The T5 Q&a Thread

[yoboyjdizz]

so you think the t-5 will be just as good as the 250watt halides? and how many do i need?

 

[yoboyjdizz]

what would be better 10 39watt bulbs in the ice cap reflectors or 8-10 80watt bulbs in the sunlight supply relfectors i don't see 60inch ice cap reflectors?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Normally driven with Tek reflectors they will be somewhere between 175 and 250's. Use one lamp per 3" of front to back depth (8 lamps for 24" 10 for 30") You might be better off overdriving and just use fewer lamps. Overdriven you could go 1 lamp per 4" and end up with a little better intensity.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7461892#post7461892 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by yoboyjdizz
what would be better 10 39watt bulbs in the ice cap reflectors or 8-10 80watt bulbs in the sunlight supply relfectors i don't see 60inch ice cap reflectors?

You could use 2 3 foot IC reflectors to make 1 for a 60" lamp. Be a little pricey but a good investment IMO.

There is an option C. Run 54 watt lamps staggered end to end. Assuming the tank is 6 feet long the center 3 feet would have high intensity and the ends would be lower.

 

[yoboyjdizz]

how would i go about to make sure they are overdriven?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Ice Cap ballasts. A 660 will run 3 80 watt lamps or 4 54 watt lamps. They increase the output on 54 watt lamps by 35%, the 80 watt lamps are not overdriven as far, probably around 20% or so

 

[yoboyjdizz]

thats for your help grim. So either route if i went t-5's any advantages over using the three 250w halides?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Just heat. If you normally drive the lamps you would save on power (640 watts for 8 T5's vs. 750~1000 for 3 250 watt halides plus any power for supplimental lighting)

 

[v8maro]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7461676#post7461676 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by horkn
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

sorry my light setup is a Tek T5 4x39w, 2 blue+ and 2 11k aqua blue +
I'm running the stock ballasts, and whatever reflectors that came with it. So i'm good for SPS on light? Now I just need flow? hehe

 

[horkn]

yep, you are good for light v8

 

[v8maro]

sweet sounds good. Also, my other question.

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

 

[horkn]

yeah, its normal..

myslef, and a few others have noted this as well.....

i think its due to the ge light personally, having too much light PAR.

are you running a GE?

i will be swapping mine out soon, its just too bright

 

[Fliger]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7462481#post7462481 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by v8maro
sorry my light setup is a Tek T5 4x39w, 2 blue+ and 2 11k aqua blue +
I'm running the stock ballasts, and whatever reflectors that came with it. So i'm good for SPS on light? Now I just need flow? hehe

v8, you are good - but if you wanna be REALLY good you can always try this ...

 

[Rogger Castells]

Thanks for the help guys, I will be ordering my lights this week.

 

[v8maro]

icecap 660? I'll do that if I have problems with the current setup and not enough color/growth.

edit: can that icecap 660 go back inside the fixture? or does it have to be externally mounted?

 

[v8maro]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7464127#post7464127 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by horkn
yeah, its normal..

myslef, and a few others have noted this as well.....

i think its due to the ge light personally, having too much light PAR.

are you running a GE?

i will be swapping mine out soon, its just too bright

GE as in brand? These are the lights i got from reefgeek
2 -- Giesemann 39W 11000K Aquablue Plus T5 HO Fluorescent
2 -- Giesemann 39W Actinic/Blue Plus T5 HO Fluorescent

 

[Labman48076]

Re: Light Advice

Re: Light Advice

I was mistaken I thought I had the fallowing
6 39W Aquaz Sun Pro
4 39W Aquaz Ocean Pro
4 39W Aquaz Blue Pro Actinic

this is what I have

Ok double checked this

4 39W Aquaz Sun Pro
6 39W Aquaz Ocean Pro
4 39W Aquaz Blue Pro Actinic


so now how do I look I am tryig to hae the best varaity of lights under T5 to grow the widest amount of corals most corals seem to like or seem to be doing great under the t5 the worst though is my Superman Monti is anybody doing good with it I moved the location higher and with more light hoping it will come back.. I can post pics if it help. also what would you recommend for the tank I start and end the with the Actinic then fire the ocean then the sun. how many hours etc for each I am still new to the t5 and info is limited a great advantage to RC

 

[CamBarr]

would a 4 X 39 watt sls support sps and clams in a 40 r
36 x 15 x 17

 

[horkn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7464661#post7464661 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by v8maro
GE as in brand? These are the lights i got from reefgeek
2 -- Giesemann 39W 11000K Aquablue Plus T5 HO Fluorescent
2 -- Giesemann 39W Actinic/Blue Plus T5 HO Fluorescent

yeah, i meant GE 6500k daylight bulb. its the highest PAR rating t5ho bulb yet, and its really bright. Even having 2 ati blues still doesnt make the tank quite blue enough for me.

and some of my softies dont really seem to like the bright light

but i see you are doing the 50/50 aquablue/ blue+ setup and still have coralline bleaching....

mine still grows, but is light pink, not purple. maybe an actinic in the place of an aquablue will help in your situation?

 

[horkn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7466483#post7466483 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by CamBarr
would a 4 X 39 watt sls support sps and clams in a 40 r
36 x 15 x 17

yep, in my 3 foot 35g of very close dimensions to your 40g, i support a clam and many sps with only 3x39 of t5ho