility down the road?

Also, why the 8 bulbs in the Tek 8x54 and the total of 6 in the Ice Cap?

Final easy question- How easy are the retro kits to wire for someone who is pretty clueless?

I appreciate the help.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

The 4 lamps would be overdriven. The 2 lamps with the blueplus would be regularly driven. The bluepluses look nearly white overdriven so I am thinking run them normally driven for the looks and let the 4 aquablues do the work.

 

[mmoore0803]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6412195#post6412195 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Hobster
The unit in that thread is a Finnex. Similar to the Current Nova Extreme.
The Nova does have a parabolic reflector which appears to be only one for all 4 bulbs. Not the individual ones as in the TeK. Could do the (reflector) mod for $68 and Champion has it on sale for $149, so around $217 with fan, splash guard and moon lights.

hmmmm.

Yup.....real easy and will save you some $$$

 

[beto72]

Hi Grim,

Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢m currently running 4 54w T-5s and 2 110w VHO actinics on my 180 g (72x24x24). They are all running on Ice Caps. It is time to replace the bulbs. I was thinking of switching out the VHOs for another 4 T-5s. Would this be an improvement? If so, what bulb combination would you suggest?

Thanks!

Alberto

 

[The Grim Reefer]

It would be an improvement in PAR but you might not like the actinic effect as much. What you could do is run 4 aquablue T5's on one ballast, 2 blueplus T5's and 2 VHO actinics on the other (yes you can run both on the ballast at the same time)

 

[Giz]

Hey, Grim.

If I were to remove one of the reflectors on my4x39T5 tek retro, which bulb should I remove it from, one of the aquablues or or one of the blue+ and still get decent growth?

 

[v8maro]

i'm planning on buying a 36" t5 tek 6x39w light for my 36" long, 12" wide tank. What bulb configuration should I go with?

Also, the tek hood measures @ 15"'s, but how wide are the actual lights? I was hoping for 12"'s or less.

 

[Chuck H.]

The measurement for the Acrylic Shield on Reefgeek's website is 11 3/4" wide for the 6 bulb 36" Tek. So all 6 bulbs should be over a 12" wide tank, with 1 1/2" of fixture hanging over the front and back sides. Do you plan on using the 6 bulb Tek for a larger tank someday? If not, why not go with the 4 bulb Tek, might look a little nicer. Just a thought. By the way, if you have not ordered yet, me 36" 6 bulb Tek just arrived yesterday. I ordered it from ebay's Reef Superstore. Check the vendor forum for what I paid.