The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9364087#post9364087 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jdav
it'll be mostly acros. mostly staghorns. maybe a ew other sps but not really just staghorn acros.

I would overdrive the works. You will need to run fans to keep the lamps from getting too hot.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9364167#post9364167 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 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

The Aquactinics will put out as much light as the Tek.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9365618#post9365618 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 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

If you have a local club you might find someone who would trade you. I've never ran the Tek except to test and didn't have legs.

 

[gixxer600]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9215349#post9215349 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
You could install the front reflector angled back toward the tank. Use the lamps labeled ballast one for dusk/dawn

Front
Blueplus Ballast 1
Actinic Ballast 1
Ge 3000K
Blue Plus Ballast 1
Aquablue
Blue Plus

My 125 was set up like thi and it looked really good

My lights are set up just the way you stated. Looks real good. Tank looks crisp white. I want to see if I can get the tank to look a little bluer. Should I swap one of the Blueplus for another Actinic. Or swap the GE 3000k for the 6500K.

 

[andyjd]

I'm thinking of adding another couple of T5's on my 90,

Currently 2 x ATI 54W 11000K Aquablue Special & 2 xATI 54W Actinic/Blue Plus on a IC660, any thoughts?

 

[Tbrew]

update, here is before and after pics.
Before- 4 - 72" vho's 10000k and actinics

After - 4 - 60" T5's, 2 - 72" actinic VHO's

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9366751#post9366751 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gixxer600
My lights are set up just the way you stated. Looks real good. Tank looks crisp white. I want to see if I can get the tank to look a little bluer. Should I swap one of the Blueplus for another Actinic. Or swap the GE 3000k for the 6500K.

Amazing how white the light looks with all the blue lamps aint it

You coult swap the position of the actinic with the position of the bue plus in slot 4 or swap the aquablue for another blue plus.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9366784#post9366784 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by andyjd
I'm thinking of adding another couple of T5's on my 90,

Currently 2 x ATI 54W 11000K Aquablue Special & 2 xATI 54W Actinic/Blue Plus on a IC660, any thoughts?

Add a UVL super actinic and a Aquasun and see what you think. I would throw the Aquasun on the Ice Cap in place of the a blue plus and use the blue plus and super actinic as dusk/dawn.

 

[andyjd]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9367995#post9367995 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Add a UVL super actinic and a Aquasun and see what you think. I would throw the Aquasun on the Ice Cap in place of the a blue plus and use the blue plus and super actinic as dusk/dawn.

Thanks, what about a ballast ?

 

[Marcio]

Hi there Grim and hanh!

I´d like to know how many T5 i should use in my tank. It has about 300 liters and i intend to keep SPS and clams.

thanks in advacnce.

 

[SparxXx]

Hey

I am planning to buy some T5Ho lights for my tank and have couple of choices. One is a "Sunlight Supply Tek 2x24W Retrofit kit", whereas the other is the "Sunlight Supply Tek II 2x24W Retrofit kit". Has anyone tried the new tek II reflectors? Also the tek II system consists of the workhorse 5 ballast which many think is bad due to its instant start mechanism. Am I better off with the Original Tek system with the better triad universal ballast? Price wise, the Tek II system is several dollars more.

Thank

SparxXx

 

[Spiffyguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9366539#post9366539 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
The Aquactinics will put out as much light as the Tek.

Since there is 5 bulbs, 3 on a switch 2 on the other. What bulb combo do you recommend?

 

[jennmac415]

which bulb on this page is the ATI Blue Pus??? Any of them?

http://www.aqualuxlighting.com/345inlint5ho.html

getting ready to order bulbs as my aquactinic fixture will be here tomorrow...

thanks!
Jenni

 

[slavearm]

USPS showed up today with some goodies for me. Osram Sylvania Ballasts. I am going to use these on my 39W retros. Hope they fire the bulbs!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9368021#post9368021 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by andyjd
Thanks, what about a ballast ?

Just use a triad.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9368314#post9368314 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Marcio
Hi there Grim and hanh!

I´d like to know how many T5 i should use in my tank. It has about 300 liters and i intend to keep SPS and clams.

thanks in advacnce.

What are the dimensions of your tank and what do you plan on raising in it?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9368632#post9368632 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jennmac415
which bulb on this page is the ATI Blue Pus??? Any of them?

http://www.aqualuxlighting.com/345inlint5ho.html

getting ready to order bulbs as my aquactinic fixture will be here tomorrow...

thanks!
Jenni

As far as I know Aqualux is out of business. They had the old style ATI blues, not the same as a Blue Plus.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9370627#post9370627 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by slavearm
USPS showed up today with some goodies for me. Osram Sylvania Ballasts. I am going to use these on my 39W retros. Hope they fire the bulbs!

Let us know

 

[Spiffyguy]

Would this configuration work ok with an Aquactinics TX5 fixture? Never really had an option to buy different bulbs lol.

Front
UV 54W Super Actinic T5
Giesemann 54W 6000K Midday Sun
ATI 54W Blue Plus T5
Giesemann 54W 11000K Aquablue Plus
ATI 54W Blue Plus T5

 

[WannabeAquarist]

Could someone please check my homework?

Could someone please check my homework?

Wow, amazing thread! It's taken me most of the day to get to the end. Thanks to all who have contributed.

I recently purchased an 8x54w Nova Extreme... (No groans please). Since reading, I now see the error of my ways. It's going back in the morning and this is my new plan...

I have a 75 Gal (48” W x 18” D x 21” H) tank that I'm hoping will support a wide variety of species. I'm going to purchase the 6 lamp Aquactinics Solar Flare 48" with the following bulbs:

(Front)
Blue Plus
Aqua Blue
UVL Super Actinic
GE 3000K
Blue Plus
Aqua Blue
(Back)

Some things that are not clear to me are:
1) I'm not sure about the order of the bulbs that I’ve listed.
2) Which 2 bulbs should come on first before the others? The super actinic and 1 Aqua Blue?
3) Should I have this light sit on a glass covered tank or on an uncovered tank? I noticed that there are riser brackets available for it.

Oh, and could someone comment on how loud the fan noise is from this fixture? (The Nova Extreme was kind of loud) A vendor recommendation would also be great.