The T5 Q&a Thread

[MrSpiffy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13072194#post13072194 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JonnyD91
Hmm thats a pretty darn good idea

I actually have to do the same thing in my canopy, even though I have a 36" tank. I built my canopy so that it's JUST too short inside to put the longer bulbs in it. So I ordered a set of 24" retrofits and I'll stagger the bulbs.

The upside to that method is that you have dimmer spots on the ends (even if it looks like they're lit well) to put lower-light corals, and you still get good light in the center for your SPS and clams and such. I know my blastos will thank me for having those dim spots! I hate keeping them in the shadows...

 

[XxRyosukexX]

Hello I just got a 24" Sundial 4x24 T5HO and was wondering what bulbs I should get for a bluish look, but enough light for mainly ricordeas, montis, and pink bird's nest.

 

[Shadowramy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13071940#post13071940 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
I'd put the actinic up front so it's light is on the viewing side of your corals. Other than that I do see a problem

Hey Grim, what problem do you see?

Just wondering, is the Fji considered a blue, actinic or daylight bulb? Do you think I have enough blue?

 

[Shadowramy]

Double post .........

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13072192#post13072192 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Peter Eichler
How do the UVL 75.25 and ATI Blue Plus compare Par wise. Also, does anyone still have the par levels handy for various bulbs? I remembering seeing it a long time ago but can't find it again.

Thanks!

Blue Plus was a little better.



http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=8051316#post8051316

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13072471#post13072471 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mray
Would this look good?

Giesemann Actinic +
URI Super Actinic
URI AquaSun
Giesemann Actinic +

14Kish a little more on the blue side though.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13072781#post13072781 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by urville
I KNOW!!!

I'm looking into meters and whatnot now. I figure I'll just get some advertisement support and try getting bulbs to test, I can pick up the most common ballasts myself. And just make one big MH/T5 info center. For every bulb we can have photos, PAR, spectros, etc for each ballast.

Got a D80 for the pictures, just need to see if it's viable.. until then though, I second this anyone have links or somehing?

If you do it make sure you do the proper burn ins on the lamps, about 100 hours. Also let the lamps run for an hour before taking readings. All some of the stuff I wasn't consistant enough with. If I already didn't have a bunch of lamps with a little use on them I would buy a new round of lamps and do the tests knowing what I didn't know then but what I do know now as the standard.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13073435#post13073435 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by coraladdict
Hi Grim

I have a Tek 8 x 48" lamp fixture ,bulbs have to be changed.
My tank is 20" deep ,I have mostly sps,a few tridacnias and croceas
Since there are new bulb colors,what would you recommend as bulb colors now?
Keep in mind I want a blueish tint.
Thanks in advance

Front

ATI blue plus
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
ATI BLue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13074175#post13074175 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by XxRyosukexX
Hello I just got a 24" Sundial 4x24 T5HO and was wondering what bulbs I should get for a bluish look, but enough light for mainly ricordeas, montis, and pink bird's nest.

ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13074232#post13074232 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BWilfong
Hey Grim, what problem do you see?

Just wondering, is the Fji considered a blue, actinic or daylight bulb? Do you think I have enough blue?

Typo, I didn't see a problem other than the placement of the actinic, sorry bout that chief

The Fiji is sorta like an aquablue except have a violet tint rather than the blue of the aquablues.

 

[hpglow]

I have a couple questions, I'm going to build a fixture for my 72g bowfront. How many lamps should I try and pack into it? What would be a good lamp setup for it? (I was thinking 4 x 4footers a 3 footer and a 2 footer) And finally which reflector would you you recomend the TEK2 or the SLR?

 

[krowleey]

would 4x 24w t-5 be good enough for a 56 gallon 30x18x24 ?

 

[martinphillip03]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13077331#post13077331 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by krowleey
would 4x 24w t-5 be good enough for a 56 gallon 30x18x24 ?

What do you plan on keeping?

Marty

 

[urville]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13074454#post13074454 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
If you do it make sure you do the proper burn ins on the lamps, about 100 hours. Also let the lamps run for an hour before taking readings. All some of the stuff I wasn't consistant enough with. If I already didn't have a bunch of lamps with a little use on them I would buy a new round of lamps and do the tests knowing what I didn't know then but what I do know now as the standard.

Thanks Grim!
I am seriously considering it. I only wish I could make a living off the hobby as well. Life would be perfect. Not enough hobbyists in this tiny town, lol.

someday... :inlove:

 

[Dancing4raiin]

How do you change the endcaps on a T5 Fixture, and where should i buy them.

 

[Dancing4raiin]

Sorry, forgot to mention its a 4 bulb Tek 48''

 

[kangym]

Hi Grim reefer,
1. Setting up a 60Lx30Wx25H SPS dominant tank. Will run one TX5 (5x54W) and one 6x54W ATI powermodule. Need the light bulb recommendation for reeflux 12K look or bring out good color and growth. and hanging height from water level? Which one used for dawn effect?
2. Setting up a 48Lx18Wx12H SPS frag tank. Will run one 6x54W ATI powermodule. Will it overkill? Just for fast growth and color up. Again need light bulb recommendation (no dawn effect) and hanging height from water level.
Thanks

 

[layer3switchguy]

Grim/Folks:

Hi! I have a 6 bulb 48" Solarflare Fixture, and looking to get a bit more omph from my current bulb setup. Here is what I have:

Front -to- Back

1) ATI Aquablue Special
2) ATI Blue Plus
3) ATI Aquablue Special
4) UVL 75/25
5) ATI Blue Plus
6) ATI Aquablue Special

Would a change such as below help? I'm looking for a bit more white/intensity, as the tank is fairly blue at the moment...

Front -to- Back

1) ATI Blue Plus
2) ATI Aquablue Special
3) ULV 75/25
4) UVL Aquasun
5) ATI Aquablue Special
6) ATI Blue Plus

Or would adding another UVL Aquasun make more sense? If so, any suggestions on what bulb to swap out for it?

Thanks!
L3

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Unless you want clams on the sandbed out front 4 four footers in Ice Cap reflectors will be enough. If you want to do clams a 2 and 3 footer out front would work.

Gotta use the smaller Ice Cap reflector because the Teks are over 3" wide, they wont work.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13076246#post13076246 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hpglow
I have a couple questions, I'm going to build a fixture for my 72g bowfront. How many lamps should I try and pack into it? What would be a good lamp setup for it? (I was thinking 4 x 4footers a 3 footer and a 2 footer) And finally which reflector would you you recomend the TEK2 or the SLR?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13077331#post13077331 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by krowleey
would 4x 24w t-5 be good enough for a 56 gallon 30x18x24 ?

Kinda tall tank, I'd do 6 lamps in Ice Cap reflectors.