The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12416624#post12416624 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fish02
Where in the world is the beginnig of this thread? It seems like I just keep clicking on links on the first page and they never seem to get to the beginning. I need to start reading so I can figure out which ATI Powermodule I need to get for my oval shaped tank to help with growth.

I think it started 3 years ago, or was it 4:eek2:

You are going to want to get the biggest fixture that will fit inside the oval area and just have to depend on the light washover to fill in the curved areas;

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12416774#post12416774 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rgreenpc
I just got a 3 ballast T5 setup from reefgeek...

I have it all wired up and 2 of the ballasts perform well (except they all have a very odd high pitched noise).

The third ballast will come on for a few minutes and shut off.

I have checked my wiring at this point I was going to switch wires from a good ballast to the other one.

What brand ballasts? I don't know that I've heard any noise from a T5 ballast, even the workhorse.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12417144#post12417144 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Egres
hi

i have a 54gal tank 36x18x20 and dont know which bulb combination would be good is this looking good

460Nm
10000K
6000K
12000K
420Nm

and which compagnie should i go with???

Aquarium obsessed has the Aquascience lamps up there in polar bear land

Front
460
410
6000
460
12000K
460

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12417200#post12417200 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Egres
like that would it be good

-powerchrome actinic +
-URI aquasun
-powerchrome midday
-URI actinic white
-URI super actinic blue

God I gotta start reading beyond the post I am answering

Actinic Plus
Super Actinic
Midday
Actinic Plus
Actinic White
Actinic Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: Lighting 180

Re: Lighting 180

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12417671#post12417671 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by edwarder
Grim
I just got an AGA 180. Canopy dimensions are 72X24X8. Im interested in keeping LPS and maybe some clams.

Would an 6 bulb Ice Cap retro fit (36") get the job done?

Would a Constellation be overkill?

Thanks.

If you want clams The constellation would not be overkill at all. a 12 lamp Ice Cap 39 watt HO retro would be good too although I would probably overdrive 4 lamps (2 rows) to make sure enough light is getting to the clams.

 

[Don Z]

Hi Grim â€"œ First I have to applaud you for the service and expertise you are providing here for the reefing community. Unfortunately I also am seeking a little advice.

I’m currently cycling a 135gal (72x18x24) which I converted over from a fresh water planted tank. I installed a T-5 retro setup with 3ea. 80W T-5’s (57.6” bulbs w/individual reflectors centered in the canopy) driven by an IceCap 660. The bulbs are 3-4” from the surface as my canopy was designed for freshwater use (non MH).

It’s time to upgrade/replace the current bulbs for saltwater use and would like to know what is your recommended bulb replacements. I currently have:

1ea.- 6000K Midday Sun HO - Giesemann
1ea.- 11000K Aquablue Plus HO - Giesemann
1ea.- 6500K Daylight T5 HO â€"œ GE

My intentions are to only acquire low light species (zoo’s, mushrooms, and LPS’s, etc., no SPS or clams). I do have room to install one or two more 80W bulbs with another add on upgrade if you believe it would be absolutely necessary. However, I am concerned about increased temperatures if I do add more bulbs as I do not have any fans installed in the canopy. I have no temperature problems today with only 3 bulbs.

Any advice please….

 

[rgreenpc]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12417999#post12417999 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
What brand ballasts? I don't know that I've heard any noise from a T5 ballast, even the workhorse.

They are Universal B239PUNV-D bought in the ReefGeek 6x39 setup.

http://www.reefgeek.com/reefgeek/7242/t5_retrofit_ho.jpg

I did switch one of the ballasts I knew worked with the one I thought was defective, and it still would only run for perhaps 30 mins before it would shut off.

I have checked all the wiring at the ballast end, so I guess the only thing I can do now is to take the lamps off the canopy and check them out and see if I can find another issue.

All 3 ballasts make noise when you turn them on so I am wondering if there just was an issue with them all.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12418394#post12418394 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Don Z
Hi Grim â€"œ First I have to applaud you for the service and expertise you are providing here for the reefing community. Unfortunately I also am seeking a little advice.

I’m currently cycling a 135gal (72x18x24) which I converted over from a fresh water planted tank. I installed a T-5 retro setup with 3ea. 80W T-5’s (57.6” bulbs w/individual reflectors centered in the canopy) driven by an IceCap 660. The bulbs are 3-4” from the surface as my canopy was designed for freshwater use (non MH).

It’s time to upgrade/replace the current bulbs for saltwater use and would like to know what is your recommended bulb replacements. I currently have:

1ea.- 6000K Midday Sun HO - Giesemann
1ea.- 11000K Aquablue Plus HO - Giesemann
1ea.- 6500K Daylight T5 HO â€"œ GE

My intentions are to only acquire low light species (zoo’s, mushrooms, and LPS’s, etc., no SPS or clams). I do have room to install one or two more 80W bulbs with another add on upgrade if you believe it would be absolutely necessary. However, I am concerned about increased temperatures if I do add more bulbs as I do not have any fans installed in the canopy. I have no temperature problems today with only 3 bulbs.

Any advice please….

If those are running on Ice Cap ballasts you must run fans. Point on blowing in from the rear at each side so it dlows down the rows of endcaps.

For 3 lamps do

Front
Blue Plus
Midday or GE sun
Blue Plus

I would add 2 more lamps, Blue Plus and a ATI Actinic.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12418604#post12418604 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rgreenpc
They are Universal B239PUNV-D bought in the ReefGeek 6x39 setup.

http://www.reefgeek.com/reefgeek/7242/t5_retrofit_ho.jpg

I did switch one of the ballasts I knew worked with the one I thought was defective, and it still would only run for perhaps 30 mins before it would shut off.

I have checked all the wiring at the ballast end, so I guess the only thing I can do now is to take the lamps off the canopy and check them out and see if I can find another issue.

All 3 ballasts make noise when you turn them on so I am wondering if there just was an issue with them all.

Did you try what you think is a bad ballast on another light set and it went out still? That indicates a bad ballast. If you put a good ballast in where the bad one was and it still goes out then it is a lamp or wiring problem,

In that case make sure the wires are in the endcaps all the way and the lamps fit snugly between the endcaps.

 

[Egres]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12418056#post12418056 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
God I gotta start reading beyond the post I am answering

Actinic Plus
Super Actinic
Midday
Actinic Plus
Actinic White
Actinic Plus

that much actinic how will it look like....

how and by the way i only want to have 5 of them will it be good only 5 or i need 6??

 

[NWhoric]

im tryin to find the thread from when i bought my lights but i cant seem to find it at this time. i think i have 2 actinic, a blue +, 5000k. im not at home right now but ill call and get someone to check later... my problem is excessive algee growth runnin the lights around 7-8 hrs a day. i have it cut back to around 4 right now and the algee growth had gone way down. i do have higher nitrates but as soon as i get some xtra cash im going to deal with that problem. back to the lights, should i maybe through in another 5k or is ther somethin else?

 

[upsetter]

Going to be dropping my vho actinics and adding 4 t5 ati blue plus to go with my 250 watt 10k Reeflux--- my tank is 20" tall and sps only--- my question is should I go with an Icecap retro and overdrive the 54watts to 80 or whatever it is, or should I just use a standard t5 54 watt ballast-- either way I will be adding a couple more fans to my diy pendant. Don't really care about having to replace the bulbs more frequently (8 or 9 mos??) if it means better coloration. Oh, the bulbs would be about 6" off the water btw. Thanks in advance

 

[AlaskanDiver]

I have 8x54 Watt 48" T5 setup. What is the best bulb combo for soft coral and LPS coral growth and BTA health?? Right now i am running 4 actinics and 4 10K bulbs that came with the set-up, i am looking for a bit more variety... any ideas?? pictures would be great too, so i can see what they look like!

Thanks!!!!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12418985#post12418985 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Egres
that much actinic how will it look like....

how and by the way i only want to have 5 of them will it be good only 5 or i need 6??

The Actinic Plus is a blue lamp with some actinic. Big difference.

For 5 lamps do

Front
Actinic Plus
Super Actinic
Midday or Aquasun
Actinic Plus
Giesemann Aquablue

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12419655#post12419655 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by NWhoric
im tryin to find the thread from when i bought my lights but i cant seem to find it at this time. i think i have 2 actinic, a blue +, 5000k. im not at home right now but ill call and get someone to check later... my problem is excessive algee growth runnin the lights around 7-8 hrs a day. i have it cut back to around 4 right now and the algee growth had gone way down. i do have higher nitrates but as soon as i get some xtra cash im going to deal with that problem. back to the lights, should i maybe through in another 5k or is ther somethin else?

Deal with the nitrates. Old lamps can cause more algae growth but generally speaking if you have nitrates you will have algae.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12420587#post12420587 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by upsetter
Going to be dropping my vho actinics and adding 4 t5 ati blue plus to go with my 250 watt 10k Reeflux--- my tank is 20" tall and sps only--- my question is should I go with an Icecap retro and overdrive the 54watts to 80 or whatever it is, or should I just use a standard t5 54 watt ballast-- either way I will be adding a couple more fans to my diy pendant. Don't really care about having to replace the bulbs more frequently (8 or 9 mos??) if it means better coloration. Oh, the bulbs would be about 6" off the water btw. Thanks in advance

In your case I am not sure you would really gain anything by overdriving. I think I would stick to good relfectors and standard T5 ballasts.

 

[rgreenpc]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12418658#post12418658 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Did you try what you think is a bad ballast on another light set and it went out still? That indicates a bad ballast. If you put a good ballast in where the bad one was and it still goes out then it is a lamp or wiring problem,

In that case make sure the wires are in the endcaps all the way and the lamps fit snugly between the endcaps.

Grim -

I double checked the wiring and although everything was secure before they are all working now so something must have been loose.

Will have to decide if I like the color though it seems to have a bit too much putple in it, but I will give it a week.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12420881#post12420881 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AlaskanDiver
I have 8x54 Watt 48" T5 setup. What is the best bulb combo for soft coral and LPS coral growth and BTA health?? Right now i am running 4 actinics and 4 10K bulbs that came with the set-up, i am looking for a bit more variety... any ideas?? pictures would be great too, so i can see what they look like!

Thanks!!!!

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
Blue Plus
ATI Pro Color
ATI Aquablue
Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus

I'm just guesing on specific lamp placement. Youy want a Actinic and Blue Pluses for a dusk/dawn set so if you have to tweak the positions a little to get there thats fine.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12421057#post12421057 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rgreenpc
Grim -

I double checked the wiring and although everything was secure before they are all working now so something must have been loose.

Will have to decide if I like the color though it seems to have a bit too much putple in it, but I will give it a week.

good idea, Sometimes the light changes a little as the lamps burn in or the grows on you

 

[AlaskanDiver]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12421071#post12421071 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
Blue Plus
ATI Pro Color
ATI Aquablue
Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus

I'm just guesing on specific lamp placement. Youy want a Actinic and Blue Pluses for a dusk/dawn set so if you have to tweak the positions a little to get there thats fine.

Thanks!
What is the difference b/w the ATI Blue Plus and the Blue Plus?? who makes the Blue Plus?