The T5 Q&a Thread

[IPT]

What would be your recommendation for lighting a frag tank? The tank would be "out of sight" (sort of) so the bulb choice would be geared toward growth not asthetics (I would think more 6500 or 3000K bulbs). Also the species (SPS - acro and others) could be close to the surface for maximizing the intensity using the minimum amt of bulbs. Probably a 15 gal tank or so plumbed in off the sump. Would you do a 4x24w system (Tek), or maybe 3X24 with an icecap to overdrive? What bulb combo would be best to get the most bang for buck minimizing watts/bulbs used?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9933556#post9933556 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mcclandy
where was the info on the par of the T5's? IS there a list of bulbs and output? maybe i missed it in here.. if so sorry!!

andy

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=918935

 

[hypermikie]

Well it's been several months since I looked into T5's... NOW I'm FINALLY getting ready to purchase mine for my 70g (36Lx24Wx20H).

I was going to do a 6 Bulb originally and it MUST be a retro fit! I just got my custom canopy and stand finished

What are my better choices and what bulb combo should I go with?

Cost friendly options are usually weighted more heavily!

 

[mcclandy]

thanks for the dirrections Grim!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9934416#post9934416 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hypermikie
Well it's been several months since I looked into T5's... NOW I'm FINALLY getting ready to purchase mine for my 70g (36Lx24Wx20H).

I was going to do a 6 Bulb originally and it MUST be a retro fit! I just got my custom canopy and stand finished

What are my better choices and what bulb combo should I go with?

Cost friendly options are usually weighted more heavily!

A 6 lamp Tek retro upgraded to Ice Cap reflectors from reefgeek. Do this for lams

Front
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
GE 3000K (reefgeek has them, may not be listed on the website)
Blue Plus
Aquablue
Blue Plus

 

[dphins]

I looked at the Reefgeek website and they sell SLR reflectors by Icecap. Is this the same icecap reflector that you should upgrade to. If not, who carries them?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Yes, Ice Cap SLR

 

[Dave2]

Hello, I am thinking of changing my lighting set up (in effort to lower the electricity bill). Currently I have 2x250 watt XM10k halide, and 2x110 VHO actinic. The tank is a 85 gallon 48x18x22.

I was thinking 6x54 retro watt with the icecap reflectors, or will I need 8 bulbs to help replicate the previous light. I am not afraid to loose a little par, it would be nice to have a little bluer look to the tank. I do stock SPS fairly heavy, but is in the top 1/2-2/3 of the tank. I also have some croceas on the sand bed.

Any insight would be appreciated.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

6 should be fine.

I would run the typical 6 lamp mix

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

 

[Dave2]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9936912#post9936912 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
6 should be fine.

I would run the typical 6 lamp mix

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

Thanks! I guess the worst that could happen is add a couple extra bulbs.

 

[hypermikie]

Grim,

What are the benefits/differences in the GE 6500/UVL Aquasun vs. the GE 3000 in the typical six bulb set-ups?

As well, SLR vs. Tek2 Reflectors? Price is negligible, I think $2 more per. So no issue there. Just curious as to how the newer Tek2's hold up against the SLR's?

BTW: What do you do for a hobby since your "job" seems to be answering all of our questions!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

A GE 3000K would be a good choice, it's just some people dont like the look so I shy away from suggesting it for newbes to t5's. Probably a bad move on my part.

Forget the Tek II reflectors, Hahnmeister tested them and they dont hang with the Ice Caps and they are over 3" wide which limits the amount of lamps you can use.

I am Disabled so playing with lights is something to do to keep me from going crazy. Kinda relates to my old job.

 

[sayn3ver]

Grim,

I asked about lighting for a 40g breeder(36x18x16), it will be my first reef and you recommened the aquatinics fixture. I am now at the point of beginning to purchase equipment. I've been holding off for the ATI sunpower and am still holding out for that. But i just checked reefgeek and they offer VHO icecap retros, which i assume is over driving the bulbs. How do these compare to the sun power and would it be worth retroing these instead of an open top tank with hanging fixture?

I want to keep a mixed reef(lots of zoo's, some sps, some polyps). it'll be bare bottom. I'd like to be able to step up tank size to maybe a 36x24x24 in the future.

 

[ykwan]

18" t5

18" t5

hey grim,

any comments on this set up? im planning to get 2 for my 10g nano.

18" Nova Extreme X2 Saltwater 40W Fixture

http://www.marineandreef.com/shoppro/power_novaXtreme2.htm

thanks

 

[kmacartney]

Do any of the experts have an opinion of this light?

http://hellolights.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=719

 

[ichthyojason]

I was wondering if anyone had heard of this and if it is possible . . .

Can you take a CF setup - switch out the endcaps to T5s and use the same CF ballasts? If so, what will the energy usage be? The ballast size or the bulb size? i.e. could i convert a 4x96W to a 4x54W HO and only use the 4x54 W of energy. any thoughts or insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Stick with the aquactinics fixture for this tank. Once you go to a bigger tank you can upgrade lighting too. The ATI is really overkill for a mixed reef in a 40 breader.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9937270#post9937270 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sayn3ver
Grim,

I asked about lighting for a 40g breeder(36x18x16), it will be my first reef and you recommened the aquatinics fixture. I am now at the point of beginning to purchase equipment. I've been holding off for the ATI sunpower and am still holding out for that. But i just checked reefgeek and they offer VHO icecap retros, which i assume is over driving the bulbs. How do these compare to the sun power and would it be worth retroing these instead of an open top tank with hanging fixture?

I want to keep a mixed reef(lots of zoo's, some sps, some polyps). it'll be bare bottom. I'd like to be able to step up tank size to maybe a 36x24x24 in the future.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: 18" t5

Re: 18" t5

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9939988#post9939988 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ykwan
hey grim,

any comments on this set up? im planning to get 2 for my 10g nano.

18" Nova Extreme X2 Saltwater 40W Fixture

http://www.marineandreef.com/shoppro/power_novaXtreme2.htm

thanks

Should work fine for that lil tank.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9940221#post9940221 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kmacartney
Do any of the experts have an opinion of this light?

http://hellolights.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=719

Looks like a Tek light fixture

 

[JohnL]

This thread was automatically split due to performance issues. You can find the rest of the thread here: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1120850