The T5 Q&a Thread

[Alque01]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7690477#post7690477 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ccoral
I was just a LFS store and they had commodity axis new t-5 III 59" unit with polished parabolic reflector and hood with bulb was 100.00 the replacements where only where only 20.00 for super blue and 18.00 for 11k daylight. They also had units that where 72".

What exactly is that!

 

[johnb0184]

I have an all glass 120 that is 24" tall, 24"wide, and 48"long. If I wanted to do sps and lps's would 6x54 watts be enogh or should i get 8x54

 

[HowardW]

<<< I need someplace that sells the ATI bulbs that isn't Reefgeek. It took them 8 days to get me my bulbs and everything was broken. Now they are all on vacation until Monday and I can't reach anyone after several attempts. Definately not the great customer service I've heard about on here. >>>



Sounds like unfair bashing of Reefgeek IMO. DId they take 8 days to ship them out, or did that also include transit time, or perhaps they were temporarily out of an item? I have also ordered T5 bulbs from 3 different places and the packaging from Reefgeek was by far the best, however they can't control how the box is handled by the shipper.

.....and how dare they actually take a vacation, LOLOLOLOL

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7694287#post7694287 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by johnb0184
I have an all glass 120 that is 24" tall, 24"wide, and 48"long. If I wanted to do sps and lps's would 6x54 watts be enogh or should i get 8x54

Go 8 lamps unless you want to overdrive.

 

[MJAnderson]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7694373#post7694373 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by HowardW
[BSounds like unfair bashing of Reefgeek IMO. DId they take 8 days to ship them out, or did that also include transit time, or perhaps they were temporarily out of an item? I have also ordered T5 bulbs from 3 different places and the packaging from Reefgeek was by far the best, however they can't control how the box is handled by the shipper.

.....and how dare they actually take a vacation, LOLOLOLOL [/B]

Well they took 8 days to ship what everyone else did in 3 (even from CA). Part of the delay was due to the fact that they didn't have some items in stock, even though they said they did on their website. I changed my order to avoid the items their site said was out of stock but when I got home that night there was a message saying 3 of the 5 bulbs I ordered weren't available and when I called the next day he suggested some replacements and the order went out the following day. When I found out UPS had broken everything, I emailed them 2 days in a row looking for replacements. No "out of office" reply. It wasn't until I called last night that I found out they were all on vacation and not accepting customer service calls. No "emergency" number either even though their packaging said that if the shipment was broken I should contact them within 24 hours.

I don't consider that unfair bashing. I think I'm fair to vendors and while UPS breaking everything was out of their hands, their customer service everywhere else was lacking IMO. The people I spoke with were knowledgeable and nice. I would use them again if I wasn't in a rush. They just don't seem very organized. Small shop syndrome...

 

[The Grim Reefer]

How were your lamps shipped? UPS must have really applied themselves if they broke all the lamps reefgeek sent, he usually does a fantastic job of packing. I am sure they will do what they can to make it right once they are back, they have a very good reputation but even the best mess up once in a while.

 

[MJAnderson]

It was packed pretty well. The bulbs inside a tube that was braced in a square box with some foam. UPS went out of their way to break these. It looks like he used the box to practice his gymnastics beam routine.

If I'm crabby about Reefgeek it's a general frustration with getting my tank in order --- 3 of 5 packages delayed by UPS (why does anyone use UPS), 2 broken items, items I need out of stock, LR was 113lbs when delivered even though they said (and I paid for) 150lbs, etc, etc. Reefgeek just happens to be the latest.

 

[NorthernCF]

Was this the Monday before the 4th that they weren't in? Thats pretty rough to put down a company for letting their employees have the 3rd off... No wonder everyone outsources... Its the demand of the people!

Now, I have met Fosters and he is a great fella', but I bet your not going to be able to call up their Customer service center with hundreds of employees and get him directly. Who hasn't been able to talk to Greg directly to get the scoop on the new bulb, or what would fit your system best? The prices at reefgeek beat the competition (at least in the type of items I commonly purchase (bulbs, thermometers, maxi/mini/mag drives...ect)). No one store is going to be the absolute best at everything. And, we are only a half a dozen years new to the INTERNET store world. Certainly there is room for growth and standardization. I mean, if you wanted the perfect communication and instant gratification... try supporting your LFS...

I got a box with a hole larger than my head in it, literally, from ReefGeek and all the bulbs survived fine. From the stories I have heard from Fedex/Ups folks, we are lucky anything lands in our laps in tact.

I am sure if you give RG an inch, they will give you a mile back.

Sorry to hear you're shipment was broken, that does suck

 

[20 20]

I need opinions.

I built a canopy to house a 6 bulb 80 watt retrofit kit from reefgeek. Came with 2 Icecap 660 ballasts. Already built, and wired. Here's how I've got it wired:

FRONT
Ballast 1: Blueplus
Ballast 2: Aquablue
Ballast 1: GE 6500K
Ballast 2: Blueplus
Ballast 1: Aquablue
Ballast 2: Blueplus

As you can see, the ballasts are connected to alternating bulbs. My question is about the 'light cycle', specifically the 'dawn' cycle. I was planning on using Ballast 2 as the 'dawn' lights, turning them on first, then Ballast 1 an hour or so later, then turning Ballast 1 off first, then Ballast 2 goes off an hour or so later. That would mean the 'dawn' lights would be one AB, and two B+ bulbs. Is that ok? Should I rewire it so that the dawn lights are all B+ bulbs?

 

[MJAnderson]

Not to turn this into a Reefgeek thread, but they had the 3rd off...and the 5th, 6th and 7th with no way of contacting anyone.

Sadly (for me) I work at a firm that does investments for high net worth individuals. So I'm on call 24/7 in case some millionaire gets a hot stock tip or wants to buy a yacht at 2am. My Blackberry never sleeps. I fear it's given me a warped sense of customer service. I've done conference calls on top of the mountain in Vail while skiing on New Year's Eve. I'm on one now. Conference call that is...not a mountain in Vail. =)

Thanks all for the advice and the handholding.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Go with what looks best. I would personally rewire lamps 1 & 2 so all 3 Bp's are on the same ballast.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7696619#post7696619 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 20 20
I need opinions.

I built a canopy to house a 6 bulb 80 watt retrofit kit from reefgeek. Came with 2 Icecap 660 ballasts. Already built, and wired. Here's how I've got it wired:

FRONT
Ballast 1: Blueplus
Ballast 2: Aquablue
Ballast 1: GE 6500K
Ballast 2: Blueplus
Ballast 1: Aquablue
Ballast 2: Blueplus

As you can see, the ballasts are connected to alternating bulbs. My question is about the 'light cycle', specifically the 'dawn' cycle. I was planning on using Ballast 2 as the 'dawn' lights, turning them on first, then Ballast 1 an hour or so later, then turning Ballast 1 off first, then Ballast 2 goes off an hour or so later. That would mean the 'dawn' lights would be one AB, and two B+ bulbs. Is that ok? Should I rewire it so that the dawn lights are all B+ bulbs?

 

[20 20]

Thanks for the reply. So basically, in your opinion, if I'm interpreting correctly, the 'dawn' lights should all be the B+ bulbs. I think I need to actually get some LR, fish, and corals in the tank, then play around with the bulb setup until I get it the way I like it, and then rewire, if needed, to have all B+'s on one ballast. Another option I'm considering for bulb configuration is:

FRONT
Ballast 1: Blueplus
Ballast 2: Aquablue
Ballast 1: Blueplus
Ballast 2: GE 6500K
Ballast 1: Blueplus
Ballast 2: Aquablue

That would give me a bit bluer look, and I wouldn't need to re-wire. But, until I actually get stuff in the tank and see the different bulb combinations, I won't know which one I like best. But, at least I'll know to rewire if needed for all B+ on the dawn cycle. Thanks again!

Just in case anyone is interested, here's my thread on my DIY T5HO canopy with 'integrated' closed loop manifold:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=877954

 

[rtgordon]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7683162#post7683162 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
The coraline bleaching is not unexpected.

Why is this?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7697142#post7697142 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rtgordon
Why is this?

A big increase in intensity. Coraline doesnt need a lot of light. I have heard numerous people say they had the same thing happen going from lower intensity light to T5's. I had rock that went from a 55 gallon with 260 watts of PC's to a 125 with T5's and the rock bleached, and I was running glass lids on the 125.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7697090#post7697090 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 20 20
Thanks for the reply. So basically, in your opinion, if I'm interpreting correctly, the 'dawn' lights should all be the B+ bulbs. I think I need to actually get some LR, fish, and corals in the tank, then play around with the bulb setup until I get it the way I like it, and then rewire, if needed, to have all B+'s on one ballast. Another option I'm considering for bulb configuration is:

FRONT
Ballast 1: Blueplus
Ballast 2: Aquablue
Ballast 1: Blueplus
Ballast 2: GE 6500K
Ballast 1: Blueplus
Ballast 2: Aquablue

That would give me a bit bluer look, and I wouldn't need to re-wire. But, until I actually get stuff in the tank and see the different bulb combinations, I won't know which one I like best. But, at least I'll know to rewire if needed for all B+ on the dawn cycle. Thanks again!

Just in case anyone is interested, here's my thread on my DIY T5HO canopy with 'integrated' closed loop manifold:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=877954

It would look better if you can stick to the blue lamps for D/D/

 

[horkn]

Re: Re: Coralline algae bleaching...

Re: Re: Coralline algae bleaching...

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7684556#post7684556 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by R33f3r
Don't worry mine did the same thing when I added 2 more T5's, it will come back in a few months with vengeance!

IME, it does not really come back at all. it still grows, but is very bleached out. the only coralline in my tank that is bright reddish purple (how its supposed to be at least) is the stuff thats under a rock ledge.

 

[johnb0184]

would this fixture be good for my 24" tall 120 if i want to do lps and sps?

[http://www.reefgeek.com/products/categories/lighting/104194.html]

 

[NorthernCF]

Yes, absolutly.

 

[CraigsReef]

Hey Grim,

What would you do for a 36"x36"x24" cube? Im thinking 12 x39w retro (1x 8x 39 watt retro and 1x 4 x 39W retro.
This will be 95% sps with clams. As far as bulb color would 6 blueplus and 6 aquablue be to bright ?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7699983#post7699983 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by CraigsReef
Hey Grim,

What would you do for a 36"x36"x24" cube? Im thinking 12 x39w retro (1x 8x 39 watt retro and 1x 4 x 39W retro.
This will be 95% sps with clams. As far as bulb color would 6 blueplus and 6 aquablue be to bright ?

That would work but I think if it was mine I would get a 14K 400 watt Hamilton halide and run it in a lumenarc reflector. Way less moving parts.