The T5 Q&a Thread

[tsouth]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12013989#post12013989 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Yeah, the 10" is right but you can space the lamps however you want so if you have 11" you could leave a gap between 2 of the lamps for moons.

If you are going to have a lot of SPS or clamps do this

Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
UVL Aquasun
Blue Plus

Right o. Thank you sir. Is this combination going to be good for lps/softies also?

 

[andrewkw]

Is ATI still making bulbs? A local reef store has told me they are not but under a new name they will be coming out again soon. I know they went bankrupt but I assumed someone bought them out.

Secondly do you think 6x54w is enough bulbs in a 60x18x24 tank for a mixed reef which will include some sps?

I got a tek fixture for a great price but because its got extra width on the side I'm not sure I can add 2 more bulbs from a retro kit unless I take the light fixture apart. I believe its the ballasts that are on the sides.

 

[dwiseman]

It appears that reefgeek does not sell the AVL 75/25. What brand and bulb should I go with to replace the 75/25?

 

[MommaFishels]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12013878#post12013878 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Solar Flare will melt shrooms in a 75. Aquactinics way toying with the idea of making a 6 lamp Constellation fixture with a bank of moonlights instead of the 7th lamp. That would work or if they could build you a normally driven flare. I would contact Aquactinics and see if they can do something for you.

Crap, I was hoping that was not the case. I did talk to Aquactinics and while they are still toying with the idea of a 6 lamp Constellation with moons, they told me that is still quite some time away. I talked with them before you replied, so I didn't know to ask about the possibility of a normally driven Flare.

I placed an order for the flare yesterday (the woman was starting to get impatient, she wants corals) so I have a standard Solar Flare on the way. I ordered the following bulbs along with the unit, what order would you suggest their placement, and/or do you think I should replace any of them with other bulbs?

1x Giesemann Midday
2 x UVL Super Actinic
1 x Aqua Science Duo
1 x ATI Aquablue Special
1 x KZ Fiji Purple

If the Flare will melt shrooms in a 75, what about other things like softies, zoas, etc? Will everything else be fine? Also, how far down in the water column would I likely be able to place LPS, SPS, etc?

 

[anin]

What is everyone else doing to cool down their tek fixtures? Is there a diy thread/method which works best? thanks

 

[Shadowramy]

Quick question, I have heard that T5s will not penetrate as much as a Metal Halides, some are saying in a tank over 20" MH will do much better, is this true, and is there any data which supports either answer.

Thanks

 

[fish-unit]

hi guys

Im in abit of a dilemma

I am about to upgrade my lights and need to know what to do

my tank is 122 cm long 35 cm wide and 45 cm high

I have mainly lps with 2 clams

i eaither want to go two 150 halides and t5 for actinics or thinking maybe 4-6 t5's with individual reflectors, only problem is that i dont think 6 will fit under the hood with it being only 35 cm wide,would 4 be enough, also wondering which would put out more heat?

anyway let me know asap

 

[dwiseman]

Just purchase 6x54W T5 from reefgeek. thanks grim for your help. What is the best way to aclimate corals to the new intense lighting?

 

[wmilas]

Re: Re: 120x36x30 t5 setup?

Re: Re: 120x36x30 t5 setup?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12013947#post12013947 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
You might want to think about a 10th row if you are going to have clams on the sand. Should be fine for SPS in the top half of the tank at least, probably a bit lower.

For fans the method I like is a fan blowing in from the back of the tank so the air blows across the lamps near the endcaps. So yes 3 foot direction. I would probably add one in the center of each banck of lamps to for a total of 6 fans blowing in from the back and make sure their is good venting to let hot air escape out the top

Thanks much on the fan advice. Thats completely doable. The venting isnt going to be a problem (I hope) As I'm planning on custom making the rack out of wood so I should be able to make it lattice like.

About the 10th row of lights. Thats going to necessitate another ballast for a total of 7. Its doable but.. ugh

 

[ericad289]

T-5 gurus please help
i know it has been asked a dozen times, but everything is running together after reading this forum the last two hours....I have a 75 gal aquarium, 8 fish , lots of mushrooms, and a leather I am fixing to order the ati powermodule the guy i spoke with at reef geek recommended getting the 6 bulb version due to me wanting to get clams and more coral in the near future: and possibly getting larger tank in the next few years. What is your thoughts and what kind of bulbs do i need to order.
Also my tank is running on a measly 80 watt compact so this is going to be a major change--how do i acclimate?

 

[tinnghe]

is ic 660 ballast power 2 54w t5 bulbs a little over power?

 

[ReeferJam]

Grim,

As you are the guru and my head is spinning about how many times this thread has split...

I'm ordering a 6 bulb 60" Tek retro kit. It comes with my choice of Geissman bulbs. Which 6 should I get?

Thanks in advance.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12014152#post12014152 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tsouth
Right o. Thank you sir. Is this combination going to be good for lps/softies also?

Sure

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12014394#post12014394 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by andrewkw
Is ATI still making bulbs? A local reef store has told me they are not but under a new name they will be coming out again soon. I know they went bankrupt but I assumed someone bought them out.

Secondly do you think 6x54w is enough bulbs in a 60x18x24 tank for a mixed reef which will include some sps?

I got a tek fixture for a great price but because its got extra width on the side I'm not sure I can add 2 more bulbs from a retro kit unless I take the light fixture apart. I believe its the ballasts that are on the sides.

As far as I know ATI is alive and well. The BK was a few years ago.

6 lamps should be fine. Grab a Azoo fan array from fosters and smith and mount it on the back of the tank so it blows accross the fixture.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12014394#post12014394 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by andrewkw
Is ATI still making bulbs? A local reef store has told me they are not but under a new name they will be coming out again soon. I know they went bankrupt but I assumed someone bought them out.

Secondly do you think 6x54w is enough bulbs in a 60x18x24 tank for a mixed reef which will include some sps?

I got a tek fixture for a great price but because its got extra width on the side I'm not sure I can add 2 more bulbs from a retro kit unless I take the light fixture apart. I believe its the ballasts that are on the sides.

As far as I know ATI is alive and well. The BK was a few years ago.

6 lamps should be fine. Grab a Azoo fan array from fosters and smith and mount it on the back of the tank so it blows accross the fixture.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12014734#post12014734 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dwiseman
It appears that reefgeek does not sell the AVL 75/25. What brand and bulb should I go with to replace the 75/25?

UVL 75/25 Last I looked reefgeek still sold them. If not a Super Actinic

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12014776#post12014776 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MommaFishels
Crap, I was hoping that was not the case. I did talk to Aquactinics and while they are still toying with the idea of a 6 lamp Constellation with moons, they told me that is still quite some time away. I talked with them before you replied, so I didn't know to ask about the possibility of a normally driven Flare.

I placed an order for the flare yesterday (the woman was starting to get impatient, she wants corals) so I have a standard Solar Flare on the way. I ordered the following bulbs along with the unit, what order would you suggest their placement, and/or do you think I should replace any of them with other bulbs?

1x Giesemann Midday
2 x UVL Super Actinic
1 x Aqua Science Duo
1 x ATI Aquablue Special
1 x KZ Fiji Purple

If the Flare will melt shrooms in a 75, what about other things like softies, zoas, etc? Will everything else be fine? Also, how far down in the water column would I likely be able to place LPS, SPS, etc?

Front

Duo
Super Actinic
Fiji Purple
Midday
Super Actinic
Aquablue

Keep the fixture to the back as much as possible so hopefully the higher output lamps wont hit the lower sections of the tank as much. The shrooms will eventually adapt somewhat.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12015217#post12015217 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by anin
What is everyone else doing to cool down their tek fixtures? Is there a diy thread/method which works best? thanks

Azoo and some other companies make clamp on fan arrays you can clamp on the back of the tank. Having one of those blow across the fixture will work

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12015351#post12015351 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BWilfong
Quick question, I have heard that T5s will not penetrate as much as a Metal Halides, some are saying in a tank over 20" MH will do much better, is this true, and is there any data which supports either answer.

Thanks

Not true but then again it is.

The right T5 setup will work on tanks 30" tall, maybe even more. They can do what 250 watt halides can for the most part. 400 and 1000 watt halides are in another world.

Several people have done PAR readings in tanks that backs this up.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12017258#post12017258 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fish-unit
hi guys

Im in abit of a dilemma

I am about to upgrade my lights and need to know what to do

my tank is 122 cm long 35 cm wide and 45 cm high

I have mainly lps with 2 clams

i eaither want to go two 150 halides and t5 for actinics or thinking maybe 4-6 t5's with individual reflectors, only problem is that i dont think 6 will fit under the hood with it being only 35 cm wide,would 4 be enough, also wondering which would put out more heat?

anyway let me know asap

4 good T5's can do what 150 watt halides will do. each T5 needs 2 1/2" of space front to back.