The T5 Q&a Thread
- Thread starter JohnL
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to "the Grim Reefer" -
I posted a lighting question in the lighting forum, and was told "you are the man" to answer it. Here goes - I have a 90g AGA - 48" long by 24" deep. I have a lot of live rock with soft corals and fish, and want an anenome down the road. I will not ever have a clam or hard corals. I am returning a PC fixture and want to buy a T5 fixture. I AM A LIGHTING IDIOT.
I am looking at the Tek fixture, which I hear is good. I don't want a heat issue, and I don't want overkill, but I want the best lighting to do the job and make things look their best (colors on fish "pop"). So, 4 bulb or 6 bulb? Consensus seems to be 6 bulb, but again, I want to keep heat to a minimum. Second question - which bulbs do I get to achieve the best look? I notice that some go on one timer and some on the other, and again, I just have no idea what to do. Can you please help me?
I also hear the aquatinics 5 bulb is a good one, but again, no idea on how many bulbs is best and which ones to get. If you have any questions that I need to answer to help in guidance, fire away....THANK YOU!
I posted a lighting question in the lighting forum, and was told "you are the man" to answer it. Here goes - I have a 90g AGA - 48" long by 24" deep. I have a lot of live rock with soft corals and fish, and want an anenome down the road. I will not ever have a clam or hard corals. I am returning a PC fixture and want to buy a T5 fixture. I AM A LIGHTING IDIOT.
I am looking at the Tek fixture, which I hear is good. I don't want a heat issue, and I don't want overkill, but I want the best lighting to do the job and make things look their best (colors on fish "pop"). So, 4 bulb or 6 bulb? Consensus seems to be 6 bulb, but again, I want to keep heat to a minimum. Second question - which bulbs do I get to achieve the best look? I notice that some go on one timer and some on the other, and again, I just have no idea what to do. Can you please help me?
I also hear the aquatinics 5 bulb is a good one, but again, no idea on how many bulbs is best and which ones to get. If you have any questions that I need to answer to help in guidance, fire away....THANK YOU!
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
The reflectors on the Fauna Marin are not great. I was able to teporarily squeeze 5 aquactinics reflectors in the unit and even ill fitting the PAR picked up from 292 to 363 at the sand. The thing is it picked up from 292 to 363!!! we're talking 250 watt halide in a Lumenarc terratory here.
The way the lamps and ballasts are cooled is obviously giving the Fauna Marin unit a huge gain in output despite the reflectors. There is no overdrive here either. The VS ballasts are standard T5 ballasts. Until the ATI hits the market there isn't any competition for this fixture. The Solar Flare will be stronger and the Aquactinics 5 lamp fixture will be less.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
If you were an idiot you wouldn't be asking questions
I think the aquactinics would be a great fit in your situation.
I'd try this for lamps (reefgeek has the lamps if the Aquactinics dealer doesn't)
Front
Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
Blue Plus
Aquablue
The 2nd and 4th lamps are on a seperate circuit so that gives you the Super Actinic and a Blue Plus for dusk/dawn.
harrisagogetter
New member
After reading several posts, I think that my tank would be better served with T-5's and not halides. The lights are pendants and hang over the suface about 8" or so. What combo will be good for the tank? Should I build a canopy for it? I like the look of a 14-15k region. Any bulb configuration would greatly help also. Obvisiouly icecap is way to go as far as the ballasts are concered, along with the reflectors.
Hi i was wondering if anyone has any comments about aqua z reflectors, http://www.reefculture.com.au/catal...d=214&osCsid=b2e03adea3452a2083c2ead444e23ef8
INterested to hear your views.cheers
INterested to hear your views.cheers
Fauna Marin -- ultra solaris -- Bulb selection
Fauna Marin -- ultra solaris -- Bulb selection
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by dsieber
After 2 weeks I have finally finished this epic thread. I have some questions for da T5 masters.
I want a good fixture and the Fauna-marin 6 x 48 fixture meets my needs (don't need the power of the Solar Flare but want integrated cooling)
Some ??? on the FM:
Reflector quality vs Ice cap --- performance and stain/corrosion resistance?
What type of Ballast? Is it designed for T5
Thanks in advance
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The reflectors on the Fauna Marin are not great. I was able to teporarily squeeze 5 aquactinics reflectors in the unit and even ill fitting the PAR picked up from 292 to 363 at the sand. The thing is it picked up from 292 to 363!!! we're talking 250 watt halide in a Lumenarc terratory here.
The way the lamps and ballasts are cooled is obviously giving the Fauna Marin unit a huge gain in output despite the reflectors. There is no overdrive here either. The VS ballasts are standard T5 ballasts. Until the ATI hits the market there isn't any competition for this fixture. The Solar Flare will be stronger and the Aquactinics 5 lamp fixture will be less.
__________________
Grim thanks for the quick response;
Grim/Hahnmeister
Given the Ultra Solaris comes with AquaScience bulbs what would you recomend for a good white with a hint of blue. What supplemental bulbs should I get that are not addressed by the AS line for a 6 x 48 system. I currently just have softies and LPS.
Fauna Marin -- ultra solaris -- Bulb selection
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by dsieber
After 2 weeks I have finally finished this epic thread. I have some questions for da T5 masters.
I want a good fixture and the Fauna-marin 6 x 48 fixture meets my needs (don't need the power of the Solar Flare but want integrated cooling)
Some ??? on the FM:
Reflector quality vs Ice cap --- performance and stain/corrosion resistance?
What type of Ballast? Is it designed for T5
Thanks in advance
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The reflectors on the Fauna Marin are not great. I was able to teporarily squeeze 5 aquactinics reflectors in the unit and even ill fitting the PAR picked up from 292 to 363 at the sand. The thing is it picked up from 292 to 363!!! we're talking 250 watt halide in a Lumenarc terratory here.
The way the lamps and ballasts are cooled is obviously giving the Fauna Marin unit a huge gain in output despite the reflectors. There is no overdrive here either. The VS ballasts are standard T5 ballasts. Until the ATI hits the market there isn't any competition for this fixture. The Solar Flare will be stronger and the Aquactinics 5 lamp fixture will be less.
__________________
Grim thanks for the quick response;
Grim/Hahnmeister
Given the Ultra Solaris comes with AquaScience bulbs what would you recomend for a good white with a hint of blue. What supplemental bulbs should I get that are not addressed by the AS line for a 6 x 48 system. I currently just have softies and LPS.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Not good at all. They look similar to Ice Cap but are not the same material.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Re: Fauna Marin -- ultra solaris -- Bulb selection
Re: Fauna Marin -- ultra solaris -- Bulb selection
2 blues, 1 Duo, 2 Special, 1 UVL Super actinic
Re: Fauna Marin -- ultra solaris -- Bulb selection
2 blues, 1 Duo, 2 Special, 1 UVL Super actinic
Grim since you have proven to be the T5 guru at least on my eyes let me tell you what I plan and what I want: I’m looking to wire 2X54W T5’s and 1X110W VHO to the same ballast which it will be 218W and wouldn't to overdrive the bulbs like an icecap 430 ballast would. What ballast you recommend or is it even possible to do.
Right now tank is a 90G running 5X54W T5's B2F:
AB+
Pure Act
Midday
Act+
AB+
All this is going on a 120G which I plan on running 6X54W T5's and 1X110W VHO, B2F:
Act+
AB+
VHO Super Act
Midday
AB+
Pure Act or Act+
AB+
Current tank is Mixed Reef LPS/Softies dominated with an SPS hint. LMK what my options are.
Thanks a million,
Raf
Right now tank is a 90G running 5X54W T5's B2F:
AB+
Pure Act
Midday
Act+
AB+
All this is going on a 120G which I plan on running 6X54W T5's and 1X110W VHO, B2F:
Act+
AB+
VHO Super Act
Midday
AB+
Pure Act or Act+
AB+
Current tank is Mixed Reef LPS/Softies dominated with an SPS hint. LMK what my options are.
Thanks a million,
Raf
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9483090#post9483090 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
If you were an idiot you wouldn't be asking questions
I think the aquactinics would be a great fit in your situation.
I'd try this for lamps (reefgeek has the lamps if the Aquactinics dealer doesn't)
Front
Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
Blue Plus
Aquablue
The 2nd and 4th lamps are on a seperate circuit so that gives you the Super Actinic and a Blue Plus for dusk/dawn.
Grim - for the Aquablue, is this the 12000K Aquablue Special by ATI, or the 11000K Aquablue Plus by Giesmann?
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
There is only one way to run a T5 on the same ballast as a VHO. Ice Cap. You could prabably do it with a Workhorse 7 but I am not sure. I know you can with the IC 660.
Looks like a nice setup but unless you like a lot of blue you might consider adding in a GE 6500K in place of a Actinic Plus or Aquablue.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
I prefer ATI but either will work.
Mr D smack
Active member
I have six T-5 54W icecap retro kit on my 120 long. I love the appearance of the lights. My ? is some of the corals are loosing their color and they have stopped growing. I have 3 blue bulbs and three white. I belive the blue are pure antics and the white are anic, 50/50 looking. What can I do to get the color back and growing. I had these corals in a 225 gal with three 250W MH and 2 VHO's. Before I changed tanks the corals had great color and growth.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Maybe the lamps are old. Have you been running fans?
A word of thanks to Grim and co for a sustained very informative and relentless effort to all us newbies out there there with persistent bombardment of questions regarding T-5.Without doubt the most in depth information i have come across, ive' absorbed every page and have learn't a bloody swag, well done fella's.
Since i live in Australia and have a slightly limited choice of solid brand names recomended here, i will definately go with the Ice cap reflectors (available here but not ballasts?)and maybe pair them with the Osram e- ballast since that is readily available over here - not too sure if that is the best option available?. Have emailed reefgeek to see if the ice cap ballasts will work off our different (240 volt, active- netrual and earth 3 pin system over here) house wiring.I hope they do! Also our bulb range is a little limited with the best brands like geisman, uvl, ati being either non existent or very expensive. Others such as Aqua v, sylvania and hagen are much cheaper tho it may be worth ordering overseas if the bulbs survive the journey.Cheers
Since i live in Australia and have a slightly limited choice of solid brand names recomended here, i will definately go with the Ice cap reflectors (available here but not ballasts?)and maybe pair them with the Osram e- ballast since that is readily available over here - not too sure if that is the best option available?. Have emailed reefgeek to see if the ice cap ballasts will work off our different (240 volt, active- netrual and earth 3 pin system over here) house wiring.I hope they do! Also our bulb range is a little limited with the best brands like geisman, uvl, ati being either non existent or very expensive. Others such as Aqua v, sylvania and hagen are much cheaper tho it may be worth ordering overseas if the bulbs survive the journey.Cheers
charlesjordanjr
New member
How deep in the tank were these PAR levels measured? Do you have a link to MH Par levels at a similar depth?
Thanks!
-Chuck
charlesjordanjr
New member
I have a 7" Walmart clip on fan. Would that be too much air for the bulbs? (I have a 6 bulb Tek Fixture)
-Chuck
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