The T5 Q&a Thread

[cbcostanza]

I thought you guys may have missed my post at the end of page 6. I have a 24x12x12 tank that I want to upgrade my lights to t5's does anyone have any suggestions(type, 2 or 4 bulbs, overdriven or not?) if I want to grow very few softies, more lps, and more sps? Thanks for your help

 

[Odin1]

I have a question about the 48inch 4 bulb tek fixture. Would I be able to keep SPS? Also what is the best 4 bulb combo for a tek fixture?

 

[mattliu]

grim,

what's the expected bulb life for over driven versus t5 spec driven lamps ?

thanks

 

[JohnyBravo]

Hey grim,

Quick question.... Is the Icecap t5 4x54w set up in reefgeek worth the $60 extra over the sunlight supply? I have a 75g (48x18x20). Also, would the 4 bulb set be enough lighting for most things (SPS, LPS, Clams, etc...)?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7750115#post7750115 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cbcostanza
I thought you guys may have missed my post at the end of page 6. I have a 24x12x12 tank that I want to upgrade my lights to t5's does anyone have any suggestions(type, 2 or 4 bulbs, overdriven or not?) if I want to grow very few softies, more lps, and more sps? Thanks for your help

You could use one the the cheap Finnex fixtures Premium aquatics sells but I would upgrade it to good lamps. Coralife make some NO T5's that would work too. I think 4 normal output T5's would be plenty on such a shallow tank.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7750484#post7750484 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Odin1
I have a question about the 48inch 4 bulb tek fixture. Would I be able to keep SPS? Also what is the best 4 bulb combo for a tek fixture?

Depends how tall the tank is. Under 20" you would be fine. I would run 2 blueplus, 1 UVL super actinic or ATI actinic and a ATI sun.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7751059#post7751059 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mattliu
grim,

what's the expected bulb life for over driven versus t5 spec driven lamps ?

thanks

Ice Cap claims their is no loss in lamp life as long as you use fans to keep the lamps from overheating. I got better than 14 months on OD 80 watt T5's and the Aquablue lamp still had better than 80% of the output of a new lamp.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7751145#post7751145 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JohnyBravo
Hey grim,

Quick question.... Is the Icecap t5 4x54w set up in reefgeek worth the $60 extra over the sunlight supply? I have a 75g (48x18x20). Also, would the 4 bulb set be enough lighting for most things (SPS, LPS, Clams, etc...)?

I would either go with 4 IC T5's or a 6 lamp Tek system upgraded to IC reflectors.

 

[Odin1]

Thanks Grim that is the news I wanted to hear, yes the tank is 18inchs in depth.

 

[oldsaltman]

I have a 55g / 48" and am using 2 10k and 2 A03 all are std t10 overdriven X2. I am thinking about converting the 2 10K to t5. All I need is the ballast, two "bulb extenders" and the bulbs. I question if the 54W t5 will be much brighter? Anyone made a similar conversion? Can I overdrive the 2 t5s X2 like I did the std t10s?

 

[kau_cinta_ku]

to overdrive the T5's use icecap ballasts, they will power the 54watt bulbs to 80watts just make sure to have fans cooling the bulbs. To get the most light from the bulbs stick with icecap reflectors

 

[cbcostanza]

thanks for the feedback, Grimm. one more question, How much difference is there between a NO bulb and a HO bulb?

 

[bohlke]

I am looking at getting a 6 lamp Tek system for my 65G (36x18x24) tank, is that enough light for corals, etc? If not should I get a 8 lamp retrofit kit or can I get by with ICs?

 

[NorthernCF]

6 is the most you can comfortably get over the 18" wide tanks.

 

[latazyo]

for a tank that is 24x18x18 would 4x24W t5 be enough light?

would it be comparable to a 175W MH?

 

[divemasterjim]

I bought a T-5 setup 2+ years ago when I first got my aquarium. I have a few questions that maybe you could help me with. My Aquarium is a 60 gallon acrylic half stretched octagon. Because of the shape of the hood I had to use 2 48” t-5’s in the back and 2 36” t-5’s in the front. My ballasts are AccuStart 5 T5HO. Now here are my questions..

What lights should I have for an assortment of corals and clams?
All my lights are Slimpaq Extreme by Current, should I switch to ATI brand?

Front
10K Daylight 39watt
460nm Actinic 39watt
420nm Actinic 54 watt
10k Daylight 54 watt
Back

I have room in the front for one 24” light what should I get? Any chance I could wire it with the 36” lights? Or do I need a new ballast? Again what ballast to get? The key word here is “cheap”

So is that a good light combo or would you change to something else?

 

[divemasterjim]

I just realized those pictures are of a 36" actinic not a 10K. I was messing around this morning after reading this thread

This is what I put in this morning and what the pictures are of...... seems a little to blue in the front.

Front
(Old) D&D Pure Actinic 39watt
460nm Actinic 39watt
10k Daylight 54 watt
420nm Actinic 54 watt
Back

 

[bohlke]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7753181#post7753181 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by NorthernCF
6 is the most you can comfortably get over the 18" wide tanks.

Are 6 T5s with the ICs enough light though?

 

[horkn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7748200#post7748200 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
People have gotten over 18 months but I think any time after a year you need to start thinking bout new lamps.

yeah, i have 18months on mine, but i do believe that my algal issues are because of me pushing the lights life.

hahnmeister, do you have the spectral analyzer yet?

when my new bulbs get here, i would love to see the difference between new bulbs and old ones, even if the new bulbs are not the same kind as before, you could compare the K to what it was sold as to see if there has been a drop in K values. i am certain there have been substantial K droppages...

 

[horkn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7753986#post7753986 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bohlke
Are 6 T5s with the ICs enough light though?

you mean 6 bulbs with ic reflectors , right?

because 6 OD IC ballasted t5s onan 18" tank would be overkill, except in at least a 24" tall tank. i have seen how bright 6x54 normally driven is in a 90g. i cant imagine 6 x80 overdriven on the same tank.