The T5 Q&a Thread

[stony_corals]

They are the SLRs.... One thing you'll find with the UVL Super Actinics compared to your other bulbs is that they are, to the eye, pretty dim... That's the best thing about T5s, the ability to tweak things to your visual taste..... I've stopped using the UVL SAs. I like they look that Simons tank has seems 10-12k. I'm not a 20k fan by any stretch. I also went from using UVL SAs for the dawn/dusk look to the Blue+ and KZ Fiji Purple on all my tanks. I wanted something different than pure Blue+ for dawn/dusk.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10199573#post10199573 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by E-A-G-L-E-S
Grim...what is your visual perspective of the C.L.'s? Someone on zeo forum said he felt his UVL Aquasuns looked better.

I'm thinking F to B
Fiji purple
UVL-SA
ATI Aqua blue or Blue+
UVL Aquasun or KZ Coral Light
Fiji purple
Either: UVL Aquasun or KZ Coral Light

I can't really say which would look better. I think you are going to find both lamps are going to have their uses. The Aquasun definatly brings out some color but I personally use the GE3000K. I think the coral light will be great for brightening up the look of the light for those who want a more silvery look to their light. Right now I am running a Super Actinic, Aquasun, Fiji Purple and Coral Light over my tank and I would call it somewhere between 10 and 14K. If this was permanent I would probably try a blue plus or aquablue in place of the coral light and the Aquasun to see what the different looks are, I would want a tich more blue

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10199803#post10199803 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lukinrats
So Grim... You would get the Tek instead of the Icecap? That I will need an explaination on... I have always read that the Icecaps were the best of the Retrofits

Ice Caps are great but do you really need to overdrive the lamps? Not if you want softies and open brains. I personally like the option of having more lamps. With the Ice Cap reflectors you will have more than enough light for LPS and softies using 6 lamps. If you were doing high light critters like clams and anemones then I could see overdriving.

If you want to go with 4 overdriven then I would see about having Reefgeek put together a system using those Tek II reflectors that are 3 inches wide. You wouldn't have (or need) the punch the Ice Cap reflectors have but would get better light spread.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10199879#post10199879 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RichinFL
Quick question -

I currently use 4x96 Power Compacts in my 2 60 gallon tanks, and the reflector and clips are having issues...

I will be scrapping one of these tanks soon (upgrading to a 120), but the other is being moved into the master bedroom in a few weeks (remodel almost done)..

I am looking at T5 vs MH and from what I have been reading T5 gives alot more bang for the buck.

My question is regarding watt per gallon (wpg)... I was told 4wpg was the bare minimum for a reef tank. I was "told" that the T5 or MH fixtures don't follow that rule as it was for power compacts only.

What are the wpg requirements of a T5 tank?

I plan to use icecaps to overdriver the T5s if I end up going with them... any suggestions on brands of bulbs or strengths/weaknesses of each? What bulb combinations should I use? I currently use 10ks and actinics with my tanks but I have read some people use 3 - 4 different wavelengths at times.

Sorry for shotgunning questions but I need to make a decision in the next 48 hours, as I am a pilot and the only person who can actually do repairs to the tank... my wife feeds and keeps water up.

If you want SPS, Anemones or clams then you should overdrive the lamps with Ice Cap ballasts. 6 lamps should do it. If you want a fixture the Aquactinics Solar Flare would be great. Otherwise a 6 lamp Ice Cap retro. I would use 1 UVL Aquasun, 1 UVL Super Actinic, 1 GE 6500K and 3 Blue Plus and grab an Aquablue for a spare and that will allow you to experiment with different looks.

 

[lukinrats]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10200421#post10200421 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Ice Caps are great but do you really need to overdrive the lamps? Not if you want softies and open brains. I personally like the option of having more lamps. With the Ice Cap reflectors you will have more than enough light for LPS and softies using 6 lamps. If you were doing high light critters like clams and anemones then I could see overdriving.

If you want to go with 4 overdriven then I would see about having Reefgeek put together a system using those Tek II reflectors that are 3 inches wide. You wouldn't have (or need) the punch the Ice Cap reflectors have but would get better light spread.

Well, my thinking is this, I want to go ahead, and buy something that will allow me to keep anything I want... That is of course, in case I decide to other corals besides just softies... I think that is what I want the tank to be, but have not actually made up my mind yet... So I just want to buy what I need now, and then if I end up going the other way, I will be ready without having to re invest... Does this make sense?

The only other question that I believe I have is: Would I rather go with T5's or would I rather go with 1 x 400 watt Halide pendant? I have been trying to read through this thread to answer that question for myself, but it is just too overwhelming... I wish they would include a search feature inside the actual thread, on these large ones.

Sorry, for being so needy, but I cant decide which is best, and I know that the PAR tests between lighting choices have been done by a lot of you... If a 400 w Halide would not work (prob not) then I could go with 2 x 150 watt pendants
Please LMK, and then I will leave everyone alone on the lights

Later,

 

[The Grim Reefer]

If you want halides 2 250's would be best.

 

[lukinrats]

Really??? I was thinking 2 250's would be too much!!!

Still just trying to plan ahead... I still am curious if Halides or GOOD T5's are better PAR

 

[jlt23]

I finally ordered my tank (36L x 20"W x 14"H) and was thinking of using T5s. Would 4 bulbs be ok or could 6 fit? Should I go with the Tek 2 Retrofit Kit or the Icecap? And what color combo of bulbs should I go with? I like a little bluer look. Sorry for all of the questions. I appreciate the help.

Thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10201034#post10201034 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lukinrats
Really??? I was thinking 2 250's would be too much!!!

Still just trying to plan ahead... I still am curious if Halides or GOOD T5's are better PAR

Depends on the 250s. Run Ice Cap ballasts which use less power and run something like Phoenix 14K's and you will be able to keep most critters happy and have a nice look.

 

[lukinrats]

Ok... thanks... I did not know how the Halide question was going to go over in the T5 thread, but I was curious

 

[The Grim Reefer]

We dont discriminate here

 

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

Grim...i feel like a little kid a few days before christmas, except i'm buying my own presents. This hasn't happened since the first time i hooked up a halide 3 years ago
I really wish I had a digital camera to take combo pics for on here.
I will be playing and switching and rewiring alot the day they come

 

[lukinrats]

Ok... thanks... So I went and looked at the Ice cap Pendant, and I notice that I can do the 2 x 250w for around $360 w/o bulbs of course... This is not bad, so now my question would be, IYO which one would you prefer

The things that would concern me are

Heat (how much hotter is this going to be than 6 x 54w T5's)

size of ballast compared to what I would have using T5's

Color( if I like the blueness, would I like 14k or 20k better)

Why does everything have to be so hard, or a better way to ask would be, why do I have to make everything so hard

 

[lukinrats]

Also, how would 1 400 watt pendant do on a 90 gallon?

 

[RichinFL]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10200105#post10200105 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by E-A-G-L-E-S
Rich....6 lamps would be great for that tank.
You can save money now and get a retro with no icecap 660 to overdrive the lamps and then upgrade to 660's in the future if you go hard into sps -or- you can spend more now, get a retro with an icecap 660 and not have to change.
For two lamps you would need two 660's.

If you don't think you will be getting heavy into sps then a TEK 5 fixture would be good or an aquatinics fixture.

-jmo

I only have experience with HELLOLIGHTS, and they don't have anything but a single T5 reflector. Is there anywhere I can get a 4 - 6 light reflector?

And you said for two lamps I would need 2 660's? So I need one ballast per bulb if I overdrive?

Lastly, how is the light output going to compare with 4 x 96w PCs?

 

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

1. Reefgeek.com -- premiumaquatics.com
2. Each 660 can run 4 54w(48") lamps overdriven. So if you have 5-8 lamps you need a second one.
3. A 4 x 54w T5 retro with individual reflectors(preferrably Icecap SLR's) will astonish you compared to a 4x96w p.c., especially if overdriven by 660.

 

[RichinFL]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10201620#post10201620 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by E-A-G-L-E-S
1. Reefgeek.com -- premiumaquatics.com
2. Each 660 can run 4 54w(48") lamps overdriven. So if you have 5-8 lamps you need a second one.
3. A 4 x 54w T5 retro with individual reflectors(preferrably Icecap SLR's) will astonish you compared to a 4x96w p.c., especially if overdriven by 660.

Thanks Matt -

But my 65 runs is only 36 wide... so I am stuck with 36 for the 65... for the 120 I would go with what 8x54 and vary the blulbs along the width...

For my 4 x 36 set ( if thats enough light ) what would you go with as far as bulbs?

 

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

It's 4 x 39w.
Are you going to use a canopy or only a fixture?

 

[lukinrats]

The only reason I ask is because the guy that owns the LFS has a corner bowfront that has only 1 x 400w 20,000k that looks great... I am sure that it would not work on mine though... That would be too cheap.. LOL!!!

What do you guys think of the Hellolights Halide Retrofits... They seem to be pretty good, and are very reasonable compared to others

Thanks,

 

[keihin39]

grim,just a quick question i have a solar flare fixture that will go on my new 30 in deep reef tank,can you give me your opionion on bulb type,bulb placement and run times please thanks for your time,
ray