The T5 Q&a Thread

[sales weasel]

Hey Guys,
It's been a while since I posted here. I'm going to change tanks from a 48" long to a 36x36. That means I'll have to change light tubes. I have a TEK system and 54w lights. I've read about others who over-drive their tubes and I wonder if anyone runs 39w tubes in a 54w system?

 

[stevedola]

GR, would you use a uvl 75/25 or an ati aquablue sp.?
ill be using it with 2 blue+,1 SA, 1 aqua sun--

which one is better?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11686512#post11686512 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefcrazy0821
hey grim... my lfs said he could do the nova extreme pro 6x54 with the stock bulbs exchanged out for the bulbs i would want for $400...would you recommend this light fixture?i just think its a great deal that i cant pass up...lemme know your suggestion...thanks

It would be fine over a 55, you should be able to keep about anything in that tank.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11686590#post11686590 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by yamaha racer
will this work for my 90g? has individaul reflecrors, worth it?
http://www.catalinaaquarium.com/product_info.php?cPath=71_136&products_id=1447

Dunno, Might be good, might be bad. All I do know is that company (or any of the other 3 or 4 names they operate under) will never get any of my business.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11687393#post11687393 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sales weasel
Hey Guys,
It's been a while since I posted here. I'm going to change tanks from a 48" long to a 36x36. That means I'll have to change light tubes. I have a TEK system and 54w lights. I've read about others who over-drive their tubes and I wonder if anyone runs 39w tubes in a 54w system?

The ballasts are not the same. I seem to remeber reading somewhere about the 54 watt ballast killing the lamps in less than 3 weeks.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11689037#post11689037 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by stevedola
GR, would you use a uvl 75/25 or an ati aquablue sp.?
ill be using it with 2 blue+,1 SA, 1 aqua sun--

which one is better?

I'd try the 75/25.

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

Hey grim,

Got any suggestions for my inquiry a page back?

 

[spleen93]

To make it easier for Grim, here's LobsterofJustice's post from the last page:

I am in the market for a T5 retrofit in the 24-36" range. This tank will be used primarily as a refugium, so I would like to be able to grow sea grasses, cheatomorpha, halimeda, etc, but it would be nice if I could have the option of keeping corals in it temporarily as needed. I have a piece of plywood maybe 10" above the tank which I will screw the retrofit into. The tank is a 30g breeder, so it is relatively shallow.

How many bulbs, and what brands should I be looking at? I found the following one which seems to be good, but I'm not sure two bulbs is going to be enough. I've used halides before, but I'm new to T5's so I dont know what will be enough.

SLS retro kit

I'm not Grim but isn't a 30 breeder 18 inches wide? I'd be worried about light spread with only 2 bulbs. You might need two retrofit kits spaced out to supply even light over the tank. It's shallow enough that it'd work well, possibly even too well.

For a refugium/macroalgae/seagrass tank, you'd probably want the bulbs to be warmer - I'm going to guess a 2 bulb combo of UVL Aquasun and ATI Aquablue Special.

Am I way off, Grim?

Spleen

 

[Primetime33]

still tinkering

still tinkering

I have a 60*24*24 SPS dominated tank with the below bulb config, I want to get a fiji purple and a 75/25. Where, would you place them, if at all? I am still tinkering around with the bulbs/look as usual. These bulbs are on 2 icecap 660's.

1. Blue+
2. Super Actinic (dusk dawn)
3. Aquasun or GE6500 (marking has worn off)
4. Blue+ (dusk dawn)
5. Procolor
6. Blue+ (dusk dawn)

Thank you as always!!!!

 

[yeldarbj]

Primetime33,

I just got a Fiji Purple and a 75/25. I really like the 75/25 in combo with blue plus for dusk dawn. I think 2 blue plus with 1 75/25 would be a great dusk dawn. The Fiji Purple is similar in brightness to an aquablue (at least to my eye) but instead of having the slight blue tint for the aquablue, it has just a slight purple tint to it. I expected it to be more purple.

I'm currently running:
Blue Plus (dusk dawn)
Aquasun
Fiji Purple
AquaBlue
75/25 (dusk dawn)

I'm going to add a 6th bulb which would be a blue plus after the aquablue. I have not tried to ProColor yet, but given the bulb combo you listed, I would try:

Blue Plus or Procolor
Blue Plus (dusk dawn)
Aquasun
75/25 (dusk dawn)
Fiji Purple
Blue Plus (dusk dawn)

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11679380#post11679380 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by LobsterOfJustice
I posted this in a separate thread in this forum, but it was suggested that I post it here as well:


I am in the market for a T5 retrofit in the 24-36" range. This tank will be used primarily as a refugium, so I would like to be able to grow sea grasses, cheatomorpha, halimeda, etc, but it would be nice if I could have the option of keeping corals in it temporarily as needed. I have a piece of plywood maybe 10" above the tank which I will screw the retrofit into. The tank is a 30g breeder, so it is relatively shallow.

How many bulbs, and what brands should I be looking at? I found the following one which seems to be good, but I'm not sure two bulbs is going to be enough. I've used halides before, but I'm new to T5's so I dont know what will be enough.

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5...5_HO_Retrofit_Kit_w!_Bulbs_by_Sunlight_Supply

I would use the GE 6500K daylights. Cheap. lots of PAR and in a spectrum range both the corals and algaes/grasses can best use

I would get the Tek II retrofits instead of the readyfit. The reflectors are wider and as has been mentioned you can space them out to give you better lighting coverage over the tank.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11690994#post11690994 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by spleen93
To make it easier for Grim, here's LobsterofJustice's post from the last page:


I'm not Grim but isn't a 30 breeder 18 inches wide? I'd be worried about light spread with only 2 bulbs. You might need two retrofit kits spaced out to supply even light over the tank. It's shallow enough that it'd work well, possibly even too well.

For a refugium/macroalgae/seagrass tank, you'd probably want the bulbs to be warmer - I'm going to guess a 2 bulb combo of UVL Aquasun and ATI Aquablue Special.

Am I way off, Grim?

Spleen

Not really. That would work but the GE 6500K is inexpensive and will do absolutely fine for corals short term without effecting color.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: still tinkering

Re: still tinkering

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11691348#post11691348 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Primetime33
I have a 60*24*24 SPS dominated tank with the below bulb config, I want to get a fiji purple and a 75/25. Where, would you place them, if at all? I am still tinkering around with the bulbs/look as usual. These bulbs are on 2 icecap 660's.

1. Blue+
2. Super Actinic (dusk dawn)
3. Aquasun or GE6500 (marking has worn off)
4. Blue+ (dusk dawn)
5. Procolor
6. Blue+ (dusk dawn)

Thank you as always!!!!

You could try replacing the pro color with the 75/25 if you think there is too much red. The fiji purple you could try in place of the front Blue Plus;

 

[Primetime33]

yeldarbj,
Thank you for the suggestion!! Sounds like an interesting combo. I will try that out first.

Grim,
Yes, it looks a little too red for me now. I will order the 2 bulbs today. Hopefully the fiji will not make it too purple being in front.

Should the PAR be about the same as my original combo?

Thank you both for the help.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

The Fiji is actually violet like an actinic lamp. Violet isn't purple. Purple is purple.

 

[reefcrazy0821]

thanks grim...you said it would be good for a 55 but im a put it on my new 75g...this light would still be fine for that right?

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11691429#post11691429 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
I would use the GE 6500K daylights. Cheap. lots of PAR and in a spectrum range both the corals and algaes/grasses can best use

I would get the Tek II retrofits instead of the readyfit. The reflectors are wider and as has been mentioned you can space them out to give you better lighting coverage over the tank.

Thanks very much. So you think 2 will be fine because I can spread them apart? Should I get high output or very high output? Is the kit relatively simple to assemble? I've never done wiring or electrical work or anything like that. Thats the only reason I had chosen the ready fit. I don't mind doing some assembly as long as it comes with instructions and they assume I have no idea what I'm doing

 

[Primetime33]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11691913#post11691913 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
The Fiji is actually violet like an actinic lamp. Violet isn't purple. Purple is purple.

lol.. ok ok

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11692002#post11692002 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefcrazy0821
thanks grim...you said it would be good for a 55 but im a put it on my new 75g...this light would still be fine for that right?

Yeah.

 

[reefcrazy0821]

thanks alot grim...i appreciate the feedback