The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9769738#post9769738 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Uncle Boo
This thread was very informative. I'm going with the Aquatinics Constellation 7 bulb fixture. I am planning on a fish and softies tank but want the extra light in case I change my mind. I probably won't need all 7 bulbs running at once but I want the option for later on down the road. The fixture has three switches that run three rows, two rows, and two rows.

What would be a good combination of bulbs to run with this setup? Thanks.

Try this

Front

Blue Plus
Blank
Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
Blue Plus
Blank
Aquablue

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9770184#post9770184 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by greenmonkey51
I've been waffling between T5's and MH's on my 75g and I think I've decided on T5's. I'm still trying to decide what to use. I found the 4x54wt Tek T5 retrofit on diyreef.com I can upgrade up to Ice cap reflectors for 8$. Would this give me enough light to do most LPS and Softies and a couple SPS's and clams. Also how much better are the Ice cap ballast than the Teks. Would it be enough that 4 Icecaps would beat 6 Teks with Ice Cap reflectors Would this bulb combo work

Blue+
Aquablue
GE
Blue+

I would go for 6 normally driven lamps with IC reflectors. What you have for four lamps would be fine. If you go 6 add an Actinic and Aquablue and drop the GE for a UVL Aquasun or a Giesemann Midday.

 

[greenmonkey51]

If I started with 4 lamps would I be able to keep almost anything besides clams and SPS. Also would the UVL or Gman be better to start with than the GE.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

With only 4 lamps I would stick with the GE.

 

[the_anti_honda]

It looks like I might be switching to 6x39 watt T5's from my dual 250 14kk HQI.. 36" tank..

Biggest question would be how do you guys deal with out the shimmer?

Now the main reasons for switching are longer lamp life, better coloration of corals, and less energy consumption. Will I be able to achieve this through T5 vs. my current setup? I am not real worried about growth but how much do you expect I will loose compared to my halides? I do realize growth depends heavily on the tank and the reefer but comparatively speaking coming from a well maintained aquarium already achieving good growth.

Thanks
John

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I would go to a single halide in a good reflector and a couple of T5's for supplimental. I think current has a fixture out with a single 250 watt halide and 4 T5s, that would be good.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9771250#post9771250 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by the_anti_honda
It looks like I might be switching to 6x39 watt T5's from my dual 250 14kk HQI.. 36" tank..

Biggest question would be how do you guys deal with out the shimmer?

Now the main reasons for switching are longer lamp life, better coloration of corals, and less energy consumption. Will I be able to achieve this through T5 vs. my current setup? I am not real worried about growth but how much do you expect I will loose compared to my halides? I do realize growth depends heavily on the tank and the reefer but comparatively speaking coming from a well maintained aquarium already achieving good growth.

Thanks
John

 

[shyland83]

I have 2-250watt halides over my 120g with lumenarc reflectors and i'm adding 2-36" T5's for actinics. I can't decide what bulbs to get. I'm leaning towards 1-true actinic and 1-blue plus. Any suggestions? I appologize for not searching for my answer but i spent a half hour reading this thread and then gave up. thanks.

 

[lvreefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9772193#post9772193 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by shyland83
I have 2-250watt halides over my 120g with lumenarc reflectors and i'm adding 2-36" T5's for actinics. I can't decide what bulbs to get. I'm leaning towards 1-true actinic and 1-blue plus. Any suggestions? I appologize for not searching for my answer but i spent a half hour reading this thread and then gave up. thanks.

I would go with VHO for straight actinic lighting, just my opinion. Anyways, UVL Super Actinics in either VHO or T5 are very good. For blue+, ATI bar none if you can get them. Otherwise D&D/Giesemann Actinic+ is a good alternative. Light them with an IC even better!

 

[shyland83]

I already have T5 ballasts laying around and endcaps, thanks for the suggestions

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9772193#post9772193 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by shyland83
I have 2-250watt halides over my 120g with lumenarc reflectors and i'm adding 2-36" T5's for actinics. I can't decide what bulbs to get. I'm leaning towards 1-true actinic and 1-blue plus. Any suggestions? I appologize for not searching for my answer but i spent a half hour reading this thread and then gave up. thanks.

Good plan

 

[jquigley78]

I am currently running a Tek with 6 54w t-5s, I am getting really good growth on my SPS but looking for a color that more closely matches a 20,000K halide. Currently I have this combo going:
front
UVL actinic
12,000k
12,000k
6,000k
12,000k
UVL actinic

Also, one thing I have noticed is that when I raise my light for tank access, the colors on the corals seem to look better when the lights are higher, like the bulbs mix better, or something. I have my lights about 3" above the water.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Lose 2 of the 12K's and get 2 Blue Plus lamps instead

 

[jquigley78]

And That should still have enough PAR for SPS, and clams? Also, why run the 3,000k over a 6,000k? What are the major advantages?

 

[discotu]

2 or 1?

2 or 1?

All other things being equal, what will have the most light penetration?

2 t5's end to end or a single T5 bulb?

I need to cover the length of my 72" wide tank and only have room for a one line of T5's so I am wondering if I should break it up with two in series or just a singe bulb.

Another question, do they make 72" T5 bulbs?...I've only found 60" so far.

thanks!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

jquigely

jquigely

The Blue Pluses are not that much weaker than the Aquablue, both lamps have very good output. The 3000K lamp has a lot more red in the output so it brings out colors you wont see if you just flood the tank with blue/bluegreen spectrum.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: 2 or 1?

Re: 2 or 1?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9773756#post9773756 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by discotu
All other things being equal, what will have the most light penetration?

2 t5's end to end or a single T5 bulb?

I need to cover the length of my 72" wide tank and only have room for a one line of T5's so I am wondering if I should break it up with two in series or just a singe bulb.

Another question, do they make 72" T5 bulbs?...I've only found 60" so far.

thanks!

2 36" lamps wold be your best option. Helios makes a 71" lamp but the fixture for them is kinda wide. They make a cool lamp called a superblue. Premium Aquatics sells them.

 

[jquigley78]

Thanks for the help! Now I just need to find a 3000k bulb, and give that a shot!

 

[discotu]

thanks Grim Reefer,

based on my quick online search, the 36" T5 are ~39W and the 71" Helios T5 is 105W. I assume the 71" is putting out more light? Is your recommendation based on the 71" fixture being wide or does 2 X 36" T5 actually put out more light?

thanks again for the help!!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

The Fixture the Helios lamp runs it is big. If you have room for it I would use that.

 

[sniggir]

Hey Grim just trying to sedle and arguement that I am having with a member of my aquarium society... he seems to think that 4 54w T5's is too much light for his 75gal....he seems to think that it will bleach out his corals.. I myself have 8 39w T5's over my 34 gal, and have had no problem I accualy just upgraded to MH recently and am runnin a single 400w MH over my tank....now I am using a high K rating but still i have had no problems with my LPS or SPS... just wondering if he was misinfomed or am I going to have problems down the road... the bulb I am using ia a 20k XM with a spider reflector... any info would be great

thx