The T5 Q&a Thread

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Hi Grim,

I have a section of my 125 gal aga sump partitioned off for frag grow out. I was going to run 2 X 39W ATI aquablue specials on a triad ballast. Will this be sufficient for sps? The lights will be approx 10" from the water and the water is 10" deep.

Thanks,
barry
 
Last edited:
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9019409#post9019409 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Front
Bluplus
Super Actinic
GE Daylight
Aquablue (or Blue Plus if you want a more blue look(
Click to expand...

Thanks Grim.
 
I have been out for a while trying to get things back in order to restart by tank build. I am setting up my 40g breeder but dominated by Zoas. I was thinking of going with 4X24w T5 and stagering them. I know that some zoas like a lot of light then the blues and purples seem to like the lower side. Or should I just go with a 4X39w and don't worry about it. I had these bulbs in mind in this order:

Front
Aquablue
URI Super Actinic
Aquasun
Uri Super Actinic
Back

What do you all think. Same combonation reguardless if I go with 24w or 39w.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9020846#post9020846 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mrcrab
Hi Grim,

I have a section of my 125 gal aga sump partitioned off for frag grow out. I was going to run 2 X 39W ATI aquablue specials on a triad ballast. Will this be sufficient for sps? The lights will be approx 10" from the water and the water is 10" deep.

Thanks,
barry
Click to expand...

Id try to get th lamps lower. It will work but with the lamps 10" up your wasting a lot of light.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9022222#post9022222 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dwdenny
I have been out for a while trying to get things back in order to restart by tank build. I am setting up my 40g breeder but dominated by Zoas. I was thinking of going with 4X24w T5 and stagering them. I know that some zoas like a lot of light then the blues and purples seem to like the lower side. Or should I just go with a 4X39w and don't worry about it. I had these bulbs in mind in this order:

Front
Aquablue
URI Super Actinic
Aquasun
Uri Super Actinic
Back

What do you all think. Same combonation reguardless if I go with 24w or 39w.
Click to expand...

It would be interesting to see the difference in color and growth with the different intensities.
 
Color is subjective. Just make sure you mix things up a bit and keep a blue lamp at the front. Other than that make sure you have a sun or daylight and straight actinic or the uvl super actinic in the mix.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9024258#post9024258 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Id try to get th lamps lower. It will work but with the lamps 10" up your wasting a lot of light.
Click to expand...

Thanks Grim,

So the 2 AB specials will be good for growth and color?

Thanks,
Barry
 
Hi Grim Reefer,

I got my my T5 Tek 8 bulb 54 watts light fixture and my bulbs. The bulb combo that you recommended for me is great and is exactly what I asked for. I am thinking I would like for my colors to pop out a little more. I have sps, lps, zoa's and I want a clam. Here is what you recommended for me.

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

I would like to see a little more brighter colors which bulb would I change out and what would I change it to? I want my corals to grow so I know I have to keep that in mind. Also, What bulbs give off what colors? What bulbs are your growth bulbs? Thanks, and sorry for so many questions.

Linda
 
You might just want to wait a bit. The colors you see from the corals will more than likely change over the next few weeks/months. So if you are looking for more 'pop'... just wait and see.

It takes a good month for new corals to color in under my T5s to the fullest, but when they do... wow.
 
I just got a few Tek t5 retros to put over my new 120G. I am going to try wiring it all up today and just had a few questions I should probably ask since I am new to all this wiring/t5 stuff. Sorry if these have already been answered or are real basic but I just couldn't find these answers w/ searches.

First, How hot do the reflectors get? Is it ok to run the wiring underneath them and can the wiring touch the reflectors or is that a no no? Also how hot do the ballasts get? I'm coming from MH where heat was so big a concern and I want to make sure I don't fry anything in my ignorance.

I am planning on screwing everything to the canopy itself. I've noticed some people mention putting in a frame closer to the water to mount everything on. Is this just so they get more light? I'm going to try to put in 10 48" t5 over my 120 (might not be able to fit that many but I'm gonna try) so I figure even if I install a little higher up I should still have more than enough light.

Also my bulbs just came free with the retro kits and I'm not real sure about the quality or selection but I figure I can tweak all that to my personal taste once I get it all runnning. Right now the are TRU (?) bulbs and I have 5 true actinics and 5 10K. I've noticed most recommendations in this thread are way different, so I may be buying new bulbs and tweaking this selection right off the bat and saving some of my current bulbs for replacements down the road.

If there is anything anyone thinks I should know before starting this install please fill me in. Nothing is really too basic at this point because all I have is a bunch of parts and no knowledge into the dos and dont's of t5 kits. Thanks.
 
Wires touching the reflectors isn't a big thing. As far as mounting height 4 inches above the water is about optimal. I would probably see how the lamps look and then decide what to replace.
 
hey grim, I got my tek fixture yesterday and put it up last night, was working great and looks awesome.
this morning I turned it on and two bulbs wont fire up. They flash once then nothing.
On a 6 light fixture it would be the #2 and #3 sockets from the front, which I assume if the fixture has three ballast then thos two would be linked.

Any simple things I should look for? I swapped all the bulbs around and they all light up in the other four sockets, and bulbs that we previously lit up in the other 4 sockets do the same single flicker then nothing in the #2 and #3 sockets.

Is it worth opening and looking for a loose wire? I don't have a square head bit like the fixture was put together with, but I am sure local hardware store has one.

Or do I just wait until monday and call the manufacturer?
 
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