The T5 Q&a Thread

[spike78]

Hello,

I've ordered up a 200 Gal Bowfront. The dimentions are 72"x18"x30"deep with a midpoint width of 24". I was planning on running 6 X 36" T5 IceCap retros X 2 rows. I have a couple questions as I'm rather new to T5 lighting.

Am I going to have problems with the depth assuming I will be mounting the units ~ 4" above the surface?

Is this going to be enough light for a reef tank assuming I would like to include some SPS?

What bulb combination would you recommend?

Thanks a million,

Steve

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Just keep the SPS in the upper half of the tank and you will be fine.

For lamps I would do rows like this

Front
Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic Dusk/dawn
UVL Aquasun
Blue Plus Dusk/dawn
GE 6500K
Blue Plus

 

[spike78]

Thanks Grim! Do you have any favorite vendors for picking up this equipment?

Thanks,

Steve

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Reefgeek usually has some of the best prices and the service is really good.

 

[trmiv]

Looking for a bulb suggestion. This is for a 40g breeder that is going to be just softies, LPS and maybe a digitata and cap (I'm done with full SPS setups until I get a house). I'm either purchasing a 4x39w Tek pendant or one of the Ice Cap retros from Reefgeek. I'm leaning towards the pendant right now just because I think 40 breeders look too short with canopies on them, so I think the pendant with legs will give a nice look. Anyway, I want like a slightly bluer than 14K look that will fluoresce the corals well.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Try a GE 6500K daylight, 2 Blue Plus and a UVL Super Actinic. Should look very nice.

 

[spike78]

Grim,

One last quick question for you: Do you recommend going with normally driven bulbs for the IceCap retros, or should I go overdriven being that the tank is 30" deep?

Thanks,

Steve

 

[champscorner]

Grim, how do you think 2x54w 10ks and 2x54w fiji purples in conjunction with 2x250w pheonix mh's on hqi would look?

 

[trmiv]

Thanks Grim. Another question, if I decided to get the Aquactinics 36" TX5 5x39w instead of the Tek, what should I select for my 5th bulb to add to the GE 6500K daylight, 2 Blue Plus and a UVL Super Actinic? Would that Aquactinics be a bit overkill compared to the Tek for a 40 breeder with just LPS and softies?

 

[katchupoy]

Hello Grim,

quick question. what equipment/device are you using to measure these lights?

is it a lux meter? or light meter like apogee?

if lux, then will it really be able to see the diff between new and old bulb (12months). Or you cannot do this in lux meter but only to par meters?

Thank you.

I just want to see if those cheap 80 dollar lux meter can tell me if i need to replace the bulb or not.... I mean sensitive enough to see the difference.

thanks in advance

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I would go overdriven if you plan on very much SPS or want any clams. Normally driven you can keep SPS as long as they are in the upper part of the tank.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10258283#post10258283 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by spike78
Grim,

One last quick question for you: Do you recommend going with normally driven bulbs for the IceCap retros, or should I go overdriven being that the tank is 30" deep?

Thanks,

Steve

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10258623#post10258623 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by champscorner
Grim, how do you think 2x54w 10ks and 2x54w fiji purples in conjunction with 2x250w pheonix mh's on hqi would look?

Do it and let me know

I wouldn't use the 10K's with the Phoenix. The purples would probably look very cool with it. I would probably use 3 purples and a good actinic. I still havent played much with the purple enough to say how an actinic will add to its look but I think it would be a good combo.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

If you go for the aquactinic I would do this for lamps

Front
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
Super Actinic
Blue Plus or Aquablue for a more white look

That should make softies glow really well.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10259755#post10259755 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by trmiv
Thanks Grim. Another question, if I decided to get the Aquactinics 36" TX5 5x39w instead of the Tek, what should I select for my 5th bulb to add to the GE 6500K daylight, 2 Blue Plus and a UVL Super Actinic? Would that Aquactinics be a bit overkill compared to the Tek for a 40 breeder with just LPS and softies?

 

[silverwolf72]

Got the HelloLights 48" retro with a Aquasun and UV Super actinic. I got nothing to compare it to but I like it. They use a faceted reflector just FYI. I will be getting another retro too with 2 ATI Blue pluses for a total of 4 T5s. Does this sound like a good mix? I can say that really surprised how cool these things run. Had a 175W MH and even 6 inches from the light you could still feel the heat even with fans running, these things even right next to them I can barely feel anything and I haven't even set up fans to blow across them yet.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Get a Blue Plus or Actinic Plus as one of the lamps in your next retro. Both are Blue lamps that are a great addition.

 

[silverwolf72]

On fans do I need one blowing across on both ends or down the length? Also is there a recommended CFM?
2 Blue Pluses or 1 Blue Plus + ???.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

2 blue pluses or 1 Blue Plus and a aquablue for a brighter look

A small fan blowing down the row of endcaps on each side is good. Blowing fans directly on the lamp can overcool them and drop output. you just need to move the air a little.

 

[silverwolf72]

Thanks a ton!! I swear you must live in the forums

 

[The Grim Reefer]

pretty much,

 

[silverwolf72]

Curious to know if the faceted or the gull wing designs are better? Sorry I might be a little gitty on getting new stuff for my tank.