The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11739022#post11739022 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 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

Ice Cap retro would be better.

For lamps

Front
Blue Plus
ATI Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11739039#post11739039 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 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.

Blue Plus
Actinic
Aquasun
Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11739097#post11739097 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Yinepu
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!

I wouldn't use the sheild. Doesn't matter what I like for mounting it. Whatever works best for you is all that matters.

 

[Larry Waughon]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11713751#post11713751 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
If you have a canopy a 8x54 Ice Cap retro, It will keep a carpet happy.

If you need a fixture either the Aquactinics Solar Flare or ATI 8x54 watt Powermodule

Which of these two fixtures do you feal is better. I see the Solar Flare over drives the bulbs, but does the Powermodule ?
Larry

 

[EvilE]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11735236#post11735236 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Blue Plus
Aquasun
Blue Plus
Aquablue

so, how would one run dusk to dawn with that setup? If I were to buy those bulbs, can it be done with my two ballasts?

 

[EvilE]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11735898#post11735898 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?

Grim?

 

[snaza]

Hi Grim,

you mentioned the Aquaz Blue pro bulbs are Blue and not actinic. Would they be comparable to the ATI Blue plus? the Aquazs are less than half the price in Australia. Would 2 aquaz blue pros be ok in a 6 bulb combo with a fiji purple, ati blue plus, bluespecial and a 10k? or to something else.

Thanks

Aaron

 

[James77]

I'm considering/researching switching from MH to T5. I Have a 175 bowfront, the ends are 18", and bow is 24"- with a water depth of 27". I currently run 3 250 watt reeflux 10K's 11" off the water with 2x160 VHO supp.
Would T5's work for me?-It is/wil be a predominately sps, and I prefer a crisp white with tint of blue. I am considering the following setups from reefgeek, all with Icecap ballasts
and reflectors, retrofit:
6x60"- easily fit-I dont mind the 6" on either side-not noticeable
12x39-easily fit
8x60- can fit, with some overhang on front sides

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11744019#post11744019 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Larry Waughon
Which of these two fixtures do you feal is better. I see the Solar Flare over drives the bulbs, but does the Powermodule ?
Larry

I would lean towards the Solar Flare. The Powermodule would have about as much output but there is a pretty good wait to get them.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11744805#post11744805 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by EvilE
Grim?

01/31/2008 06:03 PM

The Grim Reefer
Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid

Registered: Sep 2003
Location: Aurora
Occupation:
Posts: 13552



quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted 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.


__________________
Grim tells it like it is.
Last year the SEC was the strongest conference but overrated. This year they were just overrated.

Hobby Experience: Long enough to know better
Current Tanks: 105 gallon 6x54 T5 Lighting Tunze 9010 Skimmer 2 Korillia 4, 1 Korillia 3 CPR Aquafuge
Interests: 5 1/4%


Like 8 post up

as far as dusk/dawn run the blue pluses

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11745454#post11745454 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by snaza
Hi Grim,

you mentioned the Aquaz Blue pro bulbs are Blue and not actinic. Would they be comparable to the ATI Blue plus? the Aquazs are less than half the price in Australia. Would 2 aquaz blue pros be ok in a 6 bulb combo with a fiji purple, ati blue plus, bluespecial and a 10k? or to something else.

Thanks

Aaron

Yeah, they should be fine. Not sure about lamp life but they look nice

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11746816#post11746816 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by James77
I'm considering/researching switching from MH to T5. I Have a 175 bowfront, the ends are 18", and bow is 24"- with a water depth of 27". I currently run 3 250 watt reeflux 10K's 11" off the water with 2x160 VHO supp.
Would T5's work for me?-It is/wil be a predominately sps, and I prefer a crisp white with tint of blue. I am considering the following setups from reefgeek, all with Icecap ballasts
and reflectors, retrofit:
6x60"- easily fit-I dont mind the 6" on either side-not noticeable
12x39-easily fit
8x60- can fit, with some overhang on front sides

I'd do the 12x39. You could mount the front row in a bit of a V shape to cover the bow sandbed if you keep critters there.

For lamps

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Aquablue
Blue Plus

 

[Larry Waughon]

Hey Grim, This is a recap : I have a 120 gal(4x2x2) SPS reef under 400 w MH. I want to be able to keep sps and a carpet anemone in the tank. I will be going with the solar flare fixture hanging 4-6 inches above my tank. Last question I hope! Which bulbs and in what order?
Thanks so much, Larry

 

[dsn112]

grim, would a 4 bulb tek outperfom a 6 bulb nova extreme pro if using all new bulbs on the nova?

 

[snaza]

Hi again grim,

ok i finally have my 6 bulbs and after a bit of bulb placement advice. my tank is 48x20x20. bulbs are 54w with individual reflectors. Mainly soft corals but starting a few SPS corals. the SPS are up high in the tank and will be sitting directly under the 4th bulb from the front(fiji purple at the moment). which bulbs would be best for the SPS frags? the order i have my bulbs now are

Front

Aquaz blue pro
Aquaz ocean pro (white 20k)
ATI Blue plus
KZ Fiji purple ( SPS are sitting here)
ATI aqua blue special
20k blue bulb (australian brand)

Is that order ok or would other bulbs be best over the SPS for growth and generally coral happiness

thanks heaps for your time grim.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11748222#post11748222 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Larry Waughon
Hey Grim, This is a recap : I have a 120 gal(4x2x2) SPS reef under 400 w MH. I want to be able to keep sps and a carpet anemone in the tank. I will be going with the solar flare fixture hanging 4-6 inches above my tank. Last question I hope! Which bulbs and in what order?
Thanks so much, Larry

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11750880#post11750880 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dsn112
grim, would a 4 bulb tek outperfom a 6 bulb nova extreme pro if using all new bulbs on the nova?

Gonna be close one way or the other. If you use one of those clamp on tank fan arrays to cool the Tek I would put my money on it.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

You're probably good like you have it. The Aquablue and Ocean pro are likely the strongest lamps followed by the FP then Blue Plus.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11752241#post11752241 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by snaza
Hi again grim,

ok i finally have my 6 bulbs and after a bit of bulb placement advice. my tank is 48x20x20. bulbs are 54w with individual reflectors. Mainly soft corals but starting a few SPS corals. the SPS are up high in the tank and will be sitting directly under the 4th bulb from the front(fiji purple at the moment). which bulbs would be best for the SPS frags? the order i have my bulbs now are

Front

Aquaz blue pro
Aquaz ocean pro (white 20k)
ATI Blue plus
KZ Fiji purple ( SPS are sitting here)
ATI aqua blue special
20k blue bulb (australian brand)

Is that order ok or would other bulbs be best over the SPS for growth and generally coral happiness

thanks heaps for your time grim.

 

[EvilE]

Grim should be paid for all this advice and being the "T5 guru"!!!

 

[emoore]

Hi Grim. Thanks for all the advice you give out here. I have a question. I am setting up a 90 gallon that will be mostly SPS with some LPS. I am planning on a six bulb T5 retro. 4 of the bulbs will be overdriven with an IceCap 660 and 2 will be on the Triad balast. I am looking for recommendations for bulbs. I do prefer a slight blue tint (probably around 14K) Thanks.