The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

You want to make sure the sandbed will have full intensity. you need to have the clams under the lamps so you want to mount the lamps towards the front.

For a lamp mix I would try this

Blue Plus
Aquablue
ATI Sun Pro or UVL Aquasun
Blue Plus
GE 3000K or another sun lamp
Blue Plus

 

[horkn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8163408#post8163408 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Urabggr
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?

yep

i have been running my 3x39w t5ho retro off of one w5 ballast for nearly 2 years now. I have had not one single issue.

 

[horkn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8169491#post8169491 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hefeweizan
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

6 overdriven will work great. i cant imagine you needing more ligth thanthat, even for sps and clams, butyou could always add another 2 bulb retro if you had to. i really dont think you would though considering guys with 90g's running all IC overdriven t5s needing only 4 54 watters running at 85watts and having great success.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Come to think of it spend the extra 20 bux or so to get 2 IC 660 ballasts with the 6 lamp kit. It would normally come with one 660 and one 430. The 430 can only run 2 T5's. If you get 2 660's you can add a couple more lamps later if you decide you need more light. You could even run 6 T5's and 2 VHO actinics with those 2 ballasts.

 

[powerplay]

Hi Grim,
I have a 150 gallon reef tank. I have two 660 Icecap ballasts and currently use (4) URI VHO lamps. I have been told the T5 color is not as nice as VHO. Since I need new lamps anyway, I was thinking of changing to T5. I would buy the individual reflectors and new end caps. How many lamps are recommended, manufacturer, what type/spectrum, and what order front to back. I assume 80W lamps. I have heavily encrusted coralline rock, soft corals, mushrooms, etc. I want to install proper lighting now, so I can keep preety much anything.
Thanks in advance.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

The only real advantage to VHO's is for actinics. URI which is now UV Lighting has brought out a line of T5 lamps which should tell you something.

In your case I would hang on to a couple of VHO actinics and run 6 T5's with them. The big advantage to T5's other than more intensity and less heat and power usage is the wide selection of lamps. There are T5 lamps from 3000K up to 50,000K and even some decent actinics now. With VHO you get like 3.

I would try this

Front

URI/UVL VHO Actinic*
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Sun Pro, D&D Midday or GE 3000K
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
URI/UVL VHO Actinic*

*If you want to go all T5 use UVL Super Actinic T5's

 

[powerplay]

Thanks Grim.
If I use all T5's should I use (8) staggered 48" lamps or (8) 60" lamps. Currently I have VHO's 2 actinic, and 2 50/50.
Are 6 T5's not enough?

Thanks again.............................

 

[hefeweizan]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8170839#post8170839 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Come to think of it spend the extra 20 bux or so to get 2 IC 660 ballasts with the 6 lamp kit. It would normally come with one 660 and one 430. The 430 can only run 2 T5's. If you get 2 660's you can add a couple more lamps later if you decide you need more light. You could even run 6 T5's and 2 VHO actinics with those 2 ballasts.

Yes, I already had that in mind....Thanks Grim

I'm looking to see if I can find a tread that has picture of a tank with 8 T5's and the 660 ballasts...

The main thing I am also undecided about is whether to go with the IceCap ballast or a ballast that doesn't overdrive the bulbs....

I have an IceCap 430 now with VHOs and I love the ballast and especially the customer serve...I'm just now sure about overdriving the bulbs...?

Mike

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8171290#post8171290 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by powerplay
Thanks Grim.
If I use all T5's should I use (8) staggered 48" lamps or (8) 60" lamps. Currently I have VHO's 2 actinic, and 2 50/50.
Are 6 T5's not enough?

Thanks again.............................

If it is 72" go with 6 60" lamps. If you are only running 4 VHO's the 6 T5's will be a large increase in light. I would run 1 Sun, 2 Aquablues, 2 Blue Plus and 1 Actinic.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8171331#post8171331 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hefeweizan
Yes, I already had that in mind....Thanks Grim

I'm looking to see if I can find a tread that has picture of a tank with 8 T5's and the 660 ballasts...

The main thing I am also undecided about is whether to go with the IceCap ballast or a ballast that doesn't overdrive the bulbs....

I have an IceCap 430 now with VHOs and I love the ballast and especially the customer serve...I'm just now sure about overdriving the bulbs...?

Mike

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8171331#post8171331 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hefeweizan
Yes, I already had that in mind....Thanks Grim

I'm looking to see if I can find a tread that has picture of a tank with 8 T5's and the 660 ballasts...

The main thing I am also undecided about is whether to go with the IceCap ballast or a ballast that doesn't overdrive the bulbs....

I have an IceCap 430 now with VHOs and I love the ballast and especially the customer serve...I'm just now sure about overdriving the bulbs...?

Mike

8 non overdriven lamps with Ice Cap reflectors might get you enough. If you have a 430 already you could try ordering an 8 lamp Tek setup upgraded to Ice Cap reflectors, have them delete 1 ballast and use your 430 to overdrive a couple of sun lamps to give you a boost.

 

[powerplay]

Grim,
My tank is a 150 gallon, 60" L x 24" W x 24" H. Go with (6) 60" T5's or (6) staggered 48" T5's?

Thanks

 

[esco]

I had a quick question regarding "sizing" of the TEK Light hoods...

my tank is a 40g with dims 36L x 15W x 16H, currently i'm running a 250w HQI, and want to switch over to T5's. i am currently keeping a mixed reef, but have begun to start building a collection of SPS. my dilemma is choosing the right 36'' TEK fixture (4 bulb or 6 bulb).

the 36'' 6x39w TEK hood is 15'' in width (234w total)
the 36'' 4x39w TEK hood is 12'' in width (156w total)

the reason for my dilemma is, since i plan to use the mounting legs instead of hanging the TEK fixture, i will be able to get 6'' clearance from the top of the tank to the bottom of the fixture. i'm worried this may not be enough room for me to do maintenance if i choose the 6x39w hood since it is EXACTLY the same width as my tank (15'').

if those of you with the 36'' TEK light hood could give me some advice as to whether or not i should sacrifice 78w of lighting for a narrower fixture (4x39w) to gain 3'' of "working space" in the front (or back) ... or if i should just stick w/more wattage on the wider fixture (6x39w) and suck it up when i do maintenance.

thanks in advance

 

[sprite]

wrong thread

 

[reefman23]

Which Tek retro should I get for a 20L... 2x24 watter, 4x24 watter, etc. I keep mostly zoas and LPS, and I have two croceas on the sand right in the middle.

I am currently running a 150 watt MH with a 14,000k Phoenix, but I am looking at other lighting options. I like more of a blue look as opposed to the white look, but I want my clams to be happy.. what lamp combo would you recommend? I guess I am mostly looking to get more fluoresence and more of an even coverage that you just can't get from a stand-alone halide.

Thanks for your help.

Jesse

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8171912#post8171912 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by powerplay
Grim,
My tank is a 150 gallon, 60" L x 24" W x 24" H. Go with (6) 60" T5's or (6) staggered 48" T5's?

Thanks

Staggering the 48"'s is going to leave you with lower intensity areas at the ends where you can keep lower light critters like shrooms happy and brighter in the center few feet of the tank. The 60" lamps wont be as intense in the center but will be even out to the ends.

If you have or plan clams or anemones I would use the 48's to get the better intensity in the center. If it is a tank full of softies and LPS I would use the 60". You can have SPS with either as long as you don't place them too low in the tank.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8173104#post8173104 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefman23
Which Tek retro should I get for a 20L... 2x24 watter, 4x24 watter, etc. I keep mostly zoas and LPS, and I have two croceas on the sand right in the middle.

I am currently running a 150 watt MH with a 14,000k Phoenix, but I am looking at other lighting options. I like more of a blue look as opposed to the white look, but I want my clams to be happy.. what lamp combo would you recommend? I guess I am mostly looking to get more fluoresence and more of an even coverage that you just can't get from a stand-alone halide.

Thanks for your help.

Jesse

You would want to use a 4 lamp system if you are not going to use the halide. If you used one ATI Sun Pro, 2 ATI Blue Plus and 1 UVL Super Actinic you would have enough PAR for the Croceas with a pretty blue look and good fluorescence.

If you just want to blue up the halide go with a 2 lamp retro with one ATI Plus Plus and 1 UVL Super actinic.

 

[reefman23]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8173229#post8173229 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
You would want to use a 4 lamp system if you are not going to use the halide. If you used one ATI Sun Pro, 2 ATI Blue Plus and 1 UVL Super Actinic you would have enough PAR for the Croceas with a pretty blue look and good fluorescence.

If you just want to blue up the halide go with a 2 lamp retro with one ATI Plus Plus and 1 UVL Super actinic.

Maybe a dumb question but which would you go with... the 4x24 watt t-5 HO setup or adding the actinic supplementation?

Either way, it will be going into a canopy that I plan on building. I would just stagger the 4x24 watters (2 towards the left, 2 towards the right).

I have never ran t-5 HO's before, nor have I even seen them run on a tank in person... how intense would the 4x24 watter be compared to a 150 watt MH?

Thanks for the help!

Jesse

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I am assuming the tank is 30" long? Just staggered a couple inches each way will give you full coverage. I would probably run the halide with a couple T5's if it was mine. A couple of UVL Super Actinics would probably give you the best look. I would run them in front of the halide.

 

[reefman23]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8173379#post8173379 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
A couple of UVL Super Actinics would probably give you the best look. I would run them in front of the halide.

Just curious... how would the t5 ho actinic supplementation compare to a single VHO Super Actinic lamp? Previous to looking into the t-5's i was considering the VHO supp.

Thanks alot... you are a HUGE help!

Jesse

 

[ultraxr]

just ordered my 8x54 T5 fixture today....!

A little excited and had to share it with you all.

I must say Reefgeek has definitely impressed me with their customer service. I mean, they called me up within 30 mins of my order to verify my order.