Larry Waughon
Active member
Thank You Grim! That gets me started, so I will be back to bug you later. Thanks for giving so much of your time.
The T5 Q&a Thread
- Thread starter JohnL
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DjScibbity
BooYaah!!
Grim (or anyone),
Im about to setup a 90 gallon (48.5x18.5x25) and I have a few questions. Im really leaning toward T-5s due to heat issues (I live in Phoenix, AZ). This will be a mixed reef with a lot of SPS. What type of fixtures can you recommend that can provide enough light (pretty deep tank) while at the same tme reduce heat to a minimum (Id rather not have to run a chiller). What fixtures besides the ATIs have fans (I know the Teks do not). I like the ATIs, but am not sure I can afford one of their fixtures. Also, a nice feature (but not a must have) would be the moonlights which the ATIs do not have. So, what are your recomendations based on price, reduced heat, etc.
Other questions: Why dont ALL fixtures come with fans built in...id see that as a good selling point at a minimal cost to the mfg?
Also, do all the higher end fixtures (ATI, Tek) overdrive the bulbs? How do you know which fixtures overdrive and which do not as none of them I have come across talk about this?
Thank you very much for your help.
-JP
Im about to setup a 90 gallon (48.5x18.5x25) and I have a few questions. Im really leaning toward T-5s due to heat issues (I live in Phoenix, AZ). This will be a mixed reef with a lot of SPS. What type of fixtures can you recommend that can provide enough light (pretty deep tank) while at the same tme reduce heat to a minimum (Id rather not have to run a chiller). What fixtures besides the ATIs have fans (I know the Teks do not). I like the ATIs, but am not sure I can afford one of their fixtures. Also, a nice feature (but not a must have) would be the moonlights which the ATIs do not have. So, what are your recomendations based on price, reduced heat, etc.
Other questions: Why dont ALL fixtures come with fans built in...id see that as a good selling point at a minimal cost to the mfg?
Also, do all the higher end fixtures (ATI, Tek) overdrive the bulbs? How do you know which fixtures overdrive and which do not as none of them I have come across talk about this?
Thank you very much for your help.
-JP
Saddler
New member
Grim,
I did a ton of research on every aspect of lights when I was setting up my first reef about 1.5 years ago, and pretty much all of the information came from you, so thanks for you input to the reef community on T5s!
I revisited this thread a couple of months ago and saw some before and after shots of tanks with the new procolor bulb, and you were saying then that you were going to pull your procolor due to increased hair algae growth. What was the outcome of that and do you still feel that it's not a good bulb?
Can someone direct me to some of the better before and after shots with the procolor?
Is there a newer bulb that's better?
I did a ton of research on every aspect of lights when I was setting up my first reef about 1.5 years ago, and pretty much all of the information came from you, so thanks for you input to the reef community on T5s!
I revisited this thread a couple of months ago and saw some before and after shots of tanks with the new procolor bulb, and you were saying then that you were going to pull your procolor due to increased hair algae growth. What was the outcome of that and do you still feel that it's not a good bulb?
Can someone direct me to some of the better before and after shots with the procolor?
Is there a newer bulb that's better?
This is basically my set-up except I have a GE6500 instead of the UVL Aquasun. I'm not really all that crazy about the GE's color and intensity. I have a few SPS and a few LPS in a 90. I have Tek ballasts with IceCap reflectors on the bulbs, the bulbs are somewhere in the neighborhood of 6" to 8" off the water (haven't really measured).
That's a pretty good representation of what the tank looks like in person.
My question is what could I replace the GE6500 with to "warm up" the colors a bit or just be a little less intense? I've had one SPS frag completely beach out and the large brain in the left corner of the pic lost a lot of pigment. I know 4 bulbs not overdriven on a 90 isn't that impressive but it's plenty for my current live stock.
Thanks for your help!
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Dunno why Tek isn't using a fan. The only fixture overdriving lamps that I know of is the Solar Flare.
For your tank if thew ATI isn't in your budget the next thing in a lower price range that will work is the Aquactinics TX5. You would have to be careful where you place higher light critters.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12963958#post12963958 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by snaza
you said 20% more par at 18". would that be 20% at 4" or 8" too?
No, at 12" it was only about 10%. The IC gained advantage the further you move away from the lamps.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Pulling the pro color made no difference. Never thought it was a bad lamp. I am just a little hesitent to reco it in systems with less than 6 lamps.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12965364#post12965364 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Wetline
This is basically my set-up except I have a GE6500 instead of the UVL Aquasun. I'm not really all that crazy about the GE's color and intensity. I have a few SPS and a few LPS in a 90. I have Tek ballasts with IceCap reflectors on the bulbs, the bulbs are somewhere in the neighborhood of 6" to 8" off the water (haven't really measured).
That's a pretty good representation of what the tank looks like in person.
My question is what could I replace the GE6500 with to "warm up" the colors a bit or just be a little less intense? I've had one SPS frag completely beach out and the large brain in the left corner of the pic lost a lot of pigment. I know 4 bulbs not overdriven on a 90 isn't that impressive but it's plenty for my current live stock.
Thanks for your help!
The UVL Aquasun has more red in it's output so it would definatly warm up the tank. The ATI Procolor would also work but it doesn't have a whole lot of PAR. If you think your critters are getting too much PAR that might be the way to go.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
I am using them. They look great. I don't reco them because they are on clearance and I am not too sure how many they have left, I Stocked up at that price
Hey Grim since you seem to be the man for T5....
I, am planning to get a 48.3 Gal (39,4" x 15,7" x 19,7")
http://www.hagen.com/canada/francai...=01029740010102
If a suspend a 36inch TEK 4x39W over it, would it be enough?
http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/..._ID=sl-t5tl3604
I would like to keep mostly LPS and soft coral. If i can put 2 or 3 SPS near the surface... good but SPS are not the most important for me.
I could go for the 48 inch long to get 4x54W but am scared its gonna look like sh... since my tank is only 40 inch long....
If its fine wich bulb would you put in it?
Thanks a lot for your time!
Vincent
I, am planning to get a 48.3 Gal (39,4" x 15,7" x 19,7")
http://www.hagen.com/canada/francai...=01029740010102
If a suspend a 36inch TEK 4x39W over it, would it be enough?
http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/..._ID=sl-t5tl3604
I would like to keep mostly LPS and soft coral. If i can put 2 or 3 SPS near the surface... good but SPS are not the most important for me.
I could go for the 48 inch long to get 4x54W but am scared its gonna look like sh... since my tank is only 40 inch long....
If its fine wich bulb would you put in it?
Thanks a lot for your time!
Vincent
I am sorry if these questions have asked before. How long do T5 bulbs normally last and how long do they last when you overdrive them? Are T5's generally more energy efficient than PC's?
Also would this be a good ballast for 24 inch T5 bulbs? http://ballastwise.com/item.asp?PID=26&FID=15&level=1 Thanks for the help.
Also would this be a good ballast for 24 inch T5 bulbs? http://ballastwise.com/item.asp?PID=26&FID=15&level=1 Thanks for the help.
Ok I am going crazy over which light fixture to go with. The more I read the more confused I get. I have a 90 gallon 48x18x24 open canopy and it will be mainly LPS and SPS. I was thinking abou the Tek 8 bulbs but now I don't know. What is the best one to go with for the price range of
$500-600
$700-800
Thanks
$500-600
$700-800
Thanks
Todd March
Premium Member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12968935#post12968935 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
I am using them. They look great. I don't reco them because they are on clearance and I am not too sure how many they have left, I Stocked up at that price
Grim, are they a bright but not-too-actinic blue bulb ala ATI and URL, or are they a dim but highly fluorescing violet actinic like the Giesemann?
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
SHould be fine
Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Make sure the clams are under the light and you should be fine
Front
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
Should look nice and take care of the clams.
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