The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

Do the Aquablue and a Blue Plus

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9542731#post9542731 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 84jeepjohn
OK this is going over a 100G

I'm about to order a 2 bulb TEK retro. with IC reflectors. I'll get a 4 bulb (OD)later ($$$$) but my question is should I do a UVL super acitinic and an ATI aqua blue (12K) for now? I'd like some good florecence.

I've got my PC lights still on there (current USA dual sun and dual acitinic)

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I think you will need six rows. I would use all Aquablue lamps, they look bright and fish show up really well under them.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9542957#post9542957 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Wickedt1
Hi,
I'm converting my reef tank to fishonly with live-rock and thinking of replacing my 4-400w MH to T-5s. I really don't need the lighting for 400w MHs anymore. I had lost all of my stock due one of my bulkheads leaking while my family and I were away on a trip. I'm assuming the tank was dry for a few days for all was dead when we got home. Not to mention burned out pumps and such.

Tank had been up for over 7 years but somehow the nut to the bulkhead had losened over time. Lesson learned, should periodically check the nuts on bulkheads. Especially when you have them mounted on the bottom of the tank.

I've finally gotten the motivation to restart up my tank and going the fishonly route this time, was too painful to lose so many corals. So anyhow...

My tank dimensions are 10'L x 3'W x 30"H.

My questions:
1. Will 8 - 54W 48"ers, 4 on each side (right & left), be enough to illuminate the full width of my tank (Front - Back)? Perhaps not enough spread, need more lights?

2. Will it look 'darkish' at the sand, perhaps I'll need to override the blubs to 80w?


Again this is for a fishonly with live-rock, no intensions of growing SPS or clams again. Just after low heat, low power consumption, and awesome lighting to bring out the coloring in the fish.

EDIT:
I'll be using a retro-kit with individual reflectors, either IceCap or the newer TeK (when available).

Any recommendations/options and blub selection will be more than welcome.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I think you will need six rows. I would use all Aquablue lamps, they look bright and fish show up really well under them.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9542957#post9542957 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Wickedt1
Hi,
I'm converting my reef tank to fishonly with live-rock and thinking of replacing my 4-400w MH to T-5s. I really don't need the lighting for 400w MHs anymore. I had lost all of my stock due one of my bulkheads leaking while my family and I were away on a trip. I'm assuming the tank was dry for a few days for all was dead when we got home. Not to mention burned out pumps and such.

Tank had been up for over 7 years but somehow the nut to the bulkhead had losened over time. Lesson learned, should periodically check the nuts on bulkheads. Especially when you have them mounted on the bottom of the tank.

I've finally gotten the motivation to restart up my tank and going the fishonly route this time, was too painful to lose so many corals. So anyhow...

My tank dimensions are 10'L x 3'W x 30"H.

My questions:
1. Will 8 - 54W 48"ers, 4 on each side (right & left), be enough to illuminate the full width of my tank (Front - Back)? Perhaps not enough spread, need more lights?

2. Will it look 'darkish' at the sand, perhaps I'll need to override the blubs to 80w?


Again this is for a fishonly with live-rock, no intensions of growing SPS or clams again. Just after low heat, low power consumption, and awesome lighting to bring out the coloring in the fish.

EDIT:
I'll be using a retro-kit with individual reflectors, either IceCap or the newer TeK (when available).

Any recommendations/options and blub selection will be more than welcome.

 

[Steve 926]

Hppy Birthday !!

Hppy Birthday !!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRIM

Thanks for all the great advice !!


Steve (@^ (926)

:smokin:

 

[The Grim Reefer]

???

Apreciate the sentimate but my B day isnt for a couple months

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Dreaded double post

 

[55semireef]

Grim, with two pure actinics, a 4750 K bulb and a 6500 K bulb, do I relatively get good PAR or is the pure actinics dragging me down?

 

[bluesurf1]

currently running ic660 60" retro over mixed reef but mostly sps mid to high up. Is there other options for reflectors? Are the tek 2's much better? I plan to add 2 more bulbs possibly the 430 retro or should I run workhorse with tek 2's. Would I be best off to swap all reflectors to tek2.

current bulb set up
front
ge 6500
geisman actinic +
geisman aqua blue+

new set up
ati blue +
true actinic
ge 6500
actinic +
geisman aquablue+

thanks for the info. also is there 72" t5's now?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9546197#post9546197 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 55semireef
Grim, with two pure actinics, a 4750 K bulb and a 6500 K bulb, do I relatively get good PAR or is the pure actinics dragging me down?

The pure actinics don't produce a lot. Try to get a blue plus lamp. It will give you more PAR and a much better look.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9547453#post9547453 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bluesurf1
currently running ic660 60" retro over mixed reef but mostly sps mid to high up. Is there other options for reflectors? Are the tek 2's much better? I plan to add 2 more bulbs possibly the 430 retro or should I run workhorse with tek 2's. Would I be best off to swap all reflectors to tek2.

current bulb set up
front
ge 6500
geisman actinic +
geisman aqua blue+

new set up
ati blue +
true actinic
ge 6500
actinic +
geisman aquablue+

thanks for the info. also is there 72" t5's now?

Premium Aquatics sells the Helios 71" lamps. Their Super Blue is a sweet lamp. a 660 would drive 2 of those. They also sell a all in one fixture for them. 2 of those added to your 3 current lamps would probably set you up nice assuming you have the room in your canopy for them

The Tek II's will hopefully be better performers but until someone measures them I dunno.

 

[Lostmind]

Ok, I know I already bugged people in this thread for some info, but I managed to convince the wife we needed a bigger fishtank and got my way

So our 100g tank is already ordered. 48Lx24Wx20T

Would the Aquatinic T5 Solar Flare 48" 6 x 54w Complete kit be sufficient lighting for my sps only tank? At only 15" wide and a total of 324w, I am thinking it wouldn't be enough although I've seen recommendations previously in this thread saying it would be sufficient for people with standard 120g tanks (48x24x24).

Would I be better off going with two Aquactinics 48" TX5 Series which is a 5 x 54w, 10" wide fixture? I would have a total of 540w of lighting then and possibly better overall coverage?

My other option is to just go back to halides, pick up two Lumen Max 3 250W Reflector's and pop in some 14k bulbs. I ran a similar setup (in pfo reflectors though) over my last 120g and was quite happy with it.

Although, I would love to save on energy costs and such which is why the Aquatinic T5 Solar Flare 48" 6 x 54w Complete kit is so attractive to me. Plus, it's a single, sleek looking unit and my tank will be an open top tank with the lights hanging above the tank.

Sorry for the novel, appreciate the help.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Solar Flare will be perfect as long as you don't plan on any softies. You should be good for SPS anywhere in that tank with the SF.

 

[gavij012379]

Hi
The Grim Reefer

First of all kudos to you for all the help you are providing to us hobbyist.

I am planning to start a 25 X 25 X 18 cube. I am planning to put T5's around the perimeter or front and back of the tank so that I can add a MH and chiller later. For now I just need enough T5 to keep softies and maybe some LPS. I love metal halide but want to hold off for now due to cost. I have heard only good about T5 but never even seen one first hand. Does a 55 watt T5 give off the same amount of light as a 55 W Pc? Or does the T5 gives off twice the light as the same wattage PC like everyone claims.

If so will it be ok for me to run 4 X24 watt HO T5 for now (while I keep softies and LPS) and add a 150 W halide later( when I will be keeping clams and sps too). I have seen Nova Extreme T-5 Fixtures w/Lunar Lights on sale for $160(cheapest around) w/bulbs(Slimpaq 460nm Actinic and 10000°K T-5 HO lamps) at liveaquaria.com. Do you know if they are any good or atleast comparable to the big brand? And will I get a comparable effect if I put one of this fixture in my 25 wide tank instead of putting 2 front and 2 back or going around the perimeter? Also is 25 " enough space to put a 24" T5 with the endcaps or do I have to go to 27 X 27 tank. Like I said I have never seen a T5. And is the heat given off by T5 comparable to a PC?

Thanks for the reply.

 

[gavij012379]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9548074#post9548074 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lostmind
Ok, I know I already bugged people in this thread for some info, but I managed to convince the wife we needed a bigger fishtank and got my way

So our 100g tank is already ordered. 48Lx24Wx20T

Would the Aquatinic T5 Solar Flare 48" 6 x 54w Complete kit be sufficient lighting for my sps only tank? At only 15" wide and a total of 324w, I am thinking it wouldn't be enough although I've seen recommendations previously in this thread saying it would be sufficient for people with standard 120g tanks (48x24x24).

Would I be better off going with two Aquactinics 48" TX5 Series which is a 5 x 54w, 10" wide fixture? I would have a total of 540w of lighting then and possibly better overall coverage?

My other option is to just go back to halides, pick up two Lumen Max 3 250W Reflector's and pop in some 14k bulbs. I ran a similar setup (in pfo reflectors though) over my last 120g and was quite happy with it.

Although, I would love to save on energy costs and such which is why the Aquatinic T5 Solar Flare 48" 6 x 54w Complete kit is so attractive to me. Plus, it's a single, sleek looking unit and my tank will be an open top tank with the lights hanging above the tank.

Sorry for the novel, appreciate the help.

i did the same thing when I got my 100 gal 4 yrs back but I have regretted it since. LOL . I see u had a big tank before but be carefull 100 g is a lot of work and needs a lot of money to fill. But this hobby is very addictive and if you make good choice I think it will pay off. My biggest mistake was not controlling the temperature and not having patience. I had metal halides but no chiller. My corals grew great in the Michigan winter but died in the summer. And I used to buy another showpiece coral from LFS at a jawbreaking price. My advice to anyone is join a reefclub, trade frags and have the patience for it to grow. And above all buy a chiller if the temperature goes high while using those Metal halides. Good luck with the tank. post us some pics.
For myself I am looking at a 25 X 25 tank that I can move around with me. I am still in an apt.

 

[Steve 926]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9545417#post9545417 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
???

Apreciate the sentimate but my B day isnt for a couple months

I guess I got the wrong info

I'll just chalk it up to experience !

However, thanks for all the great advice


Steve (@^ (926)

:smokin:

 

[CW from the OC]

Hey Grim,

I'm getting the Aquatinics 6 foot fixture with 14 3-foot bulbs. What bulbs would you suggest in this unit for SPS?

Thanks!

Craig

 

[Lostmind]

Thanks again Grim!

Gavij, this time around I am taking my time, buying all the equipment upfront and setting it up correctly. Last tank I waited till it was summer out to buy a chiller - luckily only lost a few pieces

 

[jennmac415]

Hey... about the birthday thing... there is a guy over at thereeftank who goes by the same name and it was his birthday yesterday... I almost posted happy birthday to the Grim here also!

YEA!!!! my 14 bulbs for my new 72" aquactinic fixture are on their way... I can't wait to see this thing up and shining!

Thanks Grim for all your advice!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

If you were to Place 4 good T5's close together over the corals you would be fine. Get good retrofits. Reefgeek.com is the best place.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9548146#post9548146 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gavij012379
Hi
The Grim Reefer

First of all kudos to you for all the help you are providing to us hobbyist.

I am planning to start a 25 X 25 X 18 cube. I am planning to put T5's around the perimeter or front and back of the tank so that I can add a MH and chiller later. For now I just need enough T5 to keep softies and maybe some LPS. I love metal halide but want to hold off for now due to cost. I have heard only good about T5 but never even seen one first hand. Does a 55 watt T5 give off the same amount of light as a 55 W Pc? Or does the T5 gives off twice the light as the same wattage PC like everyone claims.

If so will it be ok for me to run 4 X24 watt HO T5 for now (while I keep softies and LPS) and add a 150 W halide later( when I will be keeping clams and sps too). I have seen Nova Extreme T-5 Fixtures w/Lunar Lights on sale for $160(cheapest around) w/bulbs(Slimpaq 460nm Actinic and 10000°K T-5 HO lamps) at liveaquaria.com. Do you know if they are any good or atleast comparable to the big brand? And will I get a comparable effect if I put one of this fixture in my 25 wide tank instead of putting 2 front and 2 back or going around the perimeter? Also is 25 " enough space to put a 24" T5 with the endcaps or do I have to go to 27 X 27 tank. Like I said I have never seen a T5. And is the heat given off by T5 comparable to a PC?

Thanks for the reply.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9550292#post9550292 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by CW from the OC
Hey Grim,

I'm getting the Aquatinics 6 foot fixture with 14 3-foot bulbs. What bulbs would you suggest in this unit for SPS?

Thanks!

Craig

Try this
Front

Blue Plus
Super Actinic
GE 6500K
Aquablue
UVL Aquasun or GE 3000K
Super Actinic
Blue Plus