The T5 Q&a Thread

[jlaurence32]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13513299#post13513299 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Hit Aquarium Specialty from the sponsior's page. The have a 60" reflector that is only 2 1/2" wide and its better than the Ice Cap. RG brand is what they are calling them.

Better than Icecap!...Get outta here! Really?

 

[ooja3k]

Grim,

I currently have an aquactinics TX5 2.5" off the water.

With the following bulbs front to back:

Blue +
Super Actinic
Aquasun
Blue +
Aquablue


My colors are pretty light, and the tank has a little too much of a pinkish tinge to it...

I would like the pinks/reds to POP, but PAR isn't needed... Maybe a fiji purple or aquablue/blue plus instead of the aquasun?

What would your suggestion be?

Thanks in advance!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13513721#post13513721 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jlaurence32
Better than Icecap!...Get outta here! Really?

Best retro reflector in order

ATI new style retro (Not available in US)
Reef Geek brand (not available at reefgeek)
Aquactinics
Ice Cap
Tek II

Who would have thunk it / Gotta remember that the Ice Cap is the oldest design and probably leat expensive at this point.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13517679#post13517679 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ooja3k
Grim,

I currently have an aquactinics TX5 2.5" off the water.

With the following bulbs front to back:

Blue +
Super Actinic
Aquasun
Blue +
Aquablue


My colors are pretty light, and the tank has a little too much of a pinkish tinge to it...

I would like the pinks/reds to POP, but PAR isn't needed... Maybe a fiji purple or aquablue/blue plus instead of the aquasun?

What would your suggestion be?

Thanks in advance!

Try the Fiji Purple in place of the aquasun. If you can't get that do a UVL 75/25

 

[jlaurence32]

I'm thinking about going with a 60" retrofit on my 72" tank for simplicity. The two possible setup scenarios are 6 down the center or 6 staggered 1 left, 1 right, etc. Which would be better to eliminate dark areas at the tank ends? Any tank pics out there showing this? Thanks as always!

 

[pakratt99]

Grim,

I'm currently setting up a 24x24x24 cube for SPS and was wondering which ATI Powermodule fixture I would need. Am I going to end up needing a 24x10 or would a 24x6 or 8 be ok?

Thanks,

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13520275#post13520275 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jlaurence32
I'm thinking about going with a 60" retrofit on my 72" tank for simplicity. The two possible setup scenarios are 6 down the center or 6 staggered 1 left, 1 right, etc. Which would be better to eliminate dark areas at the tank ends? Any tank pics out there showing this? Thanks as always!

6 lamps un staggered
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/38553tank.jpg

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13520891#post13520891 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pakratt99
Grim,

I'm currently setting up a 24x24x24 cube for SPS and was wondering which ATI Powermodule fixture I would need. Am I going to end up needing a 24x10 or would a 24x6 or 8 be ok?

Thanks,

24 x 8 should be fine

 

[Todd March]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13520891#post13520891 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pakratt99
Grim,

I'm currently setting up a 24x24x24 cube for SPS and was wondering which ATI Powermodule fixture I would need. Am I going to end up needing a 24x10 or would a 24x6 or 8 be ok?

Thanks,

I have the 10 lamp PM over a 26" wide tank, and it just barely fits. While it would work on a 24" tank, you will be illuminating off to the front and off in the back, and really blasting the corals with light if you don't use at least a couple of actinics. If it were me, on a 24" wide tank I would go with the 8 lamp model. It's still plenty of light.

The advantage to the 10 lamp model for me is that I can run two, or even three, dimmer Pure Actinics, and still have plenty of slots left over for lamps with more PAR (I like my dayglow actinics!)...

 

[intenseimage]

Grim ... I swapped out 2 of the stock 10k's from my NEP for UVL Super Actinics -- love the coloring I have right now. When its time for a complete swap ill ditch the stock bulbs for something better ... but ...

Was wondering how much of a benefit I would get from running the tank (75g RR) with the light fixture resting on the tank (has egg crate in the openings) vs running it on its stock legs?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13521528#post13521528 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by intenseimage
Grim ... I swapped out 2 of the stock 10k's from my NEP for UVL Super Actinics -- love the coloring I have right now. When its time for a complete swap ill ditch the stock bulbs for something better ... but ...

Was wondering how much of a benefit I would get from running the tank (75g RR) with the light fixture resting on the tank (has egg crate in the openings) vs running it on its stock legs?

Adding the eggcrate would probably make it a wash.

 

[intenseimage]

Yea I need the eggcrate due to jumpers -- so on tank vs on legs wouldnt make much of a difference?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

If you have the crate anyway then yes you will get a gain.

 

[JCastellano]

Hey grim,
I went and got the bulbs you recommended for my nova extreme 8 x 54w.
2 aquasuns
3 blue plus
3 aquablue
what order front to back (1, 3, 5, and seven are on one switch and the others are on another switch) also should i remove the legs on the light and set it directly on the tank to get a little gain in light?

 

[Prince916]

Grim reefer i heard that your the expert when it comes to t5's. Well i am planning on upgrading my pc lights in my 100 gallon. I am planning on t5's. I need someone to tell me if what t5's is good and how many bulbs i would need for a 100 gallon tank that is 5 feet long and about 2 feet deep.

 

[Prince916]

Grim reefer i heard that your the expert when it comes to t5's. Well i am planning on upgrading my pc lights in my 100 gallon. I am planning on t5's. I need someone to tell me if what t5's is good and how many bulbs i would need for a 100 gallon tank that is 5 feet long and about 2 feet deep and 15 inch wide.

 

[chicken]

Hi, I am looking to replace my existing T5 bulbs and looking for a recommendation. My tank is a 220g mixed reef. It has 2x250w Hamilton 14k MH bulbs that are the main bulbs. I have two 80w T5 bulbs for some extra color running on an icecap 660. I have not used them though for almost 2 years though and the bulbs need to be replaced. I am looking for a recommendation on what type bulbs I should use for the best color combination. Thanks!

 

[ganjero]

Do all t5s sizes have the same penetration? If I have a 30" tall tank, would it be the same penetration at one specific point right below the bulb if I install a 39w bulb vs an 80w?
Thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13523198#post13523198 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JCastellano
Hey grim,
I went and got the bulbs you recommended for my nova extreme 8 x 54w.
2 aquasuns
3 blue plus
3 aquablue
what order front to back (1, 3, 5, and seven are on one switch and the others are on another switch) also should i remove the legs on the light and set it directly on the tank to get a little gain in light?

Do a blue in front and then just mix them so you get an even mix of light with blues on whatever circuit you plan on for dusk/dawn

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13524814#post13524814 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Prince916
Grim reefer i heard that your the expert when it comes to t5's. Well i am planning on upgrading my pc lights in my 100 gallon. I am planning on t5's. I need someone to tell me if what t5's is good and how many bulbs i would need for a 100 gallon tank that is 5 feet long and about 2 feet deep and 15 inch wide.

If you are using a fixture check out the Aquactinics TX5