The T5 Q&a Thread

[Travisxrs05]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13580992#post13580992 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Travisxrs05
Hey there grim, i just got one quick question for you. Im looking into getting a nova extreme fixture 4X24 for my 29 gallon tank (30"L X 18"H X 12"D). Im wanting to have enough light to keep any kind of coral (Softies, LPS, SPS, ect.) What bulb setup do u think i should run?

Also i should add that i want to have good growth with a slight blue hue, more around 14k. I just want a little blue hue but still want it to have good color off the corals and good growth.

Thanks for all your help!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13580952#post13580952 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BBR23
Wat do u recomend for a 4 X 24 Watt T5 setup...i already have aquablue plus, so wat other 2 bulbs that i should add.?? i am keeping a mixed tank. i want my tank to have a 20K look though. any thoughts?

2 Blue Plus and a Super Actinic

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13580990#post13580990 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by urville
Even with all the 460 from the halides? Sorry, not trying to be a jerk, just wasnt sure I was making sense when i typed my post originally.

Different strokes. If you think the look is blue enough then go all 420's.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13580992#post13580992 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Travisxrs05
Hey there grim, i just got one quick question for you. Im looking into getting a nova extreme fixture 4X24 for my 29 gallon tank (30"L X 18"H X 12"D). Im wanting to have enough light to keep any kind of coral (Softies, LPS, SPS, ect.) What bulb setup do u think i should run?

2 Blue Plus 1 Aquablue and a UVL Aquasun

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13581375#post13581375 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SleepyJ
Hi Grim,
I am starting a 75 gallon (48L X 18W X 21H). Would the Current Sundial 4 X 54W be enough to handle a mixed reef with SPS? If so, what bulbs would I get?

My other option would be the Nova Extreme Pro 6 X 54W. What bulbs would work for this fixture? Thank you.

The Pro would be a minimum.

Blue Plus
Aquablue
Blue Plus
Aquasun
Blue Plus
Aquablue

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13581465#post13581465 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SSpiro
Hey Grim.. one of these days i'm going to stop changing my mind.

What are your thoughts on 8 x 36" instead of the 6 x 60" for my 125g? They will be overdriven on IC660's.. 2 rows of 4 x 36.. Or should I go 10x36 instead?

And what would be your bulb combo recommendation for SPS, softies, anemones, and clams on sandbed with 14-20k look?

ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus

 

[JOSEPHLB]

I have some of the AccuStart ballasts that are for two 39w bulbs. I had them when I previously had a 65g tank.

Will these ballasts also run the 22", 24w bulbs? Will they overdrive them.. or will they even burn at all?

 

[gary smith]

hi grim, i made a 10 lamp t5 fixture it is powered by 5 osram double starters and is cooled by 2 x120mm fans can you please tell me what temperature i should be aiming for at the cool spot i think i have read this in the tread somewhere but i can`t find it thanks in advance gary

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13583527#post13583527 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JOSEPHLB
I have some of the AccuStart ballasts that are for two 39w bulbs. I had them when I previously had a 65g tank.

Will these ballasts also run the 22", 24w bulbs? Will they overdrive them.. or will they even burn at all?

My understanding is that they will drive either 24 watt lamps or the 39 watt lamps.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13584097#post13584097 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gary smith
hi grim, i made a 10 lamp t5 fixture it is powered by 5 osram double starters and is cooled by 2 x120mm fans can you please tell me what temperature i should be aiming for at the cool spot i think i have read this in the tread somewhere but i can`t find it thanks in advance gary

115 degrees F on the metal cap on the label end of the lamp.

 

[wolf pup]

UVL is releasing T-5's with built in reflectors????

Grim, any idea how this will affect the need to use individual reflectors with T5's?

Since I don't believe that they are actually out yet, I'm not sure if there is any data on: bulb alone vs bulb with built in reflector alone vs bulb with external reflector vs bulb with built in and external reflector.

Any theories?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Guess I should add a note in my signiture "Haven't tested them yet and believe the internal reflector is a bad idea"

 

[Zestay]

hey grim
im thinking about squeezing 7x 54 watt over my 90 ( icecap SLR reflectors)
my current bulbs are

superactinic
superactinic
blueplus
aquablue

so im looking to get 3 more bulbs
my tank is viewable from both sides so i want to keep it kinda mirrored

hows this line up look to you

blueplus
superactinic
aquablue ( icecap 660 )
procolor (icecap 660) ( maybe something else )
aquablue (icecap 660 )
superactinic
blueplus

 

[Zestay]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13584368#post13584368 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wolf pup
UVL is releasing T-5's with built in reflectors????

Grim, any idea how this will affect the need to use individual reflectors with T5's?

Since I don't believe that they are actually out yet, I'm not sure if there is any data on: bulb alone vs bulb with built in reflector alone vs bulb with external reflector vs bulb with built in and external reflector.

Any theories?

also add reflector pointed down ( light pointed towards SLR reflector ) and check par readings that way too! who knows!

 

[Kurt03]

I almost feel bad posting and asking because of the amount of posts you get! But...

What would you recommend for a 55gal that is setup as a frag tank. It has two egg crate racks in it, one 8" or so from the water and the other 4" or so from the bottom of the tank. Im looking for a bulb combo for best color and also one for best growth. When this tank was previously setup as a display I used Giesemann bulbs 2blue+ and 2 actinic+. Growth seemed really good but colors were a bit pale, although this could have been from low nutrients.
Almost forgot to mention, im going to order 6 bulbs so which 6 should I get? and which 4 would you recommend for the above scenarios?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Everyones Hero]

I had asked a long time ago & thought I had put down the information correctly, but I've got a 55g that'll be mostly SPS.

The bulbs I wrote down are:

-ATI Blue Plus
-UVL Super Actinic
-UVL Aquasun
-ATI Blue Plus bulbs

Is that right or is there another bulb I should run other than the 2nd Blue Plus?

I was thinking:
-ATI Blue Plus (Blue)
-6500k light (Red)
-UVL Aquasun (White)
-UVL Super Actinic (Blue)

 

[A.VOID]

Grim >>>

I got a Wrasse, so I had to put egg crate on the tank. I see a noticeable decrease in light now.

I've got LPS and zoas on the bottom and loading up SPS on mid to high.

Tek 4 bulb over a 55 with

Super act
Aquasun
Aquablue+
Blue+

Are my SPS going to be hurting (I was getting great growth before), or do I need to swap a bulb or too to compensate for the egg crate?

 

[SSpiro]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13581465#post13581465 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SSpiro
Hey Grim.. one of these days i'm going to stop changing my mind.

What are your thoughts on 8 x 36" instead of the 6 x 60" for my 125g? They will be overdriven on IC660's.. 2 rows of 4 x 36.. Or should I go 10x36 instead?

And what would be your bulb combo recommendation for SPS, softies, anemones, and clams on sandbed with 14-20k look?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13583472#post13583472 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus

And do you think the 8 x 36" will be enough for what I'm looking to do?

 

[Kurt03]

I would ditch the eggcrate and go with some kind of bird netting.
Like this.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=13521001#post13521001

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13586278#post13586278 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by A.VOID
Grim >>>

I got a Wrasse, so I had to put egg crate on the tank. I see a noticeable decrease in light now.

I've got LPS and zoas on the bottom and loading up SPS on mid to high.

Tek 4 bulb over a 55 with

Super act
Aquasun
Aquablue+
Blue+

Are my SPS going to be hurting (I was getting great growth before), or do I need to swap a bulb or too to compensate for the egg crate?

 

[A.VOID]

hmmm, i like the netting but not sure about the removal issue and durability.

Looks much better than sorry egg crate. I had the hot open top before and I liked it so much better. This egg crate blows.

I already lost one wrasse when I had egg crate. He must have jumped when I was feeding or something. TOtally sucked. i have better luck keeping corals than fish.