The T5 Q&a Thread

[Zaphod]

thanks Grim, I think i will go with the aquatinics what bulb combination would you recomend?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Those fixtures have 3 lamps on 1 ballast and 2 on the other. 1,3,5 on one and 2,4 on the other.

I'd do this

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
UVL Super Actinic
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

You can swap the position of the aquablue and aquasun to tweak the look a little but it should give you a slighty blue look. You can get all those lamps from reefgeek, I'd order a GE daylight as a spare so you can play with different color mixes. The Ge lamp is cheap.

 

[Zaphod]

thanks so much!

 

[reefman23]

I picked up my new T5ho lamps from Greg over at reefgeek.com today... if you are hesitating placing an order with them, DON'T!! Greg is a great guy, very helpful and very friendly! I will always from them from now on.

Jesse

 

[84jeepjohn]

Would a 2 bulb tec retro be ok for a 55 gal? The only coral I've got on the sand is a brain. All softies

I'm moving to a 100g but I'm on a shoe string budget, and the bulbs in my PC lighting NEED to be changed (about 4 months ago). I'd rather put that 90ish $ twords the setup I'm going to use on the larger tank, but temporarily use them on the 55 till I get the 100 up and running.

and what two bulbs should I run?

 

[BigEasy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8297669#post8297669 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Henry Bowman
Zaphod,

Again I posed the EXACT question a while back. No one has claimed to have put a clam on the bed of a 24" deep aquarium with T5's. There were those with MH set-ups that stated their doubts. I think all that remains is to try it. I am planning a 5-6" DSB (therefore putting the clam some 20" +/- from the lamps) and will try exactly that, but will be prepared to move it up in the tank if need be.


FWIW

I have a 90 gal with 6x54w Tek fixture and have a clam on the bare bottom. It is 30" from the light and has gone from 2.5" when I bought it to around 6" now. Also have a crocea that used to be on the bottom and was growing well also. Moved him to the rocks, because they prefer rockwork (it was also getting irritated by my gobies and basslet spitting sand on it when on the bottom)

So the answer to your question is yes it can absolutely be done and the animals can thrive given good conditions.

Also have a friend with a 125g with 4x80w T5 and has 2 croceas on the sand that are growing very well with nice color.

HTH

 

[Henry Bowman]

Thanks ! From all the info I've read, it seemed possible. Now I know what I am going to do will work.

Hey BigE. I live near Covington, VA. some 5 hours or so from you but am interested in corresponding with local or area specific folks that have the reef bug. Are there any VA reef clubs that you know of ?

 

[BigEasy]

Henry,
Yes there is at least 1 in Richmond and 2 here in Hampton Roads. Google for Tidewater Reefers Society and Hampton Roads Reef Club. Both have monthly meetings.

May be others around in parts of VA, IDK


Grim,
Any experience, measurements or comments on the 15k Aquascience bulbs?
http://www.aquariumobsessed.com/mm5...Product_Code=AS-15-54W-48&Category_Code=AQSCI

 

[johnfaas]

Tek T5

Tek T5

Ok I got everything transfered to the 120 and have all 8 bulbs on the TeK 48" 8 bulb light
4 Aqua blues+
2 Mid days
2 Actinic +
First pic 4 on , 2nd with all 8

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/175938T5bulb.jpg

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Thats the D&D Geisemann Aquablue with a different name on it.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8299932#post8299932 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BigEasy
Henry,
Yes there is at least 1 in Richmond and 2 here in Hampton Roads. Google for Tidewater Reefers Society and Hampton Roads Reef Club. Both have monthly meetings.

May be others around in parts of VA, IDK


Grim,
Any experience, measurements or comments on the 15k Aquascience bulbs?
http://www.aquariumobsessed.com/mm5...Product_Code=AS-15-54W-48&Category_Code=AQSCI

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: Tek T5

Re: Tek T5

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8301645#post8301645 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by johnfaas
Ok I got everything transfered to the 120 and have all 8 bulbs on the TeK 48" 8 bulb light
4 Aqua blues+
2 Mid days
2 Actinic +
First pic 4 on , 2nd with all 8

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/175938T5bulb.jpg

Nice tank!

 

[johnfaas]

T

T

Thanks !

 

[crokus]

This thread is so huge I hope that this hasn't been asked yet. I am seting up a 54 gal corner bow front with a hood. I was wondering what would be the best t5 setup for this tank. How high above the water should i mount them and is it recomended to have a glass top on the tank or totally open. If this has already been answered excuse my ignorance.
Thanks,
Scott

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Open top is better. Keeping the lamps 4 to 6 inches above the water seems to work best. As far as number of lamps you will have to measure to see how many will fit. I'd want at least 4.

 

[TNTREEF]

hey grim, the tests you did with the IC660 was with 80wt bulbs right. how close would the PAR be with the 54wt on a 660?

Thanks.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

The 54 watts are brighter on the IC. I tested those too. 4x54 watt system, 2 D&D aquablues, 2 Actinic pluses. Spec T5 ballast PAR=135, Ice Cap 660= 183. Spect wattage 240 or so, Ice Cap 303.

 

[FishNutzBoi]

I just got my TEK 6x54W T5 fixture. Can anyone tell me what combination of bulbs are optimal for my tall 110G (48x18x30), please? I want to be able to keep SPS and Clams from the middle of the tank up, later on.

Thanks!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grab 2 ATI Blue Pluses, 1 ATI Aquablue, 1 UVL Aquasun, 1UVL Actinic White and 1 UVL Super ctinic


Should give you a nic look and lots of intensity

 

[altezza]

Grim,


I have a 75 gal (48L x 21H x 18W) and i was thinking of the Tek..but kinda hestitating of which one to get.. 4x 54w or the 6x54 w.

Which one would you recommend for my tank. Im keeping almost everything: LPS, SPS, Clams..etc.

What kind of bulbs would be good for this setup?

Thanks Grim

 

[The Grim Reefer]

6 would be best or even look at the aquactinics 5 lamp T5 unit. they would probably have just as much output.

For lamps try

ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Aquablue
UVL Actinic White
ATI Blue Plus

Would be a good start. Good PAR and nice color/