The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13585188#post13585188 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 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

Sounds like a plan, give it a shot.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13585383#post13585383 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 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!

50/50 mix of UVL Aquasun and ATI Blue Plus is what I would use. Full spectrum heavy on blue with lots of PAR.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13585697#post13585697 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 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)

The Aquasun has more red than the 6500K. do the top mix but instead of the super actinic use a UVL 75/25

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13586471#post13586471 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SSpiro
And do you think the 8 x 36" will be enough for what I'm looking to do?

Yeah, just keep the SPS under the lamps.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<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?

Make sure the narrow side of the grid is facing up and just let it go with what you have and see how it goes.

 

[jennmac415]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13587293#post13587293 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
50/50 mix of UVL Aquasun and ATI Blue Plus is what I would use. Full spectrum heavy on blue with lots of PAR.

Grim... what would this combo look like exactly? I would be interested to see this...

 

[jennmac415]

sry double post

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Pretty much neutral color.

 

[Boliramirez]

Grim, I hope you can read this tonight. I have a Nova Exteme Pro with 12 x 39 Watts stock bulbs, and I am about to buy a tank that measures 72x18X30. Do you think it is enough light for a 30" high tank ??

Thanks for your advice.

 

[Zestay]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13587272#post13587272 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer

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

Sounds like a plan, give it a shot.

one last thing. do you think i would be able to keep a clam on the sand with this? ( 90 gallon tank )

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13587658#post13587658 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Boliramirez
Grim, I hope you can read this tonight. I have a Nova Exteme Pro with 12 x 39 Watts stock bulbs, and I am about to buy a tank that measures 72x18X30. Do you think it is enough light for a 30" high tank ??

Thanks for your advice.

Nothing more than softies and LPS in a 30 tall, I supposed if you stack the rocks way up you could have SPS on top.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13587790#post13587790 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Zestay
one last thing. do you think i would be able to keep a clam on the sand with this? ( 90 gallon tank )

Should be fine.

 

[Boliramirez]

Grim one more question, If I change the bulbs to better ones. then do you think that I can keep some SPS? Or the height is what will make it difficul ?? How much do you think I will need to rise the SPS in the tank to keep some?? Some 6. 8 inches from the bottom??

Thanks again !!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13587871#post13587871 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Boliramirez
Grim one more question, If I change the bulbs to better ones. then do you think that I can keep some SPS? Or the height is what will make it difficul ?? How much do you think I will need to rise the SPS in the tank to keep some?? Some 6. 8 inches from the bottom??

Thanks again !!

I wouldn't want SPS much more than 12" below the lights.

 

[trilinearmipmap]

A question for you about my Tek-light.

I have an 8-bulb T5 Tek-light over a 24 x 24 x 48 inch 120 gallon mixed reef.

I am trying to get more into SPS.

If I purchase a couple of 4" Icecap fans and retrofit them into the top of my fixture, blowing air upward so as to draw air in from the bulbs and out the top, will this help significantly with my light output or not.

 

[SnowManSnow]

will the cooler lamps actually produce more light? I would think that they would just run cooler and last longer. Right???
B

 

[Rpierce]

Ok- I am switching from 2-400s on a 120 gallon tank to T5s. I have ordered the two IC 660s. Now I need reflectors, end caps and bulbs.

My reef is mostly SPS. I assume I need 8 bulbs?

I was thinking of using the IceCap SLR reflectors. Is that right?

I have no idea on bulbs (I like the 14K look)

...and I assume that end caps are all the same for the most part, correct?

Any help would be appreciated.

Sorry, I am sure this has been discussed in this thread, I just cant bring myself to read 40 pages worth of info.

Rick

 

[jnb]

par pur

par pur

How is an ati aquablue compared to a ati blue plus as far a coral loving it - I wish my tank was a little more blue - but I already have a minimalistic fixture for by 48/24/24 as I am using a 6 bulb 36 inch ATI

currently running:
blue plus
aquablue
blue plus
geisman aquablue+15k cause I have it
aquablue
blueplus

is the geisman aquablue ok with par compared to the ati aquablue? - it is a little less blue to my eye

thank you

 

[Urchinhead]

Wow! I got to page 21 and my head exploded!

Thank you Grim for the excellent advice but I am afraid I am still shaky on what to do...

Stats:
Tank: Cadlights 39G Pro tank (24L x 20W x 20T) with 1/2"-3" of sand (thanks to a Vortech which my corals love and my sand doesn't)

Lighting: 250w Icecap pendant/ballast with a 14k Phoenix bulb 8" from the top of the water placed just right of center in length and center in terms of width.

Relevant livestock: Mixed reef tank with SPS on top, LPS (acans etc) and a maxima 1/2 way down, and zoa's, blasto's etc on the bottom.

Problem: Not getting as good a coverage as I would like with the MH pendant and would like something that is cooler, promotes better coral growth and color, and is cheaper to run. Plus I haven't messed with the tank in a while and thus am jonesing and need to feed my habit by spending allot of money on something.

Question: After reading this thread it seems that the ATI is the top of the line followed by the Tek. I would like to go with the ATI PM unit. Not sure, based on my tank stats if I should stick with the MH, go with the 24" 4 x 24w, or the 6 x 24w. Also not sure of what bulbs to use and in what slots that will provide growth, color, and nice display.

Your advice is much appreciated!

FH2

 

[jimnrose]

Power usage question. When a T5 has a power rating of 54 watts and is operation on a Icecap 660 what is the additional power dused by the ballast? Example of 3 58" T5's on a 660 ballast uses 54 watts/ tube plus ?? across the ballast. I'm asking so I can both know the operating cost plus I'm designing the fixture with a remote ballast location and want to adequately coool both areas. Thanks AGAIN, Jim