The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12017527#post12017527 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dwiseman
Just purchase 6x54W T5 from reefgeek. thanks grim for your help. What is the best way to aclimate corals to the new intense lighting?

Depends what you went from as far as lights. You can run the dusk/dawn par most of the day and add the other 4 in say starting a couple hours a day and add an hour or so a week to that.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: Re: Re: 120x36x30 t5 setup?

Re: Re: Re: 120x36x30 t5 setup?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12017812#post12017812 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wmilas
Thanks much on the fan advice. Thats completely doable. The venting isnt going to be a problem (I hope) As I'm planning on custom making the rack out of wood so I should be able to make it lattice like.

About the 10th row of lights. Thats going to necessitate another ballast for a total of 7. Its doable but.. ugh

I would at least design things so it is doable later on if you gotta have it.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12021040#post12021040 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ericad289
T-5 gurus please help
i know it has been asked a dozen times, but everything is running together after reading this forum the last two hours....I have a 75 gal aquarium, 8 fish , lots of mushrooms, and a leather I am fixing to order the ati powermodule the guy i spoke with at reef geek recommended getting the 6 bulb version due to me wanting to get clams and more coral in the near future: and possibly getting larger tank in the next few years. What is your thoughts and what kind of bulbs do i need to order.
Also my tank is running on a measly 80 watt compact so this is going to be a major change--how do i acclimate?

You can use 3 layers of fiberglass window screen. I would probaly remove the first layer after a few days, take the second off a week or so after that and the 3rd a couple weeks after that.

For lamps
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12022021#post12022021 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tinnghe
is ic 660 ballast power 2 54w t5 bulbs a little over power?

About 80 watts a lamp, 2,3 or 4 lamps

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12022412#post12022412 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ReeferJam
Grim,

As you are the guru and my head is spinning about how many times this thread has split...

I'm ordering a 6 bulb 60" Tek retro kit. It comes with my choice of Geissman bulbs. Which 6 should I get?

Thanks in advance.

front
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Actinic
Giesemann Midday
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

 

[tinnghe]

for supplement wat is a good choice for bulb running 12k 250w bulbs

 

[ReeferJam]

Originally posted by ReeferJam
Grim,

As you are the guru and my head is spinning about how many times this thread has split...

I'm ordering a 6 bulb 60" Tek retro kit. It comes with my choice of Geissman bulbs. Which 6 should I get?

Thanks in advance.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



front
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Actinic
Giesemann Midday
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi Grim, Thanks for the input. I havent figured outthe "quote" feature yet. I'll look into using those bulbs...but the initial kit comes with all Geissmans. If you had to choose 6 Geissmans, which ones would you get?

Thanks again.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12022717#post12022717 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tinnghe
for supplement wat is a good choice for bulb running 12k 250w bulbs

1 Blue Plus and 1 Super Actinic

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12023324#post12023324 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ReeferJam
Originally posted by ReeferJam
Grim,

As you are the guru and my head is spinning about how many times this thread has split...

I'm ordering a 6 bulb 60" Tek retro kit. It comes with my choice of Geissman bulbs. Which 6 should I get?

Thanks in advance.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



front
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Actinic
Giesemann Midday
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi Grim, Thanks for the input. I havent figured outthe "quote" feature yet. I'll look into using those bulbs...but the initial kit comes with all Geissmans. If you had to choose 6 Geissmans, which ones would you get?

Thanks again.

Use actinic Plus in place of blue plus Pure actinic in place of actinic and the Aquablues are the same.

 

[MommaFishels]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12022531#post12022531 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Front

Duo
Super Actinic
Fiji Purple
Midday
Super Actinic
Aquablue

Keep the fixture to the back as much as possible so hopefully the higher output lamps wont hit the lower sections of the tank as much. The shrooms will eventually adapt somewhat.

Thanks a million for the advice Grim!

 

[Fishdisease]

Wow, my head is about to explode too. Although this is a fantastic thread.

Here it is, quick and dirty. I have no preconceptions about lights, fixtures or MH vs T5. I want to go T5 and I have a 90g (24" deep) that is softy/LPS dominated and I'd like to keep the possibility of clams/SPS open. My only prob is that I'm in Canada.

So..Should I go 6 or 8 bulb and is there anything better the Tek?

Also, where are you guys getting the best deals?

Thanks!

 

[fish-unit]

yeah thanks so much im going out to buy some t5/reflectors today do you know much about the hagen ones? they are the only available t5ho ain new zealand

 

[ebayes11]

Grim, I've got a hypothetical question for you. In a 170 gallon tall tank (35" deep) would an 8-bulb T5 retrofit with IC 660s and reflectors allow the growth of clams on the sand? I realize it would limit sps placement but could some lower-light corals still thrive?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12023738#post12023738 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Fishdisease
Wow, my head is about to explode too. Although this is a fantastic thread.

Here it is, quick and dirty. I have no preconceptions about lights, fixtures or MH vs T5. I want to go T5 and I have a 90g (24" deep) that is softy/LPS dominated and I'd like to keep the possibility of clams/SPS open. My only prob is that I'm in Canada.

So..Should I go 6 or 8 bulb and is there anything better the Tek?

Also, where are you guys getting the best deals?

Thanks!

Not sure what you options are in the great white north. 6 lamp Tek will work but if you ant to go with a lot of clams go 8. I like reefgeek.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12025606#post12025606 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fish-unit
yeah thanks so much im going out to buy some t5/reflectors today do you know much about the hagen ones? they are the only available t5ho ain new zealand

really know nothing about hagen.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12027146#post12027146 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ebayes11
Grim, I've got a hypothetical question for you. In a 170 gallon tall tank (35" deep) would an 8-bulb T5 retrofit with IC 660s and reflectors allow the growth of clams on the sand? I realize it would limit sps placement but could some lower-light corals still thrive?

I wouldn't try clams in a 35"tall tank with T5's.

 

[PCIALF]

This is the perfect bulb combo for appearance!!! Thanks

I also found out my LFS reads this forum I was told that i should have bought a 250w MH and that my coral will be dead in 6 months and I should sell it all to him, Amazing closed minded

Thanks

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12013776#post12013776 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Giesemann: PowerChrome Actinic Plus
Giesemann: PowerChrome Actinic Plus
Giesemann: PowerChrome Pure Actinic
ATI Procolor
Giesemann: PowerChrome Actinic +
UV Lighting Aquasun
Giesemann: PowerChrome Aquablue
Giesemann: PowerChrome Actinic Plus

 

[skerz]

Mr. Grim,

Would an IceCap retro 660 SLR 4x24w (with the right bulb config.) be enough to penetrate and cover a 36"x14"x24"tall tank. Would like to keep a mixed reef w/ sps elevated in tank.

I could make the 36" 4x39w work but, aesthetically the 24w would fit better within the eurobracing.

thanks for any advice.

 

[sbcaes]

hey guys does anyone know of any other manufacturers of 18" t5 bulbs besides current usa? how do those bulbs compare to say ati or geismann bulbs? and what have you?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12029004#post12029004 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by PCIALF
This is the perfect bulb combo for appearance!!! Thanks

I also found out my LFS reads this forum I was told that i should have bought a 250w MH and that my coral will be dead in 6 months and I should sell it all to him, Amazing closed minded

Thanks

Greed and ignorance spreads bad information like you wouldn't believe

Glad you got the look you were after