The T5 Q&a Thread

[thb5593]

I am looking to put a 4X54 IC retro on my 75 gallon tank and I am not sure what bulbs to get. They come with 4 options but it said I can mix it up as well but I assume with only the bulbs they sell. What would you recommend?


Option 1:
2 x AquaSun 54W T5 Fluorescent Aquarium Lamps by UV Lighting
2 x Super Actinic R 54W T5 Fluorescent Aquarium Lamps by UV Lighting

Option 2:
2 x Actinic White 54W T5 Fluorescent Aquarium Lamps by UV Lighting
2 x Super Actinic R 54W T5 Fluorescent Aquarium Lamps by UV Lighting

Option 3:
2 x AquaSun 54W T5 Fluorescent Aquarium Lamps by UV Lighting
2 x Actinic White 54W T5 Fluorescent Aquarium Lamps by UV Lighting

Option 4:
4 x Planta 54W T5 Fluorescent Aquarium Lamps by Aqua Medic

They also sell coralvue and geisemann bulbs. The only other alternative is to not get the bulbs and go to my lfs and get whatever would be better.

 

[Todd March]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13425926#post13425926 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by thb5593
Option 1:
2 x AquaSun 54W T5 Fluorescent Aquarium Lamps by UV Lighting
2 x Super Actinic R 54W T5 Fluorescent Aquarium Lamps by UV Lighting

Option 2:
2 x Actinic White 54W T5 Fluorescent Aquarium Lamps by UV Lighting
2 x Super Actinic R 54W T5 Fluorescent Aquarium Lamps by UV Lighting

Option 3:
2 x AquaSun 54W T5 Fluorescent Aquarium Lamps by UV Lighting
2 x Actinic White 54W T5 Fluorescent Aquarium Lamps by UV Lighting

Option 4:
4 x Planta 54W T5 Fluorescent Aquarium Lamps by Aqua Medic

They also sell coralvue and geisemann bulbs. The only other alternative is to not get the bulbs and go to my lfs and get whatever would be better.

I would go with 1 Aquasun, 1 Actinic white, and 2 Actinic R... But this would be a tank for softies and LPS only right? Maybe some digita, but not too many other SPS would be happy under that little of illumination...

 

[Todd March]

If they sell Geisemann, another (and brighter) option would be 2 Actinic+ and 2 Midday's...

 

[hpglow]

Just so you all know Aquarium Specialty now has the 2.5" wide 60" reflectors on their site. http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=28_491&products_id=3058

 

[InsaneClownFish]

Grim, I was so happy with the quality of the 60" Aquamedic Sunbeam I ordered a second two bulb unit.

I'll now be using 4 bulbs, and I have these 80w T5s on hand:
4 Aquamedic Ocean Blue
2 ATI AquaBlue Special
1 Giesemann Actinic Pure
1 KZ Fiji Purple
1 ATI Pro Color

What combinations would you suggest for best color(PAR not being an issue)?

 

[shuguley]

Hey Grim,

If these lights are mounted in canopy, is a splash guard needed? I'm confused, because it seems like I would need a splash guard but reefgeek doesn't sell them. Do people just go to The Home Depot and buy some acrylic and make their own?

60" 6x80W Tek 2 T5 Very High-Output Retrofit Kit w/ Bulbs

THANKS!

 

[jamesdawson]

Hey Chad,

If you want a 14K look I would try 2 of the Ocean Blues, 1 FP, 1 AB.

If you want a 20K look probably 3 OBs and 1 AB.

I wouldn't use the PC with only 4 slots to play with, as it is too much red and overwhelms. It would be nice to get the PA in there except your limited slots kind of preclude this as its pretty dim. I highly recommend you blow an adjustable fan against the endcap side with the lettering on the lamps as this is the coldspot for optimum T5 Par/lifespan. The best way to tune the fan cooling is to use a non-contact laser pyrometer to measure the temp of the bulbs there at 45C/113F--this will keep the rest of the bulb at the optimum temp of 35C/95F. Harbor Freight Tools has inexpensive laser pyrometers at about $30.

Nice thing about T5s is its fun and easy to try various combos to fine tune your lighting. You might want to consider adding more fixtures for more options and if you decide to get SPS again!

Good luck,

James

 

[Redbellyjx]

What are some options for a 125? I have a 6 ft tank and I want to grow SPS and keep them COLORFUL. I have 150 hallides right now in a coralife fixture that just isn't cutting it. My sps are alive, but not very colorful and slowly growing. I was exploring the option of 3 250s in lumenarc minis, but want to keep an open mind.

What about t5s? there is a guy that had a 180 and he was using 6 80 watt tubes. would it be better to run 12 39s to get better coverage? Would that give me enough light for SPS to grow?

 

[IslandCrow]

If these lights are mounted in canopy, is a splash guard needed? I'm confused, because it seems like I would need a splash guard but reefgeek doesn't sell them. Do people just go to The Home Depot and buy some acrylic and make their own?

60" 6x80W Tek 2 T5 Very High-Output Retrofit Kit w/ Bulbs

I just went to Lowes, bought some acrylic and cut it to size. I'd recommend that even if they did sell a splash guard. It will usually save you a couple bucks. I'd imagine it would depend on how high you mount your lights as well, but even at 5" I'll get some salt accumulation on my acrylic.

 

[thb5593]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13426363#post13426363 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Todd March
I would go with 1 Aquasun, 1 Actinic white, and 2 Actinic R... But this would be a tank for softies and LPS only right? Maybe some digita, but not too many other SPS would be happy under that little of illumination...

Thanks for the help and yes this would be for now only softies and LPS I am going with the retro kit so I can add bulbs later if I want to do more stuff later.

 

[patsfan1130]

Hey Grim

Looking to convert my 90g FOWLR to a mixed reef. mainly softies and LPS. I have an 8x54w fixture and am looking for a 14k look.

Recommended bulbs would be greatly appreciated

 

[jms65gal]

Hello Grim,

I have a 36" wide, and 24" deep tank with mostly SPM/LPS. I have 6 T5 bulbs (TEK), what combination do you recommend for optimum growth and coloring?

THANKS!!!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13421562#post13421562 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by steveoutlaw
Grim-
A couple of questions for you. First, I have a 120g (48x24x24), would you recommend going with a retro kit or going with a fixture? I can't decide between the TEK 8 bulb or the TEK retros.

Second, If I'm looking for a color combination close to that of the 15-20K MH lights, what bulb combination would I run?

Last, have you heard anything about the new line of T5 bulbs (I think UV) the have the reflector built in?

Thanks for all your help.

Retro would be better than a fixture.

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

As far as a UVL lamp with the built in reflector I am skeptical. Their VHO lamps have a built in reflector as well and they aren't exactly PAR monstors.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13422504#post13422504 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tmn_3
The only sunpods that I can find are MH?

Sundail, sorry bout that

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13424519#post13424519 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by capn_hylinur
I have pretty well settled on a 220gal 72 by 24 by 30 high
What T5 system would you recommend for it--I will be adding sps corals to it this time.

Aquactinics Constellation

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13425664#post13425664 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by paintballingajs
Ok so here is what i got.

- 30 gal tank i think?
- 10 gal sump with 2 inches of sand and a uv sterilizer in refuge and live rock where the water goes in.
- 80 gal. Eheim canister filter
- 1 small power head.
- 1 overflow box.
- 1 small hang on filter
- 1 4 x 24 Watt T5 HO 24” with moon light 3 6,000k and 1 antic
- 27 pounds of live rock
Is the light i have ok to grow corals and such? maby even an anemone?

Dump the filters and get a Protien Skimmer.

If your tank isn't over about 16" tall you should be fine but don't go throwing an Anemone in it until it has been running stable for 6 months or so, Stable as in consistant water parameters.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13425926#post13425926 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by thb5593
I am looking to put a 4X54 IC retro on my 75 gallon tank and I am not sure what bulbs to get. They come with 4 options but it said I can mix it up as well but I assume with only the bulbs they sell. What would you recommend?


Option 1:
2 x AquaSun 54W T5 Fluorescent Aquarium Lamps by UV Lighting
2 x Super Actinic R 54W T5 Fluorescent Aquarium Lamps by UV Lighting

Option 2:
2 x Actinic White 54W T5 Fluorescent Aquarium Lamps by UV Lighting
2 x Super Actinic R 54W T5 Fluorescent Aquarium Lamps by UV Lighting

Option 3:
2 x AquaSun 54W T5 Fluorescent Aquarium Lamps by UV Lighting
2 x Actinic White 54W T5 Fluorescent Aquarium Lamps by UV Lighting

Option 4:
4 x Planta 54W T5 Fluorescent Aquarium Lamps by Aqua Medic

They also sell coralvue and geisemann bulbs. The only other alternative is to not get the bulbs and go to my lfs and get whatever would be better.

Gmann Actinic Plus
Gmann Aquablue
UVL Aquasun
Gmann Actinic Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13426409#post13426409 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by InsaneClownFish
Grim, I was so happy with the quality of the 60" Aquamedic Sunbeam I ordered a second two bulb unit.

I'll now be using 4 bulbs, and I have these 80w T5s on hand:
4 Aquamedic Ocean Blue
2 ATI AquaBlue Special
1 Giesemann Actinic Pure
1 KZ Fiji Purple
1 ATI Pro Color

What combinations would you suggest for best color(PAR not being an issue)?

Front
Ocean Blue
Pure Actinic
Fiji
Aquablue

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13426954#post13426954 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by shuguley
Hey Grim,

If these lights are mounted in canopy, is a splash guard needed? I'm confused, because it seems like I would need a splash guard but reefgeek doesn't sell them. Do people just go to The Home Depot and buy some acrylic and make their own?

60" 6x80W Tek 2 T5 Very High-Output Retrofit Kit w/ Bulbs

THANKS!

Just make sure you keep the lamps at least 4" above the water and you shouldn't need a splash shield.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13429124#post13429124 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Redbellyjx
What are some options for a 125? I have a 6 ft tank and I want to grow SPS and keep them COLORFUL. I have 150 hallides right now in a coralife fixture that just isn't cutting it. My sps are alive, but not very colorful and slowly growing. I was exploring the option of 3 250s in lumenarc minis, but want to keep an open mind.

What about t5s? there is a guy that had a 180 and he was using 6 80 watt tubes. would it be better to run 12 39s to get better coverage? Would that give me enough light for SPS to grow?

60" lamps will work if you are able to leave the last 6" or so ate each end opf the tank for lower light critters. If you want a tank jammed with SPS then the 12 39's are the way to go.