The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10702374#post10702374 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bdare
Would all the blue lamps and atinics make the tank look too blue?

If I went with the nova fixture and kept the glass lid on, would I still be able to keep a BTA and LPS on the sand?

Should I consider something like the Coralife clamp on 150 watt 14K fixture? Would that give me heat issues? Can I run the coralife MH with a glass lid? I'm just really afraid of jumpers and my 2 children under 3 getting bright ideas....

I do plan on keeping like a 10 gallon sump with around 400 gph running through it. I'm hoping this will provide me with enough cooling.

Thanks again for your imput.

Ben

So do an Aquablue instead of one of the Blue Pluses. As far as jumpers and such you can get the eggcrate from Home Depot. Thats the white plastic squares they use on commercial fluorescent lighting fixtures. Works great over a tank.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10702704#post10702704 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mark75
Grim,
I received my 36" Nova Extreme today and I am not happy with the color of my bulbs, too blue! I would like to change out at least one of the actinics. What is a good bulb to replace it with? Would changing out all the current bulbs make a big improvement? I will be replacing the bulbs one at a time, in what order would you replace the bulbs and with what bulbs? thank you.

Swap one out for a GE 6500K. I'd run the current lamps for about 6 months and then dump them.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10703086#post10703086 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sweetpea355
Hey Grim,
Wanting to get rid of halides for t-5's and was wondering how the T5 Tek Retro Kit 60in- 4 x 80w would be on a mixed reef with clams, and what would be a good bulb combo?
Thanks
Joe

Do they have an 80 watt fixture now or is that the retro? The retro would probably work fine although I would get 6 lampa if they will fit.

 

[sweetpea355]

It's a retro but as of now they don't have a 6 bulb kit so can I just add 2 more to it?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Order from reefgeek. They can put together whatever size you want.

 

[sweetpea355]

Thanks for the help, what would be a good 6 bulb combo?

 

[destaf3080]

Hi Grim, i'm sure this has been asked but sorry for not looking back at the 100+ pages.

I have a 56g 30x24x18 and will have SPS,LPS,SOFTIES, in it will a Nova T5 4x24w be enough? i mean theres a big price difference in a Tek T5 setup. If i keep everything towards the top that needs more light would everything be fine? i'm trying to go the cheaper route since this is my first tank.

Thanks for your time

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10703318#post10703318 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sweetpea355
Thanks for the help, what would be a good 6 bulb combo?

Front
Blue Plus
Actinic
GE 3000K
Blue Plus
Aquablue
Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10703416#post10703416 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by destaf3080
Hi Grim, i'm sure this has been asked but sorry for not looking back at the 100+ pages.

I have a 56g 30x24x18 and will have SPS,LPS,SOFTIES, in it will a Nova T5 4x24w be enough? i mean theres a big price difference in a Tek T5 setup. If i keep everything towards the top that needs more light would everything be fine? i'm trying to go the cheaper route since this is my first tank.

Thanks for your time

I'd try to get at least a 6 lamp unit and be very carefull about where you place the SPS

 

[jsw]

T5 noob here.

I have a 24"x15"x13" 20 gallon that I'm setting up. I'm going to have a Tek 4x24w over it -- 4 inches above the water.

2xGiesemann Aquablue+
2xGiesemann Actinic+

The tank will mostly be acros and other high light corals. Is this setup going to cut it? Or should I do the IceCap SLR mod that'll pump some more light? Any changes to the bulb choice?

 

[etrigo29]

Grim, or anyone else is welcome to chim in

I need one last question answered. Price now for the Limited Edition Tek fixture is 439 with bulbs, a great deal I think but its probably like that for a reason. Can I get away with this fixture and have a a clam in there in my 120 (24" tall)? Just at that price I don't know if its worth spending the extra, does that make sense?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10704064#post10704064 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jsw
T5 noob here.

I have a 24"x15"x13" 20 gallon that I'm setting up. I'm going to have a Tek 4x24w over it -- 4 inches above the water.

2xGiesemann Aquablue+
2xGiesemann Actinic+

The tank will mostly be acros and other high light corals. Is this setup going to cut it? Or should I do the IceCap SLR mod that'll pump some more light? Any changes to the bulb choice?

I would throw a Aquasun in place of a Aquablue.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10704247#post10704247 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by etrigo29
Grim, or anyone else is welcome to chim in

I need one last question answered. Price now for the Limited Edition Tek fixture is 439 with bulbs, a great deal I think but its probably like that for a reason. Can I get away with this fixture and have a a clam in there in my 120 (24" tall)? Just at that price I don't know if its worth spending the extra, does that make sense?

If you are going to do a clam I would spend the dough on the LE.

 

[etrigo29]

Grim

I meant spend the extra on the Constellation/ATI....sorry for the confusion

 

[wharfrat48]

I have a T5 ballast (Triad I think) that I used to power 2 54W bulbs. Can I use that same ballast to power 2 24W bulbs? If not, how about the 39W bulbs?

Thanks

 

[shackscs]

Grimm....You Da' Man!!!

Grimm....You Da' Man!!!

I put my 4 x 39w Tex lights on the 65 gallon and talk about Pop Pop Pop!!! It looks like a total different tank. Before it looked like a tank with a lot of rock on top of rocks with stuff growing on the rocks. But now everything is showing their true colors.

My Xenias are pulsing which they did not do before and it looks spectacular! I ran out and grabbed a few more pieces to really show off the tank and all I can say is WOW what a difference the lighting makes.

Thanks again.

 

[bdare]

Does anyone have the Tec fixture resting on the tank or is everyone ponying up for the legs? ( I don't want to hang)

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Get one of those over the Tek, your clam will love you for it

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10704325#post10704325 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by etrigo29
Grim

I meant spend the extra on the Constellation/ATI....sorry for the confusion

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I seem to remember seeing that you cant run anything but the correct lamps on those ballasts.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10706860#post10706860 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wharfrat48
I have a T5 ballast (Triad I think) that I used to power 2 54W bulbs. Can I use that same ballast to power 2 24W bulbs? If not, how about the 39W bulbs?

Thanks

 

[mario8402]

hey grim,
I think my order got botched up when I placed the order and I recieved 3 super actinic and 1 actinic white.
Of course I didnt notice this until the install was complete and all packaging was destroyed lol.. so rolling with it I put 2 super actinics in the back , the acnitic white and then 1 super actinic up front.. is this bulb combo going to support coral or do I need to get another bulb?
Looking for a cheap way here lol, icecaps arent cheap haha

This is an icecap retro w/ 660 and slr

ps.. the light output is VERY noticeable and the color actually isnt too bad, almost a crisp white with a purplish hue to it.. weird. anway, just wanted to get your thoughts