The T5 Q&a Thread

[FLReefGirl]

For 4 lamps I would try this

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus

Thanks Grim.
Will I need to change out anything else to use these lamps and should I still use 54w?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

You have to use the same wattage. Just change the lamps and you will be good.

 

[FLReefGirl]

OK.
Thanks Grim

 

[Oliver P.]

Has anyone done any testing with a lux meter to see how T-5s hold up over time?

Not with a luxmeter, but with a spectrometer. The ATI Aquablue special lose 10-12 % after 9 Month (2700h or 10 hours every day) and 15% after one year.

Oliver

 

[kau_cinta_ku]

Grim can you tell me a diff. bulb combo or a way to move my bulbs around to give me a more blueish look.

right now I have a 46 gal. with 4 - 39 watt T5HO's with icecap reflectors. from the front here is how i have it setup.

Front
UVL Super Actinic - triad ballast
GE 6500k daylight icecap 660 ballast
Giesemann 6000k middaysun - icecap 660 ballast
ATI blue plus - triad ballast
Back

i am using 2 ballasts for dusk dawn effect but the color is to white/yellow for my taste, or is it that having the icecap on the 2 brighter bulbs is overpowering the blue bulbs and would be better switching the ballasts around on the bulbs. any info would help out great

Thanks

 

[jbeltmann]

Grim, I took your advise and went with a single 24" helios fixture with a super blue bulb and it looks great! I am seriously considering getting a retro kit but not sure if only 2 bulbs would be sufficient in replacing my 130 watt pc. The pc is currently running a 10k with actinic. Would it be worth piggybacking a 2 bulb retro with the helios or just scratching everything for a 4 bulb kit?

 

[jbeltmann]

I forgot to mention that I was hoping to keep minimal lps and maybe some real easy sps. Right now its mostly softies and various polyps. From the light to the sand is 22".

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9634959#post9634959 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kau_cinta_ku
Grim can you tell me a diff. bulb combo or a way to move my bulbs around to give me a more blueish look.

right now I have a 46 gal. with 4 - 39 watt T5HO's with icecap reflectors. from the front here is how i have it setup.

Front
UVL Super Actinic - triad ballast
GE 6500k daylight icecap 660 ballast
Giesemann 6000k middaysun - icecap 660 ballast
ATI blue plus - triad ballast
Back

i am using 2 ballasts for dusk dawn effect but the color is to white/yellow for my taste, or is it that having the icecap on the 2 brighter bulbs is overpowering the blue bulbs and would be better switching the ballasts around on the bulbs. any info would help out great

Thanks

You could swap the position of the blue Plus and SA hand help a little. Grab an Aquablue and use it to replace one of the daylights. You will actually gain in power AND blue light.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9636528#post9636528 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jbeltmann
Grim, I took your advise and went with a single 24" helios fixture with a super blue bulb and it looks great! I am seriously considering getting a retro kit but not sure if only 2 bulbs would be sufficient in replacing my 130 watt pc. The pc is currently running a 10k with actinic. Would it be worth piggybacking a 2 bulb retro with the helios or just scratching everything for a 4 bulb kit?

If you go for a 4 lamp retro get a Tek retro from reefgeek upgraded to Ice Cap reflectors. 2 T5's would be slightly better than the PC's but its better to have more lamps.

 

[jbeltmann]

Would a 2 bulb retro be enough with my single helios for minimal lps and really easy sps? I was hoping on getting by without spending a lot more money. Again, thanks for all the replies Grim.

 

[jbeltmann]

I just thought of using one of the icecap reflectors on the helios if it would make sense to use the 2 bulb retro. Is this even possible on the helios?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Dont think you can get the Ice Cap reflector on the helios fixture

 

[jbeltmann]

So are you saying I could keep lps and very easy sps with 3 24" bulbs or do I have to go with 4?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

3 would work if you are using the Helios stuff. If you get Tek retros use 4 because the ballasts fire pairs of lamps.

 

[jbeltmann]

If I go with tek retro 2 24" can I get away without using an actinic bulb since my helios is a super blue. I know actinics have a lower par, and I like the way the super blue looks. I would like to keep a similar look. I don't want to have a yellowish look.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

That would be fine

 

[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.

 

[JDS]

HI ALL

I'm plan on using 6-60 inch 80W t5 using three workhorse 7 ballasts. Is there a comparable ballasts to the workhorse 7 that I can look for?

 

[jamesdawson]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9639263#post9639263 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JDS
HI ALL

I'm plan on using 6-60 inch 80W t5 using three workhorse 7 ballasts. Is there a comparable ballasts to the workhorse 7 that I can look for?

Go IC 660s, you won't regret it. Its a mild overdrive and hellaciously bright.

Each 660 will drive three of the 5 footers. Make sure you blow one of those inexpensive clip on fans on each end of your setup.(DR F&S have the 4-fan units on sale right now for like $20)

James

 

[JDS]

I Was looking at the 660's. Do you get that much more light for the $200 in extra cost. I'm not trying to argue with you I just don't know. I could spend an extra hundred dollars get three workhorse 7 which would be 12 -60 inch and I will still be saving 100 bucks.