The T5 Q&a Thread

[theyose]

Hi Grim!

Thanks for the information regarding staying with a fixture versus using the icecap for my low-medium coral 75G tank. I do have a couple followup questions.
You mentioned about a 5 bulb T5 fixture, would this be in addition to using the Catfish 2x54W T5 fixture I already have. Also, would a Tek 4 bulb + the Catfish fixture also be good.
Lastly, if by some chance I decided to build a canopy, would it still be overkill if I used the Icecap 660 with.. say.. 4 bulbs and no reflectors and then use the Catfish (If I could get it in the canopy) for dusk to dawn.

Regards!!
Fred

 

[Abengochea]

hi grim, I am looking to get a retrofit kit for my 75 gallon. Was cusous what is the best reflector out there as far as par? Have they ever had a side by side comparison that you know of?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Does the catfish (what a name) have individual reflectors? I guess you could use it for actinics and go with a 4 lamp tek hood if it doesn't have reflectors.

Overdriving the lamps with an IC ballast and then not using reflectors is a major waste. You need to run fans to keep the lamps from getting too hot and you are using more power to get less output than you would using good reflectors and standard ballasts.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7790179#post7790179 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Abengochea
hi grim, I am looking to get a retrofit kit for my 75 gallon. Was cusous what is the best reflector out there as far as par? Have they ever had a side by side comparison that you know of?

As far as what available in retrofits the Ice Cap beat the Tek by about 20% at the bottom of a 23" tall tank.

 

[Abengochea]

what do you think about the aqualux? any good?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

If the Aqualux are still available they are almost as good as IC. They are a little wider though, 3 1/8 vs. 2 1/2 for the IC.

 

[Abengochea]

one more ? I might eventually go to a 90 gallon tank. (same footprint as 75 but taller) will 4 54w t5's at normal output be enough or should I spring for the overdriven ones?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Depends on what you want to raise. I dont think I would worry about overdriving until after you have the 90.

 

[Abengochea]

thanks again, I really appreciate the quick responses. I know youve been helping alot of people with t5 questions for quite a while. Remember some old thread of yours Im glad your back. Any place you recommend to get a set?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Check out ocean encounter from the sponsors page. He is giving free shipping on T5 stuff right now.

 

[Abengochea]

do they make ic retro kits that arent overdriven?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Reefgeek will upgrade a Tek retro to IC reflectors for 3 or 5 bux each, not sure about ocean encounters

 

[redfisher17]

Hi, I'm considering T5's for a 65g (48x18x17). Would the 4x54w Teklight be a good choice for a mixed reef with SPS in the upper stratum? I was looking at the 6x54, but after seeing how much light these things put out, I'm afraid it would be too much.

Thanks for you help!

 

[jjoos99]

I am running 4 80w overdriven t-5s and my acros have lost there color from too much light and that is over a 60 inch 120 gal. tank. I have since taken 2 of the overdriven bulbs and switched them to a standard ballast and didnt notice much of a difference at all.
Jeff

 

[The Reefer91]

hey grim- do you think that 4 80 watt T-5 lights with individual reflectors is enough to support SPS in the upper half aof a 125g, which is 22" tall

 

[dhoch]

Wow... good to see you back here grim...

redfisher... yeah thats a good choice for your tank

jjoos99... visiably you won't notice much of a difference, but if you put a par meter up to it you will...

TheReefer91... yes... I have a 180 which is the same height, and I use 7 T5 bulbs over it (and 1 URI VHO)... no problem with SPS... even lower light ones down at the sand no problem (monti digi, hispadia for example)...

Dave

 

[dsds]

hi..can anybody give me some advise...50gl tank..36x18x18..looking for a good light setup..i dont know if i should run 2-175w halides w/2 t5's...by aquactinics...or just run all t5's...(5 bulbs)..i keep leathers..would like some clams and sps..lps...the works......please any help would be appreciated...thx

 

[hahnmeister]

dsds,
Welcome to Reef Central, its an honor to have your first post here.

Of the two lights you mentioned, the T5 is the better choice. For a 50B, I would go with a 6x39wattT5. Sure, 4 might be enough, but 6 gives you flexibility in your bulb coloration, esp if you like the bluer look. Or, 6 bulbs can come in handy if your coral selection happens to be mostly higher light species.

The dual 175s are a waste of money these days. I doubt 175watters are going to be around much longer as far as bulbs go, and finding a good 175watt bulb is getting harder and harder. Double ended bulbs are the way things are going these days. A 2x150wattDE setup would work on a 50, or, if you dont have a center-brace on this one (some 50Bs dont have the center brace) a single 250watt halide is a great choice...right in the center of the tank with a nice reflector. I own both though, and I can tell you that the 6x39wattT5 blows the halide out of the water output-wise.

 

[dsds]

thanx so much for your advise...yes tank has center brace..i price a set of halides w/2 t5's..$800.00....i found a tek silver series 8bulbs for $300.00 no bulbs......so you really think go with t5's...that was my choice...but everybody pushes you to mh..thx

 

[The Reefer91]

i have a question about this ballast

http://reefgeek.com/products/categories/lighting/104357.html

it says it can run 440watts, but only four lamps. is there anyway i could get it to run 5 lamps, with total wattage still under the amount it can handle? or is that not possible?