The T5 Q&a Thread

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<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6419720#post6419720 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 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.
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well i plan on upgrading to a 6' tank in the future, so i would need 2 3' teks for that. As for the price, could you link me up? I couldnt find what you were referring to
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6418788#post6418788 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 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?
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Blueplus.
 
Ok lets try this again... lol

it looks like your the resident expert here.... im brand spanking new to this site and am looking for some info or advice...

i am thinking of starting a 55 gal or a 75 gal.... and don't need advice yet on the tank size.... but am looking at this lighting...

http://www.reefgeek.com/products/categories/lighting/104192.html

now what could i expect to grow as far as corals or inverts .....
please use laymans terms for me since im completly new to this saltwater thing lol...... or maybe it would be easier to just tell me what i can't have......which ever way you want to give me the news is fine with me..... i always seem to get half answers on other sites that just leave me confused.....

but maybe its a confusing question. but i try to look and figure it all out myself and there are just so many different corals and inverts i get a headache trying to figure out what i can and cant have....

thanks for your help in advance.... i need alot of it lol.
 
Soft corals, LPS hard corals like Torch and Frogspawn. Montipora SPS hard corals and lower light acros placed up on the rocks, Bulb tipped anemones. I wouldn't try a tank full of high light Acroporas or anemones but most critters will do ok under the lights.
 
i guess i should wait and save up all my questions for one post huh? ok what are acroporas? i can't find them on the sites im looking at
 
Is there a difference in lighting intensity/quality between a Sunlight Supply T5 retro kit vs one of their equivalent fixtures ?
 
About 3 years ago I was at the stage where you were at. I figured I would let you know a few of the mistakes that I made. First of all, that is a good light that you are looking at. I made the mistake of going for coralife PC's for my first light. A dumb mistake. I upgraded to the tek-light 4x54 T5's, and have been quite happy. Make sure you take precautions to keep something in between your saltwater and the light, since the light does not come with a shield. Don't make the mistake of not putting some sort of protection b/w the two (if that is the light that you end up getting).
IMO, the biggest mistake I made was not getting a built-in overflow tank. I decided to save some money in the beginning, and not get an overflow-built tank. Going for an overflow system with sump is vital. It also looks much better than a protein skimmer hanging off the back of the tank, a heater hanging in the tank, etc. Best of luck to you, but I think you are on the right track. Good luck!
 
Grim,

Thanks for all of the info, I have spent the last couple of days reading this thread and it has opened my eyes to the benefits of T-5 lighting. I don't think I would have considered it otherwise - but then again ignorance can be bliss....

Since I am setting up a reef for the first time I would like to add some T5s to my setup. I had already purchased some lights (Coralife 2x96W PC retros) prior to reading up on T5 and I was thinking of just adding 2 T5 retros to the current PCs. I have a AGA 65g so it is 24" deep, 18" wide and the canopy allows the lights to sit about 4-5" from the water surface. The sandbed is around 3" deep. I would like to keep a mix of corals, and eventually try a few SPS.

Question is this, should I keep the PC's and just add the 2 T5s or would this look strange/be a waste of money? It seems that some on this thread have had problems with T5s being too strong for some corals. So if I had the PCs in the front of the tank and the T5s in the rear of the tank (where the LR is higher) would this be the best of both worlds? I could keep a few SPS on the high points in the rear and the softies in the front of the tank. Wouldn't the following setup be ideal:

Front

96W PC Actinic
96W PC 10k
39W T5 Aqua Blue or GE Daylight
39W T5 Blue+

Back

Final question, if this setup would work, should the T5s be overdriven to support SPS? Should I try to shoehorn a third T5 in the back?

Thanks
 
Hey Drunken,youd be alot happier if yes, you did add 2 more. So happy I bet to see you in the seller forum soon sellling your PC setup :pSo you can replace em all with T5:D

With a 2ft deep tank youd be way better off keeping corals on your sandbed opposed to PC,and if you want to start it slowly I agree with your own suggestion of keeping the PC's configed with the highest points of your liverock,and the T5 over the deeper parts of tank.

Honestly though I think the T5's will just over power the PC's and if your only going with 2 do yourself a favor and get yourself a blue+(actinic+) bulb and an 11k(40/60).Let us know what you think after you flick the switch as Im sure theres quite a few PC users reading this thread just wondering...;)

Thought Id let grims' fingers take a break:D

-Justin
 
Well looks like this threads major contributor has been banned for whatever reason which is too bad he was an amazing guy with a true passion for the hobby and a willingness to help others

hopefully everyone who has learned from grim on this thread will continue in assisting with answering new questions

and wow i cant believe i started a thread that split i know i am not a major helper in this thread but theres some weird feeling of satisfaction from seeing your thread get huge and every other website u visit points to your thread as teh definitive q&a for t5's
 
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