The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13105473#post13105473 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Zestay
grim if i were to not use a splash shield how far should i keep my lights above the water?

It depends on how turbulent your water surface is but 4" is a good distance

 

[lukinrats]

Hey Grim, I think you missed my post a couple of pages back... You can see it here about 1/4 way down the page

I really wanted to know what you thought of the Par number I am getting @ the sandbed now

 

[lukinrats]

Hey Grim, I think you missed my post a couple of pages back... You can see it here about 1/4 way down the page

I really wanted to know what you thought of the Par number I am getting @ the sandbed now

 

[lukinrats]

Hey Grim, I think you missed my post a couple of pages back... You can see it here about 1/4 way down the page

I really wanted to know what you thought of the Par number I am getting @ the sandbed now

later,
Nathan

 

[The Grim Reefer]

You must have I'll check it out

 

[calvin415]

Grim, what's happening buddy!? I've been shopping around for my T-5 setup and I was able to find a good deal on a new 8x80w but it uses workhorse ballasts... I've heard mixed reviews on these and I'm sure you've probably already answered it, but my eyes are killing me from all the reading I've already done. Am I wasting my money getting work horse ballasts or is it the bulb that matters? I was planning on all 8 Giesemann Aqua Blue + with a pair of VHO's Actinics running the middle... Basically 4 bulbs on each end of the tank split 2 and 2 with a VHO in the middle. Hope that makes sense... Again the tank is 142" long and 16" wide. LMK your thoughts.

-Eric

 

[kidninja]

which replacement bulbs should i buy for my Nova Extreme T-5 Fixture 24" 96W
says it comes with (SlimPaq 460nm Actinic/10,000°K). could someone provide me a link as to where i can buy my replacement bulbs

 

[ray3mont]

Grim,

After reading this entire thread ... which is amazing, I still have a few questions.

I have a 90 AGA tank w/ a 5 inch sand bed. So the tank depth is now 20 inches.
I would like to be able to maintain some clams, some SPS, in addition to the softies I have had under my 3 x vho's.

After reading through everything, if I can afford it, the ATI and Aquactinics seem to be the way to go. However, the lead time on the ATI's is two months. So I am leaning towards a sale on the Aquactinic Constellation - $715 w/ bulbs - includes shipping.

Here's the questions I have:

.1 Bulb selection and order of placement? Here are the bulbs I have to choice from:

UVL Actininic White
UVL Aquasun
UVL Super Actinic
Giesemann Midday 6000
Giesemann Aquablue Plus
Giesemann Actinic Pure
Giesemann Actininc Pluss
GE 6500K

2. Would you consider getting the riser bracket. I am being told that is sets the light at a fixed height of two inches above the tank. I thought this might make is easier to feed the tank and critters?

3. Or would you consider the hanging kit to raise and lower the lights for maintenance, etc.?

4. If for some reason I can find a good deal on a used ATI power module would you recommend the 4 or 6 bulb over the Consellation?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13108087#post13108087 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by calvin415
Grim, what's happening buddy!? I've been shopping around for my T-5 setup and I was able to find a good deal on a new 8x80w but it uses workhorse ballasts... I've heard mixed reviews on these and I'm sure you've probably already answered it, but my eyes are killing me from all the reading I've already done. Am I wasting my money getting work horse ballasts or is it the bulb that matters? I was planning on all 8 Giesemann Aqua Blue + with a pair of VHO's Actinics running the middle... Basically 4 bulbs on each end of the tank split 2 and 2 with a VHO in the middle. Hope that makes sense... Again the tank is 142" long and 16" wide. LMK your thoughts.

-Eric

Dude!

For those of you who don't know Calvin here he built one of the sickests nano setuos I've ever seen. What was that thing, like 4 feet long? How goes the new tank build? Pop me a link to the build thread.

Anyway I don't like the Workhorse ballasts as they don't meet the T5 manufacturers specs. I don't remember how tall your tank is but if it's less than 20" tall you don't need to overdrive the lamps which the Ice Cap ballast will and due to the cost of the spec T5 ballasts the Workhorse ballasts are your best option even if they don't perform as well as some others. The 4/1 lamp configuration sounds good. On your T5 selection I would do an Blue Plus or actinic Plus and Daylight or Midday lamp with 2 aquablues instead of running all aquablues. You will get a lot better color rendering that way.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13109076#post13109076 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kidninja
which replacement bulbs should i buy for my Nova Extreme T-5 Fixture 24" 96W
says it comes with (SlimPaq 460nm Actinic/10,000°K). could someone provide me a link as to where i can buy my replacement bulbs

Reefgeek.com has good prices and selection

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13109896#post13109896 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ray3mont
Grim,

After reading this entire thread ... which is amazing, I still have a few questions.

I have a 90 AGA tank w/ a 5 inch sand bed. So the tank depth is now 20 inches.
I would like to be able to maintain some clams, some SPS, in addition to the softies I have had under my 3 x vho's.

After reading through everything, if I can afford it, the ATI and Aquactinics seem to be the way to go. However, the lead time on the ATI's is two months. So I am leaning towards a sale on the Aquactinic Constellation - $715 w/ bulbs - includes shipping.

Here's the questions I have:

.1 Bulb selection and order of placement? Here are the bulbs I have to choice from:

UVL Actininic White
UVL Aquasun
UVL Super Actinic
Giesemann Midday 6000
Giesemann Aquablue Plus
Giesemann Actinic Pure
Giesemann Actininc Pluss
GE 6500K

2. Would you consider getting the riser bracket. I am being told that is sets the light at a fixed height of two inches above the tank. I thought this might make is easier to feed the tank and critters?

3. Or would you consider the hanging kit to raise and lower the lights for maintenance, etc.?

4. If for some reason I can find a good deal on a used ATI power module would you recommend the 4 or 6 bulb over the Consellation?

6 lamp ATI would be fine

Legs or hanger either one for the constellation, I just set mine right on the tank. Go with whichever suites your needs.

Front
Actinic Plus
UVL Aquasun
UVL Super Actinic
Aquablue
Actinic Plus
Aquasun
Actinic Plus

 

[Zestay]

The UVL actinics are a little blue/violet/purple. Don't mess with the tru lamp. You should use 1 ATI Blue Plus or Giesemann Actinic plus and 2 UVL Super Actinics and either ATI or Giesemann Aquablue..

does anyone know ( if grims not on ) if this will " make my corals glow" flourence ? is that the word?
the super actinics ?

 

[pjr300]

<>Originally posted by centipede

Please take care. Thot looks like electrocution waiting to happen!

 

[calvin415]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13110207#post13110207 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Dude!

For those of you who don't know Calvin here he built one of the sickests nano setuos I've ever seen. What was that thing, like 4 feet long? How goes the new tank build? Pop me a link to the build thread.

Anyway I don't like the Workhorse ballasts as they don't meet the T5 manufacturers specs. I don't remember how tall your tank is but if it's less than 20" tall you don't need to overdrive the lamps which the Ice Cap ballast will and due to the cost of the spec T5 ballasts the Workhorse ballasts are your best option even if they don't perform as well as some others. The 4/1 lamp configuration sounds good. On your T5 selection I would do an Blue Plus or actinic Plus and Daylight or Midday lamp with 2 aquablues instead of running all aquablues. You will get a lot better color rendering that way.

Thanks for the super nice intro buddy! Yeah it was 48" Here a link to the nTOTM thread...

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1060365

The new tank is here, 141.625 x 15.5 x 16.5:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1399104

Sounds like I'll go with the workhorse then since it sounds like it won't really matter... As for bulbs, I really like the 14k-20k color so what ever you think I need for bulbs, also what brand? Does it really matter, or is it a label and a reason for a higher price?

Thanks again for your wealth of T-5 knowledge!

 

[pjr300]

Originally posted by Mykel Obvious
Hey Grim,

I'm looking for a 36" T5 fixture (and bulb combo) to place over my 65 gallon mixed reef with a 6" DSB (water column 18" at deepest) Basically all corals to be placed in 36x18x18... SPS in top 1/3 to 1/2, LPS middle to bottom, Softies and Zoas at 18" near sand bed

Budget is in the 36" Nova Extreme Pro or 6x39W Tek range... I like the Tek reflectors, but the fans on the Nova Pro are a +... I've looked at the Aquactinics TX5 5 Lamp fixture, but I can't see paying $80 more for one less bulb unless it is miles ahead of the Tek and Nova Pro (I think a 9.5" fixture would look tiny on the 18" wide tank and worry about coverage from front to back as well... really wish they did a 7 bulb Aquactinics for wider tanks)

So the ATI is out as I just can't stimulate the economy all by myself at this time and the Aquactinics is just a bit above where I want to go unless it is A++

Which fixture do you think would be best of the 3 (Aquactinics, Tek or Nova Pro) and what bulb combo would you recommend to put some pop in the corals?

Originally posted by The Grim Reefer
Get the 8 lamp tek. If you move to higher light corals you can add an external fan to the Tek and get a nice boost in output.

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

O Grim One:

Just wondering why you prefer the Tek over the other two fixtures. I have seen a Nova (not running, just in a box) and it looked well built. I had a chance to test a 4x54 Tek II and I thought it was both dim (granted, only 4 bulbs) and ran very hot.

Thanks!

 

[kidninja]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13110230#post13110230 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Reefgeek.com has good prices and selection

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue

why this setup? any other cheaper bulbs? or other websites to buy bulbs?
thanks grim!

 

[pjr300]

I think he'd tell you that those ATI bulbs have best-in-class PAR for those color temp ranges.

 

[ray3mont]

Grim,

Thanks for lamp recommendation!
Regarding the constellation, I can get this w/o the lamps for $125 less.
Would you work with bulb selection offered, again here's the selection:

UVL Actininic White
UVL Aquasun
UVL Super Actinic
Giesemann Midday 6000
Giesemann Aquablue Plus
Giesemann Actinic Pure
Giesemann Actininc Pluss
GE 6500K

Or would you order other lamps seperately?

Thanks again!

 

[aaron7405]

Hi Grim & reef felows

I helping to set up a T5 configuration on a friend display, is a 7x2x2,

We are getting 2 ICECAP 660 and 60" & Tek individual reflectors
with ATI bulbs, I went with the Tek because is the one has 60" aveable.
my only concern is abou the # of bulbs, do you think 6 will be not enought for this leingth? should I go 7? I know the Tek reflectors are 3" wide

I will rather to put 6 for heat issues. But if you tell me 7 then 7 it is.

about the bulb configuration I was thinking in

In case of 6 bulbs
Thinking of the 20K looks
4 Ati blue plus
2 Ati aquablue special

or

3 ati blue plus
1 aqua blue
1 6000k midday
1 pure actinic.

What do you think?

Thank you

 

[LJA]

Thanks Grim, We should be paying you for all the information. I suggest a "I Support Grim Reefer" Logo available for donations to him that could be placed under the "I support Reef Central" one lol.