The T5 Q&a Thread

[mboos]

Grim,

I appreciate your earlier response. One other question; you suggested the "ICE CAP T5 retro with the standard T5 ballast. The HO version, not the VHO with Ice Cap ballasts."

Do you recommend the 2 x 54 and then when my tank matures into a reef adding the 4 x 54 HO version?

Would those six light be enough light for a reef?

thanks again

 

[mlee4984]

Hi Guys,

I have a quick question regarding the Novo Extreme Pro 36", wondering if the legs are removable/detachable since the widest part of my tank is about 30". I will need to create a custom mount to mount these lights if they're not removable/detachable.

Trying to get everything together before I put live stock in. Thanks!

 

[chinoxl3]

Good evening Grim,

I have a standard 90G mixed with SPS and LPS corals. I have 2X250W 20K XM's and 4 T5 powered by 2 Icecaps 660. As of now I have the following setup

Rear
250XM 250XM
ATI Blue Plus
Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus
Fiji Purple
Front

As you can see, I like the blue color. I would like to keep the ATI Blue+ but the fiji purple is not doing it for me. What do you recommend to make the colors pop while keeping the blue?

Thanks for your help Grim!

 

[WangoTANGo]

Grim:

Need to replace the bulbs in my TX5. Looking for something in the 14-15k range overall. Any suggestions? Would the ATI Procolor be something to look into?

Thanks a lot,

-Justin

 

[Aqua Keepers]

Re: T5's and Dimming Confusion

Re: T5's and Dimming Confusion

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13776941#post13776941 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jtma508
Having spent the last several weeks researching T-5 components as I plan my 48" canopy retro I was surprised to learn that you cannot dim T-5's. I know we're looking for maximum PAR but I was thinking more along the lines of a smooth sunrise-sunset transition (via the RKE Advanced Light Controller 0-10v dimmer function).

ATI has a dimmable T5 fixture though not available in the US apparently and I read a thread here about the new Fauna Marin dimmable T5 pendants. A quick Google turns-up all manner of T5 dimmable ballasts from people like Sylvania, Hytronic and Advance, to name a few.

Grim (or anyone) can you help me understand the disconnect? People here say you can't dim T5's, I emailed IceCap and they say you can't dim T5's, yet ATI and FM have fixtures that are dimmable T5's. What gives? I'm totally confused.

A few companies are working on controllable t5 systems. I posted a video a pg or two back on the Reefgeek system that I hear will be released in the 1st quarter of 2009. I also hear that Ice Cap is working on one also.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1497038

 

[jtma508]

Very cool. Thanks pito.

 

[noboddi]

Fauna Marin is coming out with dimmable T5 pendant fixtures in January

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13776392#post13776392 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by aquaglobal
Grim,
Hey, Thanks alot for the help! I am not sure what you mean by "They still suffer all the same drawbacks as the others?"
Are you saying that they are just not putting out enough PAR for SPS?
I certainly will go with your bulb recommendations. Grim, will I still benifit by just adding two to what I already have?
Thanks alot Grim

PC lamp have two problems. Geometry prevents the light from being reflected efficiently and causes the lamps to get very hot which hurts output and longevity.

Adding a couple T5's will still help a lot.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: T5's and Dimming Confusion

Re: T5's and Dimming Confusion

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13776941#post13776941 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jtma508
Having spent the last several weeks researching T-5 components as I plan my 48" canopy retro I was surprised to learn that you cannot dim T-5's. I know we're looking for maximum PAR but I was thinking more along the lines of a smooth sunrise-sunset transition (via the RKE Advanced Light Controller 0-10v dimmer function).

ATI has a dimmable T5 fixture though not available in the US apparently and I read a thread here about the new Fauna Marin dimmable T5 pendants. A quick Google turns-up all manner of T5 dimmable ballasts from people like Sylvania, Hytronic and Advance, to name a few.

Grim (or anyone) can you help me understand the disconnect? People here say you can't dim T5's, I emailed IceCap and they say you can't dim T5's, yet ATI and FM have fixtures that are dimmable T5's. What gives? I'm totally confused.

There are ballasts that will dim T5's just not Ice Caps. I think Sylvania has one.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13777910#post13777910 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by netboy
Need some help here. I currently have 2x250 MH on a pfo hqi ballast/ phoenix bulbs. My tank is an oceanic tech 90. 25" tall 48"long but with the eurobrace the top opening is only 12" wide.

I want to lower my electric bill as the pfo hqis are sucking up way too much juice. I am looking at the IC 4x54 retro or an ATI 4x54 powermodule. I would welcome a 6 bulb if it fits. Keep in mind my opening is only 12" wide.

I keep mostly sps corals and have 1 clam.

Thanks!

6 lamp ATI Powermodule will fit

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13778368#post13778368 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by WallyBackm
Grim, hey

Local store had a sick deal on bulbs. Of course the only ones left were ATI procolors and pure actinic. Picked up 2 procolors and one actinic.

I have a 6 x54 TEK light. Would it be too much to put 2 procolors in there? If not, what 3 other bulbs should I use? It's a 4 ft 120 gallon tank with strictly SPS and a few LPS on sand.

The tank is 2 feet deep. Should I invest in an additional 2 bulb retrofit kit?

Thanks man

I'd only run 1 pro color. I'd run it with 3 Blue Plus, actinic and one GE 6500K Daylight

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13778512#post13778512 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Giga
whats a better ballast for 2x24"T5HO the electronic advace ballast or the electronic workhorse ballast?

Advance

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13778708#post13778708 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mboos
Grim,

I appreciate your earlier response. One other question; you suggested the "ICE CAP T5 retro with the standard T5 ballast. The HO version, not the VHO with Ice Cap ballasts."

Do you recommend the 2 x 54 and then when my tank matures into a reef adding the 4 x 54 HO version?

Would those six light be enough light for a reef?

thanks again

Yes and yes. Two lamps are enough for FOWLR and the 6 are enough for a reef

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13779269#post13779269 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chinoxl3
Good evening Grim,

I have a standard 90G mixed with SPS and LPS corals. I have 2X250W 20K XM's and 4 T5 powered by 2 Icecaps 660. As of now I have the following setup

Rear
250XM 250XM
ATI Blue Plus
Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus
Fiji Purple
Front

As you can see, I like the blue color. I would like to keep the ATI Blue+ but the fiji purple is not doing it for me. What do you recommend to make the colors pop while keeping the blue?

Thanks for your help Grim!

Try another Blue Plus and a ATI Pro Color

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13779319#post13779319 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by WangoTANGo
Grim:

Need to replace the bulbs in my TX5. Looking for something in the 14-15k range overall. Any suggestions? Would the ATI Procolor be something to look into?

Thanks a lot,

-Justin

Try this

Front
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Pro Color
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue

 

[saltydog64]

Help w/Nova Ext 4X54

Help w/Nova Ext 4X54

Let's go right to the Geru...Grim,

Recently installed a the Nova Extreme 4 X54 fixture. First off I'm not that impressed with it's perfomance, fan is a little loud and lite output...well let's just it's a good thing I'm running a custom VHO 2X 110's (powered by a IceCap ballast) also. With out those two the tank would be kind of "dark"

The tank is a 70 g 48" X 18" X 18" was FOWLR and recently I'm adding Zoa's and have a couple of softies in there also.

The Nova is using the blubs supplied :

Front

current 460nm switch 1
current 10k switch 2
current 460nm switch 1
current 10k switch 2

How do I get a little more performance out of this fixture, if that is possible...is it ???

Thanks in advance for your help

Dick

 

[trilinearmipmap]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13775084#post13775084 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Right about 1 year.

Every fixture is different so its hard to make hard and fast proclomations of how long which lamp lasts in a given fixture.

Has anyone ever made measurements over time? I have always suspected that the bulb manufacturers encourage people to change bulbs to pad their profits.

 

[WangoTANGo]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13780663#post13780663 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Try this

Front
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Pro Color
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue

Great.

I'm running this now:

Front
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
ATI Actinic 03
ATI Aquablue Special

Any big difference in PAR?

-Justin

 

[Todd March]

Hey Grim,

Have you seen or test the KZ New Gen 14K bulbs...? According to pics released by KZ, it looks noticeably bluer than the KZ Coral Light or Aquablue--which I know you have said you think are probably one and the same bulb...

 

[doovid]

T5s and Cooling Fans

T5s and Cooling Fans

Hi guys!!
I'm planning on using a 6 bulb T5 retro appliance for my 90gal 48" X 18" X 24" tank. The bulbs will be about 9" from the water surface. Is a fan necessary to prevent the water temperature from rising significantly, or are T5s cool running, to where they don't need active cooling? If a fan is necessary, should it blow air across the bulbs, versus vacuuming air away?
Tnx