The T5 Q&a Thread

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Thanks grim, even the Teks look better than my current reflector... this should be a really good upgrade. I can't wait.

Do the aquatinics reflectors not have that little hump in the middle above the bulb? I couldn't really tell by your photo and there doesn't seem to be any photos floating around. My current reflector is flat in that area.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10759546#post10759546 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by barjam
Thanks grim, even the Teks look better than my current reflector... this should be a really good upgrade. I can't wait.

Do the aquatinics reflectors not have that little hump in the middle above the bulb? I couldn't really tell by your photo and there doesn't seem to be any photos floating around. My current reflector is flat in that area.
Click to expand...

Sorta curved for the Aquactinics, harder to see but they work.
 
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by MstgKillr
Mr. Grim,

Please help me decide on lights for my new 215 (72 x 24 x 29).

I would like to keep a mixed reef including clams and sps while using a 15" canopy. I don't want to be limited due to lighting.

I am going back and forth between MH, T5, MH & T5, light movers, etc... There is just so many choices I can't decide and its driving me nuts. So if this was your tank what type of lighting would you go with.

Could you be specific with bulb selection, fixture choices, etc...

I just want to say thanks in advance for your help.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



As long as we are spending YOUR money I would do T5's and a halide on a light mover. I would do 39 watt T5's side by side to cover the length of the tank. I would do 5 rows of lamps, 3 in front of the halide and 2 behind it. I would make mounts so the lamps are at least within 6" of the tank. You can use hinges or something if you need to have the front bank of lamps swing up so you can access the tank. I would use Ice Cap reflectors but normally driven lamps.

For the halide I would use a Reefoptix pendant with a 400 watt 20K lamp like a radium.

For all the lamps I would do this

Front
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
UVL Super Actinic
Radium Halide
Aquablue
Blue Plus

You could set the halide so it was fairly close to the tank, like 6 or 8" above and have it cover the tank over 4 or 5 hours. The intense 20K blue should blend in pretty good with the T5's. I think it will give you a kinda bluish 14K halide look overall.

Or you could just get a 72" maristar halide/T5 fixture and call it good


What about 8 x 80w Ice Cap Retro overdriven to 100w?


__________________
 
Hey Grim Reefer i was told to ask you about my 55g and T5 lighting.
I'd like to keep SPS in my 55g but is 4x54w T5's enough light? And what bulbs would be the best?

Thank you Grim!!!


Nick
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10759705#post10759705 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MstgKillr
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by MstgKillr
Mr. Grim,

Please help me decide on lights for my new 215 (72 x 24 x 29).

I would like to keep a mixed reef including clams and sps while using a 15" canopy. I don't want to be limited due to lighting.

I am going back and forth between MH, T5, MH & T5, light movers, etc... There is just so many choices I can't decide and its driving me nuts. So if this was your tank what type of lighting would you go with.

Could you be specific with bulb selection, fixture choices, etc...

I just want to say thanks in advance for your help.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



As long as we are spending YOUR money I would do T5's and a halide on a light mover. I would do 39 watt T5's side by side to cover the length of the tank. I would do 5 rows of lamps, 3 in front of the halide and 2 behind it. I would make mounts so the lamps are at least within 6" of the tank. You can use hinges or something if you need to have the front bank of lamps swing up so you can access the tank. I would use Ice Cap reflectors but normally driven lamps.

For the halide I would use a Reefoptix pendant with a 400 watt 20K lamp like a radium.

For all the lamps I would do this

Front
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
UVL Super Actinic
Radium Halide
Aquablue
Blue Plus

You could set the halide so it was fairly close to the tank, like 6 or 8" above and have it cover the tank over 4 or 5 hours. The intense 20K blue should blend in pretty good with the T5's. I think it will give you a kinda bluish 14K halide look overall.

Or you could just get a 72" maristar halide/T5 fixture and call it good


What about 8 x 80w Ice Cap Retro overdriven to 100w?


__________________
Click to expand...

That would be good too.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10759713#post10759713 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by saltwater4life1
Hey Grim Reefer i was told to ask you about my 55g and T5 lighting.
I'd like to keep SPS in my 55g but is 4x54w T5's enough light? And what bulbs would be the best?

Thank you Grim!!!


Nick
Click to expand...

As long as you are using a good fixture. Stay away from the cheap stuff

For lamps

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Aquablue
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10762133#post10762133 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by saltwater4life1
Thanks a lot! What are some good brands, Tek? IceCap?
Where can i find the best deals?

Thank you so much!!!
Click to expand...

Tek is crap. Stick with Ice Cap for the reflectors and any T5 . Relectronic ballast . ReefGeek is the best to buy from in price and service.

James
 
Never heard of them. I'll have to google it lol

Thanks

edit: I checked out there site and online dealers. Looks like they are going to be out of my price range...
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10763596#post10763596 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by todrick
i have a 180 will 2 rows of 36 make enought light for sps and lps
Click to expand...

Yes, as long as you use good equipment
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10763767#post10763767 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by todrick
as in what and i have seen actinics over drawn and it looks to me if u over drive them lhey give off more white then
Click to expand...

Is there a question in there?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10763728#post10763728 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Yes, as long as you use good equipment
Click to expand...

as in what good equipment and do u think it is good to over drive them
 
finally took the leap and went t5. Last night purchased icecap t5 retro from reef Geek. Bought 6x54 set-up but substituted to get 2 icecap 660 ballast! I want to keep sps/lps/clams etc, pretty much no limitations. I figured that this set-up would rival the solar flare so I should be in good shape there. However, I am building my canopy this weekend and need to know how high to mount the bulbs from the water w/o needing a splash guard. And if I do need one what type of glass/material should I use? Can I hook the canopy fans up to these ballast? Finally, what is a good bulb combo that has worked for some of you guys? Thanks in advance.
 
260w PC to T5's

260w PC to T5's

Grim

I am upgrading to T5's want to be able to keep a BTA which fixture would you recommend for my 55 Gal tank and what bulb combo. (currently have zoo's, Ric's one softie & one LPS)

48" SOLAR T5 - 6 X 54W or Aquactinics 48" TX5 5x54w T5 HO Hood

Thanks
Dan
 
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