The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10841269#post10841269 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nieszhw
Since it seems this is the thread to post ?'s about T5's in, I'll give my scenario and see if anyone is interested in giving suggestions. I've ran T5 bulbs for the last few years in my 230 tall. I have 3 IceCap 660's, each running 3-46.5" URI 110W bulbs for a total of 9 (990 Watts).

It seems there have been many upgrades/changes to bulbs in the last few years. My tank is 30" deep so I need a lot of penetration. I've been very happy with the performance of my URI bulbs and would not have an issue with using them again. I just don't know what all the options are these days. The hood is custom made, so I can even adjust the length between the endcaps to hold a longer bulb, if they are available.

Any recommendations for this configuration? Basically looking for the best way to light a 30"deep tank using 3 IC-660's.

Thanks for considering this question.
Walter

If you want an SPS dominent tank going with 36" lamp side by side to cover the length of the tank. If you just want some SPS then 6 of the 60" lamps would be fine. You can have 3 on each ballast an save the 4th for a back up.

 

[szeth13]

grim do you know the par levels i would get with the previous post?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: Grim pic of 18000k GLO bulb

Re: Grim pic of 18000k GLO bulb

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10843166#post10843166 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Beaut
It is next to the ATI aquablue.

Looks almost like a Fiji Purple

 

[saltwater4life1]

Alright Thank you Grim,

I'll be sure to post pictures.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10843267#post10843267 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by szeth13
grim do you know the par levels i would get with the previous post?

It would be pretty high, all those lamps have good output except for the actinic. Adding a fan will also help

 

[szeth13]

do you have a rough number?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

No. No possible way to guess at a number. Too many variables.

 

[tas5tas]

Grim......what is the better reflector?

Tek 2 or Ice Cap SLR??

And why?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

The Tek II is like 3" wide. That is a disadvantage. I personally haven't measured the PAR but Hahnmeister did and said the Ice Cap had better output.

 

[mic209]

Are the aquamedic t5 fixtures good? Also, would a 4x39w set up be enough for sps and clams on a 16" deep tank? Last, what bulbs to use?

Thanks,

Mike

 

[mic209]

Are the aquamedic t5 fixtures good? Also, would a 4x39w set up be enough for sps and clams on a 16" deep tank? Last, what bulbs to use?

Thanks,

Mike

 

[mattliu]

grim,

did you ever find out if the ATI Powermodul was overdriving the bulbs to achieve such impressive PAR numbers ?

How would you compare the compare the Aquactinics Constellation to the ATI Powermodul ?

Does the Constellation use workhorse ballasts ?

thanks.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10846958#post10846958 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mic209
Are the aquamedic t5 fixtures good? Also, would a 4x39w set up be enough for sps and clams on a 16" deep tank? Last, what bulbs to use?

Thanks,

Mike

I wouldn't buy any fixture that doesnt use individual reflectors.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10846996#post10846996 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mattliu
grim,

did you ever find out if the ATI Powermodul was overdriving the bulbs to achieve such impressive PAR numbers ?

How would you compare the compare the Aquactinics Constellation to the ATI Powermodul ?

Does the Constellation use workhorse ballasts ?

thanks.

ATI wasn't overdriving the lamps.

Seem to be closely matched quality wise but the ATI had more output than the base Aquactinics fixture. Constellation and Solar Flare might be different.

Constellation now has Sylvania ballasts.

 

[GeoB]

I ordered a Aquactinics solar flare and also ordered 6 lamps (from a diferent supplier) 2 months ago, Received bulbs in few days. I finally got the Sloar Flare fixture yesterday, but in the past 1 1/2 months forgot the order they should be put in the fixture, front to back, #1 being the front and #6 being the rear. Would you please put them in order for me, Also, since there is no instruction manual on the fixture, would you know what switch controls which lamps. There are 3 power cords, so I'm assuming that one of the cords pertains to the fans. These are the lamps I have: Aqua Blue ATI, (2) Blue Plus ATI, GE 6500, Aqua Sun UVL, Super Actinic UVL.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

If I remember right #2 and 5 are the dusk/dawn pair. The only "rule" is that you want a blue or actinic lamp at the front and actinics from the middle of the tank front so they are striking the viewing side of the corals. Other than that you just want to keep things so the light is distributed somewhat evenly across the tank,

For yours try

Front
Aquablue
Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
GE 6500K
Blue Plus
Aquablue

 

[barjam]

Tek 2 or Ice Cap SLR??

The reflectors I had previous to the ice cap's were 3 inches wide, I don't care how magical the Tek2s might be they aren't going to compensate for the lack of intensity you can get from stacking icecap SLRs in tight.

On a side note I noticed that Petsmart now carries T5 HO bulbs, looks like a 6700k, 18,000k, and an actinic. I am guessing these won't stand up very well against a good brand but who knows.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Dunno about the petsmart lamps.

 

[Aquactinics]

GeoB,

The switches/power cords for the Solar Flare are as following:

First switch (green) / power cord is for lamps 1, 3, 4, & 5 and one of the fans.

Second switch (amber) / power cord is for lamps 2 & 5 and the second fan.

Third power cord is for the moonlights.

Thank you,

Tom
Aquactinics

 

[BucNtears]

Hey Grim
What order should I run the following lamps
{3} ATI Blue +
{1}GE 3000k daylight
{1}ATI pro color
{1}uvl super actinic

These are going on my sunlight tek t5

Thanks