The T5 Q&a Thread

[reefboy12]

Anyone try the new KZ Coral lights yet?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12214459#post12214459 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SSpiro
I figured.. Thanks!

New question:

18" T5 HO fixture on a 10-gallon tank.

Can I keep LPS and a clam you think? Only 12" deep tank, with a 4" DSB..

Be fine

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12214582#post12214582 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ericad289
hey grim,
you posted earlier in a comment if you want shrooms and clams go MH. I just ordered the ati for my 75 gallon. I have close to 20 shrooms give or take currently under my 2 - 40 watt flourescents. My main reason for going t-5 is to upgrade on corals and clams. Can i save my shrooms. They are currently attached to a 30 lb rock so it would be kind of hard to move them.

If you can shade them somehow

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12216365#post12216365 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kenyacat
Forgive me again, what does "That will make up for not overdriving" mean? I was thinking of hanging to give me more room to work in the tank and having those glass strips on the top that open. How far from the top of the water can I put the light and it still be okay?

Clser the light is to the target the less intense it needs to be. If you keep the fixture within about 4 inches of the top of the tank you would be fine.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12216388#post12216388 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kenyacat
Grim, one more question. With the Aquactinics constellation fixture I do not need the Azoo fans right? I was going to get them with the Tek.
Thanks

Correct, constellation has fans built in

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12217248#post12217248 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lubyone1
Hiya Grim,

Quick question for you. I have a standard AGA 125 with the two center braces. I'll be retrofitting 8 T-5s along with the two 72" VHO I already have. The thing I'm wondering is should I get 8 36" inch bulbs or should I stagger it and get (4) 48" and (4) 24" so that some of the "dead spots" fall over the braces instead of the center of each 24 inch side sections?

Let me know when you get a chance.

Thanks!

Brian

Get the 8 39 watt lamps.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12217317#post12217317 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by d.french

here is my aquactinics tx5 need help with bulb configuration
originally i had 3 ATI blue special(12k) and 2 geisemann blue + actinic.

now i have in pic 12k bulb, blue actinic, 6700k daylight, 12k bulb, and blue actnic.

question is seems like i need to switch out one more bulb do you think a true actinic(purple bulb) would be good to add and if so which bulb should i ditch, or which bulb configuration all together from front to back.

my tank is lps, zoas, ricordea only.
thanks

Darrick

You want to have 2 Blue lamps )ATI, Giesemann or Aquascience brand). 1 12K, 1 Axtinic (ATI or UVL brand) and the Daylight.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12217456#post12217456 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SBS_Transit
Hi guys, need help with my lighting.

To those who use Vossloh T5 eballast(warm start) , when u fire up the tubes, is it normal for the ends of the tubes to be orange for 1-2 seconds before the tube lights up ?

Thanks!

YEP, thats the pre heat

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12217466#post12217466 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by creepdogg
Nice thread guys, quick dirty question, maybe it has already been answered if so I do apologize, anyhow I currently have a 90 gal tank running 4 46.5'' vho bulbs, it has two IC 430's running each pair of bulbs. This is my set up

Front

Super Actinic
Actinic 03
Super Actinic
Actinic 03

I want to convert to T5's, ideally a 6 bulb set up, I easily have room for 2 more bulbs. Can I use my existing ballasts and still achieve proper wattage output? If not what are your recommendations?
Thanks

OOne more ballast. Get a UVL Aquasun and a ATI Aquablue for lamps

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12224815#post12224815 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pledosophy
For a 36" 4 bulb retro fit kit would you go with the Ice Cap 660 or the Tek.

Get the Ice Cap. If you want sps and such get the VHO version with the Ice Cap ballast. Otherwise the HO with the regulart T5 ballasts is fine.

 

[beba]

retro for 72"

retro for 72"

I'm setting up new 150g (72x18x29 inch) mixed reef

I would like to get this retrofit 4x (4x36" IceCap 660)
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...duct_Code=ICE-T5-4X36R&Category_Code=IcecapT5

And also what would be the best bulb configuration?

This one ?
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
UVL Aquasun
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus


I would like to have my tank crispy white and have nice coral color.

Thanks for help

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12224968#post12224968 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by broke1
I am looking to switch from an MH/T5 combo to all T5s. What would be a good combination for 16x54w bulbs that would compare to this which is what you recommended for my frag tank which I am more than happy with. I am trying to keep the growth I have with the MHs but get better coloring.

Front
Ati Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue

Or can the 14ks be supplemented with T5s to duplicate the coloring of the 6 bulb combo? Right now the the tank has 8x54w over it if just supplementing would be better.

I am getting much better color in my frag tank than I ever got in my display tank.

For 8 rows I'd do this

Front
Blue Plus
Aquablue
ATI Pro Color
Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
Blue Plus

Should look tasty.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12225218#post12225218 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pito
I know this has been askes but this thread is huge. Who has the best reflectors and how wide are they? I'm trying to figure out how many I can fit over my 55g.

Ice Cap 2 1/2"

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12225463#post12225463 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 7thheaven
Hi all~

I have powermodule 10bulb version and 6 KZ corallight, 1 KZ fiji purple, and 3 UVL super actinic.
But I love radium 400W looks so I wanna make that color with T5s..

Is it possible and Could you tell me the combination?

Thanks...

I would go with 2 Super Actinics 6 ATI Blue Plus and 1 Coral Light and the purple. That will get you close.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12230056#post12230056 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bezlar
Okay i bought a current sundial 2 months ago and now I am replacing it. I dont want to do this again. I have a 60x24x24 tank and the fixture has to go under the canopy. I have 6 inch to deal with. I have some sps and clams and want to make sure I have enough light. The current fixture has 4 54w. It is only 48 inches long so my sides of my tank are not as brite as the rest. My budget is anything up to $1000 please help. Does any body make 60 inch fixtures besides geisemann?

Why not do as retrofit. Way cheaper. Get the Ice Cap 8x54 vho T5 retro from reefgeek. I run 48" T5's over a 5 foot tank and its fine. just dont put high light critters in the last 3 or 4" at each end.

If your doing a fixture either the 48" Aquactinics Constellation or 8x54 watt powermodule will worki.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12231139#post12231139 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by shoprat001
I'm getting ready to order the 72" constellation fixture but have a few Q's.
1. Can the stock reflectors be easily changed out for the new TEK reflectors?
2. Will I be able to grow clams and sps on a 18" deep tank?
3. where can I buy the Fiji Purple bulbs?

Norm

1. Why in hell would you want to put inferior reflectors in the unit. They wont fit anyway.

2 Oh Hell yes!

3. Aquarium Specialty from the sponsor's page. Last I checked they had the best price on the Constellation fixture.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12231170#post12231170 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jennmac415
Grim..

Ok, I got 2 of thos actinic by silfolgi (or whatever they are) to see what they would look like...


here is what is in the fixture right now

1. ati Blue plus
2. UV Super actinic
3. Hagen Powerglo (must be somewhat like the aquasun... has a slight pink to it)
4. Ati Blue Plus
5. Silfolgi actinic 03
6. Ati blue Plus
7. Ati blue plus

My question is this...IF I end up liking this combo, (it has only been in a couple of hours, and my first reaction is that I like it but we will see as the new bulbs burn in...) is this really going to be enough light? Should I go ahead and take one of the Blue plus out, since I have 4 of them, and add back in a Aquablue plus? I have started aquiring SPS and they have been growing like crazy... and the colors are amazing so I don't want to lose that. sorry to drive you crazy. Thanks as always!

If it aint broke don't fix it. You should be fine

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12233188#post12233188 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by OneDayMatt
Okay: I'm moving from a 72 bowfront with an Aquactinics TX5 to a 180 Gallon (6 x 2 x 2) tank.

Here are the options I'm looking at. If there are any significant problems (known bad ballasts, etc... could someone point them out)

1. First choice - Aquactinics Constellation 72" (14x39W total) - can only fit one over tank, 14" wide each

2. 4 x Aquactinics TX5 36" (20 x 39W total) - seems like a good idea to me

3. 2 x Current Nova Extreme Pro 72" (24 x 39W total) - only downside I can see is that I'm unfamiliar with current - prices are awesome

4. 3x 400W Radium Metal Halides with Lumenbright reflectors ... maybe someday when a chiller is an option.

The constellation should be plenty of light over that tank.

The currents would work if you changed the lamps out but you would be limited on what you can keep.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12233317#post12233317 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jflip2002
So Grim, I have an option with lighting right now. I have a 60Lx36D only 20 tall tank. I am deciding between MH and T5s. Here are my two options:

Aquamedic 250w + 2x54w T5 Fixture
Tek T5 8x54w lighting.

I plan on keeping a lot of SPS, with a few LPS, and some nice Shrooms and Zoas on the floor, along with plenty of clams on the floor. Which would be the best option in keeping all of these corals full of color, with nice growth still? Also keep in mind I will be living in the Central valley, where it gets 100+ all summer long.

I appreciate the advise =)

Neither option is very good. You gotta cover a 36" span front to back. If you want to do it right get a 10 lamp ATI or 2 6 lamp Tek lights. I'd do the ATI.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12234458#post12234458 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pito
https://www82.safesecureweb.com/web...PROD&Product_Code=CU01081&Category_Code=CUNEP

Good enough for SPS standard 55g tank?

Or should I go with a 4 t5 IC retro

That would be fine.