The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
16 54 watt T5's or 4 of the Iwasaki 15K 175 watt halides in Lumenmax reflectors.
The T5 Q&a Thread
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Urban_Squrill
New member
I am still trying to decide to go with t5 6 bulb or with a retro kit off reef exotics. I have a 75g and want to be able to have clams.. along with softies.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
If you remote mount the T5 ballasts behind the tank and use fans you have a good chance of avoiding a chiller.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Usuallly better off with the retro if its going into a canopy. Check reefgeeks prices, they usually have the best deals on the good systems.
OT: You ever go down to Blue Relm in Missoula to buy livestock?
My new tank, 150g (60"x24"x24"), is going to have two iwasaki 175W 15Ks in lumenarc reflectors that are left over from my last tank but I want to supplement them with some T5s.
It seems like 60" is kinda hard to find so I might just do 48" and stagger two on each side of the lumenarcs. I want to go with the icecap slr reflectors and ballasts. I noticed a diy icecap ballast for running 1 or 2 46" T5HO bulbs. I like the idea because I can split up my off/on time even more than using one 430 or 660 ballast.
What are people's opinions on this icecap diy ballast?
Also, what bulbs would you recommend to supplement the iwasaki 15Ks which are pretty much pure white?
I was thinking something in the daylight range and something in the actinic range. I skimmed through this thread but 884 posts is a LOT to read.
It seems like 60" is kinda hard to find so I might just do 48" and stagger two on each side of the lumenarcs. I want to go with the icecap slr reflectors and ballasts. I noticed a diy icecap ballast for running 1 or 2 46" T5HO bulbs. I like the idea because I can split up my off/on time even more than using one 430 or 660 ballast.
What are people's opinions on this icecap diy ballast?
Also, what bulbs would you recommend to supplement the iwasaki 15Ks which are pretty much pure white?
I was thinking something in the daylight range and something in the actinic range. I skimmed through this thread but 884 posts is a LOT to read.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Reefgeek has the 60" T5's, you can do 3 lamps on an Ice Cap 660 ballast. I would do a Blue Plus and Actinic in front of the halides and a blue plus behind.
TropTrea
New member
Unfortunatly that is the problem wioth these forums at times. While they may be jam packed with great info they are just to large to read everything. Then even when you do sometimes your have to sort between different individuals opinions, facts, and simple BS.
Having a FAQ series could help a lot of this. But even with that if it were written by the worlds best expert on the subject someone may have other ideas that are simply a different aproach not better or worst than the authors.
In this hobby there are probably 20 ways do almost everything. Out of the 20 ways 8 are probably right, 10 are probably wrong, and 2 seem to just work out of pure luck.
Dennis
Urban_Squrill
New member
Ya the thats the best LFS around. I usualy have to make up some other reason to drive 1 1/2 hours down their just to get a cleaner shrimp. Lol payday is friday so I will be down this on saterday/sunday. How you know about that place?
So t5 or mh?
So t5 or mh?
Last edited:
illsquaddotcom
New member
Grim,
Getting ready to fire up a tek 6x54w, thinking:
GE 6500k
UVL 10000k
(2) Giese 11,000k
ATI Blue plus
UVL super Actinic
What do you think?
Were talking a mixed reef, 90g. I perfer a white look to the blueish, deepwater look, but I also want some coloration.
Your advise will be greatly appreciated.
Getting ready to fire up a tek 6x54w, thinking:
GE 6500k
UVL 10000k
(2) Giese 11,000k
ATI Blue plus
UVL super Actinic
What do you think?
Were talking a mixed reef, 90g. I perfer a white look to the blueish, deepwater look, but I also want some coloration.
Your advise will be greatly appreciated.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Really depends on your circumstances. Do you have room in your canopy for halides? I heat and space arent an issue halides are fun.
I lived just outside the People's Republic of Missoula until last May.
If you hit Missoula it might be worth checking out tropical World on 3rd street, Mike was just finishing up his reef tank about time I bailed Montana. He might have water in it by now. If you havent seen T5 lights yet Blue Relm did have my old 125 on consignment from the guy i sold it to. It was just inside the front door. If you tell them your interested in buying the tank you can probably get them to turn on the lamps. Its an 80 watt Ice Cap system
yaitisme
In Memoriam
Great info Grim! Read through the first 15-16 pages and unfortunatly can't seem to search threads.... so if this has already been asked, I'm sorry:
I am setting up a 65 gallon AGA tank 36x18x24. Plan on putting a fairly deep sand bed in (3-4 inches) and a rock rack in to help reduce the depth. I want to be able to keep a little bit of everything with no clams. Don't mind placing frags that require high light closer to surface. I have purchased two Universal Electric electronic ballasts 4x39 watts and plan on purchasing two tek reflectors and two icecap reflectors.
Do you think this will be sufficient lighting for my setup?
What bulb manufacture/configuration would you recommend?
Does the Tank's center brace project a shadow or does the florescent light prevent this?
thanks
scott
I am setting up a 65 gallon AGA tank 36x18x24. Plan on putting a fairly deep sand bed in (3-4 inches) and a rock rack in to help reduce the depth. I want to be able to keep a little bit of everything with no clams. Don't mind placing frags that require high light closer to surface. I have purchased two Universal Electric electronic ballasts 4x39 watts and plan on purchasing two tek reflectors and two icecap reflectors.
Do you think this will be sufficient lighting for my setup?
What bulb manufacture/configuration would you recommend?
Does the Tank's center brace project a shadow or does the florescent light prevent this?
thanks
scott
flapjack1439
New member
Are the Icecap ballasts the only ones that overdrive the T5 bulbs?
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
I think what you list is a good place to start. I would give that a shot.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
The only ones I know of. Well, you can make a workhorse overdrive them but I am not sure I would recomend it.
PacificBlueReef
New member
I have the 4 bulb Tek Lights and currently have them setup about 5-6 inches above the water(without a fan). What is the correct height(lowest setting/highest setting)? I am concerd about the heat output. There is not enough heat to burn my hand but it is deffinetly noticeable coming from the stock units. How much heat is to much?
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
6" above the water so you are good there.
6" above the water so you are good there.
I would try to keep the lights 4~6 inches above the water so you are good there. If you run a fan blowing down over the top of the reflectors or housing of the fixture (dont blow directly on the lamps) you will increase the ouptput a good 15% or more.
6" above the water so you are good there.
I would try to keep the lights 4~6 inches above the water so you are good there. If you run a fan blowing down over the top of the reflectors or housing of the fixture (dont blow directly on the lamps) you will increase the ouptput a good 15% or more.
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