The T5 Q&a Thread

[happyface888]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10796383#post10796383 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Well that kit has a standard ballast. If you ran 2 ATI aquablue lamps you would get a pretty good look and probably every bit as much intensity in the tank as with the PC.

I was thinking of getting these
ati blue plus and a ge65k
I am using these light for zoas,shrooms,anthelia and leathers, if it beats the pc its worth it than save some electricity

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10796429#post10796429 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by storrisch
I am working to set up a 75g that will start w/ a 4-bulb SLR retrokit and a month or so later I will add another 2-bulb SLR kit. I am looking for a suggestion for bulb layout. I am prefer 14-20k look and would like to achieve this with the 4 and 6 bulbs. Just looking for suggestions.

for 4 lamps try 2 ATI Blue Plus, 1 Super Actinic and 1 GE 6500K daylight

for 6 do 3 Blue Plus, 1 Super Actinic, 1 UVL Aquasun and 1 Aquablue.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10796447#post10796447 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by happyface888
I was thinking of getting these
ati blue plus and a ge65k
I am using these light for zoas,shrooms,anthelia and leathers, if it beats the pc its worth it than save some electricity

That wouldn't be a bad start.

 

[happyface888]

If that works than It will be better than my 96watt my 96 watt is 18inches and only the center is lite up. So with the thoes t5's they can rival the 96's right?

 

[eugeneK]

Hi Grim, I am about to convert to the drak side, or light side hmm.. Eather way

I have 55g 20" high tank, I am shooting for 4X54W, SPS dominated.

1. will overdriving with Icecap660 be an overkill?
2. I run Hemilton 20000k 250MH now on a 90, what bulb configuration will give me similar (lil more vibrant look) with decent SPS growth?
3. How high from the water?

Thanx a lot, I been trying to read through the post to find answers myself but my A.D.D kicked in and i spaced out and now its 2am ^^.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10796549#post10796549 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by happyface888
If that works than It will be better than my 96watt my 96 watt is 18inches and only the center is lite up. So with the thoes t5's they can rival the 96's right?

Yes. In fact the PC's drop off in intensity pretty quick so after a month or so of use they are probably producing quite a bit less than the T5 would be,

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10796714#post10796714 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by eugeneK
Hi Grim, I am about to convert to the drak side, or light side hmm.. Eather way

I have 55g 20" high tank, I am shooting for 4X54W, SPS dominated.

1. will overdriving with Icecap660 be an overkill?
2. I run Hemilton 20000k 250MH now on a 90, what bulb configuration will give me similar (lil more vibrant look) with decent SPS growth?
3. How high from the water?

Thanx a lot, I been trying to read through the post to find answers myself but my A.D.D kicked in and i spaced out and now its 2am ^^.

Ice cap driven wouldn't be overkill but you could get by without it.

For a 20K look I would run 2 ATI Blue Plus, 1 UVL Super Actinic and 1 ATI Aquablue. Should look cool.

Keep the lamps 4 to 6: above the water.

 

[eugeneK]

Thanx my friend, there will be pix when I finish ^^

 

[SSalty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10796413#post10796413 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Try this

front
ATI Aquablue
UVL Super Actinic
GE 6500K or UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
Aquablue (order a extra GE 6500K to try here in case its too blue. The Aquablue is a great lamp for a spare because it is a decent replacement for a blue or daylight lamp)

I should have been more specific, I dont' want any pink/purple hue to the color. Also, what is the color difference between the 6500k and the aquasun?

Thanks.

 

[barjam]

So I notice the aquatinics doesn't have waterproof endcaps and uses a splash guard. What is the splashguard specifically, just a sheet of lexan? Does it cover the entire fixture or just the endcaps? I ask because my endcaps are identical to the aquatinics unit and I do not have a splashguard.

 

[SSalty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10799138#post10799138 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by barjam
So I notice the aquatinics doesn't have waterproof endcaps and uses a splash guard. What is the splashguard specifically, just a sheet of lexan? Does it cover the entire fixture or just the endcaps? I ask because my endcaps are identical to the aquatinics unit and I do not have a splashguard.

It covers the whole bottom part of the fixture. I slides in and out for replacing bulbs.

 

[szeth13]

how far should i keep my 6 bulb tek off the water of my 75? i didnt get the splash guard

 

[barjam]

I should have been more specific, I dont' want any pink/purple hue to the color. Also, what is the color difference between the 6500k and the aquasun?

I think I have read that the aquasun has a pinkish hue to it, don't quote me on that. I suspect that in your setup the aquablue and the blue plus are the reason why you have more blue than you want. I am not a big fan of the stark white look but if I was I think I would do:

actinic
10k
6500k or 10k
10k
actinic

My previous bulbs where:

atinic
10k
10k
actinic

And it was stark white. You really have to stay on the carbon or your stark white will turn yellow fairly easily, the blue hues offset that a bit. Since you lose par due to yellowing I suppose a person could view that as a good thing too.

It covers the whole bottom part of the fixture. I slides in and out for replacing bulbs.

Is yours basically just 1/4 lexan then? I think I am going to do 2 1/4 shields or something as I already have a glass brace to worry about. Thanks.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10797638#post10797638 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SSalty
I should have been more specific, I dont' want any pink/purple hue to the color. Also, what is the color difference between the 6500k and the aquasun?

Thanks.

6500 is white with a slight yellowish tint. Aquasun has a pinkish tint.

If you want a nutral color try this

Aquablue
Pure Actinic
GE 6500K
Aquablue

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10799398#post10799398 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by szeth13
how far should i keep my 6 bulb tek off the water of my 75? i didnt get the splash guard

Usually 4" is enough to keep salt spray off the lamps and reflectors.

 

[snapperface]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10796331#post10796331 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Try to keep the blue and actinic lamp as the first 2. Because of the way the fistures are switched number 2 and number 4 are on the same ballast so what I usually reco is 2 for the actinic (you want it striking the viewing side of the corals) and a Blue Plus in 4 so you have a nice dusk dawn mix. Then use a Blue Plus or Aquablue lamp at the front. Daylight or sun in the middle and Aquablue in the rear.

If you have the lamps to pull it off this is a nice mix too

Front
Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
Actinic
GE 6500K
Blue Plus

Your running 3 lamps for dusk, dawn but it looks nice

Grim would this give me a pinkish look your bluish look.
Front
Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
Actinic
GE 6500K
Blue Plus

thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Bluish.

 

[SSalty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10799651#post10799651 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
6500 is white with a slight yellowish tint. Aquasun has a pinkish tint.

If you want a nutral color try this

Aquablue
Pure Actinic
GE 6500K
Aquablue

Sorry Grim, that is only 4 bulbs I have 5. Would the above combo look nice and white with a hint of blue? And I also want a deep blue for dush and dawn. It seems like the aquablue looks more purple than blue. I dont' want ANY purple/pink colors.

Thanks again.

 

[SSalty]

oops double post.

 

[Doc_B]

Grim,
I was woundering what you thought of this. I'm upgrading to 250w 14k HQI and i was thinking of adding 8 T5 also on a 120gal 24 inch deep tank. Do you think this is to much? Its going to be a mix tank of SPS, clams and LPS.