The T5 Q&a Thread

[horkn]

Re: T5's

Re: T5's

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7471031#post7471031 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Shark Keeper
Grim & Horkn,

I am doing a T5 and MH for a 55 gallon tank. I have a 250 MH and 2 54w actinic T5's 48". How high should the T5's be? Does it matter since they are actinic suppliments? Do you think I will have low light spots at either end?

Your thoughts will help......

it will not matter how high they are if you are using the t5s as a purely supplemental light.

but if you plan on using t5s as a main source of light when the halides are not on (i will do this by running a 250 DE MH for 5-6 hours and the t5s on for more hours) then the closer the better, but 6" is fine so you can at least work on the tank without raising the lights.

 

[horkn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7471411#post7471411 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RobR
Thanks Grim for the quick reply. Any problems with a workhorse 5 powering 4 24s?

nope.

i have 18 months powering my 3x39w t5ho retro on the original bulbs witha w5. not one issue yet.

 

[Rogger Castells]

Horkn or Grim, as far of full t5's canopy, is there any other brand other than tek that you will recommend? I am looking for two set ups a 4x24 and a 6x48" Let me know, Thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

For retros Tek and Ice Cap are about the only ones worth a darn for now. Full hoods Aquactinics has a nice one too.

 

[RobR]

Thanks guys for the help it sounds like the right setup for me.

 

[horkn]

yep, aquactinics has a nice t5ho hood as well as the tek. beyond that there isnt anything other than the new wave, which is a tek, without the nice case. i do hear ati will be bringing their t5ho hoods here eventually

 

[Rogger Castells]

Thanks guys, this info narrows down my search, excellent!

 

[Justin74]

New T5 Endcaps!!

New T5 Endcaps!!

Just finnished buying 6 pair for a lil over 50$!!No standoffs required!!I am sooo stoked

Hamilton Technology

-Justin

 

[Tiger3147]

anyone ever use ballast from ballastwise i doubt they would work but obviously a good price heh.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Look at the spec sheet on the ballastwise universal 54 watt ballasts, the more expensive ones. They have all the right features. The others are no better than Workhorses.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Look at the spec sheet on the ballastwise universal 54 watt ballasts, the more expensive ones. They have all the right features. The others are no better than Workhorses.

 

[horkn]

i know that workhorse ballast work just fine.

 

[scarletknight06]

are the geisseman bulbs that reefgeek sells the same as the ati/d&d bulbs you get from premium aquatics? I think I remember reading that, but I wanted to check.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Geis and D&D lamps are the same. ATI is marketing a new series of lamps now, got some on the way to play with.

 

[snaza]

QUESTION FOR HORKN AND GRIM but anyone else is welcome to comment.

i'm setting up my first reef tank and am going with T5's. i was going to get a 48x20x20 which is about 80G but now i was thinking maybe 48x24x24. i'll be using a deep sand bed of about 5 inchs so with the 24 deep would only be 19 inch of water. anyway i want to keep rics and zoos but also try a few SPS up the very top like the NEW TOTM. i know with SPS i should have lots of light but rics and zoo's dont need so much. would 4x54W with IC reflectors be ok for the 48x20x20? how about the 48x24x24? i know i really should have 6 bulbs but its not a SPS tank just wanted to try a couple of sps frags up the top. i just wanted a bit bigger room so it doesn't look so cluttered. i want about 4 inches of free sand(no rocks or corals) in the front of the tank so i the T5's would be all up the back of the tank. I'm trying to keep yearly costs down so would rather replace 4 than 6 bulbs. would 6 bulbs be to much for the zoos and rics?

THANKS IN ADVANCE

 

[The Grim Reefer]

As long as your careful about coral placement 4 lamps will likely do the trick.

 

[PrangeWay]

Fiddling with Lighting

Fiddling with Lighting

I currently run a 250W XM & 2 96W Uri R's 10" over a 40lx16wx20t tank (I love those odd DAS dimensions). I already run t5 on my LPS tank, and was thinking about tinkering with t5's on this tank for a bit to see if growth evens outs a bit.

If I wanted to do this, what setup would be appropriate, keeping in mind I currently have a Crocea and Maxi on the tank bottom (both having more than doubled in size in 6 month and looking good), along with a few Pocillopora, and that the t5 fixture would be 6" off the water (due to the built in top/cover/hood).

Thanks!
PW

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I'd think a 4 lamp Tek would be plenty. Maybe upgrade to Ice Cap reflectors.

 

[Alque01]

Okay, after 2 dys I have been through almost all the post, including the old thread.

I have decided on T5s for my 90 gallon tank 48X18 it is 24"tall.

I understand that the t5s will supply enough life if I equip them with reflectors. I like the aqualux (sp) reflectors.

Now my questions.

I really like the Nova Extreme T-5 Fixtures w/Lunar Lights

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produ...&N=2004+113175.

I want to add reflectors from Aqualux. I have been looking but i cant find anything on wheather this fixture will/can be modified with reflectors.

Can reflectors be added?

I like this fixture because it has a fan and the lunar lights as well as the mutiple plugs for timered lighting.

I plan on doing LR, a few fish, soft corals, and maybe just maybe SPS, LPS if the lighting can be right?

Can I get buy with reflectors on a 4bulb set up. It is only 216 watts, but I am hearing that the T5s make more light than anything
Just to add, after reading all the post, I feel like I lost a freind "Grim" and then got him back. Man that was some drama. Good to have you back Grim.

 

[PrangeWay]

GTG

GTG

What do you think of the Aquactinics fixture for that use than? Would be 5-39W.

Thanks again G.

PW