The T5 Q&a Thread

[dg13]

Thanks Grim.

I called Aquactinics and they said that if they make the 24" fixture it won't be available until at least February. I can't wait that long. Is there anything else besides that and the Tek that you can recommend? If I go with the Tek what would you recommend for bulbs?

Thanks for all your help. I really appreciate it.

 

[arbee]

Hi Grim,
I am in the process of planning a new 6ft long tank -- either a 120 -which would be 22 inch deep (with one support in the middle) or if I get my way with my husband--maybe a 180 gal -24" deep with two supports every 24".

The big questions--Should I get one 72 inch system and not worry about the supports causing shadows
or should I go with 2 36" for a 120 gallon tank -or three 24" if I go with the 180 gal tank?
I don't think I will be using a canopy so not interested in retrofits, but rather would need to buy a complete system since I am electronically challenged
I want to keep sps corals along with a few lps and softies.
Just figuring out my cost sheet and seeing where this is going (besides the poor farm). I do know I want to go with T-5's.
Thanks for any help you can give me.

 

[jamesdawson]

Hey Grim,

Have you tested that Solar Flare and have any numbers yet?

James

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Go Tek. I would run a daylight or UVL Aquasun, 1 UVL Super Actinic, 1 ATI Blue Plus and 1 ATI Aquablue.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8707569#post8707569 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dg13
Thanks Grim.

I called Aquactinics and they said that if they make the 24" fixture it won't be available until at least February. I can't wait that long. Is there anything else besides that and the Tek that you can recommend? If I go with the Tek what would you recommend for bulbs?

Thanks for all your help. I really appreciate it.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Aquactinics make a 72" T5 fixture that has side by side 36" lamps, 7 rows. The Only Way To Fly. It will cost more than 2 Tek lights but looks nicer and will smear th Tek when it comes to light output.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8707953#post8707953 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by arbee
Hi Grim,
I am in the process of planning a new 6ft long tank -- either a 120 -which would be 22 inch deep (with one support in the middle) or if I get my way with my husband--maybe a 180 gal -24" deep with two supports every 24".

The big questions--Should I get one 72 inch system and not worry about the supports causing shadows
or should I go with 2 36" for a 120 gallon tank -or three 24" if I go with the 180 gal tank?
I don't think I will be using a canopy so not interested in retrofits, but rather would need to buy a complete system since I am electronically challenged
I want to keep sps corals along with a few lps and softies.
Just figuring out my cost sheet and seeing where this is going (besides the poor farm). I do know I want to go with T-5's.
Thanks for any help you can give me.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Not yet, Have someone local with one I need to get together with.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8708811#post8708811 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jamesdawson
Hey Grim,

Have you tested that Solar Flare and have any numbers yet?

James

 

[arbee]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8708888#post8708888 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Aquactinics make a 72" T5 fixture that has side by side 36" lamps, 7 rows. The Only Way To Fly. It will cost more than 2 Tek lights but looks nicer and will smear th Tek when it comes to light output.

Thanks much for your help Grim. Is this the system you mean?
It's the one I've been checking out and will probably go with.
It will be fine for either a 18" or 24" tank (width) I hope.
http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1184

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Should be fine for either.

 

[ReefArtist]

Hi, I'm putting together a new 29g (30"L x 12" x 12") and was going to go with the IC 660 using (4) 24"- T5's. Would this be enough light to keep some sps corals?

Also I'm upgrading the lights on my 75G which at this time I have IC660 with 4 VHOs for a total of 440W. I was thinking of going with a MH 250 and keeping 2 or 3 of the VHOs (I have spare bulbs - don't want to waste) and then later switch the VHO's to T5's. Is this to much lighting or would it be better to go with say 6 or 8 T5's? I'm not hard core into the high light corals but would like to have some. Any advice would be very appreciated.

 

[naka]

Hey Grim, I have a 2 x 250 de MH light fixture w/ 4 x 54 T5. I'm thinking of changing out my blue T5 bulbs by Sylvania. I'm running 14k Ushio de on my MH. Any suggestions on my 4 T5 bulbs? I was leaning towards UVL Super Actinic x2 and UVL Aquasun x 2.

Thanks,

James

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8710064#post8710064 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ReefArtist
Hi, I'm putting together a new 29g (30"L x 12" x 12") and was going to go with the IC 660 using (4) 24"- T5's. Would this be enough light to keep some sps corals?

Also I'm upgrading the lights on my 75G which at this time I have IC660 with 4 VHOs for a total of 440W. I was thinking of going with a MH 250 and keeping 2 or 3 of the VHOs (I have spare bulbs - don't want to waste) and then later switch the VHO's to T5's. Is this to much lighting or would it be better to go with say 6 or 8 T5's? I'm not hard core into the high light corals but would like to have some. Any advice would be very appreciated.

For the 29 stick with the standard Tek T5 retros unless you want to melt everything.

For the 75 you need to decide Halide or T5 and just do it. If you want some SPS 4 T5's on a IC ballast is plenty over a 75. If you want a full blown SPS tank then do an additional 2 standard driven Teks. If you go halide I would use the 660 to run 1 VHO super Actinic and 2 T5's, one blue plus and 1 aquablue. You could run the halides 4 or 5 hours a day and use the flo's the rest of the time.

 

[ReefArtist]

Grim, thanks for the information. Here I was thinking that the 24 length tubes would be to weak for the 30" tank.

As for the 75 I think I'll stick with the T5's and like you said using the Teks. You here so much about light, light, light and MH that you forget all the heat they produce. I live in FL and I'd like to avoid using a chiller - going with the MH would put the nail in the coffin.

Thanks again.

 

[PLNelson]

Grim,
I just aquired a 46g bowfront and I have been trying to reed through this thread, but it's just to longs to read all of it. anyways, I'm thinking that I will buy the 36" TEK t5 6x39w light, and I was wondering what I wouldn't be able to keep in it. From what I understand, I can start using th efixture with at least two lights, and increase as my skill levels increase. I'm new to marine aquariums, and will start with the easier stuff, but would like to get in to high light sps's and clams. Do you think that this would be a good way to go.
thanks for the help.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Not sure if you can fit a 6 lamp Tek over a 46 bow. Take a look at the aquactinics 36" 5 lamp T5. They are a little better than the Tek and a lot better value. 7.5" wide front to back. You would be able to raise about anything you want under either light.

 

[sds]

i have a 58g and considering 4 t5s with ice cap reflectors and using a workhorse 7 ballast (i already have the ballast that is why i am considering the ballast). What bulbs should I use and what should i be able to keep witht this light?

thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I would start with a UVL Super Actinic, GE Daylight, ATI Aquablue and Blue Plus. SHould be able to keep about anything as long as you keep the higher light critters off the bottom of the tank.

 

[sds]

thanks for the help grim
what look will this mix give me like 10k?

 

[bdare]

Ok... I'm planning a new tank. Just not happy with the lighting options on a 30" wide tank.

The all important question is...

Could I keep clams in the sand of a 40 breeder with the 5x39w aquatinics fixture? What bulb combo should I rock?

Thanks in advance!

 

[hahnmeister]

Well, I have a 6x39wattTek (prolly about the same output as what your 5 bulb aquatinics would have considering 2 of my bulbs are actinics, and then two aquablues, and then two blue+ bulbs... not exactly the highest output bulb combo), and I have clams that are loving it on the sand bottom of my 40B. I can even grow SPS on the bottom, except for the very high-light loving pink millis and such... they go up top or they fade.

I have a crocea on a rock, about 4" off the sand. I also have a squamosa off in a corner. They are both fine as far as I can tell.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8714632#post8714632 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sds
thanks for the help grim
what look will this mix give me like 10k?

More like 14K but a fairly bright one.