The T5 Q&a Thread

[Aqua Keepers]

I know this question was probably asked in this thread, but it's too long for a simple yes or no. Are T-5's dimmable? This months TOTM said something about his T-5's being on a dimmer.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

There are some dimming ballasts for T5's.

I think naturallighting.com has some.

 

[Aqua Keepers]

But I think he uses Ice Caps

 

[Henry Bowman]

Hey Grim,

Sanjay just posted in the Equipment Lighting and Filtration forum (this one). He wants suggestions for T5 set ups to measure for a comparison to Mh lighting.

This should really be interesting......

 

[powderbluetangy]

solar flare

solar flare

ya missed my post grim

basically is the solar flare a good deal for $800?

http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1088


anyone ever dealt with these guys?

 

[coralville]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8920001#post8920001 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by coralville
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 +

Anyone? TIA

 

[coralville]

Or should I get the UVL aquasun instead of the GE daylight? More blue, less PAR?

Thanks again

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: solar flare

Re: solar flare

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8928569#post8928569 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by powderbluetangy
ya missed my post grim

basically is the solar flare a good deal for $800?

http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1088


anyone ever dealt with these guys?

Should be killer. Ice Cap guts and aquactinics build, they have a really good rep.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8928699#post8928699 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by coralville
Anyone? TIA

I think your mix should look fairly blue and will pop. I would lean towards the aquasun instead of the GE.

 

[Mr D smack]

Hey Grim. I just got a 120 gal. 60w X 18d X 26t. Would 8 T5's be ok. If so what and where should I get. A reto kit is more than likley what it would end up to be, for the staggering purpose. With all of the ? and answers Im getting loss. Thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

A 6 lamp Ice Cap retro would be the best. You cant fit 8 over an 18" tank

 

[Mr D smack]

Thanks for the quick reply. I found this kit on Aquairum Specialty. They ask for lamp color and brand, Any suggestion on color and brand. Also is this a good deal?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I think you have to choose Giesemann?

Do this

Front
Actinic Plus
Pure Actinic
Midday
Aquablue
Aquablue
Actinic Plus

Check prices at refgeek.com too

 

[coralville]

OK, thanks a lot Grim

 

[Mr D smack]

Ok Ive checked prices and now need to get your openion. I already have a MH/VHO fixture. It has two 175MH and two VHO's. Its a 60 inch fixture.To install this fixture I would have to drill two holes in the cannopy. I dont wont to mess up the cannopy. I understand that I should install a fan for the T5's. Which would be better for the bulbs. Heat is not an issue. The only problem that I see will the current fixture that I have is the space between the water and bottom of the fixture, aproxmantly four inches. This is the reason I'm thinking about going with T5's. With six bulbs would I be able to keep various corals, clams etc..

 

[The Grim Reefer]

What are the dimensions of the tank?

 

[Mr D smack]

60 Length X 18 Depth X 26 Tall

 

[The Grim Reefer]

If you want Clams you want to use the Ice Cap retro. 6 lamps will do it. You need a couple fans blowing in on the lamps.

 

[juststartingout]

How many watts/amps does the IC 660 draw when driving 4-54wt T5's?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

303 watts.