The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11721963#post11721963 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Yinepu
Hi Grim,

My husband is getting me lights for two of my tanks for my birthday. One of the tanks is a 50 gal. The other is a 75. He is getting the 48" 4 bulb Tek lights from Reefgeek. Can you give me a suggestion as to which bulbs to get? I have LTA's in one tank and (some day) want to put a bubble tip anem in the other. No SPS, but possibly an LPS in the future...
Thanks!

For both

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic or ATI true blue Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus (or Aquablue if you want a brighter, more white look)

 

[fjr_wertheimber]

Oh great and powerful Grim, I've been told repeatedly that you're the source of all (useful) T5 knowledge. My question is this:

I'm setting up my first tank, a 110g (72"l x 18"w x 20"h) and would like to be able to have a good mix of just about everything, including SPS and a few LPS. I'm thinking about getting 60" 6x80W Tek 2 T5 Very High-Output Retrofit Kit w/ Bulbs from Reefgeek. Would that be enough light to grow what I'd like? Also, what type of lifespan should I expect from those bulbs?

I'm thinking of putting a Tunze Wavebox on there, would any (slight) splashing kill those and require me to get a fixture with a cover, or should I be okay?

Thanks in advance for your help,
A.J.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11724500#post11724500 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jadeguppy
Grim, what is your opinion on Sylivan ballasts for 54 watt T5's?

I use them

 

[EvilE]

Also, I started a thread about the placement of my T5's in my canopy, and I guess I need to be asking it in here with you all. I have a 55 gallon tank w/canopy, I recently installed a T5 HO retro fit kit (the ones from Hellolights). I installed them in my canopy with the two 10K bulbs toward the front, and the two actinic 03's toward the back. So My question is simply does it make much difference which order the lights are in? Should I leave it as is, or should I go 10k/actinic/10k/actinic, or what? Someone said I should go actinic/10k/10k/actinic, but in a relatively narrow space like a 55 gallon canopy, does it matter much? So, should I change the order of the endcaps, or leave it as is?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11732392#post11732392 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MikePowell
Grim- I have a 22g tank that is 24w x 14d x 14h will the 24" 4bulb tek light be sufficent for keeping sps, and zoas. if so what bulb combo should i go with?

Oh hell yes.

Front
Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
Blue Plus

 

[bezlar]

Grim- I just got a sun dial from current 48 54w it came with 2 10k and 2 act. Would like to keep a couple of clams one dersa and one crocea. Any recomendations? Tank is 24 depth.

Thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11734234#post11734234 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fjr_wertheimber
Oh great and powerful Grim, I've been told repeatedly that you're the source of all (useful) T5 knowledge. My question is this:

I'm setting up my first tank, a 110g (72"l x 18"w x 20"h) and would like to be able to have a good mix of just about everything, including SPS and a few LPS. I'm thinking about getting 60" 6x80W Tek 2 T5 Very High-Output Retrofit Kit w/ Bulbs from Reefgeek. Would that be enough light to grow what I'd like? Also, what type of lifespan should I expect from those bulbs?

I'm thinking of putting a Tunze Wavebox on there, would any (slight) splashing kill those and require me to get a fixture with a cover, or should I be okay?

Thanks in advance for your help,
A.J.

You ain't gonna get 6 of those Tek reflectors over the tank. Have Greg do you 4 Tek reflectors and 2 24" and 2 36" Ice Cap reflectors. You'll just be able to cram all those in there. The Teks are just over 3" wide, The Ice Caps are 2 1/2. As long as you run a couple fans to cool the lamp ends you should get a year out of the lamps.

Do this
Front
ATI Blue Plus (Ballast 1)
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI True Actinic (Ballast 1)
ATI Pro Color
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus (Ballast 1)

 

[techrider62]

Hey grim
Is this true about these bulbs.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1308209

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11734249#post11734249 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by EvilE
Also, I started a thread about the placement of my T5's in my canopy, and I guess I need to be asking it in here with you all. I have a 55 gallon tank w/canopy, I recently installed a T5 HO retro fit kit (the ones from Hellolights). I installed them in my canopy with the two 10K bulbs toward the front, and the two actinic 03's toward the back. So My question is simply does it make much difference which order the lights are in? Should I leave it as is, or should I go 10k/actinic/10k/actinic, or what? Someone said I should go actinic/10k/10k/actinic, but in a relatively narrow space like a 55 gallon canopy, does it matter much? So, should I change the order of the endcaps, or leave it as is?

It does matter, If those are real actinics (violet light, not blue) ditch one and get a blue lamp (ATI Blue Plus, Gmann Actinic Plus) and put it as the front lamp then a 10K, Actinic, 10K. You will like the look a lot more.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11734656#post11734656 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bezlar
Grim- I just got a sun dial from current 48 54w it came with 2 10k and 2 act. Would like to keep a couple of clams one dersa and one crocea. Any recomendations? Tank is 24 depth.

Thanks

Unless you can keep the clams up on the rocks, way up for the crocea I wouldn't try it. If you ditch the current lamps and do say a UVL Aquasun, ATI Aquablue and a Couple of Blue Plus you might keep the dersa happy on the sand.

 

[bezlar]

What order in the light?

Thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11734780#post11734780 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by techrider62
Hey grim
Is this true about these bulbs.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1308209

Heard that from someone else too, Hahnmeister. Guess I need to throw a PAR meter on mine and see what it does. Just to look at it it seems fine and its been running since July.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11735129#post11735129 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bezlar
What order in the light?

Thanks

Blue Plus
Aquasun
Blue Plus
Aquablue

 

[bezlar]

Thanks just ordered from reefgeek.

 

[EvilE]

Also, I started a thread about the placement of my T5's in my canopy, and I guess I need to be asking it in here with you all. I have a 55 gallon tank w/canopy, I recently installed a T5 HO retro fit kit (the ones from Hellolights). I installed them in my canopy with the two 10K bulbs toward the front, and the two actinic 03's toward the back. So My question is simply does it make much difference which order the lights are in? Should I leave it as is, or should I go 10k/actinic/10k/actinic, or what? Someone said I should go actinic/10k/10k/actinic, but in a relatively narrow space like a 55 gallon canopy, does it matter much? So, should I change the order of the endcaps, or leave it as is?

 

[tazman71]

Which 4 bulb set would be best for my 58 Oceanic(36x18x20) with Icecap 660 ballast and Icecap reflectors for SPS/LPS? Not as concerned about looks as for growth for frag tank. Thanks

 

[atlfishes]

I have a 90 gallon with mainly LPS / softies and would like to keep a few SPS at the top. I'll go the retro route. I've done a little reseach and what is largely recommended on Reef Central is ReefGeek Retro kits. For my situation I was thinking 4x 54w with icecap reflectors or are Tek reflectors better? I would also like to know what bulb combination you recommend. I've heard people complain about t5 actinics, are PC actinics any better? I'll have an extra one. Thanks

 

[twon8]

I've got a 55g tank i'm about to switch from 2xt5 overdriven on an icecap 430(ati blueplus and an aquablue) to 4xt5 on an icecap 660.
I have the following bulbs on hand
4xblueplus/actinic plus(some more than a year old)
one ati actinic, new
uvl aquasun, new
uvl 75/25 new
old ge 6500
ati aquablue, two years old

I plan to mess around with the bulbs and take some pics to post here, but as of right now i don't have a battery for my dslr, so pics may take some time. I've got another camera, but with the dslr i can set color temp and give a pretty accurate representation


If there are any suggestions as to bulb arrangements to start with....
Im about to start wiring.

 

[Yinepu]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11734233#post11734233 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
For both

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic or ATI true blue Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus (or Aquablue if you want a brighter, more white look)

Thanks Grim,

Just to get your opinion.. how do you feel about the acrylic shield for the tek lights? Does it do more harm than good (overheating the bulbs)? And do you prefer the brackets or the hanging kit for the lights? I've always had my lights suspended over the water and never knew for sure if they were too high or too low...

Thanks again!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11737785#post11737785 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tazman71
Which 4 bulb set would be best for my 58 Oceanic(36x18x20) with Icecap 660 ballast and Icecap reflectors for SPS/LPS? Not as concerned about looks as for growth for frag tank. Thanks

If you just want to grow frags fas I would just use the GE 6500K daylights, dirt cheap and great PAR