The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13325302#post13325302 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by xroads
Here is a good one for ya

2 250G tanks, 80L, 30W, 24D. One for LPS, one for SPS.
each tank will have 12 rows, with 12 36" bulbs & 6 48" bulbs.

What kind of combo's do you recomend for each tank.

Thx
Craig

I am not following your lamp setup. Fist off you aint gonna fit nor should you need 12 lamps over those tanks. Not sure bout the 48" lamps either, should be two rows of 36" lamps to cover the length.

For the stonies 10 with Ice Cap reflectors should be fine. I'd overdrive at least a couple rows of lamps,

Front
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aqualue
UVL Super Actinic
GE 6500K Daylight OD
ATI Pro Color
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight OD
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

For the LPS tank I would use the wider Tek II reflectors on 8 rows of lamps

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
UVL 75/25
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
UVL Super Actinic
ATI Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13325322#post13325322 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Simon68
Would the Giesemann Aquablue Plus work as a sub for the ATI Blue Plus? ATI doesn't seem to be one of the coices at Saltycritter where I was going to purchase it.

ATI Blue Plus = Giesemann Actinic Plus

ATI Aquablue = Giesemann Aquablue (i dont try to remember which is Plus and special, Aquablue is all that counts)

ATI Actinic blue = Giesemann Pure Actinic

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13326124#post13326124 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ocd_mariner
Just had a catastrophic power failure on my 120, so its sell off and upgrade time. I'm going to be getting a 150g rimless, 48x30x24.

My question is about the t5 hoods. Im not sure which to go with, or who offers the best deal, or best equipment. I saw some zillion dollar ATI fixtures on reefgeek, but Im not sure why they are so expensive, or how they are better then the Tek fixtures. ATI does offer a 48" 10 bulb system, but Im not sure if 8 bulbs would be fine for such a wide tank. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

This tank will be sps dominated. Any softies or LPS will be an afterthought.

The 10 lamp powermodule would be good. The ATI's are very good. You are going to want that thing a bit above that tank so don't skimp on the number of lamps, 10 should be great.

 

[bertmauricio]

Hey Grim,

Need your opinion on adding a 5th bulb to my standard 90, 24hx18w, although I've got a coast to coast overflow along the back, 1 inch sand bed. I would like to put a clam on the sand and some SPS higher up.

Currently have an Icecap 660 running 4 bulbs with SLRs, 4" above the water. Have room for another bulb in the front of the canopy. Not sure if I need an Icecap just to run one more bulb or run a Tek retro or equivalent. Can I get away with 5? I can always rearrange and put a Tek toward the back, above the rocks and move the Icecaps toward the front.

Current Bulbs:
Front
ATI Blue+
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue+

What bulb would you add to this mix? How about this?
Blue+
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
UVL Super Actinic
Blue+

Thanks

 

[xroads]

I'm sorry I should have explained better.

Row 1 36" 36"
Row 2 48"
Row 3 36" 36"
Row 4 48"

I was going to use the 48 inch rows for my overdrives & the shorter bulbs for the colors.

Now I am thinking 60" in the middle rows.

 

[sprite]

i am going to have a 6 bulb setup(retro) and currently have 3 blue+ bulbs,1 fiji purple,2 actinic+,and 1 ge 6500k what would be the best combo and placement of these bulbs from front to back for an all sps tank about 16" tall?..thanks


edit: forgot to add these will be tek retros

 

[Aquarist007]

Hi Grimereefer
Would appreciate your thoughts on this delima:

Current setup is 2 150watt MH and 2 PC 96watt attinics.
The tank is high at 30 inches and I believe my penetration maxes out at 18 inches
The bulbs are due to be replaced and I am not sure if switching over to a 6 T5 setup would give me more penetration then the halides/attinics current setup?
thanks
Scott

 

[jeepboy_90]

My T5 Question:

I have a 60g (48x15x18) tank that I am currently setting up. I am planning on running the Reefgeek 4x54W Icecap overdrive retro setup. I am looking at having all green corals. Murshroom, zoas, softies, and SPS.

#1 - is this the right set-up, enough light?
#2 - which bulbs to run?
#3 - Any input you may have?

 

[bnum1]

Hi again Grim,
I am in the process of building my canopy.(180 gal.) How high above the water do you recommend I place my lights?
Thanks, Sandy

 

[bpkenn]

Hi Grim, I was hoping you could help another newbie. I have a 75G tank w/a 4" sand bed, and I just bought a 48" 6 bulb TEK fixture.

I'm rather new to the hobby and was hoping you could recommend what bulbs to use. I would like to keep a mix of everything, and possibly a clam in the future. I don't know exactly what I will be stocking, but I am a fan of blues, reds, and greens. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
-Brian

 

[snaza]

Hi Grim i have 2 questions for your. sorry for being greedy

1. i cant get the colours right on my new frag/nano tank. i like a bluish look without any yellow. going to be all SPS. running 4 bulbs. if i run this;

blue plus
blue plus
aqua sun
blue plus

It looks nice but the pinks and reds are really dull cuz of all the blue. the blues really pop though. if i run

blue plus
aqua sun
blue plus
14k

the reds and pinks look good but the blues dont pop.

any ideas how to get something in the middle. if i got an aqua blue would that help?

blue plus
aqua sun
blue plus
aqua blue

2. Ive started getting an algae film on my glass. it used to take 3 days to build up but now it needs cleaning daily.water params are all good. bulbs are all less that 8 months old. Its really wierd though cuz only half the front panel gets algae. i can see a distinct line that splits the left side (with aglae) and the right (clean side). can half of a bulb die? any ideas

thanks heaps

 

[amay121]

Grim,

Is the Sfiligoi Stealth 12 x 80w T5 Pendant enough to light up a 220g tank (72"L x 24"W x 30"H), SPS dominant, or would 2 x (10 x 39W) ATI Power Modules be better?

 

[JerseyWendy]

This is for the nice Mr. Grim, who's helped me out so much.

Here are a few pictures of my new 180, lit by 8 X 80Watts (we had to modify the canopy to cram them all in there).

Please excuse the cloudiness, we JUST did the transfer from the 75 to the 180.

---
Wendy

 

[xroads]

I was looking at the icecap ballasts. The 430 can only run 4 bulbs correct? It seems like a lot of waste to run the 36" as you are only using half of its capacity.

Any other ballast suggestions or should I just stick with the 430's?

 

[xroads]

I found the GE6500 bulbs but what do you mean by overdrive them?

Thanks again

 

[amay121]

xroads. Overdriving them means pushing more power through the bulb. IE, if you had the 48" 54W, the IceCap ballast could push the bulb to 80W (in theory, or maybe actuality). So that's an increase of 48% in power. More power, more light (how much exactly, I couldn't tell you).

Also, the IC430 runs only 2 bulbs. The 660 runs 4 bulbs (up to 48") and 3 bulbs (60").

 

[xroads]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13333225#post13333225 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by amay121
xroads. Overdriving them means pushing more power through the bulb. IE, if you had the 48" 54W, the IceCap ballast could push the bulb to 80W (in theory, or maybe actuality). So that's an increase of 48% in power. More power, more light (how much exactly, I couldn't tell you).

Also, the IC430 runs only 2 bulbs. The 660 runs 4 bulbs (up to 48") and 3 bulbs (60").

Thanks, is there a switch on the ballast that you can control how much power it pushes? I am assuming this will dramatically cut the bulb life as well.

I think you are mistaken on the 430 only running 2 bulbs, I checked the website & it shows a 4 bulb installation.

Thanks again
Craig

 

[amay121]

You're right, but it also depends on the wattage you'll be using. 430 will support from 2 - 4 bulbs not to exceed the wattage it's rated for. Don't think there is a switch. There are other ballasts that mainly control 2 bulbs that won't overdrive, but if I was you, I'd keep the 430, and buy a fan. Cooling to the right conditions helps prolong the life of the T5 bulb, so this may help out as well.

 

[ocd_mariner]

Ok, so like, 2 pages ago I was all "150g aquarium and the most expensive ati fixture ever". Thank goodness I have my wife to set me straight

So, I ordered my 120g rimless, 48x24x24. A friend has a great deal on a tek 8 light fixture. Is this going to be enough for total sps? What bulb combo would you recommend grim? I like the blue look.

I saw the recent TOTM with all t5. I got super excited. Then bummed it was the 10light ATI.

I just want to make sure Im setting my tank up for success and not an uphill battle.

 

[jennmac415]

Wendy!!! That looks super great!!!!! What bulb combo are you using. It is about time to change my bulbs and I want to try to get a combo that I like alot better than what I had this past year.