The T5 Q&a Thread

[wharfrat48]

Looking for some lighting for my 29g fuge. Drs F&S have the Nova extreme 2 x 24w T5 (not pro) for about 60$. I know these do not have individual reflectors-- so my question is whether it would still be a good lamp for this application. Comes with a 10000K and either a actinic or a "freshwater bulb" whatever that is. I have not been able to find a PC hood for that price and the Nova extreme hood looks relatively small--- I dont have all that much room above my fuge. If not, any other suggestions? How about a NO fluorescent?

That would be a fine fuge light

I assume either the actinic or the "freshwater" bulb would be a waste. Any suggestions on what I should replace it with for optimal macro growth?

Thanks again

 

[EvilE]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11920409#post11920409 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
4 inches is about ideal. Just make sure they are high enough to avoid salt spray

mine still get a bit of salt spray on them-- I have them mounted in my canopy--I wipe the bulbs and reflectors regularly-is there any way to avoid the salt spray?

 

[Reliable1]

What to buy

What to buy

I am about to purchase a T5 fixture and need advice. It is between a 48" 4x54W SLR T5 Very High-Output Retrofit Kit w/ Bulbs or 48" 6x54W SLR T5 High-Output Retrofit Kit w/ Bulbs. I currently have a hang on refugium that blocks half of the back end of canopy (some humidity occurs). I know that i can overdrive with Very high output ballast. So would i get more out of the 4 x 54 very high output or the the 6 x 54 high output. please give me your suggestions. Also what bulb combo to purchase.

Thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11920737#post11920737 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wharfrat48
I assume either the actinic or the "freshwater" bulb would be a waste. Any suggestions on what I should replace it with for optimal macro growth?

Thanks again

If its a real actinic it wont help much. Blue would be better but I would get the freshwater bulb. Ultimatly the GE 6500K is what I would order when you change the stock lamps.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: What to buy

Re: What to buy

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11920971#post11920971 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Reliable1
I am about to purchase a T5 fixture and need advice. It is between a 48" 4x54W SLR T5 Very High-Output Retrofit Kit w/ Bulbs or 48" 6x54W SLR T5 High-Output Retrofit Kit w/ Bulbs. I currently have a hang on refugium that blocks half of the back end of canopy (some humidity occurs). I know that i can overdrive with Very high output ballast. So would i get more out of the 4 x 54 very high output or the the 6 x 54 high output. please give me your suggestions. Also what bulb combo to purchase.

Thanks

Unless the tank is over 20" tall I wouldnt overdrive.

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

 

[viix]

I have a question and I tryed searching this but the results are mixed.

I have a finnex 36" 6 bulb fixture with a single large reflector. I want to buy the individual reflectors that clip onto the bulb but some people say they dont fit. I need some advice here on which reflectors will fit and possibly where to buy them.

 

[ksarauer]

Hello Grim, I have the following 4 bulbs on a 75 gal, primarly SPS. What order should I put them in? The two inner bulbs are on ballast 1 and the 2 outer bulbs are on ballast 2.

UVL Super Actinic
UVL 75.25
ATI Aquablue special
ATI blue plus

Also, how many hours/day would you recomend to start with?

Thanks!

 

[PCIALF]

I just got my light installed I have the 8 bulb TEK on a 120

it is bright!!

My questions are

1) Grim you said to get the clamp on fans what to they actually do? Are they cooling the bulbs?

2} You said

Front
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
Aquablue
Pro Color
Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
Super Actinic
Blue Plus

My ATI order has not arrived yet I have the Procolor coming

To get it going I am running (what I could get the soonest)

front
Giesemann: PowerChrome Actinic Plus
Giesemann: PowerChrome Pure Actinic
Giesemann: PowerChrome Aqua Blue +
Giesemann: PowerChrome Midday
Giesemann: PowerChrome Aqua Blue +
UV Lighting Aquasun
Giesemann: PowerChrome Pure Actinic
Giesemann: PowerChrome Actinic Plus

When my ATI order comes I will be swapping the Giesemann: PowerChrome Midday with the Procolor

my question is are the rest of the bulbs similar to the spec's or should I swap the rest out when the order gets here

thanks again I am very happy!

 

[tbone28]

:lol:

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11921458#post11921458 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by viix
I have a question and I tryed searching this but the results are mixed.

I have a finnex 36" 6 bulb fixture with a single large reflector. I want to buy the individual reflectors that clip onto the bulb but some people say they dont fit. I need some advice here on which reflectors will fit and possibly where to buy them.

From what I understand there isnt room unless you take out a couple lamps and remount the remaining 4 to give you the 2 1/2" you need for each reflector/

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11921594#post11921594 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ksarauer
Hello Grim, I have the following 4 bulbs on a 75 gal, primarly SPS. What order should I put them in? The two inner bulbs are on ballast 1 and the 2 outer bulbs are on ballast 2.

UVL Super Actinic
UVL 75.25
ATI Aquablue special
ATI blue plus

Also, how many hours/day would you recomend to start with?

Thanks!

Front
Blue Plus
75/25
Aquablue
Super Actinic

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11922749#post11922749 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by PCIALF
I just got my light installed I have the 8 bulb TEK on a 120

it is bright!!

My questions are

1) Grim you said to get the clamp on fans what to they actually do? Are they cooling the bulbs?

2} You said

Front
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
Aquablue
Pro Color
Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
Super Actinic
Blue Plus

My ATI order has not arrived yet I have the Procolor coming

To get it going I am running (what I could get the soonest)

front
Giesemann: PowerChrome Actinic Plus
Giesemann: PowerChrome Pure Actinic
Giesemann: PowerChrome Aqua Blue +
Giesemann: PowerChrome Midday
Giesemann: PowerChrome Aqua Blue +
UV Lighting Aquasun
Giesemann: PowerChrome Pure Actinic
Giesemann: PowerChrome Actinic Plus

When my ATI order comes I will be swapping the Giesemann: PowerChrome Midday with the Procolor

my question is are the rest of the bulbs similar to the spec's or should I swap the rest out when the order gets here

thanks again I am very happy!

I suspect you picture was touched up to make it look brighter

I would play with the actinics to see which you like better but the Blue/Actinic Plus and Aquablues are really close so I wouldn't worry about them.

 

[cougaran]

I ordered the Icecap 660 retro kit-- 4 bulb for my 90 gal.

I'm just wondering about photoperiod. I think the total photoperiod i would like to run is way too long. 11AM to 2PM- 15 hours.
I have varying work hours and would like to view the tank when i get up and when i come home from work... Would 12 hours work and maybe some type of 1 bulb deal to put into DIY canopy?
Which kind of leads me into asking what kind of lighting would be a cheap way to run a dawn to early morning and then a late afternoon to dusk scenario w/o main lights on?

TIA

 

[jamesdawson]

PCIALF's picture,

All the photochopped-in clownfish look suspiciously like pinatas!

James

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11923402#post11923402 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cougaran
I ordered the Icecap 660 retro kit-- 4 bulb for my 90 gal.

I'm just wondering about photoperiod. I think the total photoperiod i would like to run is way too long. 11AM to 2PM- 15 hours.
I have varying work hours and would like to view the tank when i get up and when i come home from work... Would 12 hours work and maybe some type of 1 bulb deal to put into DIY canopy?
Which kind of leads me into asking what kind of lighting would be a cheap way to run a dawn to early morning and then a late afternoon to dusk scenario w/o main lights on?

TIA

15 hours is seriously pushing it. If you can find a string of blue LED CHristmas lights they make pretty decent viewing lights. I suppose you could break up your photo period, go from 11AM to
3PM and like 7PM to 2AM or whatever fits your schedule.

 

[Gilby]

I've got a Tek light 6x54W fixture, can i replace the original ballast with an ice cap ballast? If so, which one, 660 or 430?

 

[PCIALF]

So if I wanted more of a 14k look so a little more blue what should I consider changing, here is what I am running now

front
Giesemann: PowerChrome Actinic Plus
Giesemann: PowerChrome Pure Actinic
Giesemann: PowerChrome Aqua Blue +
Procolor
Giesemann: PowerChrome Aqua Blue +
UV Lighting Aquasun
Giesemann: PowerChrome Pure Actinic
Giesemann: PowerChrome Actinic Plus

Also I currently put my glass tops back on because the lens kit was back ordered is there any preference as to which one to use?

I have the light currently about 5" above the glass it is a good height because you are not fighting to get in the tank but is it too high to work properly?

As usual thanks for sharing of your knowledge

 

[cthedaytrader]

Hi Grim, I am in the final steps of setting up a standard 20G L (30 x12x12). I definitely want some t5's. I have been stuck between all t5's or a t5 and HQI, I want a quality light but also wouldnt mind saving money both on fixture and in electricity. I want to keep mainly sps, and some nice zoos and maybe a clam in al depths of the tank.

I also want an open hood and a fixture, although if necessary I could build a hanging canopy.

My question would be after reading your thread, I see you like aquatinics and ATI fixture however the solar flare and constellation do not come in 24inch, only the tx . I was about to buy the giesemann eco with 150W HQI and 2 t5, but now am torn between it and all t5's. The ati and aquatinics are nearly the same price as the gieseman so I was leaning towards the HQI.

Could I save some money and buy the tek 4 lamp fixture and be as effective on a tank of my shallow depth? Or would you go with the Aquatinic fixture (5 lamp fixture) or ATI ? Or would it be better to get a icecap retro from reefgeek and build a hanging hood? Or of course the Giesemann HQI?

Sorry for the long post I have been torn on this for 2 months lol

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11926414#post11926414 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Gilby
I've got a Tek light 6x54W fixture, can i replace the original ballast with an ice cap ballast? If so, which one, 660 or 430?

You can remote wire the Ice Cap but you will need to cool the fixture with fans. 430 will run 2 lamps, 660 4.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Drop a pure actinic for another Actinic Plus

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11926863#post11926863 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by PCIALF
So if I wanted more of a 14k look so a little more blue what should I consider changing, here is what I am running now

front
Giesemann: PowerChrome Actinic Plus
Giesemann: PowerChrome Pure Actinic
Giesemann: PowerChrome Aqua Blue +
Procolor
Giesemann: PowerChrome Aqua Blue +
UV Lighting Aquasun
Giesemann: PowerChrome Pure Actinic
Giesemann: PowerChrome Actinic Plus

Also I currently put my glass tops back on because the lens kit was back ordered is there any preference as to which one to use?

I have the light currently about 5" above the glass it is a good height because you are not fighting to get in the tank but is it too high to work properly?

As usual thanks for sharing of your knowledge