Shawnts106
New member
from ICECAP.. the reflectors are icecaps
The T5 Q&a Thread
- Thread starter JohnL
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My tank is absolutely overrun with Zoas under T5 lighting. They have spread like the plague and it is a real problem since they have taken over much of my LR. I may be setting up a new tank and will never put Zoas where they can spread like that again. I'll keep them isolated to a small island.
Justin74
New member
Dont get me wrong, when I had a a T5 fixture w/ out individual reflectors ALL my softies and zoanthids grew exceptionally well. But, when I upgraded my bulbs and reflectors thats when some of my stuff burnt up, and ended up moving the majority of my zoos to the sandbed.
-Justin
-Justin
Toledofishguy
New member
snaza
I look tonight, I forget the actual names. I'm breaking my corals in now. Adding extra time each day.
I look tonight, I forget the actual names. I'm breaking my corals in now. Adding extra time each day.
There have a lot of reports of people having issues with softies under T5's as well as a lot of tanks without problems. There is a whole thread somewhere about T5's vaporizing softies. Like many things in this hobby there is no set formula for when problems/success might occur.
I'm sure it comes down to many variables.
Bulbs
Reflectors
Ballast
Depth of tank
How high are the lights over the tank?
Species/Morph
Coral placement
Etc, etc, etc...
I'm sure it comes down to many variables.
Bulbs
Reflectors
Ballast
Depth of tank
How high are the lights over the tank?
Species/Morph
Coral placement
Etc, etc, etc...
<<< I'm sure it comes down to many variables.
Bulbs
Reflectors
Ballast
Depth of tank
How high are the lights over the tank?
Species/Morph
Coral placement
Etc, etc, etc... >>>
Exactly! In addition:
Water clarity
Acrylic shield or no
Salt spray on acrylic shield and/or reflectors
I expect there could be a significant difference (assuming the same fixture and bulbs) if one person has them mounted 8-10" off the water with an acrylic shield and some salt spray on the shield, and another has them only 2-3" off the water with no shield and perfectly clean reflectors and bulbs. I think the water clarity makes a big difference too.
Bulbs
Reflectors
Ballast
Depth of tank
How high are the lights over the tank?
Species/Morph
Coral placement
Etc, etc, etc... >>>
Exactly! In addition:
Water clarity
Acrylic shield or no
Salt spray on acrylic shield and/or reflectors
I expect there could be a significant difference (assuming the same fixture and bulbs) if one person has them mounted 8-10" off the water with an acrylic shield and some salt spray on the shield, and another has them only 2-3" off the water with no shield and perfectly clean reflectors and bulbs. I think the water clarity makes a big difference too.
hahnmeister
In Memoriam
IME, there is one thing about T5s a few of us in WRS say all the time...zoas will grow like weeds. For some reason, they seem to really grow better under T5s for some people than they ever did under halides. As far as rics, well, yeah...Bill (gopack) had to remove all his rics from his 120g (2x250wattDE + 4x54wattT5) and put them in his 6'x3'x14"h acrylic frag vat. Problem was, the vat is lit at one end by a 8x54wattT5, and the other end by a 250wattDE halide...so he had to put them under the halide end or they continued to wither.
I think that the few corals that dont like T5s would be fine if the tank they were in was simply taller (24" tall tank or more), or had less T5s.
I think that the few corals that dont like T5s would be fine if the tank they were in was simply taller (24" tall tank or more), or had less T5s.
Justin, I assume you aclimated the softies to the new light's? I ask because I was told that it might be a good thing for me to do when my light get's here. I am always parnoid of getting the wrong thing, and after reading this little two page debate, I am wondering If this 8X39w tek light that is on it's way to me is too much for my 50 Gallon w/a maximum depth of 12" from water line to sandbed. I would be highly ticked if I couldn't use it.
Pufferpunk
New member
T5's: A cautionary note
T5's: A cautionary note
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=561864&perpage=25&pagenumber=1
T5's: A cautionary note
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=561864&perpage=25&pagenumber=1
GFCI issues
GFCI issues
I bought a 4-bulb 48'' retrofit kit from Reefgeek. It contains 4 Sunlight reflectors, and 2 Universal Triad ballasts.
Wired & installed per instructions. Lights look great. I've got the actinics on the outside, the daylight bulbs on the inside.
I can run either set (2 bulbs in any combination) alone without any issues. As soon as I turn on both sets at the same time, my GFCI outlet trips. Sometimes within seconds, sometimes it takes 10-15 minutes.
I am running a dedicated 20 amp circuit. I've also tested it on 2 other GFCI circuits. Same issue. I've tested the 2 lights on separate circuits. The ones on GFCI circuit trip it, no matter which lights/ballast I plug in.
If I run the lights without the GFCI outlet everything seems to be fine - lights are good and I don't blow any breakers.
I tried changing the ballasts for new ones, changing out the bulbs, rotating bulbs, etc. Confirmed my wiring, ensured I have no shorts.
I've talked with Greg at ReefGeek. He's been helpful to suggest many alternatives that I tried. Still tripping the GFCI. Would anyone have a suggestion as to what to try next or why I'm having this issue?
Peter...
GFCI issues
I bought a 4-bulb 48'' retrofit kit from Reefgeek. It contains 4 Sunlight reflectors, and 2 Universal Triad ballasts.
Wired & installed per instructions. Lights look great. I've got the actinics on the outside, the daylight bulbs on the inside.
I can run either set (2 bulbs in any combination) alone without any issues. As soon as I turn on both sets at the same time, my GFCI outlet trips. Sometimes within seconds, sometimes it takes 10-15 minutes.
I am running a dedicated 20 amp circuit. I've also tested it on 2 other GFCI circuits. Same issue. I've tested the 2 lights on separate circuits. The ones on GFCI circuit trip it, no matter which lights/ballast I plug in.
If I run the lights without the GFCI outlet everything seems to be fine - lights are good and I don't blow any breakers.
I tried changing the ballasts for new ones, changing out the bulbs, rotating bulbs, etc. Confirmed my wiring, ensured I have no shorts.
I've talked with Greg at ReefGeek. He's been helpful to suggest many alternatives that I tried. Still tripping the GFCI. Would anyone have a suggestion as to what to try next or why I'm having this issue?
Peter...
Justin74
New member
Wow! 12" depth w/ 8 bulbs is ALOT of light my friend
I highly recommend a lotion of at least 30SPF for your softies 
Just to give you an idea, I have a few SPS on my sand bed w/ great color and growth and have a 6X39w retro, and Ive only been using 5 of the 6 bulbs for the past 4 months!
BTW, ya I did acclimate them, but only by one bulb at a time so it wasnt the best method because I didnt have access to eggcrate,nor could I adjust the heigth. Some would react differently but recieve similar conditions and be within 2 inches of eachother, so go figure.
-Justin
yamaha racer
New member
i have one last question what kind of ballast does the tek 4-54w hood have?
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
I'd do
1 Gmann Actinic Plus
2 Gmann Aquablue
1 UVL Super Actinic
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