The T5 Q&a Thread

[Bud's Reef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10949292#post10949292 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
About 4" above the tank should be enough to keep the salt spray off.

Great, thanks! Any thoughts on moonlights?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

The only thing I can think of is Sfigoli fixtures Aquarium Obsessed from the sponsors page sells. Very expensive but they would have what you want in a single fixture.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10949411#post10949411 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lanman3
In response to:
T5's for an odd-shaped tank?
I just purchased a 225-gallon tank. 5' long x 3' wide x 24" deep. I've been considering three 60" fixtures.
T5 | 2x150W MH | T5
Any suggestions? Choice of 4-bulb or 6-bulb T5's? The 2x150W MH also has two T5 sockets. Is this a bad idea in the first place?
I have a 6-bulb TekLight over my 58-gallon tank, and I'm very happy with it.

It will be SPS-dominated mixed reef; I'm more of a coral person than a fish person - but there will be several fish as well. I'm particularly fond of my chalices and blasto's on the bottom of the tank. Not sure about a canopy yet. Guess that will depend on the lights. But I will put something at least along the front to block stray light.

Thanks,
bob

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: T5 dimmers?

Re: T5 dimmers?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10949375#post10949375 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dkuster
Hi All,

I'm currently driving 4, 39W T5's with my IceCap 660.

Before, when my lighting included "regular" VHO's, I had a
"Digital Oceans IceCast" dimmer connected up to simulate
dawn and dusk. Basically, it would cause the lights to ramp
up/down over the course of an hour.

I tried to contact Digital Oceans, but it seems they are no
longer in business. I'm wondering if my dimmer can be used
with the T5's?

Would there be any harm to the lamps if I just connected it up
and tried it?

Are there any other dimmers out there that will work with T5's?
I found a few products, but they claim to only work with
VHO lamps.

Thanks!

I know the solar dimmers wont work with T5;s. I assume the one you have will have the same problem.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10949412#post10949412 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by James11
The Grim Reefer
I am trying to design a 40 gallon Breeder, and I was thinking about using a 4X24W T5 retro with ice cap relfectors and two 65W pc. The two pc would be the actinics, what would be a good configuration for the T5?

Why not just get a 6 lamp Tek and forget about the crappy PC's.

If you do the PCs try this

Front
Blue Plus
Aquasun
Aquablue
Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10949655#post10949655 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by zergling
Grim, sorry to bother you again. I got an email from Greg and he told me they're out of ATI Blue Plus for now. They proposed giving me a Geisemann Blue Plus instead. Do you thinks this is a good substitute? Or should I go with a diff bulb?

This is for my freshwater planted (looking for crisp white and lots of PAR w/o washing out colors); 4-bulb setup.

Your original suggestion was

Aquablue
Aquasun
Blue Plus
Pro Color

Geisemann Blue Plus? Or should I go with another Aqua Sun?

Go with a second Aquablue. I think that will still give you a pretty neutral color.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10951737#post10951737 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Bud's Reef
Great, thanks! Any thoughts on moonlights?

Not really, whatever works.

 

[shakara_b]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10947066#post10947066 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
What did you order for lamps?

Sorry i couldn't reply right away.
I ordered
2-ATI 54W 12000K Aquablue Special T5 HO Fluorescent
2-ATI 54W Blue Plus T5 HO Fluorescent
2-UVL 54W Super Actinic T5 HO Fluorescent
1-UVL 54W 10000K AquaSun T5 HO Fluorescent
1-GE 54W 6500K Daylight T5 HO Fluorescent

I saw someone with this combo and thought it might look good. I'm still deciding if I like it yet.:bum:

 

[The Grim Reefer]

That shouldnt be bad at all.

 

[Adictedtoswf]

I just replaced my 48" Orbit 4X65W PC light with TEK T-5 HO w/

1-45W Aquablue +
2-45W Actinic +
1-45W Pure Actinic

My questions are:

1. Can I keep SPS and LPS now or not?

2. What about clams?

3. Any recommendations on the bulb placement?

Thanks so much!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

LPS fine. SPS on the rocks, same for clams. Either lower light clams or keep them on the rocks.

 

[Adictedtoswf]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10954100#post10954100 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
LPS fine. SPS on the rocks, same for clams. Either lower light clams or keep them on the rocks.

Thanks. I have lots of rics on the rocks now, will it be okay there or should I move them to the bottom?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Maybe move them down to make room for higher light items up higher.

 

[Adictedtoswf]

Thanks, you are so helpful!

 

[phunkie99]

Hey Grim how do you feel about this setup for my 55gal? What kind of color should I expect?

TX5 Aquactinics 48inch 5 lamp with:

Blue Plus
Super Blue Actinic
AquaSun
Blue Plus
Aqua Blue

Thanks

 

[Labman48076]

72" Aquactinics fixture with the 3 switchies it's been about a year on the bulbs wondering if I should change them out also I am getting a Hair Algea problem I am wondering if the 2 3000K GE might be helping that allot I don't over feed my tank. but I have a mainly sps and lps tank looking for color and growth of course

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10954440#post10954440 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by phunkie99
Hey Grim how do you feel about this setup for my 55gal? What kind of color should I expect?

TX5 Aquactinics 48inch 5 lamp with:

Blue Plus
Super Blue Actinic
AquaSun
Blue Plus
Aqua Blue

Thanks

Like a strong 14K halide

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10954530#post10954530 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Labman48076
72" Aquactinics fixture with the 3 switchies it's been about a year on the bulbs wondering if I should change them out also I am getting a Hair Algea problem I am wondering if the 2 3000K GE might be helping that allot I don't over feed my tank. but I have a mainly sps and lps tank looking for color and growth of course

A year isn't too soon to change out the lamps. Try a couple of ATI pro Colors instead of GE 3000's.

 

[cgarsmokr]

Hey folks. I need some help. I have a zoo/paly dominated 75 gal. and I want to get some good growth from these corals and I understand I need daylight bulbs to do so. My main concern is that I've tried the GE 3000 and the 6500K bulbs and I got a cyano bloom big time. I have good flow and feed my fish every other day. Tunze 9010 skimmer.
I'm even shying away from the 10000K aquasun for the same reason. I'm considering the ATI aquablue special. Is this considered a daylight bulb and will I get good coral growth if I use them. My configuration would look somethig like this:
Front
Blue Plus (icecap 660)
Blue Plus (icecap 430)
Aquablue Special (icecap 660)
Aquablue Special (icecap 660)
Blue Plus (icecap 430)
Blue Plus (icecap 660)
Thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

How old are your lamps? Are you using fans?

Have you checked nitrates and phosphates?

The GE lamps wont cause it but once it's there the will feed it. So will any other lamps just not as well. It will use light from 560 to 680nm. Even Blue Pluses are going to have some light in that range.

So assuming your trates are all in line going with the lamps you listed should help you cure your problem. Once you ride the tank of the problem I would probably add an aquasun or ATI Pro Color into the mix. You should get great growth with just the blue plus/Aquablues but I am not a huge fan of the look. Pastel colors look very washed out under those lights to me but it is a personal preference thing. If you like the look stick with it. Corals use the light in the blue range more efficiently so don't sweat having all the blue in the light.

 

[wanlof]

I have a 90 gal tank that is 24 in tall with a 4in sand bed. I currently have 6x54 t5 lights running on 3 workhorse balast with icecap reflectors. my bulb combination is front to back

uv aquasun
uv super actinic
uv aquasun
uv super actinic
uv aquasun
uv super actinic

Is this lighting ok for a clam and should I try a diffrent bulbs combination for better growth on corals or better color. I plan on a mixed reef.