The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10370602#post10370602 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lukinrats
I got an 8 bulb fixture, and want to know what a good bulb combination for it would be... I like the blue look

Thanks,

Front
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
Blue Plus
GE 6500K or Giesemann Midday
Super Actinic
Aquablue
Blue Plus

 

[ChiiBear]

Hi Grim,
I'm setting up a 20g (24Lx13Wx16H) prop tank (acrylic) for SPS. Coral will be sitting on eggcreate about 12" from water surface.
Wonder if Nova EXtreme 4-24W $159.99 is good enough.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=12772&N=2004+113175
If it is, what will be a good bulb combinations. Thanks!!

 

[SecretAgentMan]

Wanting to try something different from what I have now:
All UVL
2 - Super Actinics
2 - 10K Daylight
2 - 6.7k Aquasun

Would adding some Gieseman AquaBlue+ make a big difference? I'd like a crisper look to the tank. A bit yellow right now...

It's going on the Solar Flare.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10371795#post10371795 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DidYouSayReefer
Hey Grim,

I have my T5s and SLR reflector on the way. I need a ballast now to over drive them. I don't have the coin at the moment for an Ice cap so I want to go with something cheaper. Will REL4P32SC35 by Advance work for overdriving 2 24 watt t5s. It is rated to do 4 30 watt T8s. Here are the specs. I work for an electrical distributor and I can get Advance ballasts really cheap. Let me know if you have any suggestions. Thank you

Advance makes a real T5 ballast, go with that. Don't try to overdrive the lamps with anything but a Ice Cap ballast

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10372395#post10372395 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dagda
I'm looking for a bulb combo for my 7x54w retro. These are not overdriven.

The tank is 54x24x30 and viewable from both sides, so it needs to be balanced and have a bit of punch.

Blue Plus
Super Actinic
Aquablue
UVL Aquasun
Aquablue
Super Actinic
Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10373612#post10373612 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by spider8u
Hey Grim i made a post that i had the Nova Extreme T-5 Fixtures w/Lunar Lights you said If 6 of them use a UVL Aquasun or GE 3000K, Super Actinic, GE 6500K and 3 Blue Pluses (or 2 blue Pluses and a aquablue for a more white look) i forgot to say i have the 8 bulb light fixture so witch ones should i get for that i do like the blue look more but not to blue thx

At a couple of aquablues or a aquablue and super actinic.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10373954#post10373954 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Iconz
Grim, I had a 24w 10k blow today in my 4x24w retro kit... and am thinking about buying all new bulbs.. is this config below your reccomendation for a primary lps, zoa, softie tank?

thanks!
jd

Should be good for your tank too.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10374072#post10374072 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by KniLLifer
Hey Grimm,

I currently have a 770 Watt VHO setup on a 4' 120 Gallon Tank. I'm running (3) Super Actinic 46.5" bulbs on (1) 660 IceCap and (4) Actinic Whites or 50/50 bulbs on the other 660 IceCap. I really want to get into keeping more SPS and would like to make the switch to T5's as I'm currently having some difficulty keeping Acropora and Montipora.

If you were to switch only the (4) VHO 50/50 bulbs to T5 Bulbs what would your choice be keeping in mind that they would be mixed within the (3) remaining VHO Super Actinics?

Thanks in advance.

ATI Blue plus (use this as the front lamp) UVL Aquasun, 1 GE 6500 Daylight , 1 ATI Aquablue. If you wanted to you could add a couple more T5's running on that second ballast with a couple of VHO Actinics, you can run different types of lamps on a 660. If you were to do that I would go with 2 ATI Blue Plus and 2 VHO Actinics on one ballast With 2 Aquasun and 2 Aquablues on the other.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10374238#post10374238 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ChiiBear
Hi Grim,
I'm setting up a 20g (24Lx13Wx16H) prop tank (acrylic) for SPS. Coral will be sitting on eggcreate about 12" from water surface.
Wonder if Nova EXtreme 4-24W $159.99 is good enough.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=12772&N=2004+113175
If it is, what will be a good bulb combinations. Thanks!!

Be fine. I would use a couple of UVL Aquasuns and 2 Blue Plus. Should give you good PAR and color up the frags.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10374425#post10374425 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SecretAgentMan
Wanting to try something different from what I have now:
All UVL
2 - Super Actinics
2 - 10K Daylight
2 - 6.7k Aquasun

Would adding some Gieseman AquaBlue+ make a big difference? I'd like a crisper look to the tank. A bit yellow right now...

It's going on the Solar Flare.

Take out one 10K and 1 Aquasun and add 2 ATI Blue Plus or Giesemann Actinic Plus. I would think about dropping one SA for an Aquablue.

 

[yeldarbj]

Has anyone tried or seen the new UVL Aquablue? It says 75% super actinic, 25% full spectrum daylight. I was thinking about swapping my UVL super actinic for one of these UVL Aquablue's to use with a Blue Plus for dusk/dawn. Would it look good or not? I'm assuming it will be quite a bit more bright than the super actinic.

I'm currently just not getting much benefit from the super actinic, my corals "pop" out with color just under the Blue Plus bulb, the super actinic gives no additional impact that I can tell. My current bulbs are only a couple months old.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

If you have any green fluorescent corals the SA make a big difference. I am going to order some of the new Aqua Blues.

 

[KniLLifer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10374759#post10374759 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
ATI Blue plus (use this as the front lamp) UVL Aquasun, 1 GE 6500 Daylight , 1 ATI Aquablue. If you wanted to you could add a couple more T5's running on that second ballast with a couple of VHO Actinics, you can run different types of lamps on a 660. If you were to do that I would go with 2 ATI Blue Plus and 2 VHO Actinics on one ballast With 2 Aquasun and 2 Aquablues on the other.

Let me get it straight:

(Front of Tank)
ATI Blue +
VHO Super Actinic
UVL AquaSun
VHO Super Actinic
GE 6500 Day Light
VHO Super Actinic
ATI AquaBlue

Correct?

Thanks again.

 

[DidYouSayReefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10374631#post10374631 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Advance makes a real T5 ballast, go with that. Don't try to overdrive the lamps with anything but a Ice Cap ballast

Grim,

Can you point to a site in which I can find why I shouldn't do this? Have you ever tried? If the ballast can power 3 40 watt t8s why will it not power 2 24 watt T5? I am not arguing, but I am curious to find out if it would work. Will I start a fire or just blow the bulbs? I have read a couple sites on plant forums where people are doing it with larger watt T8s and had success. If anything I would be drawing less watts then the ballast is rated for. 24 watts X 1.7 X 2 bulbs = 82 watts. Is there something different about T5s vs T8s other than size and watts. Can't you power VHO on the same ballast as T5s (Ice Cap)? You seem like you know much more about it but I am just curious. I just think buying an Ice Cap when you can do the same thing with another ballast would be saving money for other aquarium related items. Anyone else have an opinion on this?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

The Ice Cap ballasts are expensive for a reason. They have a lot of circuits that monitor lamp conditions including end of life. What happens is as the lamp ages the internal resistance drops. If the ballast doesn't compensate or shut down it can push too much current to the lamp which could melt down the endcaps, wiring or damage the ballast itself. If you use a ballast that is pushing an unknown amount of current through the lamp to begin with you can fry the lamp in a short period of time and or damage the endcaps or wiring.

The ballast you mention might be OK. Do you really want take a chance that it will ruin your lamps or endcaps? If your willing to take the chance just keep a close eye on things and use a couple fans blowing in the area of the endcaps to keep the lamps from getting too hot. You need to do that even with Ice Cap ballasts.

 

[db_triggerfish]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10381933#post10381933 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer

If your willing to take the chance just keep a close eye on things and use a couple fans blowing in the area of the endcaps to keep the lamps from getting too hot. You need to do that even with Ice Cap ballasts.

I just pick up a Icecap 660-009, i plan to use my 2 azoo fan units to help keep temps down. But I didn't know that the endcaps can melt with a 660! wow I am big worry head about fires, has anyone seen fire issues with it.

Since I am now going with DIY T5 retro i will be reading the entire thread, over the next few days, maybe a week. Thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

As long as the endcaps are VHO rated you will be fine.

 

[db_triggerfish]

sorry double post

 

[db_triggerfish]

This is a diagram from marinedepot for VHO, can i follow it for a 4x54w T5 setup using a ic 660?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Yes