The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

You need about 2 1/2 inches of space per lamp so I doubt you can get 8 lamps over a 90. If you were to go with a 660 ballast for 4 of your lamps and add 2 more on a Tek ballast for dusk/dawn you will have plenty of light. Get Ice Cap reflectors as well. Reefgeek.com has the best selection and usually about the best prices. for lamps I would try this

Front
UVL Super Actinic Tek ballast
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
ATI Aquablue
Blue Plus Tek Ballast

Grab a spare GE 6500K lamp so you can play with different mixes of lamps. If the above looks too blue you can use the GE lamp in place of a aquablue or blue plus to whitten things up.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9356047#post9356047 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 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”)?

 

[Pat_13]

Thanks GR, I thought about just using seven of the eight bulbs but will just go with the six.

That just leaves me with
Tek or Icecap (~$150 difference on the 6 bulb kit) or both (660 & tek)? I thought the Icecaps were better?
Can you overdrive 4 bulbs with a 660?
Light cover needed to prevent splashing on hot bulbs?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Forgot, with lamps 2" over the tank you need to make a shield.

As far as the Ice Cap yes the 660 will run 4 lamps. I would use Ice Cap reflectors on all 6 lamps but only overdrive 4.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

4 would be plenty. I would run a UVL Aquasun, 1 Auper Actinic, ATI Blue Plus and Aquablue.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9356983#post9356983 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 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.

 

[GT]

Hey Grim< I have the Aquanetics 14x39w T5 setup, and just noticed I have 3 burnt out bulbs, that are only 5 1/2 months old and I run them about 7 1/2 hrs a day. Depending on what Tom says at Aquanetics, was wondering with what I have and what I may have to replace any change suggestions would be appreciated.
Here is what I have:

4x Aquaz Blue Pro
4x Aquaz Ocean Pro
2x Giesmann AquaBlue+
2x Giesmann Actinic+
2x Giesmann Pure Actinic

The 3 that prematurely burnt out are the Aquaz, 2x Ocean Pro, and 1x Blue Pro. All Giesmanns are new (3 weeks). With what I have, what is the best setup using what I have and, or replaceing or changing. What you would suggest even if it means changing some of the new Giesmanns out.
72x24x30 tank, Just a few SPS frags, but will increase corals as time goes.

Thanks, Terry

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I would replace 2 blue pros with 2 UVL super Actinics. Replace the ocean Pros with UVL Aquasuns. See how you like that before going crazy with changes.

 

[GT]

Thanks Grimm. Like these from MD?
www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=UF3361
www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=UF3365

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Those are VHO lamps. hit reefgeek.com for the T5 versions

 

[Daygrowth]

Hi All,

I am in the process of researching lighting for my new 155 gallon bowfront tank. I have looked through quite a few pages of this thread and I think I have decided to go with an Icecap 6 x 80W T5 Retrofit kit. I was hoping that someone who is more experienced with T5 lighting would share their opinion to let me know if it is too much or too little for my tank. This will be my first experience with T5 lighting so I'm completely open to suggestion .

I'm planning to keep the tank FOWLR for the first few months while I get used to keeping a larger tank, and slowly progress into keeping some corals.

The tank dimensions are 72x24x24

Thanks!

 

[Daygrowth]

Sorry, I forgot to mention that the bulbs that I was planning to purchase were 60" bulbs and I was going to stagger them for better coverage. I still haven't decided what bulb manufacturer or type of bulb to go with, but I have seen multiple references to Geisemann and URI bulbs, so I imagine that I will go with one of those.

Thanks again

 

[scoutmaniak]

Grim I just wanted to thank you for all your help!!! I got my Limited Edition tek fixture in today. The bulbs you told me to get look just like a 14k MH. The pics look white, but the tank looks better than ever!!

For some reason all the bulbs look blue in the pic, but there not. From the left: Actinic 03, Blue Plus, 11k, 6500k, super actinic, Blue Plus. Hope that helps!! That will get you really close to 14k with 6 bulbs...

Michael

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9362187#post9362187 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Daygrowth
Sorry, I forgot to mention that the bulbs that I was planning to purchase were 60" bulbs and I was going to stagger them for better coverage. I still haven't decided what bulb manufacturer or type of bulb to go with, but I have seen multiple references to Geisemann and URI bulbs, so I imagine that I will go with one of those.

You cant get UVL lamps in 60" so you are limited to ATI, Giesemann and GE lamps. I like running 2 Blue Plus, 1 Pure Actinic, 1 Daylight and 2 Aquablues over my 125.

Thanks again

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Nice tank Scout

 

[jdav]

i've fot t5s over a 46 bow now and they kick arse.

anyway, just got a 120 and want to go with t5s over it. i plan on the tank being barebottom with solely sps. i think i could probobly get 10 icecap reflectors under that hood.

anyone got any suggestions on what a good lighting setup would be for meh?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

You need 2 1/2 inches per lamp. Probably 8 lamps is all that will fit and all you need anyway. I would use Ice Cap reflectors but weather or not to overdrive the system with Ice cap ballasts really depends what you want to raise

 

[jdav]

it'll be mostly acros. mostly staghorns. maybe a ew other sps but not really just staghorn acros.

 

[Spiffyguy]

What would be better on a 55, a TX5 from Aquactinics or a 6 Bulb Tek Light. I am torn between the two. I am also concerened about the Tek light being too wide at 15". Thanks

 

[fishfanatic06]

How should I line up these bulbs front to back, (2 ATI aquablue special, and 2 ATI blue pluses) to get the bluest look possible?
Thanks!

 

[revclyburn]

Hey, Grim, Hahnmeister, and all the T5 gurus

does anybody use Teks T5 tank mounting brackets. They are, imo, a little pricey, almost 70 bucks, and I wanted to see how they look on a tank. I have the ceiling mounting kit, but I can't use it, I live in a rented condo, and don't need the landlord running up on me about the holes in the ceiling. (hint, willing to trade) So, I need to go the bracket route.

So, can someone post a pic of them on their tank, and what they like/dislike about the brackets.

revclyburn

 

[TropTrea]

Fot the bluest possible look put the bluest bulbs in front and the lesser blue ones to the back.

Dennis

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9364849#post9364849 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fishfanatic06
How should I line up these bulbs front to back, (2 ATI aquablue special, and 2 ATI blue pluses) to get the bluest look possible?
Thanks!