The T5 Q&a Thread

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<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13093774#post13093774 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jon
Grim,

I’m building DIY setup composed of (2) 6x54w sections placed side-by-side to cover an 8’ wide tank. Question is, where the two sections meet in the middle would you expect to see a noticeable dark area due to the gap in reflectors and endcaps? Suggestions? Thanks,

Jon………..

I doubt you sill see any difference in the light.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13093800#post13093800 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jma1978
I've been researching an upgrade to T5 lighting and was wondering which would provide more intense lighting (more PAR): 10X39W (390 total watts) or 6X80W (480 total watts)? Those are kinda arbitrary numbers, but I picked them because they both add up to 30 linear feet, but the wattage is quite different.
Then what if I ran them on IceCap ballasts? I've read that the icecap will drive the 39W bulb to about 60W (~50% increase), but only drive the 80W bulb to about 100W (~25% increase). If that's correct, now the 39W bulbs are using about 600W and the 80W bulbs are also using about 600W. So which one wins in this case?

The shorter lamps are quite a bit brighter when verdriven. Normally driven the 80 watters are a little brighter.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13096018#post13096018 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jon
Do you know how thick of a sheet is used in the in ATI powermodules?

Jon......

ATI is a little thicker but still doesn't seem to cut much light, I think it was 3/8"
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13098204#post13098204 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by oceannano
I have a Current Sundial 30" 4 x24w T5 fixture 3" above my 20 long BB SPS tank I just swapped out all the stock bulbs for all ATI lamps. The reflectors are not the best but better than nothing..... They kinda look like a stamped sheet VVVV
Front:
Aquablue special
Blue plus
Aquablue special
Aquablue special
Back

Is this too much 12,000k for my sps tank (I don't want to bleach anything)
Should Swap out one of my Aquablue special's for a stock 460nm lamp (to run dusk & dawn with the other Blue plus)

Thanks

Yeah, you could. Just change the stock blue with the second one at six months then you can relamp it all at a year
 
Hey Grim, you probably don't remember with the hundreds of posts you probably get every day buy about a month ago I asked you about a T5 setup for my 29G but now have a 90 G in the works!

I plan on doing an IceCap retro in the canopy which I'm getting from reef geeks. I'm going to go with the 6 bulb setup which should be enough for everything I would like to keep. For the most part it will be a mixed reef with a little bit of everything from softies to some SPS.

I would like to ask you what brand of T5 bulbs you would reccomend and also what type of bulb configuration.

I was thinking:

UV Super Actinic
UV Aquablue (14000k)
UV Aquasun (10000k)
UV Aquasun (10000k)
UV Aquablue (14000k)
UV Super Actinic

Do you think this will be enough blue? Is it a good combo overall? What would you go with?

Thanks a lot!
 
Grim, your so popular these days :)

Will a 6x80 icecap retro support sps and clams to the sand?
If needed I can do the double reflectors, that shouldn't cost a ton more.
12x36 is just to expensive, $1200 just to set it up vs 700 or so for 6x80 :/

Thanks for your time Grim!
 
Grim,

I have a question, I'm setting up a 125 gal (48x30x20) 80% SPS, my original plan was to use 2-250 watt in lumenarc reflectors but I have a great opportunity to buy a brand new 48" tek light 8 bulbs system at a great price plus I like the wide range of color to pick from. My questions are 1.will this cover a 30" depth? 2.will it equal the same amount of PAR of the 250's? 3.what would be a good bulb combo to simulate the color of radium bulbs? 4. How is it energy efficient over MH when you use 8(54 watt) over 2(250watt) MH (maybe a little)? And finally. I have only use MH on all my previous tanks 5. Is there any proof/review that t5 would give you the same/better result?
 
Hi everyone! I've been trying to get through all the splits OMG!!! I have a couple of question, which I will continue to research, and if I find them, I will answer my own question here... but here goes just in case someone can easily answer:

1) I see High Output and Standard bulbs... does my fixture have to be rated High Output to use the High Output bulbs? Can someone explain this.

2) I have a T-5 fixture. 4-daylights, 2-actinics, all 24w bulbs. When you add up wattage, do you include all bulbs or just the daylights (i.e., do I have a 96w system or a 144w system)?

3) I would like to consider replacing the reflector, which spans the bulbs rather than shaped to provide reflection for the individual bulbs. Is this difficult to do? I'm guessing I would need to shape this myself and fit it into the fixture?

4) I'm impressed with all the different light configurations, and would like to jump on this train and play around with the various combinations. I have a 34g all-in-one, 24"L x ~13"W (main portion of tank) x 18"D. I have softies, LPS and SPS. Mostly softies, and they are oriented in the tank (low-high) based on there lighting requirements. I do like the lighting to be a bit on the blue side... I find it pleasing to the eyes. Can anyone provide a recommendation on the bulbs?

5) I have a T5 fixture 4x24w on a small 15g frag tank (24"L x ~10"W x 10"D, it's an all-in-one, so a bit small on the Width). What lights would be recommended for good growth... mostly softies but also LPS, maybe an occassional SPS.

Thanks!!!
 
Last edited:
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13101094#post13101094 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by robojet
Hi everyone! I've been trying to get through all the splits OMG!!! I have a couple of question, which I will continue to research, and if I find them, I will answer my own question here... but here goes just in case someone can easily answer:

1) I see High Output and Standard bulbs... does my fixture have to be rated High Output to use the High Output bulbs? Can someone explain this.

2) I have a T-5 fixture. 4-daylights, 2-actinics, all 24w bulbs. When you add up wattage, do you include all bulbs or just the daylights (i.e., do I have a 96w system or a 144w system)?

3) I would like to consider replacing the reflector, which spans the bulbs rather than shaped to provide reflection for the individual bulbs. Is this difficult to do? I'm guessing I would need to shape this myself and fit it into the fixture?

4) I'm impressed with all the different light configurations, and would like to jump on this train and play around with the various combinations. I have a 34g all-in-one, 24"L x ~13"W (main portion of tank) x 18"D. I have softies, LPS and SPS. Mostly softies, and they are oriented in the tank (low-high) based on there lighting requirements. I do like the lighting to be a bit on the blue side... I find it pleasing to the eyes. Can anyone provide a recommendation on the bulbs?

5) I have a T5 fixture 4x24w on a small 15g frag tank (24"L x ~10"W x 10"D, it's an all-in-one, so a bit small on the Width). What lights would be recommended for good growth... mostly softies but also LPS, maybe an occassional SPS.

Thanks!!!



1: The ballest has to be HO to run a HO bulb at what is considered HO. If you have HO bulbs on a NO ballest, it will push the bulb to the maximum NO.

2. The total watts would be that of the entire fixture and all the bulbs, although speaking in terms of how many watts are usable in growth for corals, it's 96.

3. Don't bother. Impossible to make one yourself.

4 + 5: Ask Grim!

HOH. Good Luck! :thumbsup:
 
If you dont care about total light output then you can fashion a reflector. My refugium uses to 55 watt PC's with reflectors i made out of super heavy duty aluminum foil.... shiny side down :P of course.

No complaints at all for me... Chaeto grows like wildfire
 
Hi Grim,

I went ahead and bought the constellation and it's the newer version with the 98% reflectors. Can you please tell me what light bulbs to buy? I will be keeping LPS and SPS and a clam. I don't want to much blue.

Thank you for your help.
 
lja, urville: thanks for the replies. I will wait and see if Grim can give me a recommendation on #5 and #6.

Thanks!
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13098470#post13098470 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by LJA
Hey Grim, you probably don't remember with the hundreds of posts you probably get every day buy about a month ago I asked you about a T5 setup for my 29G but now have a 90 G in the works!

I plan on doing an IceCap retro in the canopy which I'm getting from reef geeks. I'm going to go with the 6 bulb setup which should be enough for everything I would like to keep. For the most part it will be a mixed reef with a little bit of everything from softies to some SPS.

I would like to ask you what brand of T5 bulbs you would reccomend and also what type of bulb configuration.

I was thinking:

UV Super Actinic
UV Aquablue (14000k)
UV Aquasun (10000k)
UV Aquasun (10000k)
UV Aquablue (14000k)
UV Super Actinic

Do you think this will be enough blue? Is it a good combo overall? What would you go with?

Thanks a lot!


Instead of those Aquablues use ATI Blue Pluses.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13099506#post13099506 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Kurt03
Grim, your so popular these days :)

Will a 6x80 icecap retro support sps and clams to the sand?
If needed I can do the double reflectors, that shouldn't cost a ton more.
12x36 is just to expensive, $1200 just to set it up vs 700 or so for 6x80 :/

Thanks for your time Grim!

Go with the good reflectors. If you can fit 8 lamps do that as well, You would definatly want the clamps to be under the lights so you want it packed.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13100352#post13100352 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fish590a
Grim,

I have a question, I'm setting up a 125 gal (48x30x20) 80% SPS, my original plan was to use 2-250 watt in lumenarc reflectors but I have a great opportunity to buy a brand new 48" tek light 8 bulbs system at a great price plus I like the wide range of color to pick from. My questions are 1.will this cover a 30" depth? 2.will it equal the same amount of PAR of the 250's? 3.what would be a good bulb combo to simulate the color of radium bulbs? 4. How is it energy efficient over MH when you use 8(54 watt) over 2(250watt) MH (maybe a little)? And finally. I have only use MH on all my previous tanks 5. Is there any proof/review that t5 would give you the same/better result?

Sanjay did a MH/T5 comparison but the results have not been released yet. The word is he found the 4x39 watt Tek light to be equal to a good 175 watt halide system. Without knowing the details it is impossible to know how that translates into real world situation.

If You use a fan to cool the Tek fixture it's good for a 20% increase in output. The 4 fan Azoo clamp on array would work but you don't want it blowing directly on the lamps, you want it blowing on the edge of the fixture from behind so the air moves around the fixture cooling the lamps and ballasts.

Next issue is lamp color. The Blue T5 lamps have really good PAR where blue halides have lower PAR. Soooo..... Is the Tek going to have as much PAR as the radium setup? Dunno. Is it gong to have enough PAR to raise what you want in that tank? Yes,

Front
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
UVL Super Actinic
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus
 
Thanks! How wide is 1 reflector? Ill see how many I can fit in my hood.

Thanks again!


<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13103062#post13103062 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Go with the good reflectors. If you can fit 8 lamps do that as well, You would definatly want the clamps to be under the lights so you want it packed.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13101094#post13101094 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by robojet
Hi everyone! I've been trying to get through all the splits OMG!!! I have a couple of question, which I will continue to research, and if I find them, I will answer my own question here... but here goes just in case someone can easily answer:

1) I see High Output and Standard bulbs... does my fixture have to be rated High Output to use the High Output bulbs? Can someone explain this.

2) I have a T-5 fixture. 4-daylights, 2-actinics, all 24w bulbs. When you add up wattage, do you include all bulbs or just the daylights (i.e., do I have a 96w system or a 144w system)?

3) I would like to consider replacing the reflector, which spans the bulbs rather than shaped to provide reflection for the individual bulbs. Is this difficult to do? I'm guessing I would need to shape this myself and fit it into the fixture?

4) I'm impressed with all the different light configurations, and would like to jump on this train and play around with the various combinations. I have a 34g all-in-one, 24"L x ~13"W (main portion of tank) x 18"D. I have softies, LPS and SPS. Mostly softies, and they are oriented in the tank (low-high) based on there lighting requirements. I do like the lighting to be a bit on the blue side... I find it pleasing to the eyes. Can anyone provide a recommendation on the bulbs?

5) I have a T5 fixture 4x24w on a small 15g frag tank (24"L x ~10"W x 10"D, it's an all-in-one, so a bit small on the Width). What lights would be recommended for good growth... mostly softies but also LPS, maybe an occassional SPS.

Thanks!!!

Almost all the stuff we deal with are High Output HO. You will see NO on occasion but they are not that common. Overdriven lamps are called VHO by one company but they are just a HO T5 on a Ice Cap ballast.

Forget about watts, it's a crappy guideline at best.

Smallest reflector I know have needs the lamps spaced 2" apart (Aquactinics reflectors) You can squeeze them a bit to make them fit but not too much.

For the display

Front
ATI Blue Plus or Giesemann Actinic Plus
UVK Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Aquablue

Frag tank

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13102518#post13102518 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pinkcoral
Hi Grim,

I went ahead and bought the constellation and it's the newer version with the 98% reflectors. Can you please tell me what light bulbs to buy? I will be keeping LPS and SPS and a clam. I don't want to much blue.

Thank you for your help.

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

The Aquablues are more white than blue so this wont really look as blue as the lamp names indicate. I'd grab an extra blue plus. Everyone perceives light differently but I would be you will like the color better if you use a blue Plus where the rear aquablue is. If not you have an extra lamp just in case.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13103265#post13103265 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Kurt03
Thanks! How wide is 1 reflector? Ill see how many I can fit in my hood.

Thanks again!

Aquactinics are 2" wide, the Ice Caps are 2 1/2" The standoffs the endcaps mount into are 2 1/2" but can be trimmed down a little.
 
Hey Grim, you probably don't remember with the hundreds of posts you probably get every day buy about a month ago I asked you about a T5 setup for my 29G but now have a 90 G in the works!

I plan on doing an IceCap retro in the canopy which I'm getting from reef geeks. I'm going to go with the 6 bulb setup which should be enough for everything I would like to keep. For the most part it will be a mixed reef with a little bit of everything from softies to some SPS.

I would like to ask you what brand of T5 bulbs you would reccomend and also what type of bulb configuration.

I was thinking:

UV Super Actinic
UV Aquablue (14000k)
UV Aquasun (10000k)
UV Aquasun (10000k)
UV Aquablue (14000k)
UV Super Actinic

Do you think this will be enough blue? Is it a good combo overall? What did you go with on your 6 bulb setup?

I'm trying to reach a combination that will allow for lots of growth but also keeping a blue-ish 14k look. Could I use a 6000k bulb and still obtain a nice crispt blue that will make my corals "pop"?

Sorry for all the questions,
Thanks a lot for being a great help!
 
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