The T5 Q&a Thread

[creep]

Around 4" is best.

Will the tank stay the same temp without a fan on it at this height? I don't want to have to keep the fan on it since it is unsightly.

 

[horkn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8402600#post8402600 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by creep
Will the tank stay the same temp without a fan on it at this height? I don't want to have to keep the fan on it since it is unsightly.

yeah, it will stay the same temp.

t5s dont put much heat down to the tank at all.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8402600#post8402600 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by creep
Will the tank stay the same temp without a fan on it at this height? I don't want to have to keep the fan on it since it is unsightly.

Unless the room is hot to begin with you shouldn't have any issues.

 

[creep]

Thanks guys, you truly are the best.

 

[beetle-b]

Grim, an update on the question I posted for you on Friday about the weird ring on a bulb...spoke to greg at reefgeek about sending the bulb back for testing, and he said that most likely the WH7 caused the light to fail...and because of the apparent problems that come with WH7 ballasts...ATI and Gielsmenn (sp?) no longer provide warranty coverage on bulbs ran on WorkHorse ballasts. Just interesting information, as there seem to be some real pro-WH on this site. I gave them a try and unfortunatley they failed with flying colors. Luckily from what i can tell only one bulb, was forced to fail by the WH7...hopefully the life on my other bulbs won't be degraded.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

That's too bad. I will file that experience away in the memory bank.

 

[TracyZeuner]

Grim, didn't you have a chart on the par ratings of the different T-5 bulbs? I changed out an Aqua Blue for a Blue Plus and just want to see if I am looing much par

 

[The Grim Reefer]

You will lose some but not a ton, less than 20%.

 

[TracyZeuner]

I changed the bulbs and I like the look, not to much blue and the white doesn't wash out the other colors. Can you tell me what the different colors of the bulbs do.(White,Blue and Red)

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Red aka the 3000K lamp will make the look warmer, The pink and purple corraline on the rock looks brighter and pink and purple corals look deeper colored. The blue plus add blue to the look of the light and fluoresce most coral pretty well. The Aquablue is just going to brighten things up and add a lot of PAR.

 

[JC VT]

One thing I have noticed with the Aquablue is that it coats the entire tank with a baby blue hue. It's almost too bright for my set up; it overwhelms the other bulbs.

 

[kau_cinta_ku]

where does one get this 3000k lamp? as i have some pink sps's that i want their colors to look more bright.

 

[banditfl]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8411099#post8411099 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kau_cinta_ku
where does one get this 3000k lamp? as i have some pink sps's that i want their colors to look more bright.

www.reefgeek.com They are not listed on the Website, but give them a call and they have them.

 

[kau_cinta_ku]

thanks, and one final question. i have a 3 39 watt icecap retro wich i can add a 4th bulb. right now i am running
front
ATI blue plus
UVL super atanic
ATI blue plus
back

i also have a UVL aquasun bulb i am not using, what bulbs would you suggest running to make my corals colors come out great and still have a bluish tint to the tank. as all my colors seem to do great but my pink birdsnest looks brownish and would like my reds and pinks to show up a little better. weather it be ordering news bulbs and running 4 bulbs or staying with 3 bulbs but a diff. combo.

TIA

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Bag the 3000K in a system with less than 6 lamps. For now pull your super actinic out and put the Aquasun in and see what you think. I would add a fourth lamps and run the 3 blues, actinic and the aquasun.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8411201#post8411201 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kau_cinta_ku
thanks, and one final question. i have a 3 39 watt icecap retro wich i can add a 4th bulb. right now i am running
front
ATI blue plus
UVL super atanic
ATI blue plus
back

i also have a UVL aquasun bulb i am not using, what bulbs would you suggest running to make my corals colors come out great and still have a bluish tint to the tank. as all my colors seem to do great but my pink birdsnest looks brownish and would like my reds and pinks to show up a little better. weather it be ordering news bulbs and running 4 bulbs or staying with 3 bulbs but a diff. combo.

TIA

 

[Wolfmann81]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8411201#post8411201 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kau_cinta_ku
thanks, and one final question. i have a 3 39 watt icecap retro wich i can add a 4th bulb. right now i am running
front
ATI blue plus
UVL super atanic
ATI blue plus
back

i also have a UVL aquasun bulb i am not using, what bulbs would you suggest running to make my corals colors come out great and still have a bluish tint to the tank. as all my colors seem to do great but my pink birdsnest looks brownish and would like my reds and pinks to show up a little better. weather it be ordering news bulbs and running 4 bulbs or staying with 3 bulbs but a diff. combo.

TIA

Doesn't your tank look overly blue? Do you have any other lights to put out a greater amount of whiter light? I love the look of blue, but I think your corals might be quite happy with a greater amount of white (aquasun).....Unless I totally missed something.

 

[pyro2k]

I have a 55gal tank and am looking into T5s. Would you recommend the 48" 4x54w or should I go with the 6x54w? I am most likely going to retrofit my current hood. I will be keeping mostly lps and softies, with the potential for a few sps down the road.

Thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

A 4 lamp retrofit is more than enough.

 

[Serioussnaps]

I have a 55 and went with 4 bulb tek fixture....

here are my impressions and suggestions

SUGGESTIONS

1)dont buy from Sunlight Supply Unless you are ready to deal with crap customer service...if you dont expect quality service then by all means by from SLS...and in no way am i knocking the fixture ...i love it....i have just had a problem with the sockets

2)GET THE 6 BULB fixture/retro....i wouldnt normally disagree with grim here but on this one i do....

if you arent planning on keeping SPS the 4 bulb is more than enough...but if you are looking to all SpS go 6 bulb...

i wish i had more options....like the ability to add more actinics or a 3K bulb...

also, the 4 bulb doesnt cover the whole surface with light completely....the 6 bulb completely covers the surface with light....only thing about the 6 bulb is it is larger than the tank

the 6 bulb gives one more options on bulb combinations...i keep only SPS and i love the blue look but i cant get the blue look i desire because i dont have room for more actinics due to my PAR needs

IMPRESSIONS

1)love t5's...got growth on all my frags and clams

2)definitely glad with my decision to go t5 instead of halide....less heat...dont need a chiller...bulbs are cheap and dont need replacement but every 8 months-16 months.....lots of ways to play with colors and par balance....upfront cost is relatively cheap for results you are getting...

i love the t5 technology and i know it is going to improve


GET THE 6 BULBS

 

[kau_cinta_ku]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8416659#post8416659 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Wolfmann81
Doesn't your tank look overly blue? Do you have any other lights to put out a greater amount of whiter light? I love the look of blue, but I think your corals might be quite happy with a greater amount of white (aquasun).....Unless I totally missed something.

actually it's not really a blue color like the VHO atanic's it is more of a lighter blue