The T5 Q&a Thread

[smoney]

its a 55, I still want that bluish tint so which bulbs can I go with?

Im not sure the 4 bulbs will fit, so I may have to go with the 2 bulb variety, which two should I go with to get that bluish tint.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9228228#post9228228 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by smoney
Hey Grim,

I was going to get two 48" retrofit t-5s from reefgeek and I was wondering what two bulbs you would recommend, I think I am going to try to keep some easy sps and some clams. I also want that bluish tint as well?


Thanks in advance,
Sonny

Your going to try to raise SPS and clams under 2 lamps? I don't think so. WHat size tank we talking about here, dimensions, not gallons.

 

[smoney]

Ok, just measured its 48" x 12.5" x 19" glass tank, thats why I was going to use two t-5's because I dont think that the 4 bulb fixture will fit in the canopy, I maybe able to put one PC bulb as well.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9228273#post9228273 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by smoney
its a 55, I still want that bluish tint so which bulbs can I go with?

Im not sure the 4 bulbs will fit, so I may have to go with the 2 bulb variety, which two should I go with to get that bluish tint.

Gads you answered my question before I aske it

You need 2 1/2 inches per lamp. If you can only do 3 lamps then I would overdrive them. Run a super actinic, a Aquablue and a Blue Plus, it will have good PAR and be a strong blue.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9228332#post9228332 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by smoney
Ok, just measured its 48" x 12.5" x 19" glass tank, thats why I was going to use two t-5's because I dont think that the 4 bulb fixture will fit in the canopy, I maybe able to put one PC bulb as well.

Use retrofit. www.reefgeek.com

a 4 lamp kit should fit in nicely. I would run 1 GE Daylight, 2 Blue Pluses and 1 UVL super actinic.

 

[smoney]

Hey thanks alot, but they only sell the bulbs in 2bulb variety and 4bulb variety, I dont see the option for three?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

You should be able to fit 4 in but if not call them. They can put together a 3 lamp Ice Cap system for you.

 

[yama63]

Ice Cap 660 Vs Work horse 7
Can anyone tell me what the advantages and disadvantages between the two are i remeber hearing that the work horse hard starts the light what effect will this have on the bulbs and light??

 

[smoney]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9228356#post9228356 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Gads you answered my question before I aske it

You need 2 1/2 inches per lamp. If you can only do 3 lamps then I would overdrive them. Run a super actinic, a Aquablue and a Blue Plus, it will have good PAR and be a strong blue.

Yeah, I just measured under the hood and they did some messed up canopy on this thing. It will only fit 3, so i'll custom order it I guess, as for the lights, you recommended different ones for the 4 bulb variety, what exactly should I go for, I mean I want the bluish tint, but I still want the whitish light and too be able to quite possibly support clams and sps.


Thanks alot grim, I really appreciate your help.

 

[REMF]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9228643#post9228643 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by smoney
Yeah, I just measured under the hood and they did some messed up canopy on this thing. It will only fit 3

Build a new one, very easy and you should be able to fit a 6x on a standard 50g. HOOD BUILD

 

[The Grim Reefer]

If you overdrive the lamps you will be OK, just make sure to use a couple fans. Run 2 Blue Plus and 1 GE Daylight

 

[REMF]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9228553#post9228553 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by yama63
Ice Cap 660 Vs Work horse 7
Can anyone tell me what the advantages and disadvantages between the two are i remeber hearing that the work horse hard starts the light what effect will this have on the bulbs and light??

I can't believe you haven't jumped on this one yet Grim LOL.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9228553#post9228553 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by yama63
Ice Cap 660 Vs Work horse 7
Can anyone tell me what the advantages and disadvantages between the two are i remeber hearing that the work horse hard starts the light what effect will this have on the bulbs and light??

Kinda like comparing a Corvette to a Yugo.

The Workhorses will work. You wont get as much output with them as you would with a "real" T5 ballast and the hard start will hurt lamp life. It is just a matter of how much.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Happy REMF?

 

[REMF]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9228789#post9228789 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Happy REMF?

Very, and for the record I like my Yugo, both of them

 

[casingbill]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9226540#post9226540 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by casingbill
homeys......I know I went through this all before and I thought I decided to go and wait for the ATI 6x54 unit for a 75, BUT....I just bought a new 90 instead. I will have a canopy. I can do retro or should I still wait for the ATI?

 

[wharfrat48]

OK experts, I am in the planning stages of upgrading my 75 to a 180 and would love some suggestions. I'm currently running a 6-bulb (54W) retro powered by Triad ballasts on my 75. I'm trying to do the uprade as inexpensive as possible so I would like to use these lights on my 180. I originally thought of using this retro kit and adding 2 80W bulbs. Does this sound like the way to go?

As for the canopy, I was hoping to go with something like the TEK light fixtures instead of building another heavy wooden canopy. Does anyone know if you can find the fixture without any end-caps/ballasts/etc?

Thanks

Rich

 

[revclyburn]

Hey Grim, Hahn, or anybody

do you know how I can install my Tek 6x54 in my hood. I currently have it in there, but my concern is heat and evaporation. I have it propped up, as I can't get a new hood right now. Do you know of any way to install it in a hood? Or does Tek have anything like legs to lift it up off the tank? Or is there a hood out there specifically for a tek fixture?

revclyburn

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9229709#post9229709 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wharfrat48
OK experts, I am in the planning stages of upgrading my 75 to a 180 and would love some suggestions. I'm currently running a 6-bulb (54W) retro powered by Triad ballasts on my 75. I'm trying to do the uprade as inexpensive as possible so I would like to use these lights on my 180. I originally thought of using this retro kit and adding 2 80W bulbs. Does this sound like the way to go?

As for the canopy, I was hoping to go with something like the TEK light fixtures instead of building another heavy wooden canopy. Does anyone know if you can find the fixture without any end-caps/ballasts/etc?

Thanks

Rich

There is no cheap way to light a 180 short of cutting a hole in the roof above the tank.

www.aquariumspecialty.com sells a 6 foot T5 hood called the constellation by aquactinics. If you want a hood that is the best way to do it right.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by casingbill
homeys......I know I went through this all before and I thought I decided to go and wait for the ATI 6x54 unit for a 75, BUT....I just bought a new 90 instead. I will have a canopy. I can do retro or should I still wait for the ATI?
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Do the retro if you have a canopy. Do a 6 lamp tek retro upgraded to Ice Cap reflectors.