The T5 Q&a Thread

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I have a 48x30x18 105 gal tank. I want to add a new tek t5 lightings system 8 bulb 54 watts 48". I want to grow sps, clams, lps and zoas. Is this enough light and what bulbs do I buy? I want a white look maybe with a blue hint. I want my colors of my corals to pop. I also need to know what order I put my bulbs in. I am very new at this and don't understan the lighting very well, I've read alot but just can't get it. Thanks for your help.
 
I have a Tek Light 54wx8 and was wondering... What is better, lights slightly higher with no acrylic lens or lower with one? I noticed my acrylic is melting slightly... So I am concerned.
 
I think if you look at the ebay unit "german parabolic reflectors" they are all hype and no go... You are better off with the reflectors designed specifically for the t5 app. (or close to it i.e. the custom aquatics one) In general, I'd stay away from the ebay units. I have never heard anyone say they got a great deal from the ebay light vendors.... IMHO

FWIW
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8917963#post8917963 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pepsicola
I have a 48x30x18 105 gal tank. I want to add a new tek t5 lightings system 8 bulb 54 watts 48". I want to grow sps, clams, lps and zoas. Is this enough light and what bulbs do I buy? I want a white look maybe with a blue hint. I want my colors of my corals to pop. I also need to know what order I put my bulbs in. I am very new at this and don't understan the lighting very well, I've read alot but just can't get it. Thanks for your help.

Front
Blue Plus or actinic plus
UVL Super Actinic
GE Daylight
ATI Aquablue
UVL Aquasun
GE Daylight
UVL Super Actinic
Blue Plus

That should look pretty white and pop colors.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8917982#post8917982 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ccondo
I have a Tek Light 54wx8 and was wondering... What is better, lights slightly higher with no acrylic lens or lower with one? I noticed my acrylic is melting slightly... So I am concerned.

As long as your fixture is at least 4" above the tank an isn't in a canopy pull the acrylic.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8918316#post8918316 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mtown
The ebay one has german parabolic refelctors and I suppose mositure resistant endcaps. Should I still go with the customaquatics?

Anyways thanks for the link

Those are just polished aluminum and not parabolic. The good reflctors not only have a more effective dsign, they are made from material that is specifically designed to have high reflectivity.
 
Grim,
Is there a way to protect the slr reflectors from salt dammage.
The salt spray damages them pretty quick.
could I use some kind of wax or polish to protect them.
Thanks,
Vic
 
The Grim Reefer,

Thanks for answering me earlier. I have another Question. What would 4 Midday, 2 Aquablue and 2 Pure Actinic's look like? Would this give a white with a blue hint and make my corals pop and grow? Geez......I wish I could understand this stuff. Thanks!!!!!
 
Hi Grim,
I have a 45 gallon LPS only reef lit by 2 X 96W PC lighting. Under the current lighting my corals are surviving OK but not growing.

I want to upgrade my lighting to a Aquatinics 5 X 39W t5 fixure. Will this be too much light?

Is this a good bulb combo? What color will this give? Is this enough blue for my corals to fluoresce?

GE daylight
aquablue
UVL super actinic
2 ATI blue +
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8919805#post8919805 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pepsicola
The Grim Reefer,

Thanks for answering me earlier. I have another Question. What would 4 Midday, 2 Aquablue and 2 Pure Actinic's look like? Would this give a white with a blue hint and make my corals pop and grow? Geez......I wish I could understand this stuff. Thanks!!!!!

4 Middays would overpower the other lamps and give you a yellowish look. 2 middays, 2 GE's 2 Blue Pluses and 2 Pure Actinics would probably be close to nutral.
 
Thank you The Grim Reefer,

I think I will go with what you told me the first time. Someone else was putting there 2 cents in and I'm not sure they really know there lights. Thank again I really appreciate your help.

Oh I do have one more question. On the first one you told me to go with which lights would be my dawn and dusk lights?

Thanks,
Linda
 
I have just recently Upgraded to a 90G AGA I was currently using PCx4 65w and 2x vho 48" 110 110w. The ballast and waterproof ends to the vho are done for so i am looking to upgrade to T5 setup. I am currently thinking of going with either the tek 8 bulb light fixture or possible the icecap retrofit kit for the 6 bulb setup. The tank is a mixed coral setup and will consist mostly of soft and lps with maybe 3-4 sps. I am trying to keep the cost around the 700$ range. Also the tank is in a wall unit with 49" to work with so the side vent will be close but the top has large vent holes cut in to allow venting. Basically it is a 49"w 30" deep and 36" tall over the tank with the top mostly open. Ok it is offical I am rambling now. Also would be interested in bulb recommendations. Main reason I was sterring away from Halides was heat concerns. Thanks for your time :)
 
Last I checked, the PFO HQI 250watt Metal Halide Mini-Pendant wasnt a T5...

why are you asking a T5 guru in a T5 thread about 250wattDE setups?

FWIW, I have a few of those PFOs... good, perhaps the best HQI ballasts made, but the reflectors are 'outshined' by those made by SLS (the reef optix 3 even, and the much nicer lumenmax3), and PGS/Diamond (LumenarcDE). Still good none the less, esp if you are limited on space.

The hamilton is a different story... not my favorite for many reasons, but a decent bulb.
 
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