The T5 Q&a Thread

[Spiffyguy]

I wouldn't use them. No reflectors. You could put together a system using Normal Output lamps with good reflectors and end up with better light in the tank.

Really I didn't know that. It is hard to tell from the pictures.

Another question. I am going to putting a T5 fixture over a 55 and it will be a 36" dud to an custom in tank sump. The 6 bulb Tek fixtures say they are 15" wide. Does anyone have a measurement of the actual light opening and not the whole fixture. I want to make sure it will fit over the opening, which is about 12", and not spill over.

 

[Tbrew]

Ok, 5' 80w T5's came in today. Should I try running 4 of them on a icecap 660? Can the 660 handle 320 watts? Or should I go to my original idea of running 2- 80w and 1 - 72" vho which equals the 16' rule for 660's.

 

[tigga]

seeing that this is getting annoying with all these stuff about workhorse ballast being bad then some saying its good,

Should I just buy the original Tek retorfit with the triad ballast and leave all this madness behind me?

I wanted the tek II reflectors but that comes with a workhorse 5 ballast. I would have also choosen the aquaria canada non-brand retrofit system with Icecap reflectors but then that comes with the WH 3 ballast. Living in Canada, I can't buy anything from the USA because I have to worry about duties, so my only best option is buying from jlaquatics, reefperfection or aquaria canada.

These are the prices of three of my choices:

Jlaquatics original tek retrofit: 183$ w/ ARC bulbs
reefperfection Tek II retrofit kit: 187$ w/ ARC bulbs
aquaria canda non-brand retrofit: 152$ w/ ARC bulbs

 

[SHAWNLX86]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9143015#post9143015 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sjm817
Well, Super Bowl Sunday is in a couple of days

RE: the 180G T5 setup, I went with the IC retro and it has worked out fine. I got 6 bulbs and only need 2 ballasts to run them. I also got the doubled up IC reflectors direct from Ice Cap. $13 a piece is a good deal.

SJM817, I like your setup, I'm looking to do the same soon. As for your fan setup, what kind are they and do all of them blow air in or do you have 2 blowing in and 2 out? also do you have a pic of your tank, I read on another thread your bulb combo which is what they suggested to me at reefgeek.com and I was wondering what it looks like?

Thanks,Shawn

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9350499#post9350499 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Spiffyguy
Really I didn't know that. It is hard to tell from the pictures.

Another question. I am going to putting a T5 fixture over a 55 and it will be a 36" dud to an custom in tank sump. The 6 bulb Tek fixtures say they are 15" wide. Does anyone have a measurement of the actual light opening and not the whole fixture. I want to make sure it will fit over the opening, which is about 12", and not spill over.

As I remember the 6 lamp Tek is right at 12 inches reflector to reflector. You could also look at the 5 lamp Aquactinics unit.

 

[hahnmeister]

Its 11" actually... less than 2" per reflector.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9350378#post9350378 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by entice59
so i got my bulbs
1 54W 12000K Aquablue Special
2 54W Blue Plus
1 54W 10000K AquaSun
1 54W Super Actinic T5

i got an extra blue plus just incase i didnt like the look

for a 4 bulb tek light setup what would you guys recommend me configure it? like what kind of combinations are your personal favorites?

right now i have it at
front
aqua blue spec
blue plus
aqua sun
blue plus

Start out with one of each and see what you like. Everyone sees color a little differently.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9350512#post9350512 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Tbrew
Ok, 5' 80w T5's came in today. Should I try running 4 of them on a icecap 660? Can the 660 handle 320 watts? Or should I go to my original idea of running 2- 80w and 1 - 72" vho which equals the 16' rule for 660's.

Only 3 80 watt T5's on a 660. Ask in the IC forum about the 2 T5's and 1 VHO but I dont see why not.

 

[Spiffyguy]

yeah I guess those are my 2 choices at this point. I think either would work for my situation. Since I am putting a 36" fixture on a 48" tank I am trying to figure the best way to mount it. I know they say not to mount them in hoods but have people been able to mount both fixtures in a hood?

 

[Seagull]

VHO to T-5 upgrade

VHO to T-5 upgrade

Hi.. Looking to get back into the hobby and I still have my 125G 72x18x22 that I wanted to upgrade to T-5's. I currently have 2 IceCap 660 ballasts and was wondering the following.

Do the same bulb configurations apply as the VHO? Exp. 2x6', 4x4'? I would think the same wire configuration stands?

I had 4x6' VHO setup before with one Halide in the center. What are my options, can I get more than 4x60" or 8x48" T-5's with these 2 ballasts or will this be enough on this tank?

Looking to not spend a ton of $ on this project because I will be doing FOWLR with a few softies. Looking for low maintenance and just like a decent amount of light to keep everything happy.

I see that i can get 80W 4x60" the but could also go with stagering the 54W bulbs 8x48", your thoughts on whats better? I hate to have 8 bulbs to clean and replace.

Looks like I could just buy the end caps and bulbs and be set but is the light quality going to be close to good as what I had originally? I see that the 60" VHO bulbs are like $35 versus $25 for the T-5's.

Think I might be better off just upgrading my lights completly to something like the Fauna Marine Ultra Solaris 4x80 and not go through all the hassle?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

If you are going to stick with softies do 4x80 watt T5's. Each 660 can run 3 80 watt lamps or four of the 48' or shorter T5's. You would need to buy 4 sets of endcaps and standoffs, 4 lamps and 4 reflectors. The T5's wire up the same way as VHO's.

 

[Seagull]

WOW..Thanks for the quick response! I really appreciate the help.

Thanks, Jim

 

[mikee68]

I'm about to order my ready-fit kits. Which bulbs do you recoomend to help my reds and pinks.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Not sure how many lamp you will be using but for 4 I would go with 1 UVL Aquasun, 1 Super Actinic, 1 ATI Aquablue and 1 Blue Plus

 

[mikee68]

It's going to be four. Two bulbs on each side of my 250w Xm 20k's.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Ahh, now Grim remembers. I would put 1 super actinic and a blue Plus in front for dusk/dawn and a GE 3000K and a blue plus in the rear. Here's the thing.Just running the T5's the GE lamp might be a little overpowering with the red, it depends on your taste. With the halides running it should look cool.

 

[Pat_13]

Sorry but I do not have time to read all the post, so right to my questions

I have a 90G mixed reef tank with four 48” T5s now and want to increase the light to better support my sps and would like to get a clam. I am planning on upgrading to the eight 48” 54W T5s either the Icecap or Tek retrofit.

Is the Icecap better than the Tek ballast (more par, longer bulb life, etc)? Is it worth the extra money?

If I can get any bulbs (ATI, General Electric, Giesemann or UV Lighting), what you think would be the best bulbs (high par) and combination to start with?

Best place/price to buy from?

Is a light/bulb cover needed if I mount them just over the top of the tank (~2”)?

 

[Seagull]

T-5 Reflectors

T-5 Reflectors

Does anyone know where I can purchase individual reflectors for the T-5 80W 60" bulbs or am i looking at using 2x35" reflectors per bulb? I looked all over the internet and also checked through the majority of this thread to see if someone else ran into the same issue.

Thanks, Jim

 

[theplatypus]

How many bulbs would you recommend for a 48x16x18 tank? It's a zoanthind, mushroom, lps tank with 4" dsb. Water depth to the sand is only 13". Also what bulb combo? Looking for that pop. Thanks in advance.

 

[gixxer600]

Re: T-5 Reflectors

Re: T-5 Reflectors

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9356418#post9356418 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Seagull
Does anyone know where I can purchase individual reflectors for the T-5 80W 60" bulbs or am i looking at using 2x35" reflectors per bulb? I looked all over the internet and also checked through the majority of this thread to see if someone else ran into the same issue.

Thanks, Jim

Call Ice Cap directly. Order a pair of their 33in individual reflectors for each bulb. They are $13 each or $26 for the pair. You will have to drill a hole and put them together. That is what I did for my set up.