The T5 Q&a Thread

[tinnghe]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11943936#post11943936 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
If your tank is going to be a mixed reef and heat isn't an issue go for a halide/T5 fixture. 8 overdriven T5's are going to make some LPS unhappy campers.

Thank. Grim what would be the best choice for mh combo fixture or brand? DIY or not?i have some heat issue w my 55 in the summer could I have all lps and SPs in the center anemone on the bottom and clams?

 

[Maeda]

Re: Re: Odd tank size

Re: Re: Odd tank size

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11943887#post11943887 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Maybe do 2 of the 4 lamp Teks so you can space them out a bit/

Thanks Grim,
I'm guessing the inferior tek reflectors won't be a problem in a shallow tank like this...

Would I be better served by an 8 bulb retrofit on some kind of custom hanging canopy?

 

[edub_50]

T5 question

T5 question

Hey Grim,

I'm chucking my 400w MH for T5's and I have a few questions.
I have a 180 gallon, 6ft. x 2ft. x 2ft. tank with a lot of sps and a few lps.
First, I have an 8x54w (48 inch) fixture with two WH ballasts. The bulbs are all Giessman, 4 actinic + and 4 aqua blue +.

Are these bulbs adequate for my animals? If not, what can I add/subtract from the mix?

Second, I have the a retro VHO kit that can add up to 4 more VHO bulbs to the equation .

What type of bulb color/type would you suggest?
Lastly, could you suggest a lighting schedule? The T5's can only be controlled in groups of 4, so I'm not sure about the sequence or timing.

Thanks Grim!

 

[snaza]

i have a spare 2 x 54w ballast. if i just run 1 bulb will that use 54w or will it still be using 108w even though only 1 bulb is running? sorry dumb question.

 

[Aquactinics]

snaza,

There should be a wiring diagram on the ballast for both a 1x54W setup and 2x54W setup. As long as you follow the diagram for the 1x54W setup the lamp will run at 54 watts.

Tom
Aquactinics

 

[snaza]

no diagram (-;

i just pulled apart an old cheap ebay unit it wanted to use the ballast to run 1 actinic. its already wired for 2 bulbs but runs with just 1. would that be using 108W?

thanks

 

[saline solution]

SPS frag tank lighting? Thinking about a 20 long or 40 breeder. Frags will be no more than 10" from surface. What T5 fixture should I buy. What bulbs? Thinking 36" nova pro, regular nova, or a 150MH w/a lumenmax 3 pendant, maybe an icecap ballast. What do you guys think?

 

[vder]

I have an Aquatinics Constellation Series 7 Row T5 HO Fixture sitting above my 135 gallon tank. Looking for a bulb reccomendation. Thanks . What brand bulbs work best? This is a 14 bulb fixture.

 

[vder]

I have an Aquatinics Constellation Series 7 Row T5 HO Fixture sitting above my 135 gallon tank. Looking for a bulb reccomendation. Thanks . What brand bulbs work best? This is a 14 bulb fixture.

 

[bpoore89]

Grim, I have a 55 with a Nova Extreme Pro. 6 bulbs. I want to keep SPS but have that bluer look. Any ideas?

 

[tinnghe]

thanks Grim

 

[anin]

what can i use the clean up the waterspots on the aluminum reflectors on my tek? I had some meguiars mag and aluminum polish..figured i try that..

 

[sbcaes]

hey grim. i just ordered some of those nova extreme bulbs the t5 ho 18" bulbs. I'm hoping to put these into a fixture that im building at the moment.

What reflectors woudl you reccomend and what ballast woudl you use? i know that current has a "sunpak" e-ballast for these but what ballast would you use? the fulham workhorse? (the model 33) kind of like how aquactinics does theres? or how woudl you improve it?

 

[jamesdawson]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11958408#post11958408 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by anin
what can i use the clean up the waterspots on the aluminum reflectors on my tek? I had some meguiars mag and aluminum polish..figured i try that..

I doubt they will clean up. mine never did and SS refused to replace them under their so-called warranty.

Just one more reason not to buy Sunlight Supply.

James

 

[markjglover]

Grim I just installed my Tx5 with the following bulbs
Front:
Giesemann Actinic +
UVL 75/25
UVL Aquasun
Giesemann Actinic +
Giesemann Aquablue plus

This config is not as blue as I thought it would be. Should I think about adding an ATI Blue Plus? or something else to make the colors pop more...

Thanks!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11944199#post11944199 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tinnghe
Thank. Grim what would be the best choice for mh combo fixture or brand? DIY or not?i have some heat issue w my 55 in the summer could I have all lps and SPs in the center anemone on the bottom and clams?

If this is for a 55 Current has a nice 2x150 watt halide with 4 T5's unit.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: Re: Re: Odd tank size

Re: Re: Re: Odd tank size

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11944344#post11944344 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Maeda
Thanks Grim,
I'm guessing the inferior tek reflectors won't be a problem in a shallow tank like this...

Would I be better served by an 8 bulb retrofit on some kind of custom hanging canopy?

By using 2 fixtures you will have the light more spread out but a single 8 lamp unit will work. Shallow tank reflectors arent as critical.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: T5 question

Re: T5 question

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11944494#post11944494 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by edub_50
Hey Grim,

I'm chucking my 400w MH for T5's and I have a few questions.
I have a 180 gallon, 6ft. x 2ft. x 2ft. tank with a lot of sps and a few lps.
First, I have an 8x54w (48 inch) fixture with two WH ballasts. The bulbs are all Giessman, 4 actinic + and 4 aqua blue +.

Are these bulbs adequate for my animals? If not, what can I add/subtract from the mix?

Second, I have the a retro VHO kit that can add up to 4 more VHO bulbs to the equation .

What type of bulb color/type would you suggest?
Lastly, could you suggest a lighting schedule? The T5's can only be controlled in groups of 4, so I'm not sure about the sequence or timing.

Thanks Grim!

What brand of fixture are you talking about? If it isn't atleast a Tek I wouldn't try it.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11944540#post11944540 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by snaza
no diagram (-;

i just pulled apart an old cheap ebay unit it wanted to use the ballast to run 1 actinic. its already wired for 2 bulbs but runs with just 1. would that be using 108W?

thanks

As long as the wiring for the single lamp is correct it should be OK, just cap off the other leads

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11949936#post11949936 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by saline solution
SPS frag tank lighting? Thinking about a 20 long or 40 breeder. Frags will be no more than 10" from surface. What T5 fixture should I buy. What bulbs? Thinking 36" nova pro, regular nova, or a 150MH w/a lumenmax 3 pendant, maybe an icecap ballast. What do you guys think?

Nova pro would be oK on a short tank/