The T5 Q&a Thread

[Fish_Freek]

No doubt the IC 660 is a top of the line ballast, i can't argue with that, but for for us on a budget, are the WH ballasts a good alternitive? I can't drop the big bucks on an IC and am looking for a good alternitive, what are the pros and cons to using a WH ballasts to overdrive a few bulbs?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9639019#post9639019 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jbeltmann
What bulbs would you recommend seeing that I already have the super blue in my helios? As far as the icecap reflectors, I could maybe tinker with it to get it to fit in the helios fixture. Unless you know for a fact that it cant be done, then I won't even bother.

I seriously doubt it. Really wouldn't make a huge enough difference anyway.

I would run 2 Super Blue and 1 10K for Helios lamps.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

The Ice Cap ballasts increase output by around 20% on the 80 watt lamps.

 

[jbeltmann]

Grim, should I not worry about switching out the tek reflectors for icecaps? I was hoping to have the highest possible output par wise and still have it look good(i.e. not yellow, but blueish). I was trying to find the post where you did all the tests with par of different bulbs to compare but couldn't find it.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

How tall of a tank are we talking about here?

 

[Urban_Squrill]

Ok if I had a 6 bulb setup on my 75. Could I keep a clam? Also I am going to build my own retro, what are the best reflectors? Should I go more then 6 bulbs?

 

[db_triggerfish]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9641122#post9641122 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Urban_Squrill
Ok if I had a 6 bulb setup on my 75. Could I keep a clam? Also I am going to build my own retro, what are the best reflectors? Should I go more then 6 bulbs?

Urban_Squrill, tagging along on same question plan on ordering Tek limited edition 48" from Reefgeek for a new 75 maybe later tonight. They have a special on it with any bulbs in stock.

Thanks,

 

[jbeltmann]

Sorry, forgot to mention that, 22" from light to sand.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9641122#post9641122 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Urban_Squrill
Ok if I had a 6 bulb setup on my 75. Could I keep a clam? Also I am going to build my own retro, what are the best reflectors? Should I go more then 6 bulbs?

6 lamps will be enough for clams but stick with the good reflectors, Ice Cap or the new Tek

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9642339#post9642339 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jbeltmann
Sorry, forgot to mention that, 22" from light to sand.

If you want clams or SPS then you need the better reflectors, otherwise I wouldn't worry for softies and LPS.

 

[jbeltmann]

Thanks Grim, your the man! Everyone on here really appreciates your vast knowledge of t5.

 

[dadonoflaw]

i have a 180 gal tank that will be about 80% sps so i was going to go with 3x 400 watt 20k radiums and t5 as a supplement but after reading more about them i have considered doing only t5 with one vho bulb and 7 t5 80 watt bulbs. will i be able to get sufficient par for growth as i want a bluer look to the tank but i would like to be able to keep some high light corals from the very top to the middle and maybe even bottom. also will i be able to run 7 80 watt t5's and a 160 watt vho with two ic660's as they state 440 watts is the max and that config would come to 400 watts. a member of the local club has this setup and has good growth with this so thats why i used this as a starting point but feel free to correct if better options eexist. standard 180 6x2x2.

 

[dadonoflaw]

o nevamind about the vho bulb. answered my own question but i would still appreciate info on the other questions thanx

 

[sayn3ver]

New reef guy here, coming from the planted tank world. I am setting up a 40g...my first salt water tank and reef. 36"x18"x16". I'd like to be able to grow a variety of corals if possible. I was set on the 3ft 6x39w tek fixture but the aquatics 3' 5x39w looks the better deal(not to mention running less bulbs = savings).

Too much light? I'd like to keep soft and stone corals for what its worth.

 

[TropTrea]

Ah another past planted tank person. I'll probably be adding one of those tank again after switching to salt water about 5 years ago. Only thing is when I get back into fresh water Im afraid my tank count will start growing again.

Now for your 40 gallon. I'm assuming your using what is commonly refered to a a breeder tank with a 36 X 18" base. With my new set up I'm setting up a simular tank under my main display tank which is a 120 gallon.

Keeping in mind that your tank is only 18" you realy do not need a super wide fixture. After adding the substrate you also will only need your light penetrating about 12" into the tank maximium as well. Therefore I personaly think the 5 or 6 bulbs units are basicly overkill for this tank.

In my personal set up I'm going with a 4 bulb unit, on both my 40 gallon tank as well as my 120 gallon tank. However I'll also be using 10,000K 250 watt hides on my 120 gallon so the T-5's will be mainly for atinic and a little fill lighting on that tank.

On my 40 Gallon tank I'm thinking about using a 10.000K bulb, a 4,100K bulb, plus atinics. in the T-5 fixture. I'n my personal taste I see many tanks that simply look too blue, however bulb selection is heavily weighed by personal taste as long as can maintain a high enough PAR for your corals.

Dennis

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9651906#post9651906 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sayn3ver
New reef guy here, coming from the planted tank world. I am setting up a 40g...my first salt water tank and reef. 36"x18"x16". I'd like to be able to grow a variety of corals if possible. I was set on the 3ft 6x39w tek fixture but the aquatics 3' 5x39w looks the better deal(not to mention running less bulbs = savings).

Too much light? I'd like to keep soft and stone corals for what its worth.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9642790#post9642790 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dadonoflaw
i have a 180 gal tank that will be about 80% sps so i was going to go with 3x 400 watt 20k radiums and t5 as a supplement but after reading more about them i have considered doing only t5 with one vho bulb and 7 t5 80 watt bulbs. will i be able to get sufficient par for growth as i want a bluer look to the tank but i would like to be able to keep some high light corals from the very top to the middle and maybe even bottom. also will i be able to run 7 80 watt t5's and a 160 watt vho with two ic660's as they state 440 watts is the max and that config would come to 400 watts. a member of the local club has this setup and has good growth with this so thats why i used this as a starting point but feel free to correct if better options eexist. standard 180 6x2x2.

7 T5's and a VHO sounds good but you can only run 3 80 watt T5's on a 660 so you will need 3 660's to pull this off. For a blue look T5's can be better than halides because the blue T5's have a good PAR output. I would try this

Front

Blue Plus
Aquablue
Blue Plus
VHO Actinic
GE 3000K
Blue Plus
Aquablue
Blue Plus

 

[wayner1]

Would you know how the reflectors in the Aquactinics units compare to the Ice Cap Reflectors? , I'd want to buy one of these units but I keep getting the feeling that something better is going to come out next week, then the week after.

Tks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

The Aquactinics reflectors are as good or perhaps a tad better than the Ice Cap.

 

[Tom Foolery]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9631858#post9631858 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
The ATI Power Module would be great if you can wait for it.

For lam ps try this
Front
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
Aquiablue
GE 6500K Daylight
Blue Plus

Thanks grim for your input. Do you have any opinion on the ATI Sunpower fixture that will be coming out shortly? Would that rate somewhere with these fixtures as well? (the Tek LE and the Power Module)

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I have the Sunpower on the way I'll let you know