The T5 Q&a Thread

[All Delight]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7812042#post7812042 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by banditfl
Best price you will find is at Reefgeek.com

http://www.reefgeek.com/products/categories/lighting/104188.html
And it even has 2 Daylight lamps.

If no SPS you could go with this: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=12772&N=2004+113175
a little cheaper and has lamps. No individual reflectors which means not as light transfers to the aquarium.

But we all start with softies only and eventually end up with SPS.

Thanks banditfl !

 

[redfisher17]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7812422#post7812422 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by crvz
What's the opinion of putting 48" bulbs over a 60" tank? I kind of what the room on the side to install some fans, and i'm not interested in stocking the tank to the brim. Has anyone done this, or are there some obvious drawbacks that i am just not seeing? I am custom building the hood, so being able to install a retrofit will be no issue. Thanks!

I was thinking the same thing, but for a different reason. I'd like to keep some SPS, but don't want to give up ALL softies/LPS (I know I can't have the best of both worlds!). I was thinking that a shorter light (say a 24" 4-bulb Teklight) hung over a 36" Breeder may give a little shading along the edges of rocks for some lower light species. I'm not sure this if this would make any difference with flourescents though. One more thing I was thinking is buying the Nova Extreme. I realize it doesn't have individual reflectors, but I would just keep softies/LPS under it and I really like the idea of being able to play with bulb combinations. Oh, and it's cheap. The Teklight looks like an awesome fixture though..

Pardon the rambling..

Thanks for your comments (and I'm sure master Grim will chime in)

 

[hahnmeister]

redfisher17,
you might as well just get the 3' bulbs...a 2' unit will cost you just as much and so do the bulbs. If you dont think you need as much light, just use less bulbs (or bluer ones), and use creative rockwork with overhangs and caverns to shade the lower-light species. OR, just get a taller tank. It will be dim at the bottom and bright up top. But using 2' bulbs rather than 3' will cost you the same money really...the cost in T5s seems to be in the bulbs, and the bulb cost doesnt vary too much if they are 2' or 4'.

As for a 5' tank with 4' bulbs...go for it...it wont be a problem. I used to run a 6' tank with 4' bulbs waaaaay back when. The light spreads out very well by the time it reaches the bottom. If nothing else, keep in mind that most halide pendants end up 6" or more from each end of the tank...so 4' lights over a 5' tank...no problem. If nothing else, you get a chance to have your overflow(s) in the corners where they can be nice and hidden in the dark.

 

[redfisher17]

Thanks for the reply. I forgot to mention the height of the tank as well. The 65g I'm looking at is 17 or 18" inches tall. I really like the longer, shallow look. I would have to go WAY taller for the T5's to lose strength near the bottom, right? I think I'd rather go bluer than go deeper. That could be a good option, but don't want a real dark blue look. Are you talking about going bluer on the Teklight fixture (4 bulb)? I know that softies/lps do fine under the single reflector Nova Extreme.. I saw a nice 40 gallon packed with em with that fixture using the "stock" Current bulbs. Not sure if any SPS would do ok though.

Thanks for your help.. I'm sure it will end up trial and error like usual.. part of the challenge.

 

[snookface1]

Grim, You suggested I replace my T-5 bulbs with the following, but just wanted to make sure before I order them. Heres your sugestion:

Front
ATI Blue Plus
ATI AquaBlue Special or Giesman Aquablue Plus
UVL Super Actinic

Also is this the correct placement or make any other suggestions?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Put the super actinic in front

 

[snookface1]

Which one is better or does it matter?

ATI AquaBlue Special or Giesman Aquablue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

ATI for the aquablue and Blue Plus, better PAR from those than the D&D.

 

[ccoral]

Grim,
How much more par? Does the ATI put out than the D&D bulbs?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

248 and 302 for the D&D vs. 311 and 322 for the ATI. The ATI lights closer to the ends of the tubes as well.

 

[uf-engineer]

I’ve read conflicting points of view on this. I'm trying to get a straight answer. Do T5s get as hot at MHs?

I’m looking for lighting on a 90 AGA, 24” tall. I’m considering either 2 -250 watt MH or 6-8 T5s. I have two fans in my canopy for cooling. A chiller is out of the question.

Thanks

 

[uf-engineer]

Sorry 54 Watt T5s.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

The T5's will cause less heating than halides. 8 normally driven T5's with Ice Cap reflectors will allow you to raise most critters in the tank if you place them correctly.

 

[vanceny]

Originally posted by The Grim Reefer
"A standard Tek light fixture will work but you need to keep the higher light stuff up on the rocks."

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7812320#post7812320 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by vanceny
Grim,

Thanks for all the info. With the quote above, if I only want to keep mostly softies and lps would that be too much light? I do want to have some easier sps up on the rocks but my concern is for the softies. So a clam on the sandbed is not going to happen with this fixture, is that correct?

With what I want, would the aquatinic fixture be more suitable for me? But with this a clam would not work anywhere?

THanks again!!

Sorry to repost but my question seems to have gotten lost in the shuffle. javascript:smilie('')
big grin

Please see above. I'll be making a purchase soon.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Correct, No clam at the sand. You could at least keep the lower light clams with the 5 lamp Aqauctinics fixture and higher light softies would be good but shrooms wouldn't be too happy.

 

[vanceny]

would the lower light clams (deresa) need to be up high in the tank or could they be on the sand? If they can be on the sand, then could a maxima or crocea be high up and survive? (with the aquatinic or 6 bulb tek)

Thanks for taking the time out to answer.

 

[tankxenia]

Hi grim! Was wondering if you could help me out. I have a T5 setup (8) 54w t5 48" setup but I am setting up a 180g tank that is 72" long. I will have a 24" gap, was wondering if this light setup is worth using along with another 24" T5 setup to fill the canopy??? Or should I just ditch this new setup and purchase another that is the correct length of 72". I will be keeping clams, softies, and some stonies.

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[vessxpress1]

Hi Grim. Don't know if you caught my other thread (it got buried quick) but my junky dual 96 W PC hood just had a bulb go out today and apparently that socket isn't working now because I tried another one and no go. The bulbs are current sunpaqs and were 5 months old.

So I only have one 10,000/6700 k 96 W over my tank right now and I'm nervous as hell. I have a 10" BTA in there and I don't want it to move at all! I was looking to upgrade next year because my bulbs were middle aged, but after this I need to upgrade now.

I have a 38 gal. tank that is 12" front to back, 3' long. It is mixed with my BTA, and many different LPS and softies. I have a ton of questions but I'll try to keep to the most important ones.

First, I want a Tek unit. After reading a lot here, I'm afraid to go with the 6 bulb set up for this tank now. Should I just buy the 4 x 39? And should I get the SLR reflectors right away or just wait and see how the tank responds?

Which do you think are the best bulbs and how would you configure a 4 bulb set up on this? The PCs were one half and half 10,000k/6700k and one 6700k/460nm. I think the light was a little too yellow for my taste. I'd like a natural look with a little more blue, but mainly what will grow coral the best. That's my main concern. The T-5 pics I've seen look great!

Next, sorry for the dumb question but why is everybody upgrading the balast on these to icecaps and overdriving them? Is this necessary or is it mainly part of the struggle to have the best lighting system here? I just would like to know if it's worth it, as in, the balasts that come with the unit aren't good enough?

I'd be thrilled if you could let me know soon. I'm ready to order a new light tonight.

Sorry for the bombardment of questions but I've naturally gravitated to this thread.

 

[vessxpress1]

Can anybody help?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7819936#post7819936 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by vanceny
would the lower light clams (deresa) need to be up high in the tank or could they be on the sand? If they can be on the sand, then could a maxima or crocea be high up and survive? (with the aquatinic or 6 bulb tek)

Thanks for taking the time out to answer.

I think a decent size deresa would be fine on the sand with the aquactinics or 6 lamp tek, Maxima or Crocea up on the rocks would work. I think I'd stick with Crocea because they prefer being on the rocks to begin with.