The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8194675#post8194675 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dandy7200
If I use a 24" PFO parallel reflector for my halide (250w se) would it be woth it to get individual reflectors to put on the t-5's if that is what I choose to use for my actinic? I have a odd shaped tank and could only get 1 bulb in the front and one in the back and the parallel reflector will give me the best elliptical spread for the setup. Do you recomend the 2ea 24w t-5 for this application or should I stick to vho? I know that I am asking this in a t-5 thread but, I just wanted an honest opinion to optimize my new setup.

Thanks.

Kinda depends on the halide you will use. If you are going with a 14K I would use VHO actinics. If you are using a 10K I would use BLue Plus T5's. 10K halides have a lot of actinic range output so the bluer T5 lamp will get you a nicer look. If you use a 14K halide they have a lot of 450nm blue but not much actinic so the VHO actinic will get you a better look. I would mount either in the PFO relector.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8194961#post8194961 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by vanceny
Well I finally got my 6 x 54w tek fixture. The bulbs that I have available to me have changed since I last posted. This is what I have:

1 Geisemann Midday
2 Geisemann Aquablue +
4 Ati Blue

What order should I put these in for color and growth?

Advanced thanks to all the t5 specialists out there answering all of our questions.

Front
Blue
Blue
Miday
Blue
Aquablue
Blue

That should get you a nice look and good distribution.

 

[vanceny]

thanks grim. i'll throw that in tonight.

 

[AVALover5498]

It might have been in this thread already but i've gotta leave in like 20 minutes...I was just wondering what people think of the 8-lamp t5 fixture from cureent...i think it's called nova extreme. I really want this fixture for my 90 gallon. Pics would be cool to

 

[AVALover5498]

current usa.....sorry (cureent)..lol

 

[sarduci]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8194938#post8194938 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Check with reefgek next week. He did have 54 watt 3ks (they aren't listed on the website), not sure if he has 39 watt lamps or not. Seedsetc.com would likely have them.

I found the bulbs on Seedsetc.com (found them via google after I starting reading this massive thread) but only 24 and 48" lenghts are on the web site. I guess I'll just call tomorrow about it.

Thanks for the help TGR!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

http://www.atlantalightbulbs.com/ecart/10Expand.asp?ProductCode=F39W.T5.830

 

[sarduci]

Awesome, thanks!

 

[calero]

hey guys, i have been reading these threads and im amazed of the amount of knowledge here, im setting a 46 g bowfront tank from oceanic for LPS mainly, micromussas, acanthastreas and that kind of stuff, i dont have a canopy so im gonna need something to install on the top of the tank, i will use a comb. of MH and PCs or VHOs, what brand do you think its suits me better ? and where do i buy them ? so far reading here i will guess reefgeek, but what kind ?, i have three tanks with canopies so i dont have any experience with the retrofits or satellite stuff, thanks in advance.

 

[sarduci]

Just ordered four 3000k bulbs from atlanta light bulbs, ordering the retros from reefgeek in a few seconds.

Any suggestions on what combo of bulbs to use with the 3k? I don't mind ordering 3 or 4 of a few different kinds and posting pictures of them here for reference since it'll be a 6 bulb retro.

 

[sarduci]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8196295#post8196295 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by calero
hey guys, i have been reading these threads and im amazed of the amount of knowledge here, im setting a 46 g bowfront tank from oceanic for LPS mainly, micromussas, acanthastreas and that kind of stuff, i dont have a canopy so im gonna need something to install on the top of the tank, i will use a comb. of MH and PCs or VHOs, what brand do you think its suits me better ? and where do i buy them ? so far reading here i will guess reefgeek, but what kind ?, i have three tanks with canopies so i dont have any experience with the retrofits or satellite stuff, thanks in advance.

46 BF 36x15x20

Maybe a combination of a few T5 36" bulbs in the back and a few 24" bulbs in the front where it gets smaller. You'll only be able to get 5 IceCap reflectors in there, but the Tek Readyfits are as narrow as they get. You may be able to squeeze in 6 bulbs that way at the cost of some of the PAR that's available at the bottom of the tank.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8197919#post8197919 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sarduci
Just ordered four 3000k bulbs from atlanta light bulbs, ordering the retros from reefgeek in a few seconds.

Any suggestions on what combo of bulbs to use with the 3k? I don't mind ordering 3 or 4 of a few different kinds and posting pictures of them here for reference since it'll be a 6 bulb retro.

I currently run 1 3000K, 1 UVL Actinic WHite, 1 ATI Actinic, 1 Blue Plus and 1 UVL Super Actinic and I would say it looks very close to a 10K halide and VHO actinic combo.

 

[sarduci]

Thanks for the help. I'll grab a couple of each.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I would probably come up with a mix of the 3K, UVL SA, blue plus and a sun or aquablue depending on taste. The only reason I run the ATI actinic is I had one here anyway so figured what the hell. I think I am going to swapp it out for a Helios superblue which is a little higher in the blue spectrum than other blues just to see how that looks.

 

[Avast Marine]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8194982#post8194982 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Kinda depends on the halide you will use. If you are going with a 14K I would use VHO actinics. If you are using a 10K I would use BLue Plus T5's. 10K halides have a lot of actinic range output so the bluer T5 lamp will get you a nicer look. If you use a 14K halide they have a lot of 450nm blue but not much actinic so the VHO actinic will get you a better look. I would mount either in the PFO relector.

I was going to run 20k xm with actinic white to suppliment.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

That could look nice.

 

[Avast Marine]

It sure looked nice on SunnyX tank! Do you think I would get a noticable intensity increase by running t-5 actinic whites vs. vho?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

The Actinic white produces quite a bit of PAR. It isn't quite as much as the ATI Aquablue but it is close.

 

[Avast Marine]

Great, then if it is a PAR issue I'll for sure go t-5 so I get the penetration. Thanks Grim!

 

[sarduci]

Fan placement in the hood - left and right ends blowing the bulb length, or back to front, over the endcaps? Not overdriven, using triade ballasts.