The T5 Q&a Thread

[Aqua Keepers]

T5's with internal reflectors

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1469368

 

[Aqua Keepers]

You can just sell them to us lower income reefers that can't afford to go.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13326619#post13326619 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bertmauricio
Hey Grim,

Need your opinion on adding a 5th bulb to my standard 90, 24hx18w, although I've got a coast to coast overflow along the back, 1 inch sand bed. I would like to put a clam on the sand and some SPS higher up.

Currently have an Icecap 660 running 4 bulbs with SLRs, 4" above the water. Have room for another bulb in the front of the canopy. Not sure if I need an Icecap just to run one more bulb or run a Tek retro or equivalent. Can I get away with 5? I can always rearrange and put a Tek toward the back, above the rocks and move the Icecaps toward the front.

Current Bulbs:
Front
ATI Blue+
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue+

What bulb would you add to this mix? How about this?
Blue+
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
UVL Super Actinic
Blue+

Thanks

Do a Actinic on a standard T5 ballast and add a Aquablue to your current lamps on the Ice Cap

Front
Blue Plus
Super Actinic standard ballast
Aquasun
Aquablue
Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13326654#post13326654 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by xroads
I'm sorry I should have explained better.

Row 1 36" 36"
Row 2 48"
Row 3 36" 36"
Row 4 48"

I was going to use the 48 inch rows for my overdrives & the shorter bulbs for the colors.

Now I am thinking 60" in the middle rows.

A freind just checked the PAR over a 24" tall tank with 60" T5's and Tek reflector. It was getting over 300 at the sandbed with 6 rows.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13327293#post13327293 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sprite
i am going to have a 6 bulb setup(retro) and currently have 3 blue+ bulbs,1 fiji purple,2 actinic+,and 1 ge 6500k what would be the best combo and placement of these bulbs from front to back for an all sps tank about 16" tall?..thanks


edit: forgot to add these will be tek retros

Front
Blue Plus
Actinic Plus
GE Daylight
Fiji Purple
Blue Plus
Actinic Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13327366#post13327366 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by capn_hylinur
Hi Grimereefer
Would appreciate your thoughts on this delima:

Current setup is 2 150watt MH and 2 PC 96watt attinics.
The tank is high at 30 inches and I believe my penetration maxes out at 18 inches
The bulbs are due to be replaced and I am not sure if switching over to a 6 T5 setup would give me more penetration then the halides/attinics current setup?
thanks
Scott

A good T5 setup will give you way better penetration than the 150. If your tank can have a 48" Fixture the Aquactinics Solar Flare is the way to go. If not a ATI 6 or 8 lamp fixture

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13327755#post13327755 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jeepboy_90
My T5 Question:

I have a 60g (48x15x18) tank that I am currently setting up. I am planning on running the Reefgeek 4x54W Icecap overdrive retro setup. I am looking at having all green corals. Murshroom, zoas, softies, and SPS.

#1 - is this the right set-up, enough light?
#2 - which bulbs to run?
#3 - Any input you may have?

Be fine

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
GE6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13328441#post13328441 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bnum1
Hi again Grim,
I am in the process of building my canopy.(180 gal.) How high above the water do you recommend I place my lights?
Thanks, Sandy

At least 4"

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13329246#post13329246 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bpkenn
Hi Grim, I was hoping you could help another newbie. I have a 75G tank w/a 4" sand bed, and I just bought a 48" 6 bulb TEK fixture.

I'm rather new to the hobby and was hoping you could recommend what bulbs to use. I would like to keep a mix of everything, and possibly a clam in the future. I don't know exactly what I will be stocking, but I am a fan of blues, reds, and greens. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
-Brian

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13331435#post13331435 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by snaza
Hi Grim i have 2 questions for your. sorry for being greedy

1. i cant get the colours right on my new frag/nano tank. i like a bluish look without any yellow. going to be all SPS. running 4 bulbs. if i run this;

blue plus
blue plus
aqua sun
blue plus

It looks nice but the pinks and reds are really dull cuz of all the blue. the blues really pop though. if i run

blue plus
aqua sun
blue plus
14k

the reds and pinks look good but the blues dont pop.

any ideas how to get something in the middle. if i got an aqua blue would that help?

blue plus
aqua sun
blue plus
aqua blue

2. Ive started getting an algae film on my glass. it used to take 3 days to build up but now it needs cleaning daily.water params are all good. bulbs are all less that 8 months old. Its really wierd though cuz only half the front panel gets algae. i can see a distinct line that splits the left side (with aglae) and the right (clean side). can half of a bulb die? any ideas

thanks heaps

Sure sounds like you may have a bad lamp. Try flipping them all to see if the problem changes sides, if it does you are going to have to flip each lamp one at a time until you figure out which one is bad. You might be able to see which one it is by looking at it.

Try 3 Blue Plus and a ATI Pro Color if you can get that lamp.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13331550#post13331550 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by amay121
Grim,

Is the Sfiligoi Stealth 12 x 80w T5 Pendant enough to light up a 220g tank (72"L x 24"W x 30"H), SPS dominant, or would 2 x (10 x 39W) ATI Power Modules be better?

I'd use the ATI's if it were mine. Not sure how effective the cooling is on the Sfiligoi. The 6 lamp unit loses a lot of output as it heats up. Using a big external fan it can be controled but I am not sure how well the little fans in the optional cooling unit work.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13331610#post13331610 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JerseyWendy
This is for the nice Mr. Grim, who's helped me out so much.

Here are a few pictures of my new 180, lit by 8 X 80Watts (we had to modify the canopy to cram them all in there).

Please excuse the cloudiness, we JUST did the transfer from the 75 to the 180.

---
Wendy

Thats PURDY

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13332434#post13332434 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by xroads
I found the GE6500 bulbs but what do you mean by overdrive them?

Thanks again

Ice Cap 430 can only run 3 24" T5 lamps and that can be iffy. T5's are harder to start than VHO lamps so the ballast can't run the same amount.

The Ice Cap Ballasts overdrive the lamps which makes them run brighter.

 

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13347940#post13347940 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
A good T5 setup will give you way better penetration than the 150. If your tank can have a 48" Fixture the Aquactinics Solar Flare is the way to go. If not a ATI 6 or 8 lamp fixture

thanks alot Grim:smokin:

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13334276#post13334276 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ocd_mariner
Ok, so like, 2 pages ago I was all "150g aquarium and the most expensive ati fixture ever". Thank goodness I have my wife to set me straight

So, I ordered my 120g rimless, 48x24x24. A friend has a great deal on a tek 8 light fixture. Is this going to be enough for total sps? What bulb combo would you recommend grim? I like the blue look.

I saw the recent TOTM with all t5. I got super excited. Then bummed it was the 10light ATI.

I just want to make sure Im setting my tank up for success and not an uphill battle.

If you really want a all out SPS tank you are going to have to use an external fan to cool the fixture. One of the little Azoo 4 fan arrays would work. Just dont point it directly at the lamps. Having it blow on the side of the fixture from behind works well or even blowing down from above and behind but don't have it blowing up into the lamps and don't use the acrylic splash shield if it has one.

If the 10 lamp or even 8 lamp ATI isn't in the budget try for the Aquactinics Constellation.

 

[James77]

Do T5 bulbs have a shelf life if they are not being used?

 

[snaza]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13348030#post13348030 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Sure sounds like you may have a bad lamp. Try flipping them all to see if the problem changes sides, if it does you are going to have to flip each lamp one at a time until you figure out which one is bad. You might be able to see which one it is by looking at it.

Try 3 Blue Plus and a ATI Pro Color if you can get that lamp.

Thanks grim, ive been leaving 2 different bulbs off everyday to find out which is the problem bulb. i have 7 bulbs and today is bulb numbers 5 and 6. must be getting close now

im going to buy some more bulbs for my new small tank and try out different combos. If i do 3 blueplus and an pro color will that provide enough spectrum? its all sps but the tank is only 8 inchs tall. Ill grab an aqua blue and try that in the mix.

maybe

blue plus
pro color
blue plus
aqua blue

Im using my crappy solarmax 4 bulb fuxture which i got for $90 but it puts out heaps of PAR. the fixture is about 4inch off the water and puts out 800par at the water level. thats using ALL $7 chinese bulbs that came with it.

2 x blue and 2 x white

Then i put 2 computer fans blowing on the fixture and it puts out 900PAR

not a bad setup for under $100.

Ive ordered a big collection of ATI bulbs so ill post some pics when i get the colour right

thanks again for your help

Aaron

 

[xhappyx]

just received a 125gal tank. and it came with a 72" nova extreme pro. what can i do to make this fixture somewhat decent(change ballasts?) and what bulb combo would you use to get good growth while not losing the colors in sps?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13348318#post13348318 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by James77
Do T5 bulbs have a shelf life if they are not being used?

Not that I am aware of.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13348502#post13348502 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by snaza
Thanks grim, ive been leaving 2 different bulbs off everyday to find out which is the problem bulb. i have 7 bulbs and today is bulb numbers 5 and 6. must be getting close now

im going to buy some more bulbs for my new small tank and try out different combos. If i do 3 blueplus and an pro color will that provide enough spectrum? its all sps but the tank is only 8 inchs tall. Ill grab an aqua blue and try that in the mix.

maybe

blue plus
pro color
blue plus
aqua blue

Im using my crappy solarmax 4 bulb fuxture which i got for $90 but it puts out heaps of PAR. the fixture is about 4inch off the water and puts out 800par at the water level. thats using ALL $7 chinese bulbs that came with it.

2 x blue and 2 x white

Then i put 2 computer fans blowing on the fixture and it puts out 900PAR

not a bad setup for under $100.

Ive ordered a big collection of ATI bulbs so ill post some pics when i get the colour right

thanks again for your help

Aaron

Just play with different mixes till you hit one you like.