The T5 Q&a Thread

[SSalty]

Sorry to just jump on in. But my current standard flourescent light fixture took a **** on me and only half of my tank is lit. So I need to find a light fixture soon. I dont' have any corals at the moment, but when I get strong enough lights I will add LPS, some clams and Hopefully some SPS. I have done lots of reading on the T5's but I am stuck on which fixture to get for my 55 gallon. Which brand is better, Nova or Tek? And how many bulbs should I get? I would like to go with atleast the 6 or 8, but would that fit on my aquarium with the stands that come with the kit? Because I don't want to hang it, and I like the looks of the stands. I realize I am limited to which light fixtures will fit on my 55, we tried some MH/Actinic fixtures but they were too big. I think my 55 would be a good candidate for some T5's.

Thanks in advanced.

 

[fillibar]

I figured I would come to the experts. I am completely rebuilding my 200+ and wanted to make sure I was on the right track before I start spending money. Details:
Tank is 84" long x 24" wide x 24" deep.
It will hold mostly softies, although I "inherited" a large (12" long) Deresa clam that appears to be very happy in my 55G tank at this time (~8" deep, under 2 - 110W VHOs).

I am looking at T5s, and it looks to me that going with a staggered 8 - 48" bulbs (4 on each half, overlapping 1 ft in the center) might be the way to go. Because of the overlap it looks like DIY or Retrokits are my only option (despite them not saving much money). Plan is 4 - 11000K, 2 Actinic, and 2 Blue+ bulbs.

The questions:
1) Am I on the right track here, or should I start over?
2) Does anyone have any alternatives I should look at if I am wrong?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9712987#post9712987 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SSalty
Sorry to just jump on in. But my current standard flourescent light fixture took a **** on me and only half of my tank is lit. So I need to find a light fixture soon. I dont' have any corals at the moment, but when I get strong enough lights I will add LPS, some clams and Hopefully some SPS. I have done lots of reading on the T5's but I am stuck on which fixture to get for my 55 gallon. Which brand is better, Nova or Tek? And how many bulbs should I get? I would like to go with atleast the 6 or 8, but would that fit on my aquarium with the stands that come with the kit? Because I don't want to hang it, and I like the looks of the stands. I realize I am limited to which light fixtures will fit on my 55, we tried some MH/Actinic fixtures but they were too big. I think my 55 would be a good candidate for some T5's.

Thanks in advanced.

A 6 lamp Tek or 5 lamp Aquactinics fixture would be fine. I would do the aquactinics, aquarium specialties from the sponsors page sells them.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9712988#post9712988 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fillibar
I figured I would come to the experts. I am completely rebuilding my 200+ and wanted to make sure I was on the right track before I start spending money. Details:
Tank is 84" long x 24" wide x 24" deep.
It will hold mostly softies, although I "inherited" a large (12" long) Deresa clam that appears to be very happy in my 55G tank at this time (~8" deep, under 2 - 110W VHOs).

I am looking at T5s, and it looks to me that going with a staggered 8 - 48" bulbs (4 on each half, overlapping 1 ft in the center) might be the way to go. Because of the overlap it looks like DIY or Retrokits are my only option (despite them not saving much money). Plan is 4 - 11000K, 2 Actinic, and 2 Blue+ bulbs.

The questions:
1) Am I on the right track here, or should I start over?
2) Does anyone have any alternatives I should look at if I am wrong?

The overlamp would be a great place to land the clam and maybe some SPS. I would give it a shot.

 

[wharfrat48]

Hey there-- Quick question-- Can I drive 3 80w T5's with a URI A4 ballast? Would this be the same as using an Icecap 660 (ie. overdriven)? And I read that there is an A4 plus available now, is this the only A4 for T5's or will the older A4 work?

Thank You

 

[jamesdawson]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9715689#post9715689 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wharfrat48
Hey there-- Quick question-- Can I drive 3 80w T5's with a URI A4 ballast? Would this be the same as using an Icecap 660 (ie. overdriven)? And I read that there is an A4 plus available now, is this the only A4 for T5's or will the older A4 work?

Thank You

Its possible on older A4s

A4 pluses are supposed to be available and fire T-5s w/o any problems.

You should pm or call IC and they will tell you what you will need to do.

James

 

[Fish_Freek]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9711142#post9711142 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Fish_Freek
What is the best bulb order for these four bulbs?

Blue plus
ULV super actinic
aquasun
aquablue special

thanks

 

[PrangeWay]

Grim have you done any testing on bulb life? I constantly see the "oh t5's last 18-24 months" line repeated, and while this is true for daylight bubls, I worry people won't trade out their blue+'s and aquas every year or so, and see adverse effects as the bulb age and lose spectrum/par and than of course issues when they do change them out...


PW

 

[generalee]

I am in the process of converting from 175 MH and PC to T-5. My questions are these:

The tank is 36" long and 18" deep, I will make a canopy and mount the bulbs 4 inches from the water with a lexan splash shield. I will use 39 watt T-5's.

Ballasts, does it really matter what type?
I looked at getting a Workhorse 8 to run 5 T-5 bulbs. I will wire to have 2 bulbs for dawn/dusk and then 3 bulbs for daylight.
The icecap 660 says it can only do 4 bulbs?

Going with a 5 bulb config, what would be best.
1 6500 Daylight
1 10000 Daylight
1 Actinic
1 Aqua Blue
and ?

Is this light good for keeping corals such as a zoo's, open brain, frogspawn, a RBTA and possibly a clam? Total height from lights to sand bed will be approx 23"

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9716370#post9716370 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jamesdawson
Its possible on older A4s

A4 pluses are supposed to be available and fire T-5s w/o any problems.

You should pm or call IC and they will tell you what you will need to do.

James

Did you hear this from Ice Cap? I kinda hope it isn't true, it is going to be a disaster with people trying to use the older A4's which will blow up if you use T5's. If URI wants to market a T5 safe ballast they should come up with a new name for it.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9716400#post9716400 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Fish_Freek

Just how you have them listed. Blue Plus in front

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9716401#post9716401 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by PrangeWay
Grim have you done any testing on bulb life? I constantly see the "oh t5's last 18-24 months" line repeated, and while this is true for daylight bubls, I worry people won't trade out their blue+'s and aquas every year or so, and see adverse effects as the bulb age and lose spectrum/par and than of course issues when they do change them out...


PW

You wont hear that from me

I personally believe the lamps should be changed at a year or so. Maybe push them to 18 months. Iwan and his euro friends notice changes in coloring and growth after 9 months or so. They were not using good reflectors on a lot of his lamps at the time and were really testing the limits of T5's growing SPS in large tanks with normally driven lamps with no reflectors.

I measured a 14 month old Aquablue and it was roughly 85% of what a brand new lamp. That is about where another person tested them too.

If you have a taller tank and raise hard corals I would change at a year. If you are growing softies or have a shorter tank then you can likely push them 18 months, maybe more.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9716606#post9716606 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by generalee
I am in the process of converting from 175 MH and PC to T-5. My questions are these:

The tank is 36" long and 18" deep, I will make a canopy and mount the bulbs 4 inches from the water with a lexan splash shield. I will use 39 watt T-5's.

Ballasts, does it really matter what type?
I looked at getting a Workhorse 8 to run 5 T-5 bulbs. I will wire to have 2 bulbs for dawn/dusk and then 3 bulbs for daylight.
The icecap 660 says it can only do 4 bulbs?

Going with a 5 bulb config, what would be best.
1 6500 Daylight
1 10000 Daylight
1 Actinic
1 Aqua Blue
and ?

Is this light good for keeping corals such as a zoo's, open brain, frogspawn, a RBTA and possibly a clam? Total height from lights to sand bed will be approx 23"

Thanks for the feedback.

I aint a fan of workhorse ballasts but they do work. For 5 lamps I would do a 6500K daylight, 1 Actinic, I Aquablue and 2 blue pluses.

 

[jamesdawson]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9716705#post9716705 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Did you hear this from Ice Cap? I kinda hope it isn't true, it is going to be a disaster with people trying to use the older A4's which will blow up if you use T5's. If URI wants to market a T5 safe ballast they should come up with a new name for it.

IC told me older A4s would work on non-UVL T-5s with modification. They also said A4 plus works with T-5s w/o modification.

James

 

[wharfrat48]

What is "non-uvl"? And do you have any idea what the modification entails?

Thanks

 

[generalee]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9716828#post9716828 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
I aint a fan of workhorse ballasts but they do work.

Do you have another idea. Can I run 5 bulbs on an Icecap 660, I believe it says the total wattage is 464 but it does say it can run 16' of lamp max.
So going by that statement, it would seem that the IC 660 can do what I want.

max watts is 464 and I'm looking at 195 watts (well below)
max length is 16' of bulbs and I'm looking at a total of 15' (5x3)

Unless I misunderstand and it is saying the max length for a single bulb is 16'. Any clarification?

If the only limiting factor on the ballast is the wattage it can handle then I could run 6 t-5 and be at 234watts, still below the 464.

 

[jamesdawson]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9717764#post9717764 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wharfrat48
What is "non-uvl"? And do you have any idea what the modification entails?

Thanks

UVL is a brand--Ultra Violet Resources, formerly URI.

Apparently they are harder to get lit.

The modification entails swapping out the A4 harness with a 660 harness.

James

 

[jamesdawson]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9717812#post9717812 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by generalee
Do you have another idea. Can I run 5 bulbs on an Icecap 660, I believe it says the total wattage is 464 but it does say it can run 16' of lamp max.
So going by that statement, it would seem that the IC 660 can do what I want.

max watts is 464 and I'm looking at 195 watts (well below)
max length is 16' of bulbs and I'm looking at a total of 15' (5x3)

Unless I misunderstand and it is saying the max length for a single bulb is 16'. Any clarification?

If the only limiting factor on the ballast is the wattage it can handle then I could run 6 t-5 and be at 234watts, still below the 464.

Maximum # bulbs on a 660 is 4 (four footers or less).

James

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9717264#post9717264 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jamesdawson
IC told me older A4s would work on non-UVL T-5s with modification. They also said A4 plus works with T-5s w/o modification.

James

Oh great! More T5 confusion

Thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9717812#post9717812 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by generalee
Do you have another idea. Can I run 5 bulbs on an Icecap 660, I believe it says the total wattage is 464 but it does say it can run 16' of lamp max.
So going by that statement, it would seem that the IC 660 can do what I want.

max watts is 464 and I'm looking at 195 watts (well below)
max length is 16' of bulbs and I'm looking at a total of 15' (5x3)

Unless I misunderstand and it is saying the max length for a single bulb is 16'. Any clarification?

If the only limiting factor on the ballast is the wattage it can handle then I could run 6 t-5 and be at 234watts, still below the 464.

You coul run 3 lmp on an IC 660 and 2 on a Triad but tht is an expenive solution. I would get 1 Triad for 2 lamps and the workhorse for 3 lamps.