The T5 Q&a Thread

[jamesdawson]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9718392#post9718392 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Oh great! More T5 confusion

Thanks

Don't shoot, I'm just the messenger

I will be trying this mod, but not until the Summer.

James

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I am checking with Ice Cap, I have an A4 an a spare 660 harness

 

[fillibar]

Thanks for the confirmation there Grim, now on to construction.

 

[tbone28]

Grim,

Did you get the ATI Sunpowers in yet?

 

[sgallagher7]

Just a quick question regarding overdriven bulbs. I have a 6 bulb T5 54 watt tek with the middle 4 overdriven by a IC 660. Does overdriving double the wattage of each bulb, or is it a percentage? Trying to figure out the total wattage.

 

[northbay-reefer]

Grim, I am thinking of using a two bulbs retro from coralvue for a small frag tank. Do you know how good the coralvue is? and what two bulbs would you reccomend ? I was thinking about going with one 10k and one blue+ TIA

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9721557#post9721557 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tbone28
Grim,

Did you get the ATI Sunpowers in yet?

Not yet

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9721901#post9721901 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by northbay-reefer
Grim, I am thinking of using a two bulbs retro from coralvue for a small frag tank. Do you know how good the coralvue is? and what two bulbs would you reccomend ? I was thinking about going with one 10k and one blue+ TIA

Dunno, the retros look might they might be OK

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9721671#post9721671 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sgallagher7
Just a quick question regarding overdriven bulbs. I have a 6 bulb T5 54 watt tek with the middle 4 overdriven by a IC 660. Does overdriving double the wattage of each bulb, or is it a percentage? Trying to figure out the total wattage.

You will be running the 4 lamps at around 80 to 85 watts each. The ballast will draw just over 300 watt. The PR increa is around 35% all of that depend on your lamps.

 

[yeldarbj]

Grim,

I'm in the process of replacing my 2x96w PCs with T5s on my 65g tank (36x18x24h). So far I've added an IceCap retro 2x39w T5s with a 660 ballast (Gman Blue Plus and Gman Midday). My next step is to remove the PCs and add a Tek 2x39w and a 24w bulb with IC reflectors in the following configuration:

front
39w Gman Blue Plus on IceCap 660 ballast
39w UVL Super Actinic on Tek ballast
39w Gman Midday on IceCap 660 ballast
39w ATI Aquablue on IceCap 660 ballast
24w ATI Blue Plus on Tek Ballast

The 5th bulb is a 24w because I need the space in the corner of the tank for an in-tank skimmer.

Would that setup get your stamp of approval? Any suggestions/changes? Shouldn't it be enough light to keep most SPS higher in the tank and softies/LPS lower (24" high tank)? Perhaps a clam higher up too?

Thanks for your time.

 

[sgallagher7]

Thanks Grim. The bulbs that will be overdriven will be 2 ATI Blue Pluses, a GE 3000 and GE 6500.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9722925#post9722925 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by yeldarbj
Grim,

I'm in the process of replacing my 2x96w PCs with T5s on my 65g tank (36x18x24h). So far I've added an IceCap retro 2x39w T5s with a 660 ballast (Gman Blue Plus and Gman Midday). My next step is to remove the PCs and add a Tek 2x39w and a 24w bulb with IC reflectors in the following configuration:

front
39w Gman Blue Plus on IceCap 660 ballast
39w UVL Super Actinic on Tek ballast
39w Gman Midday on IceCap 660 ballast
39w ATI Aquablue on IceCap 660 ballast
24w ATI Blue Plus on Tek Ballast

The 5th bulb is a 24w because I need the space in the corner of the tank for an in-tank skimmer.

Would that setup get your stamp of approval? Any suggestions/changes? Shouldn't it be enough light to keep most SPS higher in the tank and softies/LPS lower (24" high tank)? Perhaps a clam higher up too?

Thanks for your time.

You should be good for SPS and clams

 

[amitchell]

I am changing might light from a Orbit PC 4x96 to an Aquatinic 36" TX5. Is this going to give me a lot more light that I will have to acclimate my corals an BTA to the new light? I was also thinking of this bulb arrangement.
Front

ATI Aquablue
UVL Aquasun
UVL Super Actinic
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue plus

Thanks
Anthony

 

[yeldarbj]

Are the end caps and stand offs that come with the IceCap T5 retro kits the same as the ones in the Tek T5 retro kits?

 

[jamesdawson]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9718786#post9718786 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
I am checking with Ice Cap, I have an A4 an a spare 660 harness

I just remembered, IC also stressed the need to seriously heat sink the A4 as T-5s are going to make it run hot. Might even want to blow a fan over it.

Good luck,

James

 

[rarelyseriousb]

sorry if this was covered

sorry if this was covered

I just dont have time to read this whole thread(to much work). I am hoping to get some help. I am buying a new tank 36"long, 24"wide, 26" tall. I want to go with T5 but dont know where to start. How many bulbs, and which set up. Will some SPS, caps, some softies, and maybe a clam. just kinda want to be able to keep most of what caches my eye. DIY would be fine. also bulb choice and order would be awesome. thanks Gurus.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9723402#post9723402 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by amitchell
I am changing might light from a Orbit PC 4x96 to an Aquatinic 36" TX5. Is this going to give me a lot more light that I will have to acclimate my corals an BTA to the new light? I was also thinking of this bulb arrangement.
Front

ATI Aquablue
UVL Aquasun
UVL Super Actinic
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue plus

Thanks
Anthony

Try this instead

Front
Aquablue
Super Actinic
Aquasun
Blue Plus
Aquablue

Only reason for changing positions is how the lamps are wired. that arrangement gives you the super actinic and the blue plus on one cord for a coold dusk/dawn look.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9725998#post9725998 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by yeldarbj
Are the end caps and stand offs that come with the IceCap T5 retro kits the same as the ones in the Tek T5 retro kits?

Not sure anymore

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: sorry if this was covered

Re: sorry if this was covered

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9726502#post9726502 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rarelyseriousb
I just dont have time to read this whole thread(to much work). I am hoping to get some help. I am buying a new tank 36"long, 24"wide, 26" tall. I want to go with T5 but dont know where to start. How many bulbs, and which set up. Will some SPS, caps, some softies, and maybe a clam. just kinda want to be able to keep most of what caches my eye. DIY would be fine. also bulb choice and order would be awesome. thanks Gurus.

Hit reefgeek and order a 4x39 Ice Cap retro and a 2 lamp Tek retro upgraded to Ice Cap reflectors.

For lamps this would be a good start

Front
Blue Plus
Super Actinic (on Tek Ballast)
Aquasun
Blue Plus (on Tek Ballast)
GE 6500K Daylight
Blue Plus

That wont look nearly as blue as you would think.

 

[rarelyseriousb]

thanks.

it is like i just talked to a celebrity. lol. thanks for the quick reply. Do you think the depth of the tank will be a problem? just keep sps higher. and what order to put the IC and the tec. sorry for the questions.