The T5 Q&a Thread

[MercZ]

Hey Grim,
If I were to do a 3 x 24 watt retro on my 40 T what bulbs shoulod I use? I was thinking along the lines of ATI Blue + and Aqua Blue with Giesm Actinic but need more input for final decision. Thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9577127#post9577127 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Saddler
2OceanLovers got me thinking, it would be nice to have the flexibility of having 2 of the 6 bulbs overdriven. In that case, what would be the best way to compensate to achieve the same color value?

Overdriving 2 of 6 lamps wont make a huge difference unless they are the blues.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I would do 1 Blue Plus, 1 Super Actinic and a GE Daylight.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9577160#post9577160 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MercZ
Hey Grim,
If I were to do a 3 x 24 watt retro on my 40 T what bulbs shoulod I use? I was thinking along the lines of ATI Blue + and Aqua Blue with Giesm Actinic but need more input for final decision. Thanks

 

[MercZ]

Thanks Grim,
How would you place them in sequence from front to back. I was thinking the SA should be in the middle for better coverage on all corals. Also what is your opinion of the 10K AquaSun over the GE Daylight? Thanks

 

[oli5]

Hi everyone. I was just wondering if this is somewhat of a good fixture: http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/store_pages/details/l-fl-hood2.php?product_ID=sl-t5nw4804

Thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9577968#post9577968 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MercZ
Thanks Grim,
How would you place them in sequence from front to back. I was thinking the SA should be in the middle for better coverage on all corals. Also what is your opinion of the 10K AquaSun over the GE Daylight? Thanks

Front
SA
GE
BP

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9578511#post9578511 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by oli5
Hi everyone. I was just wondering if this is somewhat of a good fixture: http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/store_pages/details/l-fl-hood2.php?product_ID=sl-t5nw4804

Thanks

Dunno, the pic seems to show individual reflectors but the discription doesn't.

 

[brandon0350]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9570172#post9570172 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
I suppose if the lamps have pathetic output they could cause that. Grab yourself 1 ATI blue Plus, 1 Aquablue, 1 UVL Super Actinic and 1 Aquasun and see what happens.

would that be a better bulb setup than 2 blue plus and 2 aqua blue? i like a 20k look? what combo would give me that with good growth and nice color pop?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

If you want a 20K look go with 3 blue Plus and 1 Super Actinic.

 

[Saddler]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9577386#post9577386 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Overdriving 2 of 6 lamps wont make a huge difference unless they are the blues.

Okay, so if I ran my 2 Blue+ bulbs as overdriven, how much of a perceptual difference would there be to the tank visually? Also, how do the Blue+ hold up to overdriving? I've heard people say that some bulbs completely burn out at 12 months of overdriving.

Thanks G.

 

[motorbikemike]

OK im going with the T-5's Grim. I need to know what to go with for a 125 that is 23" tall. I will be keeping a few fish,softys and I will some day keep SPS. Will a 4x80 retro work or should I go for the 6x80? I dont think I will ever have clams but you never know. I was looking at the retros at reefgeek.
Thanks bud for all your work and input.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9579011#post9579011 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Saddler
Okay, so if I ran my 2 Blue+ bulbs as overdriven, how much of a perceptual difference would there be to the tank visually? Also, how do the Blue+ hold up to overdriving? I've heard people say that some bulbs completely burn out at 12 months of overdriving.

Thanks G.

Overdriving the blues will make the tank look a little brighter but not really less blue. As long as you use fans I think the 54 watt lamps should go a year at least.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9579275#post9579275 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by motorbikemike
OK im going with the T-5's Grim. I need to know what to go with for a 125 that is 23" tall. I will be keeping a few fish,softys and I will some day keep SPS. Will a 4x80 retro work or should I go for the 6x80? I dont think I will ever have clams but you never know. I was looking at the retros at reefgeek.
Thanks bud for all your work and input.

4 will be fine for softies but once you go to SPS I would want 6. Do yourself a favor, If you order a 4 lamp retro have them upgrade you to 660 ballasts. The standard 4 lamp retro comes with the 430's which only run 2 T5 lamps each. The 660 can do 3 of the 80 watt lamps.

 

[pammy]

How is this light fixture verus the Tek light ? Both are from Sunlight Supply. I thought this one looked a little cooler.

http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/store_pages/details/l-fl-hood2.php?product_ID=sl-t5nw2404

Thanks.
Pam

 

[humbugy]

id just thaugth id let everybody know, that 10k xm's with 2xUVL SA 54w and 2xG-man blue + looks awesome on a 90g standard
(250w /w icecaps ballast and icecap relfectors)

 

[motorbikemike]

Thanks Grim I will go with the 6x80 :beer:

 

[motorbikemike]

Sorry I forgot to ask what bulbs I should go with?
Thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Try this

Blue Plus
Pure Actinic
GE 3000K
Blue Plus
GE 6500K
Blue Plus

 

[motorbikemike]

I will order in the morn!!

 

[rsaavedra]

Grim I decided to go with 6X54W T5’s instead of 7 as I originally planned. Now I have a few bulbs and I need to setup some configurations. Can you help me with a couple of good looking configurations? Ballast 1,2 and 3 will power 2 bulbs each. These are the bulbs I have now on hand:

2 x 54W ATI Blue+
1 x 54W UV Super Act
1 x 54W GE 3000K
2 X 54W Giesemann AquaBlue+
1 X 54W Giesemann 6000k
1 X 54W Giesemann Actinic+
1 X 54W Giesemann Pure Actinic

Thamks,
Raf