The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8519046#post8519046 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by somethinfishier
I just wired up three 39 watt t5s to my IC 660 and they seem a little hot. I can touch them but I can not touch them for very long. I know that the 660 overdrives them and I plan on running fans in the canopy. Is this normal for them to be this hot?

Yes

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8520512#post8520512 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sjm
Ok I got a 220 gal, 72 x 30 x 20. Right now I run with 4 VHO's. I am thinking of goint with TEK T5's. I have mostly fish, a few zoos, polyps, several mushrooms, and 1 monipora. We will stick with fish mostly and add some softies. Can ya'll give me some ideas??

The T5's will give you way better punch to the bottom of that tank.

 

[Pufferpunk]

Bulb Order/Acclimation

Bulb Order/Acclimation

I have:
2 Actinic +
2 Aqua Blue
1 Pure Actinic
1 Midday 6,000 K

1) What order do I put them in on a 90g tank? They will be only about 2" from the water. I have mostly zoas/softies/leathers/LPS. Clams & brains at the bottom on the sand.

2) I will have these bulbs on 3 different timers (grouped by twos). How should they be paired & what length of time should they be on? I'd kinda like the bluest ones to be on alone for an hour in the morning & at night.

3) I have been using 260wt PC bulbs up to now. How should I acclimate the corals?

4) What about salt spray? Can I put a thin sheet of acrylic over them?


Thanks in advance! ~Jeni

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Yes on the acrylic. Use a few layers of fiberglass window screen over the tank and pull a layer ever few days to a week to let the critters acclimate.

Try the lamps like this

Front

Actinic Plus B2
Pure Actinic B1
Aquablue B3
Midday B3
Aquablue B2
Actinic Plus B1

Just start ballast 1-2-3 and you will have a nice ramp up to full power

 

[evilsike]

hey guys. I'm setting up an Aquaactinics 5 lamp and just purchased 5 bulbs from Greg@reefgeek.

1x3k
1xUVL Super actinic
1xUVL12k (50/50)
2xATI Blue plus

front
1
2
3
4
5

what do you guys think on the combination? by the way 1,3 and 5 on 1 plug while 2.4 on the other
thanks in advance

 

[Pufferpunk]

Thanks GR but the bulbs go together in twos, along w/one ballast.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8522180#post8522180 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Pufferpunk
Thanks GR but the bulbs go together in twos, along w/one ballast.

Well then try this

Actinic Plus B1
Pure Actinic B1
Aquablue B3
Midday B3
Aquablue B2
Actinic Plus B2

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8521546#post8521546 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by evilsike
hey guys. I'm setting up an Aquaactinics 5 lamp and just purchased 5 bulbs from Greg@reefgeek.

1x3k
1xUVL Super actinic
1xUVL12k (50/50)
2xATI Blue plus

front
1
2
3
4
5

what do you guys think on the combination? by the way 1,3 and 5 on 1 plug while 2.4 on the other
thanks in advance

front
1 Blue Plus
2 Super Actinic
3 3K
4 Blue Plus
5 Aquablue

 

[Pufferpunk]

Thanks oh wise one! I don't know what I'd do w/o this thread!

 

[evilsike]

thanx Grim. I appreciate all you've done for this hobby

 

[1newfish]

I just bought a used tank measuring, 48long x 12wide x 18 tall.
so I think thats a 40gallon. Any ways i would like to know what type of light setup should i run that will give me the most options with what types of corals i can keep. as well as not to overly expensive. I also built my own stand and canopy. the canopy only allows about 7inches from top of tank to inside top of canopy. i would be willing to change it if i have to.

any help will be wonderfull. thank you.

 

[Henry Bowman]

I think your tank is closer to 55. 48X18X20 is a bit over 80gl. Anyway.... check www.aquatinics.com or better yet www.reefgeek.com (for retrofits). T5's will benefit all the things you will want to put in your tank. I'd go with a minimum of 4 lights, 5 lights if it will fit.

Take Care

 

[1newfish]

i have been looking in the used equipment forum, and i think i can get a icecap 660 for not to much. So would it be a good idea to get one of those and overdrive 4 t5s.

thank you for the response Henry.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

You don't NEED to overdrive the lamps on a 55. If you do forget about shrooms and open brains.

 

[1newfish]

what type of ballast would i us for the t5s Grim?
and what type of bulb configuration. I like a more white natural look.

The least expinsive at reefgeek is $300. I was hoping to not have to spend that much.

Would a 4 bulb power compact do? There are a couple used that i can get for cheap. I know i sound like i don't want to spend the money to get quality. but if i can by cheaper that would be great.

 

[1newfish]

i'm looking at a 48in 4x65 current usa powercompact orbit.
150 used 1yr old.
how would that work for the 55gallon.

 

[Mike in CA]

I'm going to put up t5 lights, 48" 54 watts. After reading here please correct me if these are not the desired lights:

Front
Aquablue
SA
Aquasun
Blue Plus
Aquablue

Is reefgeek the best place to get them? Also, please let me know if these are the correct lights for the lights noted above as found on the reefgeek site:

ATI 54W 12000K Aquablue Special T5 HO Fluorescent
UV Lighting 54W Super Actinic T5 HO Fluorescent
UV Lighting 54W 10000K AquaSun T5 HO Fluorescent
ATI 54W Blue Plus T5 HO Fluorescent
ATI 54W 12000K Aquablue Special T5 HO Fluorescent

Please make any suggestions you feel are appropriate.

Mike

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8525290#post8525290 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mike in CA
I'm going to put up t5 lights, 48" 54 watts. After reading here please correct me if these are not the desired lights:

Front
Aquablue
SA
Aquasun
Blue Plus
Aquablue

Is reefgeek the best place to get them? Also, please let me know if these are the correct lights for the lights noted above as found on the reefgeek site:

ATI 54W 12000K Aquablue Special T5 HO Fluorescent
UV Lighting 54W Super Actinic T5 HO Fluorescent
UV Lighting 54W 10000K AquaSun T5 HO Fluorescent
ATI 54W Blue Plus T5 HO Fluorescent
ATI 54W 12000K Aquablue Special T5 HO Fluorescent

Please make any suggestions you feel are appropriate.

Mike

That will be a good place to start. Reefgeek seems to have the best selections for the price.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8525141#post8525141 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 1newfish
i'm looking at a 48in 4x65 current usa powercompact orbit.
150 used 1yr old.
how would that work for the 55gallon.

If thats all you can afford it will work

 

[1newfish]

okay, how about a tek light t5 4 bulb fixture?
would that be better than the pc?

If you could make this much easier for me and suggest a complete light set-up that you think would be good for the above mentioned tank.