The T5 Q&a Thread

[Labman48076]

Re: ? t5 best for coral growth opinions

Re: ? t5 best for coral growth opinions

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8070627#post8070627 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Labman48076
this is my Canopy the Aquatronics 72" with 14 39 watt t5's I am very happy with it I had a mh setup before 3 250 watt MH bulbs and 80 watt t5's replaced it with this canopy 1st looking for a recomended configuration I have 3 switches on it so I can have three types of bulbs
6500k 10k 12k 24k 20k is what I have seen right now I have 4 12k uv bulbs and 4 20k uv Atintics I also have Aquaz Sun pro 10k but they over heated or burned out after only a few months :mad2: I got the setup at Imac what brand shoud I stay with UV or Giesemann or sombody else I was debating about getting the Giesemann 65k for better coral growth but though I had better ask think I am done with the Aquaz not to happy I already have to replace the bulbs,,

http://www.aquactinics.com/Products/72_T5_HO_Systems.htm

I should add more detail I hope this helps

let me explane my setup like this

I have three switchies we will call them 1,2,3 7 bulbs each side hope that explains better I set my lights via reefkeeper 2 currently I have a attinic setting mid day and full sun when at all light stay on as it goes Attinic 8am to 9:30 pm mid 9am to 8pm 11am to 7pm. hope I am explaining myself ok. btw tank is a 194 72x24wx26h

1-2 8-2
2-1 9-1
3-2 10-2
4-3 11-3
5-2 12-2
6-1 13-1
7-3 14-3

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8070607#post8070607 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cwal
with or with out the glass cover?

With the shield. It is required.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: ? t5 best for coral growth opinions

Re: ? t5 best for coral growth opinions

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8070627#post8070627 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Labman48076
this is my Canopy the Aquatronics 72" with 14 39 watt t5's I am very happy with it I had a mh setup before 3 250 watt MH bulbs and 80 watt t5's replaced it with this canopy 1st looking for a recomended configuration I have 3 switches on it so I can have three types of bulbs
6500k 10k 12k 24k 20k is what I have seen right now I have 4 12k uv bulbs and 4 20k uv Atintics I also have Aquaz Sun pro 10k but they over heated or burned out after only a few months :mad2: I got the setup at Imac what brand shoud I stay with UV or Giesemann or sombody else I was debating about getting the Giesemann 65k for better coral growth but though I had better ask think I am done with the Aquaz not to happy I already have to replace the bulbs,,

http://www.aquactinics.com/Products/72_T5_HO_Systems.htm

ATI have the best output. For sun lamps either UVL Aquasun or Giesemann Midday. reefgeek has got the best lamp selection.

 

[Hightower33]

I have a 90G with lots of schrooms, lps zoos. They all do great under 4 VHO. But was thinking my next swap of bulbs should be an upgrade to T5 for efficiency sake and heat and possibly adding a clam or acropora.

2 VHO's are running on each Workhorse 7 ballasts.

What would be a good setup with the t5's? just replace the ends for T5 connectors and have 4 or should it be a 6 bulb setup.

Forgive me if this has been mentioned before with this configuation, but this thread is absolutly massive to read all the way through.

 

[SaltwaterDaddy]

I'm looking at the CURRENT USA - NOVA EXTREME T5 HIGH-OUTPUT LIGHTING FIXTURE 8x54W 48". The question I have is, if I switch the blubs with the ones mentioned in this thread, will that be just as good as going with Tek Fixture? I can get the Nova cheaper than the Tek.

I'm just going to be using the T5 lights to grow frags. My main display is using HQIs. Just in case you don't like Nova light ficture, what type of bulb combination would you recommend for just a grow out tank in say a Tek Fixture? I'll color them up under HQIs once they get big enough.

Last question, I want to attach the light fixture to a "light moving track". Do you have any suggestions on what type works best with the T5 fixtures available? Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Labman48076]

how does this setup sound

how does this setup sound

back
Actinic+ Actinic+, Row 1, Switch 2
Aqua Blue+ Aqua Blue+, Row 2, Switch 1
Actinic+ Actinic+, Row 3, Switch 2
6500K 6500K, Row 4, Switch 3
Actinic+ Actinic+, Row 5, Switch 2
Aqua Blue+ Aqua Blue+, Row 6, Switch 1
Actinic+ Actinic+, Row 7, Switch 3

I still say use the same bulb configuration. Have the switches come on in this order; 2,1,3. With this configuration six Actinic+ bulbs in rows 1,3,5 come on first. Then rows 2 & 6 come on with four Aqua Blue+ bulbs. Then finally Switch 3 lights a pair of 6500K and the final pair of Actinic+ bulbs. When all the lights are on the colors will blend better.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

One T5 lamp with a reflector is more than enough to replace a VHO, especially when ran on a WH ballast assuming those are 4 foot lamps. The WH slightly underdrives 110 watt VHO's.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8073547#post8073547 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Hightower33
I have a 90G with lots of schrooms, lps zoos. They all do great under 4 VHO. But was thinking my next swap of bulbs should be an upgrade to T5 for efficiency sake and heat and possibly adding a clam or acropora.

2 VHO's are running on each Workhorse 7 ballasts.

What would be a good setup with the t5's? just replace the ends for T5 connectors and have 4 or should it be a 6 bulb setup.

Forgive me if this has been mentioned before with this configuation, but this thread is absolutly massive to read all the way through.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

The lack of individual reflectors is what kills the Nova's performance. A 4 lamp Tek hood will get you about the same output. If the tank is 18" wide I would run 6 lamps. Reefgeek includes 3 GE daylights with 6 lamp fixtures, I would add 3 Aquasun UVL lamps to that for growing out frags. It would look ugly but have a ton of PAR.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8073613#post8073613 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SaltwaterDaddy
I'm looking at the CURRENT USA - NOVA EXTREME T5 HIGH-OUTPUT LIGHTING FIXTURE 8x54W 48". The question I have is, if I switch the blubs with the ones mentioned in this thread, will that be just as good as going with Tek Fixture? I can get the Nova cheaper than the Tek.

I'm just going to be using the T5 lights to grow frags. My main display is using HQIs. Just in case you don't like Nova light ficture, what type of bulb combination would you recommend for just a grow out tank in say a Tek Fixture? I'll color them up under HQIs once they get big enough.

Last question, I want to attach the light fixture to a "light moving track". Do you have any suggestions on what type works best with the T5 fixtures available? Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: how does this setup sound

Re: how does this setup sound

Your thought process is good as far as how to time the lamps, I just personally wouldn't use that mix of lamps.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8073751#post8073751 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Labman48076
back
Actinic+ Actinic+, Row 1, Switch 2
Aqua Blue+ Aqua Blue+, Row 2, Switch 1
Actinic+ Actinic+, Row 3, Switch 2
6500K 6500K, Row 4, Switch 3
Actinic+ Actinic+, Row 5, Switch 2
Aqua Blue+ Aqua Blue+, Row 6, Switch 1
Actinic+ Actinic+, Row 7, Switch 3

I still say use the same bulb configuration. Have the switches come on in this order; 2,1,3. With this configuration six Actinic+ bulbs in rows 1,3,5 come on first. Then rows 2 & 6 come on with four Aqua Blue+ bulbs. Then finally Switch 3 lights a pair of 6500K and the final pair of Actinic+ bulbs. When all the lights are on the colors will blend better.

 

[Labman48076]

Grim Reefer

Grim Reefer

1st let me add I have much respect for you I have been fallowing you since I 1st took a intrest in going t5 and getting rid of the MH also I refer people here all the time for advice and recomend they check your advice in other words you da man imo lol. I am trying to figure out the best configuration for coral growth and coral viewing can I ask again what combo you would recomend. what combo would you recommend for me there are many configurations one can set up could take me years of my messing around to get anything decent.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Here is what I would do

ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
UVL Super Actinic
ATI Blue Plus

If you want a more white look substitute ATI Aquablues for the blue Pluses in the #4 slot.

Those are the highest output lamps. I would start with the 2 SA's comming on, then add the 3 rows of Blue Pluses and add the 2 suns.

This is really just going to get you to a place to start from. Lighting is so subjective it is hard to say which of the mixes you will like the best. Either will look good. It might sound like a lot of blue but remember the Super Actinics don't put out a large amount of visible light and despite the name the aquablues are a very crisp white with a tad of blue. The Aquasuns and Blue Pluses have a good amount of PAR output. The Super Actinics don';t have a lot of PAR but they pop green and yellow corals better than the Blue Plus.

An alternate mix I am going to throw out there would be if you are starting out with frags and want to bias you mix in favor of growth but still get a nice (But IMO not the best) look

Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
UVL Aquasun
Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
ATI Aquablue
Blue plus

If this is confusing you PM me your Ph# and the best time to call and we can talk about it.

 

[Hightower33]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8074202#post8074202 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
One T5 lamp with a reflector is more than enough to replace a VHO, especially when ran on a WH ballast assuming those are 4 foot lamps. The WH slightly underdrives 110 watt VHO's.

Thanks grim.

Is this going to be approxmiatly the same light or should I expect some bleaching? BTW the VHO lights sit about 8" above the water right now.

 

[revclyburn]

Mr. Grim

you are the man! Just wanted to say that. Been following this thread from day 1 I guess. And the information you, Horkn, and others have shared here, is just the best. I've learned alot from this thread, and often refer other here when they ask about lighting. I am about to build my on t5 lighting just from info found in this thread. You know a couple of months ago, I was about to get into MH's and VHO's, thinking that would be the way to go. I have changed my mind, it's T5's for me.

I decide to go with a 4x54 retro, and supplimenting the actinics with my current pc lighting, would that work? Hmm, will have to experiment with it I guess.

Anyway, please keep the info coming, I as well as others have gained so much from you and this thread. Just thought I needed to write this

Rev. Clyburn

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8075145#post8075145 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Hightower33
Thanks grim.

Is this going to be approxmiatly the same light or should I expect some bleaching? BTW the VHO lights sit about 8" above the water right now.

You can place the T5's within about 4" of the water. If you mount them low like that I would put a couple layers of fiberglass screen over the tank to acclimate the corals. Remove a layer a week.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8075162#post8075162 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by revclyburn
Mr. Grim

you are the man! Just wanted to say that. Been following this thread from day 1 I guess. And the information you, Horkn, and others have shared here, is just the best. I've learned alot from this thread, and often refer other here when they ask about lighting. I am about to build my on t5 lighting just from info found in this thread. You know a couple of months ago, I was about to get into MH's and VHO's, thinking that would be the way to go. I have changed my mind, it's T5's for me.

I decide to go with a 4x54 retro, and supplimenting the actinics with my current pc lighting, would that work? Hmm, will have to experiment with it I guess.

Anyway, please keep the info coming, I as well as others have gained so much from you and this thread. Just thought I needed to write this

Rev. Clyburn

The PC actinics are decent. should work fine.

 

[jag1979]

I am thinking of getting this retrokit for my supplemental lighting: http://www.reefgeek.com/products/ca...ing/104697.html

I haven't seen too many 80 watt t5's are they going to be common, should I worry about bulb replacement and selection?

my tank is 72" wide if I place this 60" in the middle will this look ok? would 2x80 t5's be enough or should I get the 3x80 above?

one more question my mh's have a spider reflector which hangs down 5" from the top of the canopy, is this going to interfere w/ the t5's which only hang down 2.75"? Do I need to drop the t5's down some, if so how?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

The 80 watters aren't common but reefgeek and a few others sell them. I would maybe do 3 with 2 overlapped in the front and one centered in the rear

 

[Robert Patterso]

Grim I'm getting ready to order my t5ho lights. Going to use retro. kit with IC reflectors. You stated to me befor that you think I should overdrive 4 of the 6. My tank is more sps than anything. Would 6 overdriven just be to much, tank is 24dp the lights will be 39w. I'm looking for growth and color!

 

[cwal]

Grim,

If I buy a TEK 6 bulb fixture, they come with 3 6500K GE or Phillips bulbs, are these ok to use and if so what else would you use with them, I plan to have SPS, LPS, clams

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Robert P

Flip a coin. I think 4 ovrdriven will be fine.