The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: The 44" Tank Challenge!

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: The 44" Tank Challenge!

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13471751#post13471751 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ekrunch
Perfect. I'll give that a shot. Time to make a serious Reefgeek order.

One more question ...

Am I supposed to cool the ends or the center of the bulbs? I doubt i'll be able to run the fans down the length of the bulbs because of the canopy design, so i'll have to push the cool air in from the back. I'm thinking 4 x 4" fans should do the trick, but should I put two on each end, 4 in the center, or spread the 4 out evenly across the bulbs?

BTW, I got the Sylvania QTP 2x54T5HO/UNV DALI Ballasts... now to see if I can find a programmable DALI dimmer and do some neat sunrise/sunset effects.

Cool the ends. It is way too easy to over cool the lamps with the fan blowing in the center.

If you score the dimmer try to document the build with pics and stuff and put up a thread. There is a lot of interest in dimming T5's/

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13471768#post13471768 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jfl14609
Hey grim a long time ago you gave me arecommendation for my 90 and now i am upgrading to a 180 sps and clams and wondering what you recommend i was thinking of using ice caps to overdrive 8 bulbs. is that enough and what geeisman bulbs do you reccomend

I assume 8 x 80 T5's. You will need to use the RG reflectors that Aquarium specialty sells. The only other 60" reflector is over 3" wide and wont fit in the canopy with 8 lamps.

Front
Actinic Plus (AP)
Pure Actinic
Midday
AP
Midday
AP
Aquablue
AP

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13471788#post13471788 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jennmac415
Grim... do you know when the new UV bulbs will be out?

No, UVL had told me late summer but you know how that goes.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13472111#post13472111 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by steveoutlaw
Grim-
I'm putting a Solar Flare fixture on my 120g mixed reef. You had said it was overkill in a previous post. Would I be better off going with a different fixture?

Thanks.

I would use the Aquactinics Constellation. 7 lamps which gives you a wider spread of light and an extra lamp for a better mix of light.

 

[jpc763]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13476403#post13476403 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Yeah, Colorado.

The XM15K halide isn't great for PAR so I would do 2 ATI Blue Plus lamps and 2 ATI Aquablues which have good PAR output. It will be a little luer than you have now but not by a whole lot.

In the future I would go with a stronger halide like the Ushio and use 2 Blue Plus and 2 Super Actinic T5's. Nice look.

I also have a reef grow 10k bulb that came with the fixture that I can swap into the MH if that helps with PAR. Thanks for the info!

Are there equivalent UVL bulbs to the two ATI you list above?

J

 

[nces519]

Grim,
I am setting up a frag tank that is 72" long, 24" wide, and 13" tall. Do you think that 6 48" T5s will be enough? And also which bulbs would you recommend? I am planning on using the SLR reflector retro from reefgeek.
Thank, Nick

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13476615#post13476615 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nces519
Grim,
I am setting up a frag tank that is 72" long, 24" wide, and 13" tall. Do you think that 6 48" T5s will be enough? And also which bulbs would you recommend? I am planning on using the SLR reflector retro from reefgeek.
Thank, Nick

I'd do a 50/50 mix of UVL Aquasun and ATI Blue Plus.

 

[asia102485]

Hey Grim, I currenty have this set up. I need to buy new bulbs but was wondering if I could probably switch some bulbs around and/or replace them with something else to improve the growth and color on my SPS. Any thoughts would be apreciated. Thank you.

54w on icecap 660 ballast

ATI Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic

 

[jfl14609]

thanks grim I was actually thinking 8 36 inch so two rows of 4 bulbs way to little?

 

[Zoos]

Hey Grim as far as the "Advance" brand ballast goes which is the correct one to run 2 39 watt bulbs. the one that can run the 24 watt or the one that can run the 54 watt. I have gotten both answers from 2 different vendors, they both made good points but I'm still lost, I figured if anyone would know it would be you. Thanks in Advance. (no pun intended)

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13476868#post13476868 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by asia102485
Hey Grim, I currenty have this set up. I need to buy new bulbs but was wondering if I could probably switch some bulbs around and/or replace them with something else to improve the growth and color on my SPS. Any thoughts would be apreciated. Thank you.

54w on icecap 660 ballast

ATI Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic

Front
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13477459#post13477459 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jfl14609
thanks grim I was actually thinking 8 36 inch so two rows of 4 bulbs way to little?

Gotta have at least 6 rows.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13479348#post13479348 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Zoos
Hey Grim as far as the "Advance" brand ballast goes which is the correct one to run 2 39 watt bulbs. the one that can run the 24 watt or the one that can run the 54 watt. I have gotten both answers from 2 different vendors, they both made good points but I'm still lost, I figured if anyone would know it would be you. Thanks in Advance. (no pun intended)

Typically the 24 and 39 watt T5's use the same ballast. 54 watt ballasts fry the 39 watt lamps in short order according to a vendor who tied it.

 

[Zoos]

Is there a difference between the triad and the advance ballast, pros/cons?

 

[JPSKI25]

I'm running a 34" tek fixture with 2 6000k bulbs and 2 actinic bulbs and having a horrible time with hair and other algae. Grim what bulbs would you suggest. I was thinking of putting a 14000k in for at least 1 of the 6000k's and maybe a fiji purple. I have lots of different zoa's a couple of candy cane's and an acan. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[1sleeper]

T5 website

T5 website

Grim, thanks for the website. It saved me hours of catching up on the thread for a simple recommendation on my 5 x 54 set up. I will be going with
RJ's Aquatinics TX5 5 bulb combo

2 true actinics, 2 ATI Blue+, 1 Aquablue

Thanks for everything.
Jim

 

[jimnrose]

Grim, I contacted Sunlight Supply and they told me thge TEK II reflectors are now 2.75" wide, so I'll go with their retrofit packaage (6x80). Does it pay to wait for a sale or other means of getting a lower price or is this type product only go up in price?
Thanks, Jim

 

[Mykel Obvious]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13467260#post13467260 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by flyingphish

im buzzed...

ati blue+
ati blue+
uvl super actinic
ati aquablue special
kz fiji purple
ati blue+
gmann actinic
ati blue+

:eek1: :eek1: :eek1:

That is just SICK!! Can you post a FTS of that combo?? Love it!!

:rollface:

 

[90sShooter]

Hey Grim, Looks like your the man to talk to...

I know very little about T5's but I have a fellow reefer sending me some bulbs to try out:

D & D Giesemann:
2 Aquablue +
1 Pure Actinic
1 Actinic +

UVL:
1 Super Actinic
1 Actinic White

What do you think of these bulbs? Will that be a good combo for my 48" 6x54w fixture? I want a nice 20k look...

Any recommendations for a better 6 bulb combo for a nice blue color, good coral color and still good growth? I am sure it has been asked time and time again but with 27 pages, I figure I just ask again lol.

Also I am sure this has been asked before, but how long is a T5 bulb good for on average? 12 months? 18 months? 24 months? longer?

Sorry for the total newbie repetitive questions...

Thanks man!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13479461#post13479461 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Zoos
Is there a difference between the triad and the advance ballast, pros/cons?

Not really