The T5 Q&a Thread

[SSalty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10605616#post10605616 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by danskim
From the front, it'll be blended fine. If you look from the side you'll probably be able to see different areas in different colors, but it's nothing to worry about.
I saw your other thread about what T5s to get. Don't worry and just get the Aquactinics fixture.

Will this have any effects on the corals?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Other than being a butt load of light? You might want to put a few layers of window screen over the tank and pull one a week to let your corals acclimate

 

[SSalty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10606382#post10606382 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Other than being a butt load of light? You might want to put a few layers of window screen over the tank and pull one a week to let your corals acclimate

Haha, is a "butt-load" too much light?

BTW, I dont' have any corals yet so I don't have to worry about acclimating.

 

[sbcaes]

Hey grim, sorry to ask this. but i cannot seem to find the information via search.

What is the Best 36" t5 fixture that does not need to be hanged aka ati powermodule.

I'm looking for something with legs than can sit untop of the tank.

thanks much!

 

[REEFY1]

i have a question would a 14 bulb constellation from aquatinics sitting right on top of the tank be to close? I run the actinics from 12-10 and the others from 1-9 i have 6 whites 2 super blues and 6 actinics is this to much ? See<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z46/NVMYNOVA/DSC00124.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a> Pic

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10606602#post10606602 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SSalty
Haha, is a "butt-load" too much light?

BTW, I dont' have any corals yet so I don't have to worry about acclimating.

Nah, if you are doing softies and stuff just use a couple actinics and a couple blues with a sun, your tank will look like watching cartoons on shrooms

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10606678#post10606678 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sbcaes
Hey grim, sorry to ask this. but i cannot seem to find the information via search.

What is the Best 36" t5 fixture that does not need to be hanged aka ati powermodule.

I'm looking for something with legs than can sit untop of the tank.

thanks much!

Aquactinics

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10607057#post10607057 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by REEFY1
i have a question would a 14 bulb constellation from aquatinics sitting right on top of the tank be to close? I run the actinics from 12-10 and the others from 1-9 i have 6 whites 2 super blues and 6 actinics is this to much ? See<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z46/NVMYNOVA/DSC00124.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a> Pic

Should be fine.

 

[paul_111]

Hey Grim,

I'm researching a new tank and I'd like some advice, please.

If I go with a 30" deep tank, can I still have clams (on the sand) and sps with t5's? I also like softies, so I don't want to fry them if that's a possibility.

What bulb configuration would you use for an 8' long tank that is 2' wide and 30" deep? Two 4-footers with 6 bulbs, or do I need a bank of 8 bulbs (I'm thinking Tek)? I'm torn between a pendant-style and a retro in the canopy (I haven't decided whether to use a canopy yet), so I can't be more specific there.

Are the t5's more energy efficient than HQI's?

Thanks!
Paul

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10611085#post10611085 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by paul_111
Hey Grim,

I'm researching a new tank and I'd like some advice, please.

If I go with a 30" deep tank, can I still have clams (on the sand) and sps with t5's? I also like softies, so I don't want to fry them if that's a possibility.

What bulb configuration would you use for an 8' long tank that is 2' wide and 30" deep? Two 4-footers with 6 bulbs, or do I need a bank of 8 bulbs (I'm thinking Tek)? I'm torn between a pendant-style and a retro in the canopy (I haven't decided whether to use a canopy yet), so I can't be more specific there.

Are the t5's more energy efficient than HQI's?

Here's your problem. If you want enough intensity for clams you aren't going to keep softies happy under T5's/ I would do 3 250 watt halides in Lumenarc reflectors And run T5's for suppliments.

Thanks!
Paul

 

[swilliamson]

Bulb Selection

Bulb Selection

Thanks for your help earlier Grim. You're the best! I ordered up the TX5 fixture.

Another bulb selection question for for a mixed reef...

So far I'm thinking:

Front
1 ATI Blue Plus
2 UVL Super Actinic (420nm)
1 ???
2 ATI Blue Plus
1 ???

(The numbers represent the circuit. Am I right in how that fixture's wired?)

Can't decide on the last two bulbs. Torn between:

GE 3000K
GE 6500K
UVL Aquasun (10,000K)
ATI Aquablue Special (12,000K)

What do you think?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Aquasun
Aquablue

 

[swilliamson]

Thanks!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10611085#post10611085 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by paul_111
Hey Grim,

I'm researching a new tank and I'd like some advice, please.

If I go with a 30" deep tank, can I still have clams (on the sand) and sps with t5's? I also like softies, so I don't want to fry them if that's a possibility.

What bulb configuration would you use for an 8' long tank that is 2' wide and 30" deep? Two 4-footers with 6 bulbs, or do I need a bank of 8 bulbs (I'm thinking Tek)? I'm torn between a pendant-style and a retro in the canopy (I haven't decided whether to use a canopy yet), so I can't be more specific there.

Are the t5's more energy efficient than HQI's?

Thanks!
Paul

Posted this in the wrong spot in my first reply

Here's your problem. If you want enough intensity for clams you aren't going to keep softies happy under T5's/ I would do 3 250 watt halides in Lumenarc reflectors And run T5's for suppliments.

 

[coraladdict]

Grim
I got 4 coral light and 4 figi purple on a 8 lamp fixture the clors are very nice but the green and yellow could pop up a bit more.
What would you change to get those colors?

Thanks

 

[Aqua Keepers]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10605164#post10605164 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pito
Now I have to ask which ones would you wire together to get a dusk to dawn effect? It'll be 4 bulbs per ballast.

1) Blue Plus Blue Plus
2) Super Actinic Super Actinic
3) UVL Aquasun UVL Aquasun
4) Blue Plus Blue Plus
5) UVL Aquablue UVL Aquablue
6) Blue Plus Blue Plus

BTW, thanks for the help!

I got skipped on the last pg.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10613256#post10613256 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by coraladdict
Grim
I got 4 coral light and 4 figi purple on a 8 lamp fixture the clors are very nice but the green and yellow could pop up a bit more.
What would you change to get those colors?

Thanks

Get a UVL Aquasun or GE 6500K and a Super actinic and play with different combinations and see what you think.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10613449#post10613449 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pito
I got skipped on the last pg.

Blue Plus and super actinic

 

[Aqua Keepers]

Maybe I did'n ask correctly. So, let's see if I can clarify my question. I'll have Three IC660 ballasts with each ballast pushing 4 bulbs. I want each ballast to come on one hour after the other. So, let's say ballast1 comes on at 9am. Which 4 bulbs would be in ballast1? Ballast2 comes on at 10am. Which 4 bulbs would be in ballast2? Then at 11am ballast3 kicks on. Again, what 4 bulbs would be in ballast2?

Again, there will be 6 rows (front to back) of bulbs with two bulbs in each row (side by side). Below is how you recomended I place my bulbs. Am i makeing any sence?

1) Blue Plus Blue Plus
2) Super Actinic Super Actinic
3) UVL Aquasun UVL Aquasun
4) Blue Plus Blue Plus
5) UVL Aquablue UVL Aquablue
6) Blue Plus Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Got ya

Do row 2 and 4 on ballast 1

1 and 6 on ballast 2

3 and 5 on ballast three.

Should give you a cool ramp up to full light