The T5 Q&a Thread

[rob_cline]

I have a similar question to JonnyD91. I am buying the Aquactinics 72" 14 bulb x39w T5 fixture. That totals 546w for my 180g tank. I'm planning on doing a mixed tank, but mostly SPS. What bulb configuration do you suggest? There are 7 bulbs on each side, so I can do something similar to JonnyD91 on each side. Thoughts? Also, is 546w enough?

Thanks!

- Robert

 

[The Grim Reefer]

That will be fine for SPS but keep the higher light critters up in the tank a bit.

I would run 1 row of UVL Aquasun, 1 row GE Daylights, 2 rows of Aquablues, 1 row of UVL Super Actinics and 2 Rows of ATI Blue Plus. order a couple extra Blue Plus lamps for spares and so you can swap things around if you want a more blue look.

 

[Smoke and Water]

Did not read the whole thing yet so sorry if this is redundant. Will t5 lighting get down to 36"? I am not totally sold on t5s yet so I am trying to send myself in that direction with some help. Thanks

 

[cgarsmokr]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8842792#post8842792 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Reefgek.com

Use 1 GE 3000K, you have to call to order that, not on the website yet.
1 GE 6500K
1 Aquablue
2 Blue Plus (ATI Lamps)
1 UVL Super Actinic

Grim, both ATI and geissman make an aqua blue bulb. Does it matter which one I get?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Not a huge difference betwen the two.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8846491#post8846491 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Smoke and Water
Did not read the whole thing yet so sorry if this is redundant. Will t5 lighting get down to 36"? I am not totally sold on t5s yet so I am trying to send myself in that direction with some help. Thanks

36" might be pushing it.

 

[ouuduy]

Hey guys

Hey guys

Hey grimreefer i would like your input here sir.
I have a 90 gallon tank 48" x 18" x 24"
It has all different colors and types of sps coral.
I would like to purchase a all t5 lighting fixture that i will hang
I want to spend less than 500 maybe 550
I would like to know which fixture i should get whether it be the tek lighting . the aquaactinics or anything else that you may suggest. Also could you give me the best layout for my bulbs from front to back. I would like good growth and bulbs that can bring out all the fluorescent of my coral. Appreciate it sir thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Contact reefgeek.com and ask Greg when the ATI T5 will be available. With lamps it might push you just past 550 but it will be well worth the money. It comes with the hanging kit. Get the 6x54 set up. I would run 2 ATI Blue Plus, 1 UVL Super Actinic, 1 ATI Aquablue, 1 GE 6500K Daylight and either a GE 3000K or a UVL Aquasun.

 

[gwainrig]

T5

T5

I am looking at changing my lighting on my 180 from MH to T5. I am considering the Aquactinics 72" 14 bulb x 39w or the Aquarium Obsessed 6 bulb x 80w. What do you see as the main differences/advantages for each of these? Which do you think is better?

Thanks,
Greg

 

[The Grim Reefer]

The Aquactinics is a sit on the tank fixture. The aquarium Obsessed is more of a mount in a canopy type of deal that looks like you could hang it although it wouldn't look too good IMO.

Performance wise it is hard to say. The AO fixture has reflectors that look like the ATI's but are quite a bit smaller judging by the dimensions of the fixture. I think it would be a safe bet to say they are at least as good as the Tek reflectors but I wouldn't assume they are in the same league as the Ice Cap or Aquactinics reflectors. The AO also uses better ballasts which is going to be good for about 10% better output.

In short they are both pretty good. You are definatly going to get more light with the aquactinics but you are using 14 lamps as opposed to 6. If you need the intensity throughout the whole tank the Aquactinics is the way to go. If you have some lower light critters that can be placed at the ends of the tank then the AO unit will be fine.

 

[ballinnmiami]

I'm doing a retro fit icecap 660 ballast with 4 bulbs. My question is about where to place the fans.

Should they be blowing air across the bulbs

or

blowing air on the reflectors.


Also will it be even necessary to have a fan if I'm going with and open style canopy.

-Danny-

 

[The Grim Reefer]

You need fans. You don't need to blow directly on the lamps. You want to create airflow around the lamps so just pushing air towards them will work.

 

[gwainrig]

AO

AO

Thanks Grim for the response. i am thinking about placing the fixture in the existing canopy. I am also considering doing 2 6x80 watts. Does that change your answer in any way?

Thanks,
Greg

 

[The Grim Reefer]

2 6x80 units should be good, just keep the high light critters away from the ends of the tank

 

[Josh125]

Can you offer a suggestion for a 20L tank (30")? The top brands with good reflectors only have 24" models, do you think this would pose a problem? The tank will house softies and some LPS.

Thanks, I appreciate it.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

24" would be fine for that. Tek or even the Nova will do.

 

[Roland Jacques]

Hi Grim,
Im looking for info on the T-6 bulbs. What wattage are your VHO T-6 bulbs? Do they make 48" VHO T-6 and what ballast do you use to drive them?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

These are VHO T6's. They run the same wattage as standard VHO's and run on the same ballasts. 48"=110 watts.

 

[Roland Jacques]

i have been looking for t-6 VHO info everywhere. I cant find any T-6 VHO lamps or t-6 reflectors anywhere. can you point me in the right direction?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

ASM is distributing them. You would have to find them in a LFS as far as I know, they haven't hit the online retailers yet.