The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Reefer91]

the retro i was looking at says it is just a name brand(originally thought about just buying pieces, but retro is easier). it is meant for T5's. would that be good?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9207667#post9207667 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Reefer91
i was also think about 2xAquablue plus, 2x 6000k midday bulbs, and 2x Pure actinic.

You really want at least one Blue Plus or actinic plus lamp in the mix. The Aquablues look only slightly blue and don't really do a lot as far as washing out the yellow tint from the mddays. If you are bound and determine to have 2 Actinics do 1 Aquablue, 1 Actinic Plus and 2 middays.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9207679#post9207679 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Reefer91
the retro i was looking at says it is just a name brand(originally thought about just buying pieces, but retro is easier). it is meant for T5's. would that be good?

As long as the ballast is a spec T5 ballast you should be good. The retros usually come with Triads or I think avdanced ballasts. Both are good.

 

[The Reefer91]

my dad was considering buying a 6x39watt fixture and mouting it inside a canopy. woudl that be better? would there be a difference? i would prefer retro, as i would have more control over the setup. the fixture is a Tek light.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

If you are mounting it in a canopy you are way better off with the retrofit. They have moisture resistant endcaps, very important in a humid enclosure.

 

[The Reefer91]

how about 2 aquablues, 2 middays, and 2 actinic plus?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Do 1 pure actinic and 1 actinic plus rather than 2 Actinic Plus's.

 

[kmacartney]

Ok, so now I have two questions.

Does anyone have an opinion of the Aqua-medic T5 setup?

And....

I was considering the 6 bulbs to get for my 75g tank. I am looking for a combo that makes the colors really pop while giving plenty of par.

Would this work
Front
UVL actinic
ATI Blue +
ATI Aquablue
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue +
UVL actinic
Back

or is this better

Front
UVL actinic
ATI Blue +
ATI Aquablue
UVL Aquasun
ATI Aquablue
UVL actinic
Back

I would really like for my SPS to color up.

Thanks!!!

 

[servicky]

ok so i can do this??? in a 60 inch tank i was thinkin about 2x250 mh mini pfo's and 6 t-5 it would go like this... 3 rows of t-5 then the 2 mh's and then 3 more rows of t-5 would that fit in 19 to 20 inches????

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9208255#post9208255 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kmacartney
Ok, so now I have two questions.

Does anyone have an opinion of the Aqua-medic T5 setup?

And....

I was considering the 6 bulbs to get for my 75g tank. I am looking for a combo that makes the colors really pop while giving plenty of par.

Would this work
Front
UVL actinic
ATI Blue +
ATI Aquablue
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue +
UVL actinic
Back

or is this better

Front
UVL actinic
ATI Blue +
ATI Aquablue
UVL Aquasun
ATI Aquablue
UVL actinic
Back

I would really like for my SPS to color up.

Thanks!!!

2nd mix but instead of Actinic use a blue plus in the back.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9208269#post9208269 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by servicky
ok so i can do this??? in a 60 inch tank i was thinkin about 2x250 mh mini pfo's and 6 t-5 it would go like this... 3 rows of t-5 then the 2 mh's and then 3 more rows of t-5 would that fit in 19 to 20 inches????

Your probably only going to squeeze 4 T5' in with the halides. You need 2 1/2 inches per lamp

 

[Beenalongtime79]

Grim,

Thanks for the info!

 

[dg13]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9206526#post9206526 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Front

UVL Super Actinic
GE 6500K Daylight
Blue Plus
Aquablue
Blue Plus

I placed my order for bulbs today per the recommendation above and they were out of stock on the GE 6500K Daylight. The person I spoke with recommended the GE 3000 instead which I went with. Is this OK? What's the difference?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

The 3000 isnice, it has a lot more red, does wonders for pink and purple corals. You may need to change the orer of the lamps to get a nice look.

Maybe try

Front
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
GE
Blue Plus
Aquablue

 

[servicky]

ok so if i can only fit 4 t-5's in that space should i do 3-250 halides in a 60 inch tank.????? am i using the t-5's only for supp??? what would you do......

 

[The Grim Reefer]

You could probably do 2x250's if you use Lumenarc type reflectors. If not I would probably go with 3 250's or maybe even 2 250's and a 150 in the center.

 

[servicky]

well the pfo minis are 7 inches i dont know how well the reflectors are for them.. but there 7 inches wich helps the lumenarcs are like 14 inches that would only give me like 5 inches for 4 t-5s... also what retro set up would you get for the t-5s and reflectors im thinking icecap reflectors.. but not sure on end caps and ballasts... and if i use 10k 250s what i should use for supplements or should i just use vho???? thanx grim and ppl.....

 

[mrpet]

hahn the tank is 72x48x25 sorry took so long to get back to you

 

[kmacartney]

Thanks Grim!

 

[seth16]

Ok, I was reccomened by peopleto ask my lighting questions here....i will be setting up my 75 gallon within the next week or two and i am wanting to know what lighting i should get for it. I am looking at T5's, but i was told to ask here first. My budget is $250 for lighting, i know, it is a low budget, but im only 16.... I want enought lighting to have SPS. My friend dan has a 216w 48" T and he keeps his stuff alive and well, is that really enough? I found a light on Dr. FOsters and Smiths for $200, it has 216 watts of lighting and comes with the bulbs... here is the link http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=12772&N=2004+113175

Is that a good light? please let me know if you have any other ideas for lights that arewithin my budget or worth the stretch, i will not go over $280, that is my TOP limit, please help me out here, i am new to T%'s and MH. ANd also, i heard that T5's are not rated by the wattage, but by some other way, what is that?

THank you,
Seth