The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9172991#post9172991 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MstgKillr
Mr. Grim I need some advice.

I am getting a new tank but I am not sure what tank yet. I know that I want to run only T5's for which ever tank I decide to get. Here are my choices

120 gal. This tank will probably be too small being only 4ft long.

135 gal (72x18x25) I like the length but the it is only 18" deep.

156 gal (60x24x25) I think this is the tank that I want. Not to big not too small. My question, Is there a good T5 lighting option for this size tank? If so which system and bulbs in order?

215 gal (72x24x29) I also like this size tank but I think it might be too big light and depth wise.

So what do you think? I appericate any input. I want to do this right the first time.

I want to stock the tank with a litte bit of everything including sps and clams at the top.

Also, those are the only tank sizes that I will consider.

Thanks again for the help.

I like the 156 gallon too. An 8 lamp refrofit kit would be best for that tank if you plan on using a hood. You could use the 54 watt lamps which are 48" long but willgive you good coverage to within about 4" on each end. You hardly notice a difference in the look and who puts high light critters at the ege of the tank anyway. I would get a 8 lamp reefgeek retro with the Ice Cap reflector upgrade.

If you need a hood then ATI is probably the best option available right now (or at least it will be available in the very near future). In that case I would go with the 6 or 8x80 watt hood which is 60" long. A lot of money but if the lighting is exposed you want it to be the length of the tank. You coul look at the Fauna Marin ultra solaris that Aquarium obssessed sells. It is a stand alone fixture that comes with a hanging kit although it looks a little industrial for my taste.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9174644#post9174644 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ErikS
I could use a bit of help with T5's......I think I've asked this before.......but what they heck.

Current lighting is 2x250w Phoenix 14K, run about 6hrs total. Each MH runs about 20 minutes before & after. Also have 2x54w T5 (Finnex - single reflector, replacement bulbs) that I use as extra lighting, that runs a few hours before & after the MH's for a total of 10.5 hours of light.

Problem - heat, in the summer the controller often turns out one or the other MH to keep the temp down.....a chiller is not an option. The MH's also put a LOT of heat into the room, open top no canopy.

Tank dimensions are 48L x 26w x 25" tall & livestock is a couple of LPS, some lower light SPS (monti's), and a couple higher light SPS (a. somensis - sp?), also one squammy 2/3 of the way up.

I had originally thought of using either 4 or 6 54w.......but the tank is eurobraced with a 1.25" top (yes, not a typo). So i'm thinking that not much is going through that portion anyway. The bracing is about 3" wide.

At the moment I'm thinking of going with a 36" fixture............but.......can I cram enough into the width to provide the light I need.

Thinking 6x39w with individual reflectors (IceCap) & cooling for best performance (DIY fixture)..........maybe 8?

So no canopy?

If that is the case and you need a fixture I would contact Aquactinics from the sponsor's page. The currently make a 5 lamp normally driven T5 unit that is a tad weak for your tank. They make another called the SOlar Flare which is a 6 lamp unit using Ice Cap reflectors and ballasts. That would work great for your tank but considering your stocking plans I don't think you really need to be overdriving the lamps. What I would ask about is their Constellation seiries fixtures. They are a 72" beast with 7 rows of 39 watt lamps that cover the 72". I heard a rumor they are considering or planning on bringing out that fixture in 36 and 48" sizes. The 48 would be perfect for your setup. The reflectors are as good or slightly better than Ice Caps and the lamps are not overdriven. If you aren't in a big hurry it is possible you can be first in line if they really are planning a 48" unit.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9174959#post9174959 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MstgKillr
Mr. Grim/Anyone

This is what I got so far, If I go with

156 gal with starfire front glass
Reef Geek
T5 Retro
8-80w (640 total watts)

180 gal with normal glass
Aquatintics
Constellation
14-39w (546 total watts)

215 gal with starfire front glass
Aquatintics
Constellation
14-39w (546 total watts)

How does the lighting look for these tanks?
Any other input?

Thanks,

Any of that would be disco, just remember that if you get the reefgeek retro you could use 54" 48 watt lamps instead. That allows you to upgra to Ice Cap reflectors for 2 bux a lamp AND!!!! you have a better selection of lamps including the UVL's. Also look at the Fauna Mariin 80 watt T5 units Aquarium obssesed sells, good price although I am not sure of the performance yet.

 

[MstgKillr]

If you need a hood then ATI is probably the best option available right now (or at least it will be available in the very near future). In that case I would go with the 6 or 8x80 watt hood which is 60" long. A lot of money but if the lighting is exposed you want it to be the length of the tank. You coul look at the Fauna Marin ultra solaris that Aquarium obssessed sells. It is a stand alone fixture that comes with a hanging kit although it looks a little industrial for my taste.

Yes, one condition for the new tank is that I have to have a canopy.

You said that ATI is the best option and is 60" long.
Is that a 60" bulb?
Where can I buy it and how much?

Thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

If you are using a canopy then I would strongly suggest using 48" lamps in a retrofit kit. You have a much better selection of lamps and can get the Ice Cap reflectors. If you are concerned about the light covrage just stagger the lamps a few inches end to end. Reefgeek will have the ATI fixtures if you want to go that way.

 

[GT]

Hey Grim, I took your advise from a few months ago, and purchased the aquanetics 14x39w T5 setup. I have a 225 gl, 72x24x30 deep. Im having a major diatom prob. just on the sand, and the low rocks, none on the glass. Im wondering if the par rating on the aquaz are not good enough because of the depth and if that would cause it. Every other diatom prb has been addressed. I have mix of aquaz and geissmann..as follows:
Aquaz 4x blue pro, 4x ocean pro, Geismann 2x pure antic, 2x antic plus, 2x aquablue plus. Not alot of SPS yet but working that way. I seen the par ratings you listed earlier in the thread, and made me think. Mabey thats contibuting to the Diatom circle of hell!

Thanks.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hows your flow in the lower part of the tank? Sounds like you might jut nee more water movement down there.

 

[GT]

Well its not stagnet, but not like the flow above. Havent moved the ph's down yet. I have 4x seio 1500s now. Not a prob with the bulb selection though?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I doubt it. Hit it with some flow and see what happens.

 

[ErikS]

If that is the case and you need a fixture I would contact Aquactinics from the sponsor's page..........................

Thanks much for the input. I have talked to Tom, a while back though. Forgot one detail - tank is in a built in = no room for the 48"s ventilation. They're supposed to come out with a 36" Solar Flare which just might be the ticket....or a 36" constellation which might have more bulbs than the tx5.

Once again, thanks for the input

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Use a 48"retro with fans blowing in from the back

 

[slant77]

T5 experts what setup would you use to light a 120 with zoo's and lps on bottom and sps middle and up. plan to change tanks march april. thanks

 

[rob020880]

I just got my lumenarc stealths, and am planning on using a 10000k 250 watt bulbs. The issue is that I want to include t5's and my tank is a 30" deep quarter cylinder. So there isn't much room in the canopy. I Just measured and found that I can fit four 24". Is this overkill, or is it to little?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

SHould be fine.

 

[gixxer600]

Does anybody know what the dimensions are for the Ice cap reflectors. I plan on buying the 6 bulb 60 in T5 retro from Reefgeek and upgrading the reflectors. I have a 125g (6ft) with about 16in to work with in my canopy. I emailed Reefgeek and he said if I could wait a couple of weeks, then the new Sunlight Supply reflectors will be coming out. He said it is going to be superior to any reflectors out in the US market. Has anybody heard anything regarding the new reflectors.

 

[kau_cinta_ku]

icecap don't have 60" reflectors but if you go to their forum and talk to ash they will sell you the double 36" reflectors for a 60" setup straight through icecap.

 

[WallyBackm]

I just bought the SLS Tek T5 6 bulb system 48 inches. The individual reflectors are great.

I bought the device to prop it over tank and it now sits 3-4 inches above water.

Questions: I have no cover over water. Should I get some type of splash guard?

Also, there does not seem to be any fan in this unit? Should I hook one up? If so, which and how?

Lastly, any recs for a good moonlight for a 48 inch tank?

Thanks as always.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

You can use a 6" clip on fan on the back of the tank to cool the Tek. Having the fan blowing down over the top of the fixture worked the best.

 

[flapjack1439]

I have a 36" 58 Gal Oceanic running 6 24" VHOs.

I'm replacing 4 of the VHOs with 36" T5s and keeping 2 VHOs for actinic. The second ballast can't run T5s.

I would put one VHO actinic in front and the other in back with the T5s in between. Would that be OK? What T5 bulbs would you recommend?

 

[WallyBackm]

Thanks Grim,

Not sure exactly where I should put the fan...on top of the fixture?

Also, do you think I should get a splash guard?