The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12297376#post12297376 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ruggerkc
Is there a post that compares all the light fixtures? Does the Ice cap 660 really out preform the ho fixtures?

Fixtures in order of quality and output

ATI Powermodule
Aquactinics Solar Flare (Highest output for 6 lamps)
Aquactinics Constellation
Aquactinics TX5
Sunlight Supply Tek Light
Nova Extreme Pro

Ice Cap ballast will bost the output of 54 watt lamps by 35% or so.

 

[Ruggerkc]

thanks Grim

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12297571#post12297571 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by KafudaFish
Grim,
First off thanks for all that you do for us.
I have a 95 gal (48x24x17) tank that I am starting to add SPS to slowly. Currently I run a Reef Geek Tek High Output retro kit (4 x 54 watts). It is not overdriven but do have the IC reflectors. I run FTB: Blue +, Aquablue Special, Blue +, Aquablue Special.

I like the color but like everyone else want better growth and color. I have 2 options:
1. Cram the lights to the front of the tank and/or change out for different lights. The lights are only 4 months old.
2. Add another 2 x 54 Tek 2 retro kit in the space between bulbs 1 -2 and 2 - 3.
I try and think about energy costs but think this would be an option.
Which option do you suggest and which bulbs?
Thanks again.

Add the 2 lamp Ice Cap HO retro. Add a UVL Aquasun and a Super Actinic lamp.

 

[KafudaFish]

Thank you.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12297629#post12297629 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Gtstricky
Grim-

Wow there is a lot of info here. Thank you in advance for your help.

I am looking to buy the Aquactinics Constellation. I have a couple of questions.

I am just starting a 90 gal reef. I will not have much in it until it seasons for a while and then will add softies and SPS down the road (9 months). Should I start with one bulb set and then change it down the road as I add 'stuff' or should I just use the same bulbs that I start with?

Which brings up the next question which 7 bulbs would you recommend?

How often should they be changed?

Do you recommend any LED add on for night viewing?

Thanks again!

Do this until you get into high light critters

Front
ATI Blue Plus
Blank
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
Blank
ATI Aquablue

Just leave the switch off for the 2 blank slots. Once you get ready to start adding SPS check back and we'll come up with a 7 lamp combo. Lamps should last a year.

 

[ooja3k]

Got my new TX5 fixture today!!

Here are a couple shots:

Bulbs left to right are:

ATI Blue +
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue +
ATI Aquablue

The fixture is astonishingly quiet.

I am very pleased with this fixture!!

 

[jennmac415]

thats great! Aquactinics makes a great fixture, I have their Constellation.Now lets see it over your tank!

 

[ooja3k]

Here are two pics.

Im still trying to figure out the whole white balance and exposure settings...

Both of those shots are with all the lights on...

 

[snaza]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12300429#post12300429 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ooja3k
Got my new TX5 fixture today!!

Here are a couple shots:

Bulbs left to right are:

ATI Blue +
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue +
ATI Aquablue

The fixture is astonishingly quiet.

I am very pleased with this fixture!!

I thought ati aqua blue bulbs were white but in this pic they look very blue. are they blue or is it just the photo?

thanks

 

[snaza]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12297475#post12297475 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Option 1 would be fine. Option 2 I would either do a 8 lamp Ice Cap retro or good 250 watt halides if you have a lot of SPS

thanks, any reason why you dont suggest i keep the constellations and add another 2 bulb retro to the 30 wide option? thats 9 bulbs total.

thanks

 

[ooja3k]

Here is a shot with the white balance adjusted...

I just need to find a middle ground with the white balance though... With auto white balance, everything is too blue, and with manual, its too red.


The bulb is around an 11-12000k look. its not blue, but its not totally white either...
This pic because of the "off" white balance, makes the aquasun look more red than it is and the aquablue "whiter" than it is. But it is definitely closer to "real life" than the first pic.

 

[nativecracker32]

Grim,
Looking for help picking a T5 setup for a 265gl reef. The tank is 7' long 24" deep and 30" high. I'm look for something that wil support SPS and LPS. I like the look of 14k phoenix, what T5 bulbs will get me close to that color? I don't have a canopy but have planed on building one from the start, I just di't kniow if I was going MH or T5.

 

[ooja3k]

Grim,

Now that I have my new fixture, I am now doing the acclimating like you suggested... I have the dawn/dusk on the full regular 12, but the mains are on for 3 hours to start, increasing weekly...

On the TX5, the fan only comes on with the mains. Is this going to be detrimental to the actinic and blue+ lamps that are on with no fan for so long??

Also, I had a green slimer with my previous lighting setup (Nova Extreme) and the tissue began going white towards the bottom, my thought was too little light... So my second question is, how long do I need to go before I can bump up my mains "on time" so that I can get the coral what it needs before it recedes any more. (Its not RTN or STN or anything, just a lack of light from my last fixture....) The green slimer is the only SPS frag, and all else I have is zoo's and trumpet corals.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12300815#post12300815 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by snaza
thanks, any reason why you dont suggest i keep the constellations and add another 2 bulb retro to the 30 wide option? thats 9 bulbs total.

thanks

Though you were talking tall. It will be fine with the constellation and an extra couple lamps,

 

[Ruggerkc]

Lamp suggestions for a 75 gallon mixed reef with a 48" 4x54/85watt ice cap retro.

thank you

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12301044#post12301044 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nativecracker32
Grim,
Looking for help picking a T5 setup for a 265gl reef. The tank is 7' long 24" deep and 30" high. I'm look for something that wil support SPS and LPS. I like the look of 14k phoenix, what T5 bulbs will get me close to that color? I don't have a canopy but have planed on building one from the start, I just di't kniow if I was going MH or T5.

16 lamp Ice Cap VHO T5 retro

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

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12302312#post12302312 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ooja3k
Grim,

Now that I have my new fixture, I am now doing the acclimating like you suggested... I have the dawn/dusk on the full regular 12, but the mains are on for 3 hours to start, increasing weekly...

On the TX5, the fan only comes on with the mains. Is this going to be detrimental to the actinic and blue+ lamps that are on with no fan for so long??

Also, I had a green slimer with my previous lighting setup (Nova Extreme) and the tissue began going white towards the bottom, my thought was too little light... So my second question is, how long do I need to go before I can bump up my mains "on time" so that I can get the coral what it needs before it recedes any more. (Its not RTN or STN or anything, just a lack of light from my last fixture....) The green slimer is the only SPS frag, and all else I have is zoo's and trumpet corals.

Forgot bout the fan control. You could throw a couple laysers of fiberglass window screen over the tank and go ahead with a more normal lighting schedule. pull a layer after ten days.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12302558#post12302558 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ruggerkc
Lamp suggestions for a 75 gallon mixed reef with a 48" 4x54/85watt ice cap retro.

thank you

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVLSuper Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus

 

[InsaneClownFish]

Grim, I've been looking all over for your review/comparison of the ATI powermodule and I can't find it anywhere....can you or someone else here link me to the page please?

 

[ooja3k]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12302620#post12302620 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Forgot bout the fan control. You could throw a couple laysers of fiberglass window screen over the tank and go ahead with a more normal lighting schedule. pull a layer after ten days.

Once again,

Thanks!