The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10065901#post10065901 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 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.

Tek Limited Edition has supposedly better reflectors.

The Aquactinics Solar Flare has Ice Cap guts which means a lot of output.

If you want an SPS dominant tank go for the Flare. For a mixed reef either the Aquactinics or limited edition Tek.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10066860#post10066860 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 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!

If you are viewing on 3 sides I would try to balance the light.

Front
Blue Plus
GE 6500K overdriven
Super Actinic
Super Actinic
GE 6500K overdriven
Blue Plus

I think that would give a reasonably balanced look from all three sides;
Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10084195#post10084195 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 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.

for the shallow reef I would use the 6000K and a Actinic Plus which is more blue. The Aquablue wouldn't do much to wash out the tint of the 6000K.

 

[cato]

Currently running a retro T5 overdriven setup with Icecap ballasts/indiv reflectors.

Any idea on par levels from this bulb set up on a sps dominant tank?

Thinking of going this route...

Front
Blue+
SA
GE 3000
GE 6500
Blue+
SA
GE 6500
Blue+

Both SA are on 1 ballast. All 3 Blue + on a 2nd ballast and all GE's on a 3rd ballast. They light up in this order with the GE's being peak light period. Thanks.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Damn thats a lot of light. How tall is the tank? I would say anything under 30" tall should be good for SPS.

 

[lj1064]

Grim I am servicing a tank that currently has 3 250W mh. I suggested they switch the lighting to T5 to reduce the heat to the tank (no chiller). Is this a good rout? It is a 150 gal RR reef (want to be…all corals died) that’s why they wanted someone for service. It is a deep tank apx 30 in and I think it’s 72 in lng w/a closed canopy. I’m looking at spending around $600 what would you recommend?

Thanks

 

[cato]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10085192#post10085192 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Damn thats a lot of light. How tall is the tank? I would say anything under 30" tall should be good for SPS.

Tank is 60 x 24 x 24

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10085268#post10085268 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lj1064
Grim I am servicing a tank that currently has 3 250W mh. I suggested they switch the lighting to T5 to reduce the heat to the tank (no chiller). Is this a good rout? It is a 150 gal RR reef (want to be…all corals died) that’s why they wanted someone for service. It is a deep tank apx 30 in and I think it’s 72 in lng w/a closed canopy. I’m looking at spending around $600 what would you recommend?

Thanks

If it needs a hood the 72" Aquactinics constellation is the way to go. For a retro a 6x80 watt will do

 

[lj1064]

what would be your recomendation on retro brand tek or ice cap? and bulbs

 

[GobyJohnKenobi]

Hey, Grim.

Been lurking and learning for a long time, and I have really apreciated all the info you have shared in this thread.
Thank you for all your hard work.

I'm setting up a 70 show with a combination of MH and T-5s to house SPS and clams.

I chose a 150W Giesemann Nova II for the MH, and I plan to use an XM 10K bulb.

I'm pretty sure that the size and shape of the MH pendant will allow me to fit about 4 T-5 bulbs with IceCap reflectors- 2 in front and 2 behind the MH.

I'd like to set it up for two actinic bulbs for dusk/dawn and the other two for supplemental daylight. I'm thinking of a lighting schedule of 12 hrs actinic, 10 hrs MH and 6-8 hrs of daylight.
Emphasizing the time on the MH because I like glitter lines.

For bulbs I'm thinking of 2 ATI Aquablue, and an ATI Blue PLus and GE 6500 for the daylight bulbs.

What do you think of my proposed setup? Should I overdrive either the actinics or daylights or both? Will this give me an overall light leaning towards the blue side of white?

 

[bheron]

Got my new bulbs today.

Any suggestions on the order I should install them? I have 100% T5 lighting - no other supplemental lighting. These are the bulbs:

11000K Aquablue Plus by Giesemann
Blue Plus by ATI
Blue Plus by ATI
Blue Plus by ATI
3000K Daylight by General Electric
12000K Aquablue Special by ATI
Pure Actinic 03 by Giesemann
Pure Actinic 03 by Giesemann

60" 80W bulbs, powered by two IceCap 660 and one 430.

I was thinking something like this:

Pure Actinic 03 by Giesemann
11000K Aquablue Plus by Giesemann
Blue Plus by ATI
Blue Plus by ATI
3000K Daylight by General Electric
Blue Plus by ATI
12000K Aquablue Special by ATI
Pure Actinic 03 by Giesemann

THoughts?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10085522#post10085522 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lj1064
what would be your recomendation on retro brand tek or ice cap? and bulbs

I'd go Ice Cap

For lamps

Front
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
Aquasun
Blue Plus
GE 6500K
Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10085646#post10085646 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GobyJohnKenobi
Hey, Grim.

Been lurking and learning for a long time, and I have really apreciated all the info you have shared in this thread.
Thank you for all your hard work.

I'm setting up a 70 show with a combination of MH and T-5s to house SPS and clams.

I chose a 150W Giesemann Nova II for the MH, and I plan to use an XM 10K bulb.

I'm pretty sure that the size and shape of the MH pendant will allow me to fit about 4 T-5 bulbs with IceCap reflectors- 2 in front and 2 behind the MH.

I'd like to set it up for two actinic bulbs for dusk/dawn and the other two for supplemental daylight. I'm thinking of a lighting schedule of 12 hrs actinic, 10 hrs MH and 6-8 hrs of daylight.
Emphasizing the time on the MH because I like glitter lines.

For bulbs I'm thinking of 2 ATI Aquablue, and an ATI Blue PLus and GE 6500 for the daylight bulbs.

What do you think of my proposed setup? Should I overdrive either the actinics or daylights or both? Will this give me an overall light leaning towards the blue side of white?

You dont need to overdrive.

I would do this

front
Blue Plus
Aquablue
Halide
Aquablue
Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10086219#post10086219 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bheron
Got my new bulbs today.

Any suggestions on the order I should install them? I have 100% T5 lighting - no other supplemental lighting. These are the bulbs:

11000K Aquablue Plus by Giesemann
Blue Plus by ATI
Blue Plus by ATI
Blue Plus by ATI
3000K Daylight by General Electric
12000K Aquablue Special by ATI
Pure Actinic 03 by Giesemann
Pure Actinic 03 by Giesemann

60" 80W bulbs, powered by two IceCap 660 and one 430.

I was thinking something like this:

Pure Actinic 03 by Giesemann
11000K Aquablue Plus by Giesemann
Blue Plus by ATI
Blue Plus by ATI
3000K Daylight by General Electric
Blue Plus by ATI
12000K Aquablue Special by ATI
Pure Actinic 03 by Giesemann

THoughts?

I think having a blue plus as the front lamp looks better.

Something like

Blue Plus
Pure Actinic
Aquablue
GE 3000K
Blue Plus
Pure Actinic
Aquablue
Blue Plus


You wanna keep the actinic lamps somewhat forward so the light from them hits the viewing side of the corals/

 

[GreenUku]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10084659#post10084659 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
If you are viewing on 3 sides I would try to balance the light.

Front
Blue Plus
GE 6500K overdriven
Super Actinic
Super Actinic
GE 6500K overdriven
Blue Plus

I think that would give a reasonably balanced look from all three sides;
Blue Plus

Thanks Grim.

Here's a link to a thread I just started in an attempt at a DIY ATI-style fixture using IceCap reflectors and minus "active" cooling (is will be active is that it will have fans, just not microprocessor controlled or whatever ATI is doing).

 

[hobbzz]

OK Grim, with your help I already figured out which bulbs to go with. But I changed my mind on the tek kit and was thinking of making my own, and was wondering what you thought of this setup:
4x24w
-Icecap or Tek reflectors...I checked out the Tek2 vs IC reflector thread and would probably go with the IC, but which one would you recommend? I'm kinda concerned about banding with the IC as this is going into a 20L.
-Stucchi endcaps/standoffs
-2 workhorse 3 ballasts (I don't want to overdrive with an IC ballast).

Or I could get 2 workhorse 7's from someone I know, but I do NOT want to overdrive my bulbs. Will the 7's overdrive my bulbs or can I just wire the ballasts to drive the bulbs at 24w each? TIA.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10087228#post10087228 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hobbzz
OK Grim, with your help I already figured out which bulbs to go with. But I changed my mind on the tek kit and was thinking of making my own, and was wondering what you thought of this setup:
4x24w
-Icecap or Tek reflectors...I checked out the Tek2 vs IC reflector thread and would probably go with the IC, but which one would you recommend? I'm kinda concerned about banding with the IC as this is going into a 20L.
-Stucchi endcaps/standoffs
-2 workhorse 3 ballasts (I don't want to overdrive with an IC ballast).

Or I could get 2 workhorse 7's from someone I know, but I do NOT want to overdrive my bulbs. Will the 7's overdrive my bulbs or can I just wire the ballasts to drive the bulbs at 24w each? TIA.

Ice Cap reflectors good, Workhorse ballasts bad. They work, I just aint a fan.

 

[hobbzz]

Since I don't want to overdrive my bulbs (IC), would you recommend Advanced, Universal, or Triad?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Any of those you listed, Sylvania, Vosslow Schwabb, Osram. They are all bout the same.

 

[bheron]

You wanna keep the actinic lamps somewhat forward so the light from them hits the viewing side of the corals

Genius! I like that idea. I just hope the whole set of bulbs isnt too blue.


Anyway, changed out the first 2 bulbs last night. I've decided to take pictures along the way, as I swap out each set of bulbs, befores and afters, and then post them on here to see if people notice a difference. Am thinking of changing out the next two on Friday.