The T5 Q&a Thread

[kmacartney]

Actually the brand name of those lights is HL. Is that a new company?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Haven't heard of them

 

[IslandCrow]

I apologize if this question has been asked 100 times before, but I just ordered an Icecap T-5 retrofit. For those of you who overdrive your bulbs with Icecap ballasts, how often do you change your bulbs. I will be running fans on the setup.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I would change them at 1 year.

 

[frodo16]

thank you T-5 gods.

 

[Bunkerbean]

I have another question. Front to back I situated my lights as follows.

Blue Plus
Pure Actinic
Midday
Blue Plus

Is this the way I should leave it or is there a better setup?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

That is the way I would try it. Never a bad idea to experiment though.

 

[wharfrat48]

OK another bulb orientation question:
My set up has changed a bit so this is what I have now for my 180g: I'll be running three overdriven (IC 660) 80W T5's and 4 54W "normally driven" (2 ballasts) T5's in a staggered format. I need to decide where to place the 54W's vs the 80W's and what bulb orientation to use. I figure I'll put a 54W in the back (no sense wasting a 80W over the overflows) and a 54W in the front (less corals in front), but I'm not sure for the rest, especially when trying to figure dawn/dusk lighting.

I'm sure it gets old figuring out everyone's T5 lighting set up, but we sure do appreciate it Grim.

Thanks

 

[blindskater02]

I am starting up a small 24x16x16 growout tank and plumbing it into my 65 gallon reef. I am going to use 4 t5's over the tank using a 660 IC ballast to run them. What bulbs do you feel would give me the best growth/color for the corals. Thanks.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9953998#post9953998 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wharfrat48
OK another bulb orientation question:
My set up has changed a bit so this is what I have now for my 180g: I'll be running three overdriven (IC 660) 80W T5's and 4 54W "normally driven" (2 ballasts) T5's in a staggered format. I need to decide where to place the 54W's vs the 80W's and what bulb orientation to use. I figure I'll put a 54W in the back (no sense wasting a 80W over the overflows) and a 54W in the front (less corals in front), but I'm not sure for the rest, especially when trying to figure dawn/dusk lighting.

I'm sure it gets old figuring out everyone's T5 lighting set up, but we sure do appreciate it Grim.

Thanks

Try this
80 Blue Plus
54 GE 6500K Staggered
54 GE 6500K Staggered
80 Blue Plus
54 UVL Super Actinic
80 Blue Plus
54 Aquablue

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9954472#post9954472 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by blindskater02
I am starting up a small 24x16x16 growout tank and plumbing it into my 65 gallon reef. I am going to use 4 t5's over the tank using a 660 IC ballast to run them. What bulbs do you feel would give me the best growth/color for the corals. Thanks.

GE 3000K reefgeek sells them
3 Blue Plus

Running on a IC ballast you will get good growth with about any lamps

 

[stevedola]

ive got alittle dilema-
I have a friend selling his used tx5 unit with IC660 running 3 bulbs but was about to purchase the constellation 4' for my 75. I cant decide which Id be better served with. Any ideas people?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

The constellation is a 6 lamp fixture. Depends on if you want a fixture or a canopy

 

[Dyngoe]

Just a quick "Thank You" to Grim. I ordered my lights from ReefGeek and they will arrive on Friday. Great prices and great support so far. I'll let you all know how they turn out.

 

[stevedola]

either or because my tank is in wall.

 

[jest]

Hey t5ers,

I'm starting another tank 36x24x24. I would like to try out t5's for the first time.

So .... I'm thinking a 36" 8 bulb setup ?

Does anyone make a pendant in this configuration?

 

[bklynmet]

Hey Grim, It's time to start looking at replacing my 6x54 Tek bulbs as it's been almost a year...

I currently have (back to front)
Geisman Aquablue+
Geisman Actinic+
GE Daylight
Geisman Aquablue+
Geisman Actinic+
Geisman Aquablue+

The corals and clams have been growing great but am looking for a little bit more floresence (spelling?) from some. If I am remembering correctly, there wasn't a good actinic bulb back when I got my fixture but now there is a little more out there to choose from.

Question is, do you think I'll get more floresence from swapping the Geismann actinics with URI Super Actinics?

How does this order sound to you front to back?
ATI Blue+
URI Super Actinics
GE Daylight
ATI Blue+
Geisman Aquablue+
URI Super Actinics

As you know, bulb 1,6 are on seprate ballast than 2, 3, 4, 5. Thanks a bunch for your input.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9956579#post9956579 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by stevedola
either or because my tank is in wall.

You can put a retrofit together for less dough. I'd probably go that route

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9956768#post9956768 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jest
Hey t5ers,

I'm starting another tank 36x24x24. I would like to try out t5's for the first time.

So .... I'm thinking a 36" 8 bulb setup ?

Does anyone make a pendant in this configuration?

A 6 or 8 lamp fixture A Tek is probably the best option.

 

[ThaNgBOm321]

anyone knows what is a good height to hang my lights? 6 t5 w/slr... there about 4.5 '' off the water now ... is that good???

TIA
YzGyz