The T5 Q&a Thread

[JohnL]

This thread was automatically split due to performance issues. You can find the rest of the thread here: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?postid=9465525#post9465525

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Ahhh, only 48". That sucks. Aquarium Specialties from the sponsors page has the Aquactinics 5 lamp T5 fixture which is nice. It will punch a little deeper into the tank but wont spread the light as much front to back.

 

[savager]

I got Oceanic 30G Cube tank. Since it's only 20" long, I really have limited light option. After I saw my local member's tank with T5 light, I am sold. But only think I can think for this tank is 4 bulbs 24" Tek Light Fixture.

This is my question, if I go with 24" Tek Light fixture, is there any way I can use the leg which they offer? I think I saw little picture but it doesn't look like I can adjust it to fit 20" wide tank. If I can't use their leg, is there any other legs I can use?

My second question is, since 30G cube tank is pretty deep, do you think I can keep SPS successful with 4 bulbs t5? Is there any other company makes 6 bulbs with individual reflector?

My last question, if I go with 4 bulbs, what combination of bulb should I get?

Thank you so much guys.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I think you would have to hang the fixture. I would use a Sun or daylight, 1 actinic, 1 aquablue and 1 blue plus for lamps.

 

[savager]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9466640#post9466640 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
I think you would have to hang the fixture. I would use a Sun or daylight, 1 actinic, 1 aquablue and 1 blue plus for lamps.

If I hang the light, how far I have to keep my light from surface of water? 3 inches?

And my other question, do you think i can keep any kind of SPS? I am just worry about the depth of my tank.

 

[chrisd4421]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9465527#post9465527 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Ahhh, only 48". That sucks. Aquarium Specialties from the sponsors page has the Aquactinics 5 lamp T5 fixture which is nice. It will punch a little deeper into the tank but wont spread the light as much front to back.

Grim,
What do you think about the Tek 6x39 as planned but upgrading the reflectors to give the extra punch needed to get to the bottom? (would Icecap reflectors be a good upgrade) I really like the look of the Tek (sleek and thin)

Thanks
Chris

 

[cartoonbear]

Im not grim, but I know what he told me

The IceCap SLR reflectors are the best T5 reflectors

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9466697#post9466697 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by savager
If I hang the light, how far I have to keep my light from surface of water? 3 inches?

And my other question, do you think i can keep any kind of SPS? I am just worry about the depth of my tank.

keep the lamps about 4" above the water or get the splash shield and lower it down if that works better. You should be fine with any SPS in the upper half of the tank.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9466867#post9466867 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chrisd4421
Grim,
What do you think about the Tek 6x39 as planned but upgrading the reflectors to give the extra punch needed to get to the bottom? (would Icecap reflectors be a good upgrade) I really like the look of the Tek (sleek and thin)

Thanks
Chris

I doubt you could fit Ice Cap reflectors into a Tek fixture. If you could do a canopy you can use them in a retrofit.

 

[vtrieu88]

Will the life of the bulb shorten if overwrite by IceCap ballast?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

As long as you use fans the lamp life doesn't appear to be greatly affected

 

[deeez]

Hey Grim, you've convinced me to go for T5's instead of halides. I am currently have a 72 gallon bowfront that's 48" long and 24" deep with 440 vho's (2 - 10k and 2 03 actinic). Should I go for 4 IceCap 54W T5 HO and keep the 2 03 actinic vhos? Or should I ditch the Vho's altogether and get a 6 TEK t5's with IceCap reflectors? I only have a budget of $400 =(. I have mostly lps and want to have some sps. Thanks

 

[AJtheReefer]

any issues with the following bulb selection, for an 54W 8 TEK?

1 x 54W GE 3000K
2 x 54W GE 6500K
3 x 54W Giesmann Atinic Plus
1 x 54W Giesmann 11,000 Aquablue+
1 x 54W Super Actinic UV Lighting

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9468405#post9468405 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by deeez
Hey Grim, you've convinced me to go for T5's instead of halides. I am currently have a 72 gallon bowfront that's 48" long and 24" deep with 440 vho's (2 - 10k and 2 03 actinic). Should I go for 4 IceCap 54W T5 HO and keep the 2 03 actinic vhos? Or should I ditch the Vho's altogether and get a 6 TEK t5's with IceCap reflectors? I only have a budget of $400 =(. I have mostly lps and want to have some sps. Thanks

Keep the 2 VHO actinics. Run a UVL Aquasun, ATI Blue Plus and 2 Aquablues in the T5's. If you want a more blue look use 2 Blue Plus and 1 Aquablue with the aquasun

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9468812#post9468812 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AJtheReefer
any issues with the following bulb selection, for an 54W 8 TEK?

1 x 54W GE 3000K
2 x 54W GE 6500K
3 x 54W Giesmann Atinic Plus
1 x 54W Giesmann 11,000 Aquablue+
1 x 54W Super Actinic UV Lighting

I spect that would look good.

 

[JasonF]

So are there any other complete 36" hoods with individual reflectors, other than the Aquactinics and Tek fixtures?

 

[Zoos]

The ATI will be out soon.

 

[three-spot]

How many bulbs (using the tek retro) would I be looking at to keep sps in a 48x12x18H 45g? 4?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

4 would be fine

 

[hng]

For a 90 gallon no substrate sps dominant tank, how do you feel about 2 normally driven 54 watt bulbs and 3 overdriven 54 watt bulbs using an ice cap 660? Thanks for your response!

UVL Super Actinic
ATI Blue Plus *IC ballast
UVL Aquasun *IC ballast
ATI Aquablue Special *IC ballast
ATI Blue Plus