The T5 Q&a Thread

[cjc]

I may have missed this question posted if so I apologize. I have been out of the hobby for a while. In fact T-5’s were just starting to take off when I left. Well I am in the process of building a new tank its dimensions are 72X24X29. It will mostly have SPS and clams when it is up and running. I am planning on using 3 250 watt 10k reeflux HQI bulbs in Lumen Max 3 reflectors. I am looking for a recommendation on using t-5 for additional lighting. I have 2 Ice Cap 660’s already as I have read I can use them.
Thanks again

 

[raleej337]

I have a 48" 6x54W T5 HO and planning on this bulb set up:

Front to back:
- ATI Aquablue*
- ATI Blue Plus
- UVL Aquasun*
- ATI Blue Plus
- UVL 75/25*
- ATI Blue Plus

The Aquablue, Aquasun and 75/25 will be run by one switch and all the rest (blue plus) by the other switch.

 

[neyugn0w01]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12128979#post12128979 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Take a look at the coral light and aquablues and see if you can tell a difference. There was none I could see on the previous ones.

Grim- Thats why I wanted to try the new KZ coral light. I am expected better results since they are newly develop vs. the aquablue being a few years older. I am actually going to be running 2 ATI blue plus, 1 ATI aquablue, 2 KZ new coral light and 1 KZ fji purple. I will take a shot when they come in next week. DId you get a chance to test out the pars on the KZ's?

 

[sanababit]

hello grim, i just got my new ATI fixture and installed these bulbs
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

But it looks kind of blue, can i change a blue plus to a pro color?
will i get enough PAR out of that bulb???, what about growth???
thanks

sana

 

[sfsuphysics]

Question for you T5 junkies, I've recently (yesterday) changed my lighting over my 24" deep softie tank from 4x 54w T5 bulbs too 2x 175w MH + 2x 54w T5s. Now as far as energy I have it at about the same level, MH are only on 4hours a day each. I stick with my Geissman Actinic+ bulbs (they're deep blue, but make colors fluoresce like crazy), and I'm wondering how much light energy are they actually putting into the tank? Due to the limited space I can't really put any other bulbs into it, so how do they compare "PAR" wise vs something like an Aquablue bulb (your "standard white" color), which doesn't do squat for fluorescence.

Only other options is to use T5 bulbs for more light if I really wanted (or longer MH times)

 

[Schwe]

Hey folks, I need some help with lighting.

I am a relative newbie and need some advice.

My specs are:
90 Gallon AGA with Canopy.

Canopy dimensions are:
6 3/4" from water surface to inside height of Canopy.
48 3/4" from end of canopy to end.
18 5/8" from front to back.

I would like to do a retrofit T5 setup to accommodate a versatile coral assortment. Since this will be my first time caring for corals I will be starting out with easier softies, etc. but will like to eventually have more advanced corals without having to spend excess money on updating lighting.

My budget is about $300.00 USD. I was thinking maybe a quality 4 light T5 setup and then later adding two more lights. Opinions? Is there a quality fixture that I can get with 6 lights out there?

Thank you in advance.

 

[ooja3k]

is that 48" dimension on the inside of the canopy? or the outside?

if you are able to fit a 4x54 t-5 retro in there that would probably be great! i know reefgeek.com sells multiple VHO, and HO, T-5 retro kits. You may want to look through those to see if any are within your budget.

 

[neyugn0w01]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12140285#post12140285 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sanababit
hello grim, i just got my new ATI fixture and installed these bulbs
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

But it looks kind of blue, can i change a blue plus to a pro color?
will i get enough PAR out of that bulb???, what about growth???
thanks

sana

I would remove the actinic and add a ATI aquablue. Keep the blue plus so you can have the extra par.

 

[EvilE]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12141543#post12141543 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Schwe
Hey folks, I need some help with lighting.

I am a relative newbie and need some advice.

My specs are:
90 Gallon AGA with Canopy.

Canopy dimensions are:
6 3/4" from water surface to inside height of Canopy.
48 3/4" from end of canopy to end.
18 5/8" from front to back.

I would like to do a retrofit T5 setup to accommodate a versatile coral assortment. Since this will be my first time caring for corals I will be starting out with easier softies, etc. but will like to eventually have more advanced corals without having to spend excess money on updating lighting.

My budget is about $300.00 USD. I was thinking maybe a quality 4 light T5 setup and then later adding two more lights. Opinions? Is there a quality fixture that I can get with 6 lights out there?

Thank you in advance.

check out Hellolights.com --that's where I got my HO T5 fixtures:smokin:

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12129234#post12129234 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hooked on reef
I do have another question. I know if it uses electricity it creates heat, but will 16 36" t5 on icecaps transfer heat to the water as much 3 250w halides. Also do i lose par if I put a piece of glass between lights and tank.

Glass will cut around 20% of output. With good venting and fans it is doubtful the T5's would ever create a heat issue.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12129284#post12129284 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gsxunv04
thanks for the timely response grim, i know your a busy guy. so you would recomend that i stick with just the 6 t5's and not with the powercompacts. this will be sufficient for high light requiring specimens(anemones and clams)? is the price difference worth it to get the ice caps,$449 with bulbs. but what bulbs can i choose from(can i specify i want the UVLs and ATIs you listed)? the tek II would be $315 plus $128 in bulbs, so a $6 difference roughly.

Definatly go with the Ice Cap, yes you can specify the lamps and yeas it will be enough for clamps etc.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12129594#post12129594 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Reeferhead
This tank will be penninsula style, three side viewable.

I'd like to go with primarily T-5s. If I use MHs it will be in the form of 2-3 angled HQI spots only as accents for that Japanese look and sunrise and sunsets

What about the Aquatinics Constellation 72" fixture? Would two of them this give me enough light? 14 bulbs over 4 ft. Or would three 4ft Solar Fares be better, two length wise and one width wise to cap off the end.

Are there any other 72" T-5 fixtures out there?

If you are sold on the T5's then the Constellations are the best choice. Two would be good over that tank.

Just sitting here thinking about it what would be rad over a penninsula tank like that would be to hang the T5 fixtures towards the wall and set the rocks so the rock ends a couple feet before the end of the tank. Then hang a 2x250 halide w/4 T5's in the 4 foot direction out at the end of the tank over a sandbed full of clams. I gotta win me the lottery so I can be rich and famous and build me something like that

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12129829#post12129829 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by vanillagorila
grim, would 7" above my tank be a good height to hang my solar flare, its 24" deep. or should I lower it. I don't have any clams or high light critters down low.

Be fine

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12130674#post12130674 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ecrumpler
I'm stuck trying to decide between the 36" Nova Extreme Pro and the 36" Tek Light: 4-39W T5 High-Output Fixture. Basically it's 6 bulbs vs 4 taking the reflectors and bulb choice into consideration. I'm about to pull the trigger on the tek light. This will be for a 40g breeder, 16" tall, that I'm planning on keeping a variety of shrooms, zoas, Lps, along with some hardy sps and a few clams. It seems to me the 4 bulb tek would allow me to place the fisture further back leaving some space in front for lower light corals and having great par under the bulbs for sps. Anyone have any suggestions? I've been pondering this for a week and it's killing me

The 4 lamp Tek would work as you suggest.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12137089#post12137089 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Chris2500DK
Sorry if this has come up before (it's a huuuuge thread to look through).

I'm trying to decide between ATI aquablue special and Gliesemann Powerchrome aquablue+.

Which is the better bulb? Do both trigger the flourescent colours in corals?

I have 4 T5 blubs over my tank and I'd really like to do without a dedicated arctinic bulb to increase my total PAR. I was thinking 3 of these bulbs and a single 10000K or maybe even 6500K.

Do either 2 ATI Blue Plus or Giesemann Actinic Plus, One of either companies Aquablues and a UVL Aquasun, Giesemann Midday or a GE 6500K Daylight. Oodles of PAR and those two blue lamps will pop colors really nice. The Aquablue is a white lamp that is nice for a little fluorescent but nothing like what the blues will do.

 

[LiveRock27]

I am working on a 29g SPS tank and wanted to go with T5s for this setup, but I have never used T5s at all. I have a setup from a buddy that runs 8x24" T5s (every two bulbs share a reflector) in a custom hood. I was wondering what bulb combo you would suggest for keeping SPS? Thanks.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12137933#post12137933 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cjc
I may have missed this question posted if so I apologize. I have been out of the hobby for a while. In fact T-5’s were just starting to take off when I left. Well I am in the process of building a new tank its dimensions are 72X24X29. It will mostly have SPS and clams when it is up and running. I am planning on using 3 250 watt 10k reeflux HQI bulbs in Lumen Max 3 reflectors. I am looking for a recommendation on using t-5 for additional lighting. I have 2 Ice Cap 660’s already as I have read I can use them.
Thanks again

You should be able to fit in 4 rows of 36" T5's side by side (8 lamps total)

I'd do 2 rows of UVL Super Actinics and 2 of ATI Blue Pluses to stard and see how they look with your halides. Could be one row of actinics would be enough

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12140285#post12140285 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sanababit
hello grim, i just got my new ATI fixture and installed these bulbs
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

But it looks kind of blue, can i change a blue plus to a pro color?
will i get enough PAR out of that bulb???, what about growth???
thanks

sana

I would try replacing that Aquablue with another Aquasun. The reddish cast of that lamp should take a little more blue out and give you more PAR.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12139415#post12139415 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by raleej337
I have a 48" 6x54W T5 HO and planning on this bulb set up:

Front to back:
- ATI Aquablue*
- ATI Blue Plus
- UVL Aquasun*
- ATI Blue Plus
- UVL 75/25*
- ATI Blue Plus

The Aquablue, Aquasun and 75/25 will be run by one switch and all the rest (blue plus) by the other switch.

Should look good

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12140221#post12140221 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by neyugn0w01
Grim- Thats why I wanted to try the new KZ coral light. I am expected better results since they are newly develop vs. the aquablue being a few years older. I am actually going to be running 2 ATI blue plus, 1 ATI aquablue, 2 KZ new coral light and 1 KZ fji purple. I will take a shot when they come in next week. DId you get a chance to test out the pars on the KZ's?

Coral Light was same as the Aquablue and the purple was around the same as the Blue Plus, a bit higher.