The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

A Blue Plus and Aquablue T5 would do good for both tanks.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10052063#post10052063 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Therhusky
Hi. I have a question that i dont really know if there is a perfect answer too. I recently had to sell off my hundred gallon tank, and now have set up a 20 gallon which i plan to make a reef and put it side by side with another 20 gallon freshwater planted tank. I was hoping that i could light both of these tanks using the same fixture and plan to get the the Tek 2 48" 2x54W retrofit kit. I was wondering if there was a bulb combination that would satisfy the needs of both the freshwater and marine tank, without making one or the other look bad. Thanks.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10054377#post10054377 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by onecrzyboi4u
What would be good light bulbs for the t5 nova extreme..

Depending on your tank size sticking to ATI, UVL And GE brand light will be good because your system has no good reflectors so the higher output of the good lamps will help.

 

[shred5]

bheron
Thanks for the feedback.

By the way when you get the new lamps you do not want to change them all at once. The additional light could shock the corals. Do them a few at a time over a week and a half or so.

Dave

 

[bheron]

Dave, I was about to post that exact question. Always head that for MHs, but wasnt sure for T5s. Makes sense. I was thnking changing out two bulbs per day. But it sounds like you recommend doing it over a longer period of time. Maybe 1 every other day?

Glad that my info helped. There arent big many T5 users out there.

 

[want2reef]

Grim

Would overdriving 4 54w bulbs, put out about the same par as running 6 normally?

Thanks

 

[onecrzyboi4u]

GRIM i have a 29 gal tank

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10062680#post10062680 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by want2reef
Grim

Would overdriving 4 54w bulbs, put out about the same par as running 6 normally?

Thanks

Overdriving 4 will give you a higher peak but less spread. You could try overdriving 4 lamps using those humongous Tek II reflectors.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10047708#post10047708 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by onecrzyboi4u
I have a nova extreme lighting on my 29 gal.. no reflectors.. ( got it from dr foster&smith) is my lighting okie for clams?

How tall is that tank and how far is the lighting above it?

If the tank is less than 20" tall you are probably OK.

 

[psyco_guy_abd]

That brings up and interesting Idea, how do 4 overdriven lamps in the Tek II reflectors stack up against 5 or 6 non-overdriven lamps in the better SLR reflectors? If you had a wide tank could you get just as much light with fewer overdriven bulbs without affecting spread by using the Tek II reflectors.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

If I had my choice I would go for 6 normally driven lamps because more lamps allow you to have a better mix of lamps.

 

[want2reef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10063391#post10063391 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Overdriving 4 will give you a higher peak but less spread. You could try overdriving 4 lamps using those humongous Tek II reflectors.

Do you think the 4 bulbs overdriven will support SPS like my duel Phoenix 250's do?

The reason I am asking is I already have an IC 660 in my garage. And I am starting to get tired of all the heat that my MH's are giving off.

Thanks again.

 

[dphins]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10064009#post10064009 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
If I had my choice I would go for 6 normally driven lamps because more lamps allow you to have a better mix of lamps.

What if you are pleased with the look of blue plus and some 11K bulbs? Why mix bulbs which takes up more power and space, if you could be happy with the look of 2 types of bulbs? Then you could just run 4 over driven instead of 6 mixed bulbs. Does this make sense???

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10064086#post10064086 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by want2reef
Do you think the 4 bulbs overdriven will support SPS like my duel Phoenix 250's do?

The reason I am asking is I already have an IC 660 in my garage. And I am starting to get tired of all the heat that my MH's are giving off.

Thanks again.

Yes.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10065091#post10065091 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dphinsx2
What if you are pleased with the look of blue plus and some 11K bulbs? Why mix bulbs which takes up more power and space, if you could be happy with the look of 2 types of bulbs? Then you could just run 4 over driven instead of 6 mixed bulbs. Does this make sense???

If you are happy with the mix of lamps it would be fine. I personally think the 50/50 mix looks nasty but other people like it.

 

[want2reef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10065302#post10065302 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Yes.

One more question, I think.

What 4 bulb combo would give me the same basic look as the Phoenix?

And would the par be in the same ballpark as the Phoenix?

Thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

What kind of reflectors were you using with the phoenix?

For lamps try

Front
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
GE 6500K
Aquablue

 

[mepheiz]

I called reefgeek a few days ago, and it sounds like its still going to be several months before the ati sunpowers come out. I don't think I can wait any longer for a T5 fixture. I need a little help deciding what to get on a budget (cheap as possible). I have a 90 gallon tank. 48x18x24 height. Having read previous posts it sounds like I should be going with a 6x54 watt rig for coral.

Is there any real difference between the teklight and teklight limited addition fixtures? What is the difference between the aquactincs tx5 fixtures and the aquactincs solar flare? Is there another fixture available that might work? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[want2reef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10065810#post10065810 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
What kind of reflectors were you using with the phoenix?

For lamps try

Front
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
GE 6500K
Aquablue

ROIII's

Thanks again.

 

[GreenUku]

Hi Grim,

I'm finally setting up a new 65 gallon tank that will be 36"L x 24"W x 18"H. I'm planning to keep mostly SPS. I have an IceCap 430 sitting around, so I thought I would overdrive two T5's with that and run four other T5's with regular ballasts. I'm planning to go with the IceCap SLR's (all from reef geek).

Can you recommend a 6 bulb combo and order (my tank will be 3-side/pennisula style) and which to two lamps to overdrive?

Thanks a lot. You should really be paid!

 

[sayn3ver]

grim,

things have changed and i will be running 2x 48x12x12 tanks. On will be a planted tank, the other a SSB/Bare bottom with lots of rock. They will share a common sump. I would like to go with the one tek 2x54w fixture over each tank.

Was wondering what bulbs you would go with for lagoon style lighitng on both.

I was thinking on the planted tank one ge 3000k and one Giesemann 6000k and for the shallow reef a Giesemann 6000k and a Giesemann 11000k aquablue.

I figured with less than 12 inches to sand, 2x54w should be plenty for everything.