The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

The constellation will fit on a 18" tank if you dont have any HOB equipment.

The Aquactinics reflectors are as good or perhaps slightly better than the Ice Caps.

 

[ann83]

I'm going to throw a question out there to anyone with opinions. When it comes to the complete T-5 retrofit kit, which is better, the Sunlight Supply Tek or the IceCap SLR? Prices seem about even for the two.

 

[horkn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10229617#post10229617 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ann83
I'm going to throw a question out there to anyone with opinions. When it comes to the complete T-5 retrofit kit, which is better, the Sunlight Supply Tek or the IceCap SLR? Prices seem about even for the two.

hands down icecap

the reflectors on the tek are about 20% less effective as the IC, not even taking the ballasts into effect

 

[bkmorris]

how is this fixture? i would be getting it for a 25 inch tall 30 gallon tank.
http://www.diyreef.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=498

as opposed to this one..
https://diyreef.authsecure.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=55_82&products_id=374&osCsid=c0f576c7e533592faa5eeeb1621c200c

or any other good ones in the general price range?

thank you

 

[spike78]

T5 Retro Height

T5 Retro Height

Hey gyus,

I have a quick question. I'm thinking about lighting my new 200 Gal Bowfront (72x28x30H) completely withT5's. I'm planning on doing IceCap retros 6 or 8 X 36" X 2. The hood that I've ordered is 15 inches high. If I mount the retros into the hood, am I going to have enough power to penetrate to the bottom of the tank? I'll basically be going 30" + 15" or 45" total. Am I going to have issues?

Thanks,

Steve

 

[slavearm]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10229870#post10229870 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bkmorris
how is this fixture? i would be getting it for a 25 inch tall 30 gallon tank.
http://www.diyreef.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=498

as opposed to this one..
https://diyreef.authsecure.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=55_82&products_id=374&osCsid=c0f576c7e533592faa5eeeb1621c200c

or any other good ones in the general price range?

thank you

The Aquatinics unit puts out a good deal more par and is air cooled. It would definately be my choice

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10229870#post10229870 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bkmorris
how is this fixture? i would be getting it for a 25 inch tall 30 gallon tank.
http://www.diyreef.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=498

as opposed to this one..
https://diyreef.authsecure.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=55_82&products_id=374&osCsid=c0f576c7e533592faa5eeeb1621c200c

or any other good ones in the general price range?

thank you

I would go for the Aquactinics, way better unit.

 

[bkmorris]

awesome, thank you. will that be a very substantial upgrade from my current 130 watt PC? i am hoping to be able to keep a few sps.

 

[jamesdawson]

Re: T5 Retro Height

Re: T5 Retro Height

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10229906#post10229906 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by spike78
Hey gyus,

I have a quick question. I'm thinking about lighting my new 200 Gal Bowfront (72x28x30H) completely withT5's. I'm planning on doing IceCap retros 6 or 8 X 36" X 2. The hood that I've ordered is 15 inches high. If I mount the retros into the hood, am I going to have enough power to penetrate to the bottom of the tank? I'll basically be going 30" + 15" or 45" total. Am I going to have issues?

Thanks,

Steve

Steve,

You need to get your reflectors from about 3"-6" from the water to really maximize T-5s (remember, they will put much less heat into your tank than MH).

I reccomend you use build some structure into the inside of your hood so you can get those lights close to the water. Don't forget you should have a couple of fans blow across the ends of both sides of the bulbs and also a fan that exhausts the hot air out of the canopy or it could build-up and heat the water. Usually a fan on through the top of the canopy works best in this regards.

Good luck and good choice going with IC!

James

 

[sbcaes]

Okay I apologize in advance if this has been asked before.

But would I be able to keep clams in a t5 unit not overdriven? I plan on getting the slr ic reflectors but will this be enough of a boost over the standard tek retro to keep sps and clams on the bed? (with the possiblity of upgrading the ballast to the IC ballast at a later time.)

Tank is 36x15x20 "50"

Thanks in advance!

p.s i have read the thread but not sure if this has been addresed.

 

[jamesdawson]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10230712#post10230712 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sbcaes
Okay I apologize in advance if this has been asked before.

But would I be able to keep clams in a t5 unit not overdriven? I plan on getting the slr ic reflectors but will this be enough of a boost over the standard tek retro to keep sps and clams on the bed? (with the possiblity of upgrading the ballast to the IC ballast at a later time.)

Tank is 36x15x20 "50"

Thanks in advance!

p.s i have read the thread but not sure if this has been addresed.

In that shallow of a tank--should be no problem!

Keep in mind that to maximize PAR you should have a little air blowing over both ends of the bulbs.

James

 

[bkmorris]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10230114#post10230114 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bkmorris
awesome, thank you. will that be a very substantial upgrade from my current 130 watt PC? i am hoping to be able to keep a few sps.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10230114#post10230114 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bkmorris
awesome, thank you. will that be a very substantial upgrade from my current 130 watt PC? i am hoping to be able to keep a few sps.

Oh hell yes. Big increase.

 

[Phisher]

Which fixture would you recommend between the 6x54 tek (blue) and the 5x54 aquactinics on a 24" wide tank?

I saw several recommendations for 6 bulb set ups, what lamps would you recommend for a 5?

 

[jlt23]

What bulb combo would you guys recommend for a 4 bulb setup for a 14" tall - 4 sided tank? I like a little bluer look.

Thanks

 

[cato]

Hey Grim, how are those Korallen Zucht Fiji Purple bulbs panning out?

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10232084#post10232084 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Phisher
Which fixture would you recommend between the 6x54 tek (blue) and the 5x54 aquactinics on a 24" wide tank?

I saw several recommendations for 6 bulb set ups, what lamps would you recommend for a 5?

No 48" aquatinics consteallation?

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10232172#post10232172 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jlt23
What bulb combo would you guys recommend for a 4 bulb setup for a 14" tall - 4 sided tank? I like a little bluer look.

Thanks

F to B
UVL Super Actinic
ATI Aquablue or KZ Coral Light
ATI Blue+
KZ fiji purple

-jmo

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10232172#post10232172 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jlt23
What bulb combo would you guys recommend for a 4 bulb setup for a 14" tall - 4 sided tank? I like a little bluer look.

Thanks

If you are viewing from all 4 sides I would either go with Aquablues for a 14K look or Blue plus for a 20K look.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10232084#post10232084 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Phisher
Which fixture would you recommend between the 6x54 tek (blue) and the 5x54 aquactinics on a 24" wide tank?

I saw several recommendations for 6 bulb set ups, what lamps would you recommend for a 5?

Front
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
Blue Plus
Aquablue