The T5 Q&a Thread

[Todd March]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13084132#post13084132 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by urville
I know, and I'm not arguing thier quality. I just know they make things really pop across a pretty good band of color. If a crap bulb can do that, a great bulb should be able too if not more, right? Just making sure thats all...

Yeah, before my current Powermodule fixture with ATI, Geisseman and KZ bulbs, I had only experienced AquaMedic bulbs; needless to say I didn't think much of T5's and thought they were overrated...

But last summer I saw some T5 illuminated tanks in Europe, and then got my Powermodule this summer, and WOW--what a difference from the AquaMedic bulbs I used to have...!

Maybe it doesn't quite qualify for night and day--but pretty close...!

 

[urville]

Posted spectrum for the AquaMedic Reef Blue, which the article showed as the comparable bulb to the, actually CH Lighting, BL_BIO... From AquaNovel.

closest comparables so far:

by look the Giesemann Actinic+

I could only find pic for these so af

 

[Twistedpro]

i was thinking about getting a 8x80w powermodule for a 5.5' x 2' x 2' tank using aquascience bulbs would this provide enough light for a SPS dominated tank? Do the powermodules use 80w ballasts or are they overburnt using a higher wattage ballast? Will my power consumption be roughly 640w??

What would be the best bulb combination in your opinion?

The powermodule is quite expensive if i was to build something similar using 4 osram 80w twin ballasts with high quality reflectors would i get a similar output to the power module or would i need to add some extra bulbs or would i be better using a different ballast?

Thank you for your help

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13084061#post13084061 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MG21
Hey Grim,

Just got my 2 48 inch Aquactinics Constellations for my 475 and set my bulbs up according to your combos (THANKS). As soon as i turn them on the GFI trips. Do you know the amps these units are pulling? Will be running 2 of these along with H&S 300 skimmer, 2 wave boxes, 2 6100 and 2 6000 Tunzes with reeflo Barracuda pump. Should I have an electrician come out and put a dedicated circuit for the tank? Currently run 3x 250 watt metal halides plus 150 watts of actinics and have no problem on my 240. Thanks!!

The Aquactinic should draw around 4 amps each max. Try turning them on one at a time, one switch at a time. If you hit on a circuit that is causing the problem reinstall the lamps for that citcuit to male sure an arcing problem isn't the issue.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13084176#post13084176 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by urville
Posted spectrum for the AquaMedic Reef Blue, which the article showed as the comparable bulb to the, actually CH Lighting, BL_BIO... From AquaNovel.

closest comparables so far:

by look the Giesemann Actinic+

I could only find pic for these so af

ATI Blue Plus or Giesemann Actinic Plus or even NARVA 22000k Blue should provide the same effect

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13084478#post13084478 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Twistedpro
i was thinking about getting a 8x80w powermodule for a 5.5' x 2' x 2' tank using aquascience bulbs would this provide enough light for a SPS dominated tank? Do the powermodules use 80w ballasts or are they overburnt using a higher wattage ballast? Will my power consumption be roughly 640w??

What would be the best bulb combination in your opinion?

The powermodule is quite expensive if i was to build something similar using 4 osram 80w twin ballasts with high quality reflectors would i get a similar output to the power module or would i need to add some extra bulbs or would i be better using a different ballast?

Thank you for your help

If you can get the new style ATI retrofit reflectors you could build your own system inside your canopy. The ATI as far as I know isn't overdriving the lamps but we cant get thye 80 watt version in the 110v market so I cant say for positive.

 

[Twistedpro]

Thank you for your help grim, so its more the reflectors than give ATI the boost and the active cooling of the tubes. The tank is going to be built in so you will not see the pendant so asthetics are not a problem

 

[MrSpiffy]

Tell ya what, guys. I can post some pics after I get my setup at the end of the week. I have a few different bulb types recommended by Grim, so at least that'll be a start. Here's what I'll have to show:

Giesmann Blue+
UVL Super Actinic
UVL AquaSun

I wanted pics. I'm sure others wouldn't mind, either. (I'll try and color-correct the pics, too. But no guarantees on perfect accuracy.)

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13084724#post13084724 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Twistedpro
Thank you for your help grim, so its more the reflectors than give ATI the boost and the active cooling of the tubes. The tank is going to be built in so you will not see the pendant so asthetics are not a problem

You need to cool the lamps and ballasts to get the best performance. In an open area cooling the ballasts may not make much difference but it seems to help in a fixture.

 

[slug]

If I want to run a 48" 8 bulb setup are 2x Icecap 660s the best I can do for ballasts? And are they worth the price premium?

 

[MeuserReef]

Hey Grim,


My new reef will be lit by (2) 250W Phoenix 14K halides, however Im looking to add some additional light in the 420nm and 460nm ranges (The Phoenix's arent particularly stong in these two areas, although they are a good tradeoff between PAR and K)

I want to run (4) 48" T5HO bulbs in SLR reflectors to supplement the Halides (and to allow a "dusk/dawn" config). What would you suggest using to accomplish this?

 

[wnutz]

hey grim real good thread,i am currently designing a 66",30",30" tank and was wandering if you could help me pick a good light system that could run this tank? it will be a sps tank.and the combo of bulbs i should use.

thanks in advance

 

[Shadowramy]

Hey Grim,

Think I am going to change it up a little, 2 KZ Purple Fiji's are a little too overpowering (from a viewing standpoint)

Original
Front
Ati Blue+
KZ Puple Figi
Ati AquaBlue Special
Ati Blue+
Ati AquaBlue Special
KZ Puple Figi
Ati AquaBlue Special
UVL Super Actinic

New
Front
UVL Super Actinic
Ati Blue+
Ati AquaBlue Special
Ati Blue+
Ati AquaBlue Special
KZ Puple Figi
Ati AquaBlue Special
Giesman Actinic Blue

Bulbs 1 & 8 are on Advanced Ballast
Bulbs 2 & 7 on IceCap 430
Bulbs 3-6 on IceCap 660

Using Icecep SLR reflectors

 

[DjScibbity]

OK Grim, I ended up getting a pretty good deal on a 48" TX5 fixture from a person in our local Reef club...so the fixture choice has finally been made (phew).

Now, Id like some bulb recommendations keeping in mind this fixture is going over a 90 gallon and it will be a mixed reef (fairly high amount of SPS). I like a blue look, but want the most PAR in order to keep everything happy. Thanks again

-JP

 

[DjScibbity]

Ohh and one other question, do you know if it is possible to swap out the ballasts in the TX5 (or Nova Pro) for Icecap ones to overdrive the bulbs? Possibly a nice future upgrade?

-JP

 

[Kurt03]

I have a 150 currently lit with 3 250 reflux 12k's se on m80 ballasts.
Tank is 72x18x24
Im thinking of switching to t5's to reduce heat and also electric usage. I think my ballasts now pull around 3.4amps each.
I like the reflux 12k look, white with a glow of blue so want to stick to that color.

What bulbs would you recommend for my tank? Also wondering what the ballasts pull (amp wise) that i would need to compare them to what i have now. Do i need to go with the icecap over driven bulbs so sps and clams are ok on the bottom?

Thanks!

 

[arbee]

Hi Grim,
I am getting ready to order new bulbs for the Constellation fixture. Here is what I am using now:
2 x 39W 6000K Midday Sun T5 HO Fluorescent by Giesemann
2 x 39W 12000K Aquablue Special T5 HO Fluorescent by ATI
6 x 39W Blue Plus T5 HO Fluorescent by ATI
2 x 39W 10000K AquaSun T5 HO Fluorescent by UV Lighting
2 x 39W Super Actinic T5 HO Fluorescent by UV Lighting
Is there anything new or better to get out there since last year?
I have 3 clams, and mostly all sps that are doing well. Was just wondering if there is anything you would suggest that could improve this combination.
Thanks~

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13085554#post13085554 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by slug
If I want to run a 48" 8 bulb setup are 2x Icecap 660s the best I can do for ballasts? And are they worth the price premium?

If you are doing a lot of SPS yes.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13087030#post13087030 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MeuserReef
Hey Grim,


My new reef will be lit by (2) 250W Phoenix 14K halides, however Im looking to add some additional light in the 420nm and 460nm ranges (The Phoenix's arent particularly stong in these two areas, although they are a good tradeoff between PAR and K)

I want to run (4) 48" T5HO bulbs in SLR reflectors to supplement the Halides (and to allow a "dusk/dawn" config). What would you suggest using to accomplish this?

2 UVL Super Actinics and 2 ATI Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13087422#post13087422 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wnutz
hey grim real good thread,i am currently designing a 66",30",30" tank and was wandering if you could help me pick a good light system that could run this tank? it will be a sps tank.and the combo of bulbs i should use.

thanks in advance

8x80 watt Ice Cap retro from reefgeek

Frot
ATI Blue Plus
Giesemann Midday
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Pro Color
ATI Blue Plus
Giesemann Midday
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus