The T5 Q&a Thread

[CW from the OC]

Hey Grim,

I'm looking at the aquatinics 6 foot fixture for my new 7 foot long SPS/Clam tank (7x2x2). Do you think it will put out enough light for SPS/Clams, or should I look into having aquanitics retro the unit with Icecap ballasts and reflectors?

Thanks for all your great help!

Craig

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8820545#post8820545 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AfAqua
Thanks Grim and pjf. Am I barking up the wrong tree here? I'm looking to light a 40 x 40 x 30(h) cube, SPS.

I'd do a 400 watt halide in a lumenarc reflector for that.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8820770#post8820770 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by CW from the OC
Hey Grim,

I'm looking at the aquatinics 6 foot fixture for my new 7 foot long SPS/Clam tank (7x2x2). Do you think it will put out enough light for SPS/Clams, or should I look into having aquanitics retro the unit with Icecap ballasts and reflectors?

Thanks for all your great help!

Craig

The Aquactinics reflectors are as good or a tad better than the IC's. They might be able to set you up with an Ice Cap running a couple rows of lamps, that would be cool.

 

[AfAqua]

Thanks Grim. Where do you suggest I get lamp and ballast info?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

http://www.reeflightinginfo.arvixe.com/

 

[gaw007]

Hey all,
so I have 24" 20g tank and planning on getting Tek 24 inch 4x 24 t-5 lighting hood. I am wonder what the lighting order should be.

I was thinking
BP
Super Actinic UVL
Aquasun
BP

Any thoughts or suggestions would be most appreciated.

Also where is a good place to buy a shield? Thanks in advance

 

[The Grim Reefer]

That should work, reefgeek for a shield or DIY.

 

[djtodd]

Here's a question about something other than bulb selection...

I have a pair of T5s in my pendant right now, I installed them myself. Fairly straight forward securing the endcaps to the reflector, drilling 2 holes for the screws that secure it and 1 larger one for the wires.

Now, I'm going to be building a wood canopy on my new setup, and I'm wondering how I'd route the wires. I don't want them to go through the top of the canopy, I assume it'd be OK to remove a bit of the plastic at the bottom of the stand offs?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

The standoffs should have a gap under them where you can run the wired out.

 

[djtodd]

Thanks. I haven't looked at them in a dogs age.

I'm slowly gathering equipment for the new system. Right now I'm just running a pair of ATI Blue+ T5s for a bit more blue on the same flat reflector that my MHs are using. Cooltouch pendant.

I ordered a pair of Icecap SLRs for them today seeing as how they should mount in my existing setup as well as the new one. Looking forward to seeing what more I get!

 

[Thunderstruck]

I was told this is the place to post Quick question concering a halide t5 combo. I am setting up my new 180 and am thinking of going with 4-250 watt halides for the tank (supplimented with 4 T5 actinics). I want a white look with a blue tint in my tank. I was told the comob of halides and T5's can achieve this. My probably is picking the right bulbs. I am thinking of going with the Ushio 250Watt 14000K, but was not sure if this would be too blue for my taste, because I have never sene them in person. I want a crisp blue tint, but not over powering blue color. Any feedback or pictures of the Ushio 14000K on a tank would be very much appreciated!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

The ushio is going to be close to what you want. I would say gt the halides up and running for a couple weks and then decide what you want to do for supplimental lighting. Everyone sees light a little different so blue is in the eye of the beholder.

 

[Ti]

Try the hammy 14k

 

[jjoos99]

supplier for 5ft bulbs?

supplier for 5ft bulbs?

Where is everyone getting there bulbs in 5 ft length? I found reefgeek to have the aquablue and b+ but not the super actinic or aquasun. I have found individual reflectors from specialty lighting which are tek. Are there other suppiers that are selling the longer bulbs and reflectors?
Thanks
Jeff

 

[Pygy88]

Hello,
I must say this is the best thread EVER, I am about 2 days into it and have learned so much about T5 lighting and have a loooooonggg way to go before I reach the end though.
Here's my concern, Like several of the other posters I have a 60Lx18Wx24H (will have a 2"-3" sand bed), I am considering going with a 6 lamp Solar Flare under the canopy ( set on top of the acrylic & with sufficient ventilation of course). I pretty much want to be open to keep anything and everything that will be compatible tank mates (everyone play NICE!!!) including sps, lps, mushrooms clams anemones fish etc etc.... Anyhoo will this set up be sufficient for maximum livestock flexibility? I would put the lower light stock on the outskirts of the tank the high light stock in the center placed either higher or lower on the rock according to their indv. requirements.
I'm not mechanically inclined to install retros and have a good healty fear of setting the house on fire from (I've heard electricity and saltwater is SHOCKINGLY GREAT experience :eek2: ). But I would be willing to give it a shot if there's a better option. HAHA

Also I'm not to clear on the benefits/setbacks to having only four of the lamps overdriven on a ic660 and two lamps on a ic430. I could be misunderstanding the configuration though. I do like that the Solar Flare appear to be the complete package, splash gaurd, fans, moonlights indv reflectors. I'm not too bothered by the price, I could just save for a month or two (or three... or four.....)
Thanks for any input and suggestions you guys can offer, back to page 65 of the thread I go!!!!!!!:rollface:

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: supplier for 5ft bulbs?

Re: supplier for 5ft bulbs?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8831506#post8831506 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jjoos99
Where is everyone getting there bulbs in 5 ft length? I found reefgeek to have the aquablue and b+ but not the super actinic or aquasun. I have found individual reflectors from specialty lighting which are tek. Are there other suppiers that are selling the longer bulbs and reflectors?
Thanks
Jeff

UVL doesn't do 5 ft lamps. Tek is the only one making 5 ft reflectors.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

The IC 430 and 660 overdrive the lamps the same way, you can just run more lamps on the 660.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8831630#post8831630 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Pygy88
Hello,
I must say this is the best thread EVER, I am about 2 days into it and have learned so much about T5 lighting and have a loooooonggg way to go before I reach the end though.
Here's my concern, Like several of the other posters I have a 60Lx18Wx24H (will have a 2"-3" sand bed), I am considering going with a 6 lamp Solar Flare under the canopy ( set on top of the acrylic & with sufficient ventilation of course). I pretty much want to be open to keep anything and everything that will be compatible tank mates (everyone play NICE!!!) including sps, lps, mushrooms clams anemones fish etc etc.... Anyhoo will this set up be sufficient for maximum livestock flexibility? I would put the lower light stock on the outskirts of the tank the high light stock in the center placed either higher or lower on the rock according to their indv. requirements.
I'm not mechanically inclined to install retros and have a good healty fear of setting the house on fire from (I've heard electricity and saltwater is SHOCKINGLY GREAT experience :eek2: ). But I would be willing to give it a shot if there's a better option. HAHA

Also I'm not to clear on the benefits/setbacks to having only four of the lamps overdriven on a ic660 and two lamps on a ic430. I could be misunderstanding the configuration though. I do like that the Solar Flare appear to be the complete package, splash gaurd, fans, moonlights indv reflectors. I'm not too bothered by the price, I could just save for a month or two (or three... or four.....)
Thanks for any input and suggestions you guys can offer, back to page 65 of the thread I go!!!!!!!:rollface:

 

[Pygy88]

OH, one more thing. T5 is the only lighting I am considering. I don't have enough canopy clearance (or wallet clearance) to accommodate MH (and the electric bills to follow). Not to mention the Chiller factor, not really interested in running one.

Thanks All.

 

[Pygy88]

Thank you Grim I appreciate the input.
That's kind of what I figured as far as the IC ballasts but wasn't too sure. I guess it's safe to assume that the open flexibility as far as the type of livestock I want to keep shouldn't be a problem with that fixture?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

As long as you keep the lower light critters at the ends you should be good.