The T5 Q&a Thread

[AquaPython]

Grim! or anyone else ...

now its getting exciting!
i just ordered (the last one until the next factory batch in mid-march):

T5 72" Constellation Series

Aquactinics 6' Constellation T5 Fixture

What's Included:

* Fixture can hold up to fourteen (14) 39W T5 lamps ( 7 rows total ). 3 rows are on one switch/power plug, 2 rows are on one switch/power plug and another 2 rows are on another switch/power plug. T5 lamps are not included.

* Built in ballasts

* Dual (Dual ball bearing) fans.

* High polish full length individual aluminum reflectors.

* Individual illuminated switches.

* (3) 6ft power cords.

* Protected splash shield.

* 1 year warranty on parts and labor for fixture. 2 year warranty on ballasts.

* Lamp position 1, 4, & 7 are on one switch, lamp position 3 & 5 are on another, and lamp position 2 & 6 are on the last switch.
s 72" T5 Fixture

72"L x 14"W x 3"H
Color: Mirror Black

problem is , i have no idea what bulbs to get. i hate to ask you something you have probably answered before but this thread is soooo long. i am looking for a nice blue - white Hue, but i figure with this many bulb options i can get away with putting in some lower K bulbs for better growth rate and making reds POP - while still having the overall blue coloration. is this right? point me in the right direction please!! i was figuring on going with the geek for my bulbs.

 

[fishgutz]

Besides icecap what is a good ballast to run six 80 wattt bulbs with?

 

[lwalcott]

Grim,
I am setting up a 65 gallon SPS tank and was wondering what I would need. Also I want to thank you for all the information so far. I have learned a lot about t5 lighting. Looking forward to your response.

 

[TropTrea]

Everyone has there preference on lighting but with your set up here is what I would do.

Switch 1 (sunrise,sun set) 3 and 5 would be pure atinic
Switch 2 (second set to come on or go off) 1 and 6 would be lue plus bulbs or 20,000K bulbs.
Switch 3 (full daylight) 1 and 7 would be either 6,500K or 10,000K bulbs, and 4 would be a 3,000K bulb to add the red part of the spectrum.

But remember everyone taste in lighting is different. For some it might be to Blue and others not blue enough.

Dennis

 

[AquaPython]

cool thanks for the input - you dont think that would be too blue?

 

[hahnmeister]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9240219#post9240219 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fishgutz
Besides icecap what is a good ballast to run six 80 wattt bulbs with?

Sylvania QTP 1x80T5HO/UNV PSN They only run one bulb each and cost about as much as a 2x54wattT5 ballast (if not more considering you can often find 2x54watters at a discount). Its a sad but true thing about T5 lamps in the US. Its what makes those 80watt Fauna-Marin units such a steal! Too good of a deal I suppose because they are having 'problems' now... and guess what with? Ballast suppliers. Hate to say it, but the IC660 is actually the economical choice when it comes to 80 watt bulbs.

According to Grim though, the performance boost due to the 20% overdrive isnt a full 20% though, so that kinda sucks, but it makes sense. If you look at the wattage per foot ratio of T5s, an 80 watt bulb should be 6' long, so in a way, 5' bulbs are already overdriven at stock, by about 19% (39 and 54 watt bulbs are about 13-13.5 watts per foot, and a 80 watter is 16 watts per foot!). So overdriving the bulbs stock is by 19% (considering at 13ish watts per foot the 5' bulbs should be running at 65watts, not 80), and then add to that the 20% overdrive that the Icecap660 gives... thats a larger boost than the 54watters get when they are running at 80watts! It would seem that the overdriving that the IC660 does in 5' bulbs is beyond the bulb's peak potential, and starting to waste some electricity.

 

[klasiksb]

Hello T-5'ers, I could use your input.

I'm setting up a 24x24x24 cube that will have zoa's and a few LPS. Probably going with a 1" SSB.

I have been looking at these 3 different 4x24w T-5HO fixtures. Retro's are out as I don't want a canopy on this tank. Cost is also an issue and would like to keep it around $150, yet still provide enough light.

Please let me know what you think?

Finnex T5 - 24" - 4 x 24w T5HO - $114.95 - (with stock bulbs)
http://www.nanotuners.com/product_info.php?cPath=30&products_id=178

Nova Extreme HO Light Fixture - 4 x 24W & Lunar Lights - 24 in. - $160 - (with stock bulbs)
http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/product/productInfo.web?&infoParam.itemKey=204868

Aqua Medic Ocean Light T-5 (4 x 24 watt ) - $143 (with stock bulbs)
http://www.saltycritter.com/lighting/aqua-medic/ocean-light-t5-only.htm

 

[rp marine]

this is the only thing i can tell you the Nova Extreme HO Light Fixture don't have seprate reflectors

hopefully grim or hahnmeister can help i would like to know the answer too.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9241543#post9241543 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by klasiksb
Hello T-5'ers, I could use your input.

I'm setting up a 24x24x24 cube that will have zoa's and a few LPS. Probably going with a 1" SSB.

I have been looking at these 3 different 4x24w T-5HO fixtures. Retro's are out as I don't want a canopy on this tank. Cost is also an issue and would like to keep it around $150, yet still provide enough light.

Please let me know what you think?

Finnex T5 - 24" - 4 x 24w T5HO - $114.95 - (with stock bulbs)
http://www.nanotuners.com/product_info.php?cPath=30&products_id=178

Nova Extreme HO Light Fixture - 4 x 24W & Lunar Lights - 24 in. - $160 - (with stock bulbs)
http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/product/productInfo.web?&infoParam.itemKey=204868

Aqua Medic Ocean Light T-5 (4 x 24 watt ) - $143 (with stock bulbs)
http://www.saltycritter.com/lighting/aqua-medic/ocean-light-t5-only.htm

 

[REMF]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9241543#post9241543 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by klasiksb
Finnex T5 - 24" - 4 x 24w T5HO - $114.95 - (with stock bulbs)
http://www.nanotuners.com/product_info.php?cPath=30&products_id=178

Nova Extreme HO Light Fixture - 4 x 24W & Lunar Lights - 24 in. - $160 - (with stock bulbs)
http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/product/productInfo.web?&infoParam.itemKey=204868

Aqua Medic Ocean Light T-5 (4 x 24 watt ) - $143 (with stock bulbs)
http://www.saltycritter.com/lighting/aqua-medic/ocean-light-t5-only.htm

If I had to use 1 of the 3 listed I would go with the Finnex and then do THIS mod by mmoore0803 to add Ice Cap individual reflectors.

 

[klasiksb]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9244732#post9244732 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by REMF
If I had to use 1 of the 3 listed I would go with the Finnex and then do THIS mod by mmoore0803 to add Ice Cap individual reflectors.

Thanks, I found that thread a little while ago and it sounds like it could be the way to go. Figure since it comes with bulbs, I can change them out over time to better bulbs.

As far as the wattage and not being overdriven, does that amount of light seem good for what i'm planning to keep?

 

[klasiksb]

One more thing, are the Icecap reflector better than the Tek reflectors? There pretty close in price, but if the Tek's are just as good, i'd save a little bit of money by going with them over the icecap.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Ice Caps are the best reflectors.

 

[Grey Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9241543#post9241543 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by klasiksb
Hello T-5'ers, I could use your input.

I'm setting up a 24x24x24 cube that will have zoa's and a few LPS. Probably going with a 1" SSB.

I have been looking at these 3 different 4x24w T-5HO fixtures. Retro's are out as I don't want a canopy on this tank. Cost is also an issue and would like to keep it around $150, yet still provide enough light.

Please let me know what you think?

Finnex T5 - 24" - 4 x 24w T5HO - $114.95 - (with stock bulbs)
http://www.nanotuners.com/product_info.php?cPath=30&products_id=178

Nova Extreme HO Light Fixture - 4 x 24W & Lunar Lights - 24 in. - $160 - (with stock bulbs)
http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/product/productInfo.web?&infoParam.itemKey=204868

Aqua Medic Ocean Light T-5 (4 x 24 watt ) - $143 (with stock bulbs)
http://www.saltycritter.com/lighting/aqua-medic/ocean-light-t5-only.htm

I've got a 24" finnex that I did a retro on with the tek reflectors. I would be worried that the icecap reflectors would be to wide for the mod. Aside from that why not get one of the ATI or Aquactinics fixtures? They are much better then any of the fixtures you listed, also cost alittle more green too. Save up for a better fixture

 

[Grey Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9245321#post9245321 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Ice Caps are the best reflectors.

What about ATI reflectors?
Grim you wouldn't happen to know how wide these are and if Greg will be selling them?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Last I heard Greg wasnt going to sell them They are just a tad behind Ice Cap performance wise but a lot bigger, just over 3"

 

[lwalcott]

I'll ask again:

Grim,
I am setting up a 65 gallon SPS tank and was wondering what I would need. Also I want to thank you for all the information so far. I have learned a lot about t5 lighting. Looking forward to your response.

 

[klasiksb]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9245347#post9245347 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Grey Reefer
I've got a 24" finnex that I did a retro on with the tek reflectors. I would be worried that the icecap reflectors would be to wide for the mod. Aside from that why not get one of the ATI or Aquactinics fixtures? They are much better then any of the fixtures you listed, also cost alittle more green too.

That is exactley it right there, more green.

Ok, With the finnex modded with the tek reflectors (because we know they'll fit), will it be enough light for zoa's and LPS in a 24x24x24 tank? Plain and simple? Maybe.

How much more light will I get by adding the Tek reflectors?

I really don't want to spend more than about $200 for a 4x24 T-5 fixture w/bulbs. If I was going SPS or Clams, that thought would change, but i'm talking about zoa's and LPS.

I really don't think I need to overdrive these bulbs, do I?

Sorry, I'm new to the whole T-5 thing and trying to find the info i'm looking for throughout the T-5 threads makes my head spin. :spin1:

 

[klasiksb]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9245347#post9245347 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Grey Reefer
Save up for a better fixture

I guess i'm having a hard time trying to justify $300-$400 for 96w of light.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9245431#post9245431 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lwalcott
I'll ask again:

Grim,
I am setting up a 65 gallon SPS tank and was wondering what I would need. Also I want to thank you for all the information so far. I have learned a lot about t5 lighting. Looking forward to your response.

Missed the 1st post

If that is the 36x18" footprint tank I would do a 6x39 retro with IC reflectors or an ATI fixture.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9245436#post9245436 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by klasiksb
That is exactley it right there, more green.

Ok, With the finnex modded with the tek reflectors (because we know they'll fit), will it be enough light for zoa's and LPS in a 24x24x24 tank? Plain and simple? Maybe.

How much more light will I get by adding the Tek reflectors?

I really don't want to spend more than about $200 for a 4x24 T-5 fixture w/bulbs. If I was going SPS or Clams, that thought would change, but i'm talking about zoa's and LPS.

I really don't think I need to overdrive these bulbs, do I?

Sorry, I'm new to the whole T-5 thing and trying to find the info i'm looking for throughout the T-5 threads makes my head spin. :spin1:

Mod the Finnex, you'll be fine