The T5 Q&a Thread

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Just wondering is there a 4 bulb T5 setup that would encourage good growth for corals. It doesnt need to look good, just encourage lots of growth. I got a 4bulb T5 setup with 660 icecap. I have it sitting in a 55 gallon frag tank. Just not sure what bulbs I should get.
 
I am looking at buying a new fixture.I can either get a brand new nova extreme pro 48" 6 bulb or a tx5 which is a few months old and used.Which would be a better choice?
 
I am looking at buying a new fixture.I can either get a brand new nova extreme pro 48" 6 bulb or a tx5 which is a few months old and used.Which would be a better choice?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13587334#post13587334 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Yeah, just keep the SPS under the lamps.
Click to expand...

Think I'd be better off with 10x36?

Was just trying to stick to two ballasts..
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13589230#post13589230 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 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.
Click to expand...

I would probably use AC fans you could tap into the ballasts for power. You would want to seal off the top side vent holes.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13589390#post13589390 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SnowManSnow
will the cooler lamps actually produce more light? I would think that they would just run cooler and last longer. Right???
B
Click to expand...

If you overcool them it hurts the performance.
 
Re: par pur

Re: par pur

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13590129#post13590129 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jnb
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
Click to expand...
An ATI aquablue and the blue+ are totally different spectrums. The aquablue is closer to white like 12000k and the blue+ is real blue like 22000k. You loose very little output going with the blue+. Look for one of Grim's posts and click on his little red house. He has a pretty good web site.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13589749#post13589749 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 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
Click to expand...

To replace those halides you want to go with the Ice Cap retros Reefgeek sells. The VHO T5 version uses the Ice Cap ballast which overdrives the lamps.

I would go with 1 4x54 watt VHO t5 kit and one 4 x 54 watt HO T5 kit. That will allow you to turn your lamps on in 3 stages, the HO kit will have 2 ballots.

Front
ATI Blue Plus Ballast 1
UVL 75/25 Ballast 2
ATI Aquablue
UVL Aquasun Center 4 on IC 660 ballast 3
ATI Bluie plus
GE 6500K Daylight
UVL 75/25 Ballast 2
ATI Blue Plus Ballast 1
 
Re: par pur

Re: par pur

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13590129#post13590129 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jnb
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
Click to expand...

That should look pretty damn blue already. You could remove a Aquablue in place of another Blue Plus, there isn't a huge difference in PAR output between the two. The two different Aquablue lamps are very close.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13590130#post13590130 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fishhead2
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
Click to expand...

6 lamp unit

Front
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Pro Color
ATI Aquablue
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus

I'd try that. You may need to tweak the lamp positions around to get the blue plus lamps in the dusk/dawn position.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13590253#post13590253 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 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
Click to expand...


3 80 watt lamps drew 306 watts

4 54 watt lamps drew 303 watts
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13590411#post13590411 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Montezuma
Just wondering is there a 4 bulb T5 setup that would encourage good growth for corals. It doesnt need to look good, just encourage lots of growth. I got a 4bulb T5 setup with 660 icecap. I have it sitting in a 55 gallon frag tank. Just not sure what bulbs I should get.
Click to expand...

Do 2 UVL Aquasuns and 2 ATI Aquablues. Crazy high PAR and wont look too bad either.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13590968#post13590968 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rockymtreefer
I am looking at buying a new fixture.I can either get a brand new nova extreme pro 48" 6 bulb or a tx5 which is a few months old and used.Which would be a better choice?
Click to expand...

TX5 with out a doubt
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13593166#post13593166 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chad508
would 2 icecap vho t5 kits be to much for a 120 gallon 48*24*24
Click to expand...

Depends what you are growing. Shrooms wouldn't be too happy. Clams and acros be partyN
 
clams sps and lps. i know lps would need to be placed accordingly. what would this be compared to in mh lighting?
 
Currently I have an Aquactinics TX5 with
Front
Aquablue special
Blue +
Aquasun
Blue+
Procolor




I can get an ATI PM with 6x39W for a decent price...
Does the ATI fixture and the extra bulb warrant the purchase over my TX5? On a 24" wide tank, shallow 16" would I be better off getting a 8x, the wait time is between 4-8 weeks. SPS dominated, the few LPS I have need to be in the outer edge of my tanks sandbed.
I am getting great results with the TX5, but wish it had one more slot so I could add a superactinics bulb. Question is, is the performance so good on the ATI, that I will be happy with the 6x39, or will I need to get in line for a possible 8 week delivery of the 8x39 to notice a difference?

TIA
 
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