saltwater4life1
Member
The Tek lights what is the best % reflector? I've seen 95% and i think 97%
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The T5 Q&a Thread
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funnyguyMI
New member
Odd Shaped T5 setup
Odd Shaped T5 setup
Hey Grimm,
I've got a 95g corner pentagon tank that I'm trying to light. I managed to cram 5 39w and 2 24w T5 bulbs in there. I overdrove a few of the bulbs though and they burnt out. So, I will be ordering some new ones soon, and I thought I would consult your expertise on color selection before placing my order.
The 5 39w are in the front, with the 24w crammed in where it tapers for the corner (all parallel to the front pane). The front bulb will be over part of the clear, acrylic crossbracing for the tank (ie, not over open water), so I figured I would use a bluer bulb there. Also, I figured I'd go with a brighter bulb for the last 24w to try and get some extra light to the rest of the back corner of the tank. I also have 2 39w ATI Blue Plus bulbs that weren't overdriven and will be worked into the layout somehow.
This is what I'm thinking so far:
Front
39w Blue Plus
39w ATI Aquablue Special
39w UVL Super Actinic
39w GE 3000K
39w Blue Plus
24w UVL Super Actinic
24w ATI Aquablue special
Although, I'm also considering using more 3000Ks instead of the two Aquablue special. I'll probably order the extra 3000Ks since they're only $13 and try it a couple different ways.
But, other than that, is there anything you would change? And, if so, why? Also, what kind of a look do you think I would get by just using the 3000Ks with the Blue Plus and Super Actinics?
Thanks for the help!!
-Mike
Odd Shaped T5 setup
Hey Grimm,
I've got a 95g corner pentagon tank that I'm trying to light. I managed to cram 5 39w and 2 24w T5 bulbs in there. I overdrove a few of the bulbs though and they burnt out. So, I will be ordering some new ones soon, and I thought I would consult your expertise on color selection before placing my order.
The 5 39w are in the front, with the 24w crammed in where it tapers for the corner (all parallel to the front pane). The front bulb will be over part of the clear, acrylic crossbracing for the tank (ie, not over open water), so I figured I would use a bluer bulb there. Also, I figured I'd go with a brighter bulb for the last 24w to try and get some extra light to the rest of the back corner of the tank. I also have 2 39w ATI Blue Plus bulbs that weren't overdriven and will be worked into the layout somehow.
This is what I'm thinking so far:
Front
39w Blue Plus
39w ATI Aquablue Special
39w UVL Super Actinic
39w GE 3000K
39w Blue Plus
24w UVL Super Actinic
24w ATI Aquablue special
Although, I'm also considering using more 3000Ks instead of the two Aquablue special. I'll probably order the extra 3000Ks since they're only $13 and try it a couple different ways.
But, other than that, is there anything you would change? And, if so, why? Also, what kind of a look do you think I would get by just using the 3000Ks with the Blue Plus and Super Actinics?
Thanks for the help!!
-Mike
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Ice Cap is the best. Reefgeek has the retro kits.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
The limited edition Tek had a little beter reflectors but I still doubt they match the aquactinics.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Re: Odd Shaped T5 setup
Re: Odd Shaped T5 setup
Grab a GE 6500K to, there as cheap as the 3000K. Make sure you are running fans to keep the lamps from overheating. Try not to blow the air directly on the lamps but make sure you get good air movement and the hot air can vent out.
Re: Odd Shaped T5 setup
Grab a GE 6500K to, there as cheap as the 3000K. Make sure you are running fans to keep the lamps from overheating. Try not to blow the air directly on the lamps but make sure you get good air movement and the hot air can vent out.
SlavicSavage
New member
I finally got my bulb replacement for my broken ATI blue plus. My bulbs are setup as follows. Does this seem like a good setup to you?
FRONT
ATI Aquablue
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
Geissmann True Actinic
GE 6500K
Blue Plus.
The UVL super actinic and Geissmann true actinic are the two bulbs running together on the one ballast and the other 4 are on the other ballast. Im not sure why I wired it up staggered like that, but I dont think it will cause any problems and I cant really go back and switch the 6500k with the geissman without tearing apart my plumbing and canopy.
FRONT
ATI Aquablue
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
Geissmann True Actinic
GE 6500K
Blue Plus.
The UVL super actinic and Geissmann true actinic are the two bulbs running together on the one ballast and the other 4 are on the other ballast. Im not sure why I wired it up staggered like that, but I dont think it will cause any problems and I cant really go back and switch the 6500k with the geissman without tearing apart my plumbing and canopy.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
That should be fine.
nomadnumber29
New member
sorry for the repost but I think I got skipped!
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.
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.
SlavicSavage
New member
The tank looks much better but I still am finding the actinic not quite as blue and florescing as I would like it to be, although when all the lamps are on it is pretty much exactly the shade of white/blue I want it to be. If I wanted the actinic to be more blue and have the corals look especially radiactive under it could I switch out one of the bulbs with the UVL actinic white? Like say the ATI Blue Plus? Or would I have to order another different bulb to achieve this desired effect? Let me know what you think, and thanks again for all the T5 help!
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Keep the lamps about 4" from the water and you shouldn't need to worry too much about salt spray. That should be good for all the critters you mentioned assuming your tank isn't over 30" tall.
For lamps try
Front
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
Blue Plus
GE 6500K
Blue Plus
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Try swapping the position of the aquablue and Blue Plus and see what that does for you. If that doesn't work then change out the aquablue for another blue plus. The actinic white is a bit pinkish, they have a 75/25 actinic/daylight lamp that is also a little pink looking too.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Solaris would be a tight fit over a 55 and it isn't really a hood type fixture. The TX5 will be plenty
funnyguyMI
New member
Grimm, I'm changing ballasts so the bulbs will no longer be overdriven. Will I still need to worry about a fan?
nomadnumber29
New member
thanks Grimm,
who makes these bulbs? and where is the best place to order them on-line?
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
Blue Plus
GE 6500K
Blue Plus
who makes these bulbs? and where is the best place to order them on-line?
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
Blue Plus
GE 6500K
Blue Plus
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Not as important (at least we know why your lamps burnt out) if youer not overdriving but I would add a fan or 2.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue or GE 6500K (less blue look)
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Blue Plus ATI
Super Actinic UVL
UVL Aquasun UVL
Blue Plus ATI
GE 6500K
Blue Plus
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