The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9882862#post9882862 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by skey44
I'm looking into a 72x30x30 mixed reef system and would like to only do T5 retros. I plan to only keep softies and maybe a few LPS, but no SPS or clams. I'm leaning towards Ice Cap retros, but am not sure of the configuration.

What would you recommend?

Thanks.

Do a 6 lamp 80 watt retro. reefgeek has them. Try to get the Tek II reflectors of possible

 

[skey44]

thanks

 

[kgerbus]

I am setting up a 72" 150g mixed reef. Is the Aquactinics Constellation T5 72" a good choice? Is it a quality fixture? Also with 14 bullbs what kind of lamp mix would you do?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

The constellation would be fine. Use two of each of the following lamps to fill a row

Front

Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
Blue Plus
Aquablue

 

[r2odie]

Has anyone tried these lights, any opinions, seems like a good deal, what do you guys think???


48'' Aquarium Light T5 Hood 8X 54 brand new Reef

price: US $299.99 Buy It Now >

Shipping costs: US $41.25
Seller: lizardcity( 676)
Feedback: 99.3% Positive
Member: since Jan-26-06 in United State

Brand New 8 X 54 watt T5 HO Light
with 8 Brand new Aquablue or sunlight bulbs included! - Includes 4 aquablue and 4 sun bulbs - we also have 6500k bulbs in stock - if you would like a different mix of bulbs specify in your payment and you will receive.

Each bulb has its own individual parabolic reflector to improve lights output by 300%



This unit is Amazing! Plug and Play ready to go upon arrival!

The reflector is made of german polished aluminum.

Fixture has a 5 year warranty on ballast, and full replace rebuild warranty for 1 year on entire fixture.

Unit is Made in United States

T5 lights with individual reflectors makes beautiful shimmer effect happen in your aqarium.

Unit has 2 chords and 2 switches - that are reccomended to be put on timers so you can have a dawn dusk effect in your tank. Have the blue actinics come on in the morning for a nice dawn effect - then have the suns come in during the day for a bright sun light look.

moonlights can be added for an additional $39.99 - moonlights can be purchased in our ebay store.



If moonlights are ordered they will be installed directly into the fixture with their own chord and their own dimmable switch- so you can make them as dim or as bright as you would like.

Unit is 47.5'' long and 11.5'' wide and 1'' thick.

Comes with 5 year warranty workhorse ballast -

Unit is plug and play ready to go upon arrival

12 foot long, heavy duty power chords are included

Unit is made in the United States with 5 year warranty.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Based on that discription I wouldn't touch them. #1, aint no way you have parabolic reflectors for 8 lamps in a 11" wide unit. You would be better off getting the 5 lamp Aquactinics unit, more light and less power usage.

 

[kgerbus]

Thanks for the advice. Are there any coral that will not do well under this set up?

 

[hahnmeister]

Thought I would post this link here in case anyone is interested...
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1112777&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

I did a full comparison of the new Tek2 to the Icecap SLR... SLR is still the champ it seems (until ATI figures out a way to make a retrofit reflector from those powermodule ones...lol). Of course, if someone were to send me a 4' aquatinics... maybe the SLR wouldnt do so well.

 

[tricky]

Im adding a frag tank that will tie into the sump of my display system. I will be using a 30G breeder tank, 36" x 18" x 36". I plan on placing 6 39W T-5s with SPS reflectors using 2 workhorse ballasts. By tagging into my existing system, I will get a nice grow out system without maintaining another complete system, skimmer, chiller, calcium, etc. The primary goal is to be able to color up sps, growth is secndary but still a priority.

What color spectrum would you recommnd?

Thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I would do 2 Aquasuns and 4 Blue Plus.

 

[tricky]

Thanks for the quick reply.
Are you referring to the Aquasun by UV LIghting and the Blue Plus by ATI?
I was surprised you didn't recommend any actinics, but I am guessing this combination must be strong in the longer wavelengths as compared to MH/VHO combinations.
I find it very confusing to compare the many color names that are out there.

BTW, a while back you recommended me to use 3 Aqua Blue Plus
T-5s on a softie tank, and I love the color..

Thanks a bunch

 

[Shade00]

IMHO, actinics should be used sparingly... their PAR is relatively low.

 

[tricky]

Oops, I meant 36"x18"x12" on the tank size. It 6 lights overkill?

 

[tbone28]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9838420#post9838420 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
For 6 lamps I would do this,

Front
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
Aquasun
GE 6500K or ATI Aquablue for a more blue look
Blue Plus
Aquablue

Do you have any pics of the coloration this combo gives?

Thanks

 

[tbone28]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9838420#post9838420 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
For 6 lamps I would do this,

Front
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
Aquasun
GE 6500K or ATI Aquablue for a more blue look
Blue Plus
Aquablue

Do you have any pics of the coloration this combo gives?

Thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

No, I don't even attempt pics because it is soo hard to get an accuarate pic with my camera.

 

[tbone28]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9894509#post9894509 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
No, I don't even attempt pics because it is soo hard to get an accuarate pic with my camera.

No problem. Does this color combination lean more towards the "blue" side?

 

[here4g2]

I have been looking into the Aquactinics constellation 72" fixture.So far i have only been able to find one place online that sells it,that being premium Aquatics.Anyone know any other places that sell it.I want to just compare some pricing.
Thanks for any help.

PS AWESOME THREAD
Thanks to all who have contributed.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9896234#post9896234 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tbone28
No problem. Does this color combination lean more towards the "blue" side?

It will have a bluish tint but nothing like you would expect going by the name of the lamps.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9896965#post9896965 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by here4g2
I have been looking into the Aquactinics constellation 72" fixture.So far i have only been able to find one place online that sells it,that being premium Aquatics.Anyone know any other places that sell it.I want to just compare some pricing.
Thanks for any help.

PS AWESOME THREAD
Thanks to all who have contributed.

Aquarium Specialty from the sponsors page sells them.