The T5 Q&a Thread

[brad23]

How much power does a icecap 660 use when powering 3 - 80w T5?

 

[ga_reefer_guy]

I found these at HelloLights does anyone if these reflectors are any good?

http://www.hellolights.com/48silapat5re.html

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8955363#post8955363 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by brad23
How much power does a icecap 660 use when powering 3 - 80w T5?

306 watts

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8955801#post8955801 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ga_reefer_guy
I found these at HelloLights does anyone if these reflectors are any good?

http://www.hellolights.com/48silapat5re.html

Dunno. They look OK.

 

[emoore]

I am going to be buying new bulbs for my 29 gallon in a few months. I have a 4 x 24W Tech retro kit. Currently the bulbs are configured like this

Front
Actinic +
Sun
Aquablue +
Actinic +

I currently keep mainly LPS with a few softies. I am planning on replacing the softies with some SPS so my tank will be mainly LPS & SPS. What bulbs should I get? Thanks.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I would stick with what you have only get ATI lamps if possible. For the sun try the UVL Aquasun.

 

[emoore]

Thanks Grim. I was thinking about changing the actinic + to blue + but would that be too much light?

 

[RTKBA308]

So the Aquactinics can be mounted inside a wooden canopy? No wiring like the retrofits?

 

[dbc1717]

Grim-

Quoting you from earlier in this thread:


" KEEP THE 72" VHO ACTINICS IN THE SYSTEM!!! They are better than the T5 actinics and will allow you to use more higher PAR lamps in the T5 system."

I have 4 T5HO with icecap slr on a 660 on my present tank. I am now upgrading to a 90 gallon tank and have gotten a second 660. My thougts are:

T5 Bank:
UVL Mid day sun or GE 6500K
3000K bulb
two Guisman actinic/blue plus

Second Icecap 660, EITHER

2 T5HO UVL super actinic with SLR
or
2 UVL Super Actinic VHO


Based upon your quote above. would 48" VHO be preferred to T5 when on an icecap ballast? Both should be at about 80 watts per bulb, the t5 overdriven and the VHO underdriven....

What I am looking for is the deep fluorescence that the VHO UVL super actinics give....My t5 bank is VERY bright but the guisman actinic/blue plus do not get the glow of the VHO's . Now that UVL has super actinic t5, I have wondered which to use.

If i use the VHO super actinics, how does the T5 lamp selection look?

Thanks,

Dave

 

[dustin Combs]

Grim,

ATI or giesemann bulbs. I have a 4x24 t5 want the best growth and color. More color than growth. The midday sucks. tooo yellow.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8960183#post8960183 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by emoore
Thanks Grim. I was thinking about changing the actinic + to blue + but would that be too much light?

No

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8960344#post8960344 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sheba106
So the Aquactinics can be mounted inside a wooden canopy? No wiring like the retrofits?

You could, also look at the Fauna Marin T5 system aquarium obsessed from the sponsors page sells, they look promising and would be perfect to mount in a canopy.

 

[Labman48076]

? before I order from Reefgeek!

? before I order from Reefgeek!

I have a ATI Skimmer on order with Reefgeek so I am going to take advantage of my free shipping and replace a few bulbs of course looking for growrth and color like everybody else I have mainly SPS and LPS tank is 72lx24wx26D 14X39W bulbs

I have
2 GE 3000k also have 3500K so witch ever is better or even both
4 UVI super Atinic
4 UVI Atinic White
and I am sorry to say 4 Aqua sun pro 10k I was thinking of replacing these with ATI Blue plus

I also undstand that ATI actinic Blue and Sun Pro have been discontinued by the manufacturer they are planing on are coming out with a new Superwhite Bulb to replace the Sun Pro should I wait for these bulbs.. I am hoping this will be my last bulb change for a while.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8960401#post8960401 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dbc1717
Grim-

Quoting you from earlier in this thread:


" KEEP THE 72" VHO ACTINICS IN THE SYSTEM!!! They are better than the T5 actinics and will allow you to use more higher PAR lamps in the T5 system."

I have 4 T5HO with icecap slr on a 660 on my present tank. I am now upgrading to a 90 gallon tank and have gotten a second 660. My thougts are:

T5 Bank:
UVL Mid day sun or GE 6500K
3000K bulb
two Guisman actinic/blue plus

Second Icecap 660, EITHER

2 T5HO UVL super actinic with SLR
or
2 UVL Super Actinic VHO


Based upon your quote above. would 48" VHO be preferred to T5 when on an icecap ballast? Both should be at about 80 watts per bulb, the t5 overdriven and the VHO underdriven....

What I am looking for is the deep fluorescence that the VHO UVL super actinics give....My t5 bank is VERY bright but the guisman actinic/blue plus do not get the glow of the VHO's . Now that UVL has super actinic t5, I have wondered which to use.

If i use the VHO super actinics, how does the T5 lamp selection look?

Thanks,

Dave

You aint gonna fit 8 T5's over a 90, don't need to either. what I would do is this

Giesemann Midday GE 6500K
3000K bulb or UVL Aquasun
Giesemann actinicplus or ATI blue plus
ATI or Giesemann Aquablue

Ballast 2
UVL Super Actinic
Blue Plus or Actinic Plus.

If you can squeeze in a 7th lamp throw another Super Actinic in.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: ? before I order from Reefgeek!

Re: ? before I order from Reefgeek!

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8962623#post8962623 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Labman48076
I have a ATI Skimmer on order with Reefgeek so I am going to take advantage of my free shipping and replace a few bulbs of course looking for growrth and color like everybody else I have mainly SPS and LPS tank is 72lx24wx26D 14X39W bulbs

I have
2 GE 3000k also have 3500K so witch ever is better or even both
4 UVI super Atinic
4 UVI Atinic White
and I am sorry to say 4 Aqua sun pro 10k I was thinking of replacing these with ATI Blue plus

I also undstand that ATI actinic Blue and Sun Pro have been discontinued by the manufacturer they are planing on are coming out with a new Superwhite Bulb to replace the Sun Pro should I wait for these bulbs.. I am hoping this will be my last bulb change for a while.

Grabbing a couple of aquablues and GE 5400K daylights to replace the budget 10K's would be a good move.

 

[TekCat]

Is it normal to see more glowing effect of certain corals when running just the actinics and blues vs. actinics, blues, and daylight? I am seeing less glowing during the "daytime" vs. "evening", is it possible to have lots of glowing of corals with "daytime" setup?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

The glowing is inhanced by lack of bright light. Like looking at a watch with glowing hands in the daylight, the hands still glow there is just more white light so you dont see it.

 

[TekCat]

I've seen some tanks with MH that have quite a bit of coral glowing going on.... or is this just my wishful thinking? So, what you're telling me, that I can't change the coral glowing part, but the masking effect of bright light?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

If you ad more blue light like 14 and 20K halides do you will see more glowing. What lamps are you uing now?

 

[DrBDC]

True, but you can have a 20,000K light with no actinic wavelengths.