The T5 Q&a Thread

[Zaphod]

what would you recomend on a 40 gal breeder for SPS. Bulb combo? I am thinking of getting the 36" 5 bulb aquatinic unit.
Thanks,
Nick

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9476918#post9476918 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 55semireef
a 4750 K spectrum you say grim? I have never heard of a number like that.

I hadn't either till I looked it up.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9477020#post9477020 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Zaphod
what would you recomend on a 40 gal breeder for SPS. Bulb combo? I am thinking of getting the 36" 5 bulb aquatinic unit.
Thanks,
Nick

Front
Blue Plus
GE 6500K
Super Actinic
Aquasun
Blue Plus

 

[HowardW]

Anyone know what the differences are between a NO T5 bulb and a HO T5 bulb, and what would happen if I used a NO 48" 28W T5 bulb in a fixture now running 54W bulbs?

 

[sgallagher7]

I just purchased a tek 6 bulb setup and have a question regarding fans. What would be the best orientation to get the most out of the bulbs? one on each side of the hood blowing lengthwise, or 2 in the back blowing from front to back?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

2 blowing in from the back near the ends of the lamps.

 

[luke33]

Grim, thanks for the advice, yes you were correct i'm going to overlap on my 6' tank. So the clam's would be good in the middle, what about the sps, middle also? And i'm guessing if i keep lps, in the moderate to less light area's? Thanks!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

SPS will be a little more forgiving than the clams but I wouldn't get them too far towards the ends.

 

[sgallagher7]

Thanks again Grim. You rock.

 

[luke33]

Thanks Grim, your a good man!

 

[pulpol]

do you get shimmer lines from t-5's? does it depend on the brand of bulbs or type? type of reflector? thanks

 

[Zaphod]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9477277#post9477277 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Front
Blue Plus
GE 6500K
Super Actinic
Aquasun
Blue Plus

where is the best place to order?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9478534#post9478534 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pulpol
do you get shimmer lines from t-5's? does it depend on the brand of bulbs or type? type of reflector? thanks

A little but nothing like halides.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9478698#post9478698 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Zaphod
where is the best place to order?

Reefgeek usually has the best deals.

 

[55semireef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9477249#post9477249 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
I hadn't either till I looked it up.

Wow, I have a weird bulb combo.

1 6500 K bulb
1 4750 K bulb
2 Pure Actinic

Lots of white light and purple. Figures why sps browns out in my tank.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Swap out a pure actinic for a Blue Plus.

 

[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

 

[HowardW]

<<< Anyone know what the differences are between a NO T5 bulb and a HO T5 bulb, and what would happen if I used a NO 48" 28W T5 bulb in a fixture now running 54W bulbs? >>>



anyone??

 

[TropTrea]

Generaly speaking the ballast determines the maximium wattage you can have on it and does not determine the minimium.

So if you had a Ballast designed for say 4 54 bulbs it is designed to run up to 216 watts minimium. So you should be able to runn any combination of bulbs that total 216 watts or less.

Now for the kicker. This depends considerably on the individual allast design. But there are basicly two main cuircuits in a ballast the starting circuit and the run circuit. Some ballasts monitor the current draw on the run circuit to determine when to turn off the starting cuircuit. Some use a fixed time intereval to run the start circuit. However if yours uses a current sensor on the run cuircuit to determine when to shut off the start circuit then it is a matter of what your total running current draw is and what the sensativity is set for. So if your running 4- 28 watt bulbs that current draw will be around 0.93 Amps while the ballast is expecting to see 1.80 watts. Chances are the sense point is set higher than .93 Amps therefore the ballast may not switch out of the start mode.

Dennis

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9481639#post9481639 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by HowardW
<<< Anyone know what the differences are between a NO T5 bulb and a HO T5 bulb, and what would happen if I used a NO 48" 28W T5 bulb in a fixture now running 54W bulbs? >>>



anyone??

 

[toddman74]

advice needed... I currently have 2 x 65watt Power compacts on my 15gal frag tank. for a total of 130watt over a 12" tall tank.
Been thinking about changing to T5 24watts. is 4 x 24watts good enough? better or worst than 2x65watt PC's in terms of brightness/intensity and for coral growth?