The T5 Q&a Thread

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I just recieved my tek light 6x54w set-up yesterday!!

I have 1 super actinic
2 ATI blue plus
2 ATI aquablue specials
1 GE daylight

I like a white look with a hint of blue. Any suggestions on the arrangement of these??

Also, this is going over a standard 90g (24 inch depth), but I plan on having a 5 inch sandbed, so the actual the depth to the sand from top of the tank will be 19 inches. See any problems with keeping clams?
 
Should be fine for clams. Put the lamps in this order to start

Front
Super Actinic
Blueplus
GE
Blue Plus
Aquablue
Blue Plus

or

Blueplus
GE
Super Actinic
Blueplus
Aquablue
Blue Plus

You may find yourself needing to swap out a Blue Plus with an Actinic White or Aquablue to get a more white look but let it run a week or so before you decide.
 
You may find yourself needing to swap out a Blue Plus with an Actinic White or Aquablue to get a more white look but let it run a week or so before you decide.
Click to expand...

I do have another Aquablue, but only 2 Blue Pluses.

How is:

Blue plus
GE
Super actinic
aquablue
aquablue
blue plus

Or, would you recommend grouping the two aquablue around the GE?

Does placing the lights toward the front create more of a color toward the shade of those bulbs? (ex. GE, Aquablue in the 2,3 slot form the front create a "whiter" look?).

Thanks Grim for the reply. You're a big asset to this board.
 
Yeah, more white lamps towards the front will make the light look more white.

Maybe try

SA
Blueplus
Aquablue
GE
Aquablue
Blueplus
 
Really need help-head is spinning!

Really need help-head is spinning!

I have been trying to decide on lighting now for a week. Reading and asking questions and getting different answers from everyone. So here goes:

I have a 56G column tank which measure 30" wide, 24" tall and 18" deep. I have been looking at a few setups.

This setup in a 30" enclosure with 8 T-5 for $249 (called and talked to them about the 30" and they said no problem.
8 bulb enclosure

A retro to build a hood with 6 X 24 for $219

retro kit

This is right where my budget is (200-250) right now. Which of these would be a good fit for my tank or any other suggestions??????

I would really rather not build a hood, but if I have to I will. How many bulbs do I really need?

Oh ya I should let you know what I am looking at keeping - mostly softies, zoos, shrooms, leathers, and maybe some easier hards (maybe a bubble etc etc) Easier clam if possible(may be a stretch I know)

Please HELP ME!!!!!!
 
Re: Really need help-head is spinning!

Re: Really need help-head is spinning!

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8147464#post8147464 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kitestir9
I have been trying to decide on lighting now for a week. Reading and asking questions and getting different answers from everyone. So here goes:

I have a 56G column tank which measure 30" wide, 24" tall and 18" deep. I have been looking at a few setups.

This setup in a 30" enclosure with 8 T-5 for $249 (called and talked to them about the 30" and they said no problem.
8 bulb enclosure

A retro to build a hood with 6 X 24 for $219

retro kit

This is right where my budget is (200-250) right now. Which of these would be a good fit for my tank or any other suggestions??????

I would really rather not build a hood, but if I have to I will. How many bulbs do I really need?

Oh ya I should let you know what I am looking at keeping - mostly softies, zoos, shrooms, leathers, and maybe some easier hards (maybe a bubble etc etc) Easier clam if possible(may be a stretch I know)

Please HELP ME!!!!!!
Click to expand...

If you want to raise clams in a 24" tall tank you need to be looking at good T5 systems or halides.

www.reefgeek.com for Tek retros uprgraded to Ice Cap reflectors would be best, a 6 lamp kit. Realistically a nice 250 watt halide would probably be your best bet. http://oceanencounter.com/Merchant2..._Code=OE&Product_Code=E2R&Category_Code=EVMHR With a 14K Hammy lamp (Add $20.00) and a PC actinic for dusk/dawn will light up your world for less $$$/
 
I knew it probably would be a long shot for clams without a higher end setup....They are awesome looking but I can live without them if it is for there benefit not to be in my system!

The 2 reasons I am not looking at MH one is heat and two I REALLY am not fond of the shimmer affect:p

So with Clams and the more light demanding sps's out of the equation is there an enclosure with the T-5 in my budget range?

Thank again!
Shawn
 
If you can build a canopy do a 4x24 watt full IC T5 system from reefgeek. You can do clams with that and the price isn't too bad.
 
Hey Grim.

I have been looking at the location of my tank and really would be limited with a hood on it. I will not have a sump etc so my skimmer etc will be on the tank and it will be a pain to get to the back (tank is going in the corner).

I have been reading myself blind and have decided to get one of the TEK 24" setups from seedetc. The teks get great reviews and really seem to be the best T5 setup in 24". I know it may be a bit of a compromise over the IC setup, but it is definately my best option right now. With the price from seedetc on the fixture and their discount on bulbs for the fixture it is actually close to the same price I was going to pay at aquauniverse for a lesser quality unit.


My questions is what 4 bulbs from the G-mann line would be a good start for a nice bright tank with a hint:p of blue? They offer the following at a discount :Blue Actinic Plus(or Blue), Sun, Aquablue, and Pure Actinic Plus(or True Actinic)

Thanks for all your input. Clams will have to be on the back burner for now:D Just gives me a reason to upgrase tanks down the road!
 
I plan on switching my EVC 14k MH's out for EVC 10k's with 3x24w T5 supplimentation. Which bulbs would you guys reccomend me run as supplimentation to 250w 10k MH's? Also, the Workhorse 5 ballast is fine for a 3x24w bulb setup, right?
 
Question????

I am setting up a 120 gallon (48x24x24)...

Would 8 T5's with SLR IceCap reflectors and 2 IceCap 660 ballasts be too much light???

Since I am overdriving the bulbs would you recommend just using 6 bulbs instead of 8??? what would you do???

It will be an SPS & clams tank...and a few soft corals on the bottom as well for now...LOL

Thanks,

Mike
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8170073#post8170073 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
If your main focus is clams and SPS I don't think you can have too much light. I would do the IC system.
Click to expand...


So, you would totally recommend the 8 T5's over just 6 bulbs...how long do you think the bulbs will last (months) with the Icecap ballasts?
I have heard 5-8 months the most...

If i run 2 fans will that increase the life of the bulbs???


Mike
 
Run the fans and the lamps are good for a year at least. I personally wouldn't run them any longer than that due to spectrum shift.

6 lamps would be OK but if you are going to have clams you really want to make sure you are hitting the sandbed so be careful how you place the lamps.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8170073#post8170073 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
If your main focus is clams and SPS I don't think you can have too much light. I would do the IC system.
Click to expand...


So, you would totally recommend the 8 T5's over just 6 bulbs...how long do you think the bulbs will last (months) with the Icecap ballasts?
I have heard 5-8 months the most...

If i run 2 fans will that increase the life of the bulbs???


Mike
 
Sorry for the repost....

What do you mean by how I place the lamps?...do you mean putting more white bulbs in the front?....
 
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