The T5 Q&a Thread

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<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11118115#post11118115 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Corndork2
I was shopping in my local hardware store today and saw a rack full of magnetic and electronic flouroescent ballasts. They were all made by sylvania. Some were also specd to run HO bulbs, and they were all under 20. However they were only labeled for T8 and T12 bulbs. Is it possible to use these ballasts for a T5 retrofit?
Click to expand...

Doubt it. Wrong wattage.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11118470#post11118470 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Corndork2
or

Front

ATI Blue Plus 24w HO
URI Actinic White (12,000k) 75w VHO
UVL Super Actinic
Click to expand...

You can only run 2 T5 lamps on a 430. You would want to use an Aquablue instead of a actinic white lamp.
 
Hey guys, I just bought a Nova extreme 432 watt 8 lamp fixture for my 100gal FOWL...can you tell me what you think of these fixtures? Doesn't look like they have individual reflectors but I found this thread after I bought them(upgrading from crappy coralife 50/50 PC). I could probably cancel the order if you know of something for the same pricerange that is much better.

Don't worry about telling it like it is, I can take it. Just wondering if I need to get different bulbs is all. You guys aren't messing around :D

Grim do you have a suggestion or know anything about this fixture?

Here is what I got
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+12772&pcatid=12772
 
They are OK as far as cheap T5 fixtures go. They just don't produce the kind of intensity the units with individual reflectors will.
 
http://www.specialty-lights.com/960035.html

I see it says 300% more intensity...would this 216watt Tek fixture be brighter than the 432watt 8bulb fixture without the individual reflectors? It'd save a lot of money in electricity!

Would this 4 bulb fixture still be ok for the 180 gallon tank when I upgrade? Or should I just get the 6 bulb...

One last question(for now :D) would be what mix of bulbs should I go for? I only get 4 :(
 
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I haven't been around here in a while. But, my T5s were over 1yr old and I noticed that my corals had stopped growing. Also, green algae was becomming a real menace. I had been using all Giesemann and a GE. Now, I use the following:
1-ATI Blue Plus
1-ATI Aquablue
1-UV Lighting AquaSun
1-UV Lighting Super Actinic
Within two weeks, the corals have new growth and the green algae is almost gone. I also replaced my UV sterilizer with a new one. That could be helping with the algae. Another thing I've noticed is the coralline has started growing again, especially on the glass.

I noticed is the color seemed a little pink at first. But, I can't argue with the results.
 
Thanks for the help Grim! Saved me from some dissappointment...

For "Aqua Blue" Do you like the ATI 12000k "Aqua Blue special" or the Geisemann 11000k "Aqua Blue plus"? Other than that I'm set.

Any reason you like the GE 6500k daylight more than the ATI 6500k sun pro?
 
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hey grim what would be a good bulb combo for a tek light 8 bulb fixture over a 140g, tank will have mostly zoas and softies but i would like to keep some sps if i could? thanks
 
Hey Grim,

I got the bulbs that you recommended last week but I haven't had a chance to install them yet. Today I saw the tank of a fellow reefer and I really liked the purple tint in it caused by a few UVL Super Actinics in his fixture. Do you think I will get that with the bulbs that I got?

- ATI Blue Plus
- ATI Aquablue Special
- UVL Super Actinic
- UVL Aqua Sun
- ATI Pro Color
- ATI Blue Plus

By the way, I just noticed that I almost got the same configuration that you are running right now. How do you like it? do you have any pictures?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11123700#post11123700 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Snausy
Thanks for the help Grim! Saved me from some dissappointment...

For "Aqua Blue" Do you like the ATI 12000k "Aqua Blue special" or the Geisemann 11000k "Aqua Blue plus"? Other than that I'm set.

Any reason you like the GE 6500k daylight more than the ATI 6500k sun pro?
Click to expand...

ATI or Giesemann either one. The GE lamp is cheap and I am not sure the ATI Pro Sun is still available.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11132622#post11132622 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by carlos_fb
Hey Grim,

I got the bulbs that you recommended last week but I haven't had a chance to install them yet. Today I saw the tank of a fellow reefer and I really liked the purple tint in it caused by a few UVL Super Actinics in his fixture. Do you think I will get that with the bulbs that I got?

- ATI Blue Plus
- ATI Aquablue Special
- UVL Super Actinic
- UVL Aqua Sun
- ATI Pro Color
- ATI Blue Plus

By the way, I just noticed that I almost got the same configuration that you are running right now. How do you like it? do you have any pictures?
Click to expand...

It should be somewhat like it. I would put the Aquablue lamp between the Aquasun and Pro Color.
 
My current lamp mix is now
Front
Blue Plus
Pro Color
Super Actinic
UVL 75/25
Blue Plus
Blue Plus

The tank doesn't look as blue as the photo shows but the ellegance glows just like the pic shows.

ellegance002.jpg



This shot show about what the color of the light looks like

actinicpics004.jpg
 
Grim... that looks great! Why did you change to this bulb configuration?? Is there some place where we can see all these bulbs side by side to compare their color???
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11132696#post11132696 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
My current lamp mix is now
Front
Blue Plus
Pro Color
Super Actinic
UVL 75/25
Blue Plus
Blue Plus

The tank doesn't look as blue as the photo shows but the ellegance glows just like the pic shows.

ellegance002.jpg


This shot show about what the color of the light looks like

actinicpics004.jpg
Click to expand...

Awesome Grim, that is exactly what I'm looking for. Thank you so much for your help again!

Nice pictures by the way! :)
 
Evening Grim

I have made the effort to try and find this information else where however I can't (made harder by the search feature on RC not allowing a "T5" search as its not enough letters).

Hope you can help with some advice please.

Whats the max depth penetraration of t5's in individual reflectors?

I have a 4 x 2 x 2 now and dont have a problem with LPS on the sand bed using 4 sets of aquamedic sunbeam t5's (2 54w bulbs per fixture, I am using 3 reef blue and 5 15k lamps).

I am doing another tank currently 4 x 2.5 x 2.5 with perhaps 12 individually reflected 54w t5 globes. What do you think the penetration is light at this depth???

Acro and other sps down to what depth?

Thanks in advance if you find the time to help.

Regards
Tim
 
Any opinions on the Aquactinics Constellation, Solar Flare, or TX5 fixtures? Just upgraded to a 90 and need a 48" fixture, my 36" TX5 just won't cut it. :(
 
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