The T5 Q&a Thread

[ganjero]

is a costellation enough light for 100g 20" deep to keep anything? clams? sps at all levels? etc etc?

 

[roushracer]

Grim -

I have a Coralife Aqualight Pro that currently has 2 65w CF for actinics with two seperate 65w ballasts.

Is it possible to replace the CF's with T5's and use the old ballasts, or will they need replacing with specific T5 ballasts?

Is it even worth the hassle just for the T5 actinics over the CF?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11137557#post11137557 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by crossi92
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1230259&perpage=25&pagenumber=2

Scroll to the bottom with the before and after pics.

Is this for real, he bought the same setup as i did. RIght now my tank looks like the first pic, will it really tone as much as the second pic?

That seems extreme to me. I suspect his camera is exagerating the amount of blue so perhaps the change is amplified too, I know mine does. It is hard to say. I asked him in that thread so stay tuned. I ran a 50/50 mix of Blue Plus and Aquablue for a while and hated the look, just too blue so you get the idea, I am not into the blue look. I am currently using 3 blue plus, 1 super actinic, 1 pro color and 1 UVL 76/25 actinic/daylight and I really like the look. It really doesn't take much to overpower the blues if the daylight lamp has much of a yellow or reddish cast and the UVL Aquasun has a pretty strong cast to it. I think between the lamps burning in a bit and your eyes adjusting to the color it will get to a look you will like. If not swap out the rear Blue Plus for an Aquablue

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11137765#post11137765 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dzeadow
Hey Grim, I put together my T5 setup 4x24, I used the combo that you suggested which was 2 blue+, 1 Super Actinic, 1 Aquasun. It's a bit pink for my flavor so I used a 10kk from my old nova fixture, but it's bluer now. Any recommendations for getting a crisp white vs. pink or blue? TIA

Try a Aquablue in front and a GE 6500K in Place of the Aquasun.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11139313#post11139313 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Barb7
Hi Grim,

I just replaced my PC's with 4 - 60" Ice Cap SLR T5's on a 125 gal tank. I can fit 3 more lights. It's been recommended that I add VHO's for my actinics because of their incredible color. In your opinion, should I add 2- T-5's and 1 VHO, 1 T-5 and 2- VHO's or skip the VHO's and add 3 more T-5's?

I'd do 1 VHO actinic and 2 T5's

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11139865#post11139865 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mikigo
HI Grim

I am a newbie to T5s. What would you recommend for a 30x30x10h frag tank for SPS? Thanks

I'd do a 150 watt 14K halide. Keep it ten or so inches above the tank and you will get good coverage over the whole tank.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11140216#post11140216 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ganjero
is a costellation enough light for 100g 20" deep to keep anything? clams? sps at all levels? etc etc?

Yes.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11140335#post11140335 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by roushracer
Grim -

I have a Coralife Aqualight Pro that currently has 2 65w CF for actinics with two seperate 65w ballasts.

Is it possible to replace the CF's with T5's and use the old ballasts, or will they need replacing with specific T5 ballasts?

Is it even worth the hassle just for the T5 actinics over the CF?

I doubt the ballasts will work. The PC actinics aren't too bad. I dunno if I would mess with it.

 

[ganjero]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11140585#post11140585 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Yes.

SO how far from, the surface should I keep mys constellation on a 20" deep tank with sps and clams?

thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I wouldn't raise it higher than about 6" above the tank.

 

[tankslave]

Sorry for not reading the past 30 pages... but has anyone compared the SLS Tek II reflectors to the IceCap ones? just curious if there was any consensus as to which to go with...

 

[seagirl]

Hi Grim, just wanted to say thanks for the help with bulb choices. I went with the combo you suggested-

Blue Plus
super actinic
aqua sun
Blue plus
GE 6500k
Blue Plus

Tank looks great. I was running only 4 bulbs, (2 G-mann 11k, a actinc+ and a pure actinic). with adding 2 more bulbs and switching to your bulb combo i can't wait to see the results. i can almost feel the increase in par lol.

Thanks again

 

[seagirl]

:uzi: stupid double posts

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11143806#post11143806 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tankslave
Sorry for not reading the past 30 pages... but has anyone compared the SLS Tek II reflectors to the IceCap ones? just curious if there was any consensus as to which to go with...

Hahnmeister did and said the Ice Cap did better. I dont remember by how much.

 

[bishoptaner]

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

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Try this

Front
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
Aquasun
Blue Plus
Aquasun
Super Actinic
Aquablue
Blue Plus

Should look 14Kish.

 

[young_Skywalker]

I'm setting up a 15L nano tank, but I'm new to T5s. the fixture It's a double bulb fixture and I think they are 24w bulbs. would it be best to just get (2) 20,000k bulbs or should I just get (1) 20K and (1) actinic?

 

[cuddle fish]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11139313#post11139313 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Barb7
Hi Grim,

I just replaced my PC's with 4 - 60" Ice Cap SLR T5's on a 125 gal tank. I can fit 3 more lights. It's been recommended that I add VHO's for my actinics because of their incredible color. In your opinion, should I add 2- T-5's and 1 VHO, 1 T-5 and 2- VHO's or skip the VHO's and add 3 more T-5's?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11140571#post11140571 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
I'd do 1 VHO actinic and 2 T5's

Thanks for your response Grim. Here's my 4 bulb configuration now, which is too purplish for me.

Front to back
Blue Plus
AquaBlue Special
Pro Color
Blue Plus

When I add 2 T-5's and 1 VHO, what would be a good bulb configuration so it's not so purplish? Also, where would I place the VHO? I hope you don't say in the center because the 4- T-5's are already in the center of the canopy. There is room in the front or the back for the VHO. Thanks in advance!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11146606#post11146606 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by young_Skywalker
I'm setting up a 15L nano tank, but I'm new to T5s. the fixture It's a double bulb fixture and I think they are 24w bulbs. would it be best to just get (2) 20,000k bulbs or should I just get (1) 20K and (1) actinic?

Using an actinic will give you a little more subdued look but cut down on PAR quite a bit, I'd do the 2 Blues

 

[The Grim Reefer]

In the middle

Put it in front if the middle wont work.

For the T5's add a GE daylight and a Blue Plus. If there is anyway put the blue plus in front of the Actinic.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11146899#post11146899 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Barb7
Thanks for your response Grim. Here's my 4 bulb configuration now, which is too purplish for me.

Front to back
Blue Plus
AquaBlue Special
Pro Color
Blue Plus

When I add 2 T-5's and 1 VHO, what would be a good bulb configuration so it's not so purplish? Also, where would I place the VHO? I hope you don't say in the center because the 4- T-5's are already in the center of the canopy. There is room in the front or the back for the VHO. Thanks in advance!