The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

Sounds like parabolic reflectors on the halides. You should be close in intensity. I would lower the shrooms if you can. Othrwise use a few layers of fiberglass window screen over the tank to shade them. Just pull a layer every week to 10 days to give the critters a chance to adjust to the new light.

 

[grandp10]

Grim, I just read on a thread that people are saying that the ATI PM will be comparable to the Solar Flare, I know you said the Solar Flare should be alot brighter, what do you think about the comment. Thanks.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

The ATI is pretty damned bright. I suspect the lamps are being overdriven to some extent. As 6 lamp ATI is probably going to at least be in striking distance of the flare.

 

[kau_cinta_ku]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8626147#post8626147 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by grandp10
Grim thanks for the quick reply, the reflector I have on that fixture is not flat it was the profesional series that has a bunch of bends in it to reflect the light better. I'm not sure if that makes a difference as to how you thought it may compare, and some of the mentioned corals were directly under the halides just 16" lower than the bulb. Please let me know if that changes what you thought and as always thank you very much.

the way I understand it is that the reflector on your T5's are the ones with alot of bends. what kind of reflector did you have on the MH's?

 

[grandp10]

The reflector I have on the metal halides is very similar to the way the Icecap reflectors look. The picture is on pfolighting.com, the professional series.

 

[TurningTim]

I'm new to the t5's and looking for some help. I just bought a 6x54w TEK fixture used (6 months old). Its in great shape but the bulbs that are in it are just to white. There are 4x GE starcoat bulbs, I think they're 10k and two Geissman acts in there now. I've been reading some but really don't understand what bulbs do what.

I would like to keep (bulbs) what I can but I do like a bluer tank. Should I add 2 aquablues or something along those lines? What would be idea for a 120 gal 26" deep tank?

Thanks for any help
Tim

 

[klongo]

I'm about to order my bulbs but need just a tad more input --- I always order my bulbs from Reefgeek, but they don't have the UVI Super Actinics in 80w - they carry the Giessemann Pure Actinics or the Actinic Plus - any thoughts on them or should I hunt down the Super Actinics in 80w?

I also need to hunt down the 3k bulb...

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8627717#post8627717 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TurningTim
I'm new to the t5's and looking for some help. I just bought a 6x54w TEK fixture used (6 months old). Its in great shape but the bulbs that are in it are just to white. There are 4x GE starcoat bulbs, I think they're 10k and two Geissman acts in there now. I've been reading some but really don't understand what bulbs do what.

I would like to keep (bulbs) what I can but I do like a bluer tank. Should I add 2 aquablues or something along those lines? What would be idea for a 120 gal 26" deep tank?

Thanks for any help
Tim

Come over to Aurora and buy a couple of Blue Plus lamps from me I have a lot of spare T5 lamps from the group buy we did. I'll sell them for what reefgeek does.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8627760#post8627760 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by katlongo
I'm about to order my bulbs but need just a tad more input --- I always order my bulbs from Reefgeek, but they don't have the UVI Super Actinics in 80w - they carry the Giessemann Pure Actinics or the Actinic Plus - any thoughts on them or should I hunt down the Super Actinics in 80w?

I also need to hunt down the 3k bulb...

You can check with the geek for the 3K lamps, they should be able to get them. Just run the pure actinic with blue plus T5's and it will be fine, UVL doesn't do 60" lamps.

 

[TurningTim]

Hey Grim, I saw that and wondered if you we're in CO. Where the heck are you? I would be glad to make a deal! You work in a store? You in a club around here?

That would be great! How do you want to hook up?

Tim

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8628320#post8628320 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TurningTim
Hey Grim, I saw that and wondered if you we're in CO. Where the heck are you? I would be glad to make a deal! You work in a store? You in a club around here?

That would be great! How do you want to hook up?

Tim

YGPM

There is a fairly strong club presnce here

http://reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=81

 

[grandp10]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8626267#post8626267 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
The ATI is pretty damned bright. I suspect the lamps are being overdriven to some extent. As 6 lamp ATI is probably going to at least be in striking distance of the flare.

Grim, wow I didn't know they were that close of comparison. Almost everyone I talk to tell me that the Solar Flare will be alot brighter, anyway I know that's all opinion. All in all I like the features on the Solar Flare better, I guees at this point I would like your expertise to tell me in comparison to the ATI if you think the Solar Flare will be better for sps and clams? Thank you very much.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I guess we'll have to wait until the US version of the ATI comes out. The unit I have here is insanly bright. It spanks my 4x54 watt T5's. Until someone checks a US version I would stick with the Solar Flare despite my misgivings about the fan operation..

 

[grandp10]

Thank you very much Grim.

 

[grandp10]

Grim, how much clearance above the fans on the ATI would you recommend I would only have a little over 14" as my ceiling is low in that area. Could that be an issue, do the fans blow hard enough to blow heat back on the tank or light fixture. I also like that the Solar Flare has fans on the side so this does not matter. Still weighting all my options and trying to understand every acpect, as this is quite an investment in equipment.

 

[grandp10]

Grim, how much clearance above the fans on the ATI would you recommend I would only have a little over 14" as my ceiling is low in that area. Could that be an issue, do the fans blow hard enough to blow heat back on the tank or light fixture, so it may not cool as much? I also like that the Solar Flare has fans on the side so this does not matter. Still weighting all my options and trying to understand every acpect, as this is quite an investment in equipment. Thank you very much.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I'd say a few inches would be nough as long as the back is open.

 

[Kurt03]

what t5 setup would you recommend for a 150g? I have a 55 with 4x54 right now and am upgrading to a 150gal i just got for a good deal. It came with halides and i will be running them for now but was wondering what would work for this tank.
The dimensions are 72x18 30" tall i think.
Thanks!

oh yea, i keep mainly sps, some lps, and zoas.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

6x80 watt retros with Ice Cap reflectors and ballasts. You have to order 2 36" reflectors per lamp from IC direct to get a deal.

 

[tgsplano]

150 Gallon Lighting Options

150 Gallon Lighting Options

I started reading this thread from post number 1 (4 splits ago) and thought I'd read through the entire thread and I'd be able to make a knowledgeable decision on my own. It took a week to get to the first split, so I cheated and skipped to the last splitting of the thread. Now I'm confused by the new choices being discussed now. I have a 150 Gallon (72" L x 18' D x 28" T-deep sandbed so probably really 22" from surface of water to top of sandbed) with mostly softies, rics and zoos under about 300 W PC. I have a couple of anemones and a few LPS. I plan on adding a couple of dozen of SPS and maybe a clam once I figure out what lamps to use. Is this the best option to buy for a hood with about 7" of clearance?

http://reefgeek.com/products/categories/lighting/104073.html

And this looks like the bulbs that were suggested a couple of years ago:

Front

Actinic Plus
BluePlus
Daylight
BluePlus
Daylight
Actinic Plus

But I see this suggested now:

Front

Pure Actinic or Actinic Blue
ATI Blue Plus
Midday
Aquablue
Midday
UVL Super Actinic

My plans are to move my softies and such downward and out to the ends of the aquarium. Is there a cheaper alternative that I'm missing?

Thanks in advance for everyone's help-especially to Grim & everyone that has been posting photos of your reefs under the t5 lighting. That really is giving me the confidence that t5's is the right decision for me.

Trey