The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12144012#post12144012 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by norcal99
Hey Grim, I need some opinions on new bulb choices. I have a 4x24w Tek retrofit over a 20H and want to do more SPS. I'm running the current bulbs on my tank:

back
- UVL Super Actinic
- Gieseman 11K
- UVL Daylight
- ATI Blue +
front

Would you recommend a different combination of bulbs? I'm looking to go with a variety of SPS and want good growth and great coloration.

I'd swap the position of the 11K and Super Actinic or Get a Blue Plus and a UVL 75/25 and replace the 11K and Super Actinic with them.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12144288#post12144288 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by PrisonCityReef
Wow Grim. This is an awesome service you're providing for everyone.

I've got a 72x18x22 125g tank. I plan on a 3" or so substrate bottom.

I'm currently planning on 3x250MHs and 4xT5 HOs for actinic effects. After reading a fair amount of this thread, I'm leaning towards T5s for the whole thing to cut down on heat concerns.

I intend to make my own canopy.

3 Questions for you when you get a minute:

1. Will T5 HOs limit my livestock with this depth of tank and a 3" bed? I'm not against some creative placement, but I want to be able to keep just about everything under the sea once my tank is stable enough.

2. Brands out there are confusing me. What fixture / retro kit would fit my needs? I've heard nothing but great things about icecap.

3. What lights to go with the above fixture?

Thanks in advance!

Your only as limited as you want to be. For a fixture the aquactinics Constellation will allow you to raise anything you want. For a retrofit the 6x80 Ice Cap Retro will work fine but you will have to be a little more careful how you place the corals.\

For an all out SPS tank doing 6 rows of 39 watt Ice Cap T5's (12 lamps) side by side will allow you to keep any SPS Clams and high light anemones but softies and lower light LPS wouldn't be happy.

One note on the 6x80 watt T5 is that they are 60" long which is fine on a 72" tank, just use the last 6 inches or so at each end for shrooms ansd such. However Tek makes the only 60" reflectors and they are 3" wide which would make for a tight fit in your tank. I would order the Kits minus reflectors and contact Ice Cap about getting two 3 foot reflectors for each lamp. They had been making deals for them. You just have to overlap the reflectors in the center and drill a hole through both for a 3rd lamp clip which will support the connection in the reflectors and the mounting screw will hold them together.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12144476#post12144476 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Chris2500DK
Thanks Grim Reefer

Do you know the Narva Aquascience Blue bulbs? I have those already, but if the Giesemann Actinic Plus or ATI Blue Plus bulbs are much better I guess I might upgrade them.

Of the 3 blue lamps you mentioned just go with whichever you can get the best deal on, they are all gonna do about the same for you.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12148432#post12148432 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by shackscs
Hey Grimm,

I picked up a 72" Nova Extreme pro with 12 bulbs. I am looking to get the same 14k look that you hooked me up with on my 4 bulb 36" fixture for my 65.

What would you suggest for 14K or 20K look?

Blue Plus
Aquasun
Super Actinic
UVL 75/25
Blue Plus
Aquablue

Let us know how it looks. Should be like 14K with some actinic.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12152217#post12152217 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jeff
Hey Grimm, I have been going thru this very long thread looking for your suggestions for a 14 bulb Constellation set-up. I already own the fixture and have had it for 8 months. I have found a couple of your recommendations for 7 bulb Constellation bulbs using mostly ATI's and UVL bulbs. Should I double your recommdations or is there a better way to go with 14 bulbs? I am still looking through the thread but thaught someone might have a list of your 14 picks.

Yeah, just go with the 7 lamp reco you like x2

 

[PCIALF]

FYI

my par readings

2 - 150 hqi vs 8 - 54w t5

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1352234

 

[shackscs]

I forgot to mention this was mostly a softie tank. Will this be too much light and can I get away with some SPS, LPS?


quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by shackscs
Hey Grimm,

I picked up a 72" Nova Extreme pro with 12 bulbs. I am looking to get the same 14k look that you hooked me up with on my 4 bulb 36" fixture for my 65.

What would you suggest for 14K or 20K look?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Blue Plus
Aquasun
Super Actinic
UVL 75/25
Blue Plus
Aquablue

Let us know how it looks. Should be like 14K with some actinic.

 

[Schwe]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12154336#post12154336 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Must have missed your original post anyway/

If you want a fixture get a 6 lamp unit to begin with. For retro starting with 4 is fine.

Front
Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
Aquasun
Blue Plus

for 6 add
Aquablue
Blue Plus.

Thanks Grim! Is there a retrofit kit/brand that you recommend over others, and what ballast?

 

[amay121]

Grim,

Would you suggest going with the Tek T5 Limited Edition 6 bulb or the Tek T5 8 bulb? I believe the T5 is a model from last year with Ice Cap Reflectors, while the T5 8 bulb is just standard.

 

[tmadonia]

Nova Extreme Pro Bulb Choice & Priorities

Nova Extreme Pro Bulb Choice & Priorities

Hiya Grim,

I accidentally posted this first as a new thread when I should have put it here. Sorry.

I see you have given a lot of folks a lot of assistance. Thank you!

Perhaps you can give me a little direction as well.

I have a new 72" Nova Extreme Pro and want to change out some bulbs to improve my spectrum.

Mixed reef. 150 gal/Depth to sand bed is 22-24". Fixture will be 2-3 over surface.
Stock bulbs are (3)10k and (3)460 switched 2/4.

In order of priority for $ sake, which bulbs do you suggest I replace and for what?

Is positioning important as well?

Many thanks in advance.

FishFreeOrDie
Tmadonia

 

[shackscs]

I have the same fixture and it was suggested I pick up these bulbs. I too would not mind seeing which bulbs I could get by with for now.

Grim suggested the following:

Blue Plus
Aquasun
Super Actinic
UVL 75/25
Blue Plus
Aquablue

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Do the same thing. Keep any high light critters up on the rocks. You could use a ATI Pro Color Instead of the Aquasun if you are only going to have a couple SPS.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12155313#post12155313 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by shackscs
I forgot to mention this was mostly a softie tank. Will this be too much light and can I get away with some SPS, LPS?


quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by shackscs
Hey Grimm,

I picked up a 72" Nova Extreme pro with 12 bulbs. I am looking to get the same 14k look that you hooked me up with on my 4 bulb 36" fixture for my 65.

What would you suggest for 14K or 20K look?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Blue Plus
Aquasun
Super Actinic
UVL 75/25
Blue Plus
Aquablue

Let us know how it looks. Should be like 14K with some actinic.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12160651#post12160651 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Schwe
Thanks Grim! Is there a retrofit kit/brand that you recommend over others, and what ballast?

Reefgeeks Ice Cap retrofit. The HO version with standard ballasts.

 

[jerome736]

Hi Grim,

Think you can do some recommendations for fans? I tried out the Orion 4" ones that are listed at 36dB...but they were way too loud for living room tank. Can you think of any else that could potentially work? The T5's are lifting my tank temps a few degrees, nothing to significant but I would also like to have the fans blow air onto the IceCap retro's to keep them cooler.

Thanks,
Jerome

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12165693#post12165693 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by amay121
Grim,

Would you suggest going with the Tek T5 Limited Edition 6 bulb or the Tek T5 8 bulb? I believe the T5 is a model from last year with Ice Cap Reflectors, while the T5 8 bulb is just standard.

Tek NEVER had Ice Cap reflectors in their fixtures.
The LE had better reflectors but not as good as IC's. I'd probably get that one over the 8 lamp fixture.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: Nova Extreme Pro Bulb Choice & Priorities

Re: Nova Extreme Pro Bulb Choice & Priorities

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12167316#post12167316 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tmadonia
Hiya Grim,

I accidentally posted this first as a new thread when I should have put it here. Sorry.

I see you have given a lot of folks a lot of assistance. Thank you!

Perhaps you can give me a little direction as well.

I have a new 72" Nova Extreme Pro and want to change out some bulbs to improve my spectrum.

Mixed reef. 150 gal/Depth to sand bed is 22-24". Fixture will be 2-3 over surface.
Stock bulbs are (3)10k and (3)460 switched 2/4.

In order of priority for $ sake, which bulbs do you suggest I replace and for what?

Is positioning important as well?

Many thanks in advance.

FishFreeOrDie
Tmadonia

Front
ATI Blue Plus
Current 10K
UVL Super Actinic
ATI Aquabue
ATI Blue Plus
Current 10K

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12168064#post12168064 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jerome736
Hi Grim,

Think you can do some recommendations for fans? I tried out the Orion 4" ones that are listed at 36dB...but they were way too loud for living room tank. Can you think of any else that could potentially work? The T5's are lifting my tank temps a few degrees, nothing to significant but I would also like to have the fans blow air onto the IceCap retro's to keep them cooler.

Thanks,
Jerome

Tou might try using foam on the Orions to silence them a tad. Other than that have no ideas

 

[michellejy]

Oops. I started a new thread and then realized this is probably the place to ask.

I am completely new to reef aquariums (had FOWLR before), so I'm trying to do some lighting research before I buy.

At the moment, I am planning on starting with soft corals, but I'd also like a bit of flexibility in case I want to try LPS or SPS later on.

Does anyone have experience with the Nova Extreme Pro T5?

I have a 120 gal tank.

Thanks.

 

[gsxunv04]

whats up with these bulbs grim, how new are they and where are they available? is the "professional 75.25" the same as the uvl 75/25?

http://www.uvlco.com/T5VHO.htm

 

[gsechen]

Hey Grim,

what bulbs would you recommend for a mainly zoa and some sps tank? My lighting is cadlights without individual reflectors. A total of SIX bulbs that are 24 watts each and about 24 inches across thanks. I'm looking for a balance of color and optimal growht. I'm a total noob to t5 lighting and would like to start off right. thanks for you time and reponse.

jesse