The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
I'd agree with the above two posts.
The T5 Q&a Thread
- Thread starter JohnL
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nomadnumber29
New member
Considering cost, why are the solar flare better than the Constellation? More bulbs, or better endcaps?
Thanks
Thanks
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Ice Cap Ballasts. They overdrive the lamps which makes it a lot brighter.
osprey77
New member
I've been running for about a month on the following with the aquatinics Tx5
3 x 54W T5 Aquablue Plus 11K Giesemann
2 x 54W T5 Pure Actinic Giesemann PowerChrome Bulb
Things look good but don't really have that POP appeal. The monti's look good but the Millie could use some color, i put him at the top. Any suggestion on switching bulbs for some more par and some more pop.
3 x 54W T5 Aquablue Plus 11K Giesemann
2 x 54W T5 Pure Actinic Giesemann PowerChrome Bulb
Things look good but don't really have that POP appeal. The monti's look good but the Millie could use some color, i put him at the top. Any suggestion on switching bulbs for some more par and some more pop.
stony_corals
New member
GE 3K will add plenty of PAR. On a 75 that'll be enough light to be great colorization. However, lighting is but one factor, nutrient levels IMHO are much more influential for effecting sps colorization.
Hey Grim,
First off my tank is 36"x36"x12. It is going to be a very shallow sps dominated tank. I have a Uri-icecap ballast and had a few questions, How many bulbs can i run on this ballast? Should i use T-5's or VHO? And if so will this be enough light for my sps? If you could suggest the exact bulbs i should get and maybe a website too id really appreciate it. I still need endcaps and everything, im new to t-5's, so sorry about the newb questions. Thanks for all the answers though.
First off my tank is 36"x36"x12. It is going to be a very shallow sps dominated tank. I have a Uri-icecap ballast and had a few questions, How many bulbs can i run on this ballast? Should i use T-5's or VHO? And if so will this be enough light for my sps? If you could suggest the exact bulbs i should get and maybe a website too id really appreciate it. I still need endcaps and everything, im new to t-5's, so sorry about the newb questions. Thanks for all the answers though.
stony_corals
New member
Just a thought Chris, you'd be fine with T5, however since your tank is shallow, you'd definitely want to suspend the T5 a little above the tank (some rest the fixture on the tank). On one of my frag sys (48 x 24 x 12), I had a Solar Flare running, and rather than having the bulbs light "mix", the lamps lights were pretty separate and I did experience some bleaching under the GE 3ks....
That'll be a nice setup. Which Icecap ballast do you have? A 660 will power 4 36" bulbs. You may want to pick up a 430 and run two more... Also this way you could have the 2 bulbs (430) as your dawn/dusk bulbs, and the 4 from your 660 as full intensity....
I'd definitely run one GE 3K, 2-3 ATI aquablues (or sub out one for a KZ Fiji Purple), and an ATI Blue+ and a UVL Super Actinic...
That'll be a nice setup. Which Icecap ballast do you have? A 660 will power 4 36" bulbs. You may want to pick up a 430 and run two more... Also this way you could have the 2 bulbs (430) as your dawn/dusk bulbs, and the 4 from your 660 as full intensity....
I'd definitely run one GE 3K, 2-3 ATI aquablues (or sub out one for a KZ Fiji Purple), and an ATI Blue+ and a UVL Super Actinic...
The tank is actually going to sit in the center of the room so you can walk around and see everything. I had the it drilled in the middle for my return and overflow. The rock work is built kind of like a island. So yes my light is going to be hanging above it and will be adjustable to different heights above the tank. The ballast i have, is the same as the 660 except it does not have a heatsink installed in it. Where could i look at these bulbs online. Id really like to do this with just 4 bulbs to start. I just want to make sure that it will sustain my sps. Thanks
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
I would drop one aquablue and one Pure Actinic for two blue pluses or actinic pluses. Drop another Aquablue for a GE 3000K or a UVL Aquasun.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Not all of the URI ballasts can run T5 lamps, not that you need to overdrive over that tank anyway. I would run standard T5 ballasts with good reflectors and lamps like Stoney recoed
Post in the Ice Cap forum and ask them about your particular ballast
nomadnumber29
New member
Does overdriving the lamps make the lifespan shorter or produce more heat?
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
It will produce more heat. It might decrease the life of the lamp a tad but as long as you use fans to keep things fro overheating it is not a hug deal.
aeroaustin
New member
There Reefgeek carry ATI Sun Pro in stock. I am going order one.
thecichlidpleco
New member
How long before replacing T5 bulbs and what are best to replace with links please for good deals on bulbs or quality bulbs
Aquactinics
Registered Member
ganjero,
The first switch on the Constellation series controls lamps 1, 4, and 7 along with the first fan. The second switch controls lamps 3 & 5 along with the second fan. The third switch (usually used for the actinics) controls lamps 2 & 6.
Thank you,
Tom
Aquactinics
The first switch on the Constellation series controls lamps 1, 4, and 7 along with the first fan. The second switch controls lamps 3 & 5 along with the second fan. The third switch (usually used for the actinics) controls lamps 2 & 6.
Thank you,
Tom
Aquactinics
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
You will need to be careful how you place high light critters. Keep them in the top half of the tank and you should be good. If you want a SPS dominent tank you might want to see if Aquactinics is making a 36" constellation fixture or get on a waiting list from reefgeek for an ATI power module.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
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