The T5 Q&a Thread

[vtrieu88]

Hi Grim,

I couldn't find the link for the T5 wiring of the MH ballast in this long thread. Hope you don't mind answer it again. I've 2 of the 250W M58 Advance ballast. What are the max number of T5 bulbs I can use for each ballast? I'm hoping to run some 80w on one and some 54W on the other. Thanks.

 

[Navyblue]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9435710#post9435710 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
You could try throwing in a UVL Super Actinic and see what you think.

Thanks.

Is UVL Super Actinic better regarded than the ATI's offering?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I would run 4 lamps on the IC and 2 normally driven.

I would do this for lamps

Front
UVL Super Actinic (Tek Ballast)
Blue Plus
Aquablue
UVL Aquasun
Blue Plus
Blue Plus (Tek Ballast)

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9435814#post9435814 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by elzool
Dear Santa Claus, ... err Grim Reefer,


I've bought two IC 660s & 8 slrs' used over the last few months and am now wondering for my 75g how many bulbs I should use?

I have a number of zoos on the bottom and I'd prefer not to fry them if possible. I would love to be able to keep a clam or two as well as an rbta.

What say you as far as number of bulbs I should use and types I should ask Greg to send me if I like a bluer look to my tank?

Thanks!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9435960#post9435960 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by vtrieu88
Hi Grim,

I couldn't find the link for the T5 wiring of the MH ballast in this long thread. Hope you don't mind answer it again. I've 2 of the 250W M58 Advance ballast. What are the max number of T5 bulbs I can use for each ballast? I'm hoping to run some 80w on one and some 54W on the other. Thanks.

Ahhh, You cant run T5's on a metal halide ballasts. At least not that I have ever heard of.

 

[elzool]

Thanks, but I don't have a Tek, just two 660s'. I'm guessing that overdriving the two you have marked as Tek Ballast will be ok?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9436889#post9436889 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
I would run 4 lamps on the IC and 2 normally driven.

I would do this for lamps

Front
UVL Super Actinic (Tek Ballast)
Blue Plus
Aquablue
UVL Aquasun
Blue Plus
Blue Plus (Tek Ballast)

 

[flapjack1439]

FYI

Custom Aquatics has the Ice Cap 660 ballast on sale for $135.

http://www.customaquatic.com/custom...id=LT-IC660-009[/URL]

 

[slavearm]

Grim,

I am making a canopy for a 180 (72x24x24). I was thinking 8x60" Centered on the tank with 6 inches on each side of no coverage.

2xIceCap 660s
2xSylvania Quicktronic 1x80W T5H0 Ballasts or one 430 maybe
8xSuperSpecial Icecap 60"SLR (LOL)

UVL Super Actinic
BluePlus
AquaSun
AquaBlue
AquaBlue
GE3K
BluePlus
UVL Super Actinic


The Actinics would be on the Sylvanias, and everything else on the Icecaps.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

That should look sweet.

I would maybe do this though

UVL Super Actinic
BluePlus
AquaSun
AquaBlue
AquaBlue to Super Actinic
GE3K
BluePlus to Aquablue
UVL Super Actinic to Blue Plus

Might as well have the sencond Super actinic hitting the viewing side of the corals. I would try having a SA and Blue Plus for the dusk/dawn.

 

[puffer036]

I want to light a 48" x 18" x 26"deep tank with t5 and want to be able to keep anything. Now I have a few bta and shrooms but plan to expand in the future. I want something to hang over or sit right on the tank. I am not a diy person so retro is kinda out. Can you tell me what would work best for me and what bulbs I want to use and the order to use them? I would like to try to stay within a reasonable budget. Thanks for any help!!

 

[puffer036]

I was looking at the 48" aquactinics and kind of like them. Would these be right for me?

 

[USC-fan]

which setup would have more par?

260 watts of CF or 156 watts of t5?

I know that is matters alot about what bulbs and what not....

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9439225#post9439225 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by puffer036
I was looking at the 48" aquactinics and kind of like them. Would these be right for me?

The Aquactinics Solar Flare would be good for that set up.

 

[katz66]

ronkhoo,
sorry i haven't responded sooner, my computer has a virus and i cannot get on the net. reefgeek shipped ups regular ground to my sister's house in bowling green. my original order (tek light 6x54w + 6 bulbs) two years ago came right to my door in windsor,on. and yes i did get stung for about $125-150 for duties and taxes. that is why i had my sister bring the bulbs over for me (only about an hour away).
the packaging is great, the bulbs are first wrapped in individual cardboard tubes, then two pieces of sandwiched cardboard taped with blue masking tape, placed inside a round cardboard tube with either bubble wrap or peanuts. this is encased in a long square cardboard box. inside the box is a few pieces of square cardboard with a round hole cut out so the cylinder is only touching in a few spots. both ends are then capped with a layer of styrofoam and foam both cutout so the cylinder rest s in there. fragile tape marked all over the box, and i almost forgot to mention my favourite part . . . a snack size twix and snickers candy bar, with a thank you note. pretty classy op imho.
katz

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9439473#post9439473 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Kb-smoker
which setup would have more par?

260 watts of CF or 156 watts of t5?

I know that is matters alot about what bulbs and what not....

If you are talking good equipment the T5's.

 

[puffer036]

Grim, Thanks for the response. I was looking at the solar flares but the price was a little more than I was looking to spend. Compared to the basic aquatinics fixtures they are like double the price.

 

[sjm817]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9438141#post9438141 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by slavearm
Grim,

I am making a canopy for a 180 (72x24x24). I was thinking 8x60" Centered on the tank with 6 inches on each side of no coverage.

2xIceCap 660s
2xSylvania Quicktronic 1x80W T5H0 Ballasts or one 430 maybe
8xSuperSpecial Icecap 60"SLR (LOL)

UVL Super Actinic
BluePlus
AquaSun
AquaBlue
AquaBlue
GE3K
BluePlus
UVL Super Actinic


The Actinics would be on the Sylvanias, and everything else on the Icecaps.

There are no 60" UVL bulbs. I would get (3) 660s. This way, they are all the same ballast if you need to swap anything around.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Nice catch SMJ. I would actually be tempted to just get a Cheap 2 lamp VHO system and run the Actinics rather than using the T5 actinics.

 

[puffer036]

would the aquatinics tx5 fixture ( 5 tubes ) be insufficient for a 26" deep tank. The solar flare model costs too much for me at this time.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

The 5 lamp fixture would be OK as long as higher light critters are up on the rocks.

 

[aquamariner]

I purchased the 4 lamp Centium ballast from Advance. Suppose to be better than Universal's triad and has Intelivolt. The Centium has a grey lead wire that you have to connect in order to run all four lights at the same time. Advance told me you can put an inline electronic timer on that grey lead. Can anyone tell me if this is such a timer at this website
http://www.kalyx.com/store/proddeta...0/CategoryID/12000.0/SubCatID/2845.0/file.htm

If not, does anyone have any idea on how else to put this feature of the Centium ballast which would allow different bulb start times to work?