The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: update

Re: update

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13764162#post13764162 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by daveonbass
"Front
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus



quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by daveonbass
ok I bit the bullet and bought a 24" 4 bulb t5 (with 3 moon leds) from the website "fishneedit.com".

This is for a temporay set up...it is not for my upgrade with will be the ATI 36" 6 bulb fixture. But since my tank NOW needs light too...I figured I'd get a cheap one to pass the time while I save more money and set this one up.

I got the 2 blue, 2 white set up...and the white are the 20K range bulbs...(I'm hoping for a pretty blue set up). I'm already guessing that it will not be the look I REALLY want...and so I ask you.

In a 24" 4bulb light...what would be a better bulb set up for good growth...and over all good appearance? And it what order?

Thanks in advance...

dave"

sorry this quote is so wonky...I had to copy and paste.

I have a question. the 4 bulb set up you gave me is great but I have been reading more and more and have noticed that you give other people a different 4 bulb recommendation.

such as this:
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Aquablue

So my question is what is the main difference...and why did you tell me what you did? I love it...don't get me wrong...but I'm just curious what the difference is....?

thanks in advance

dave

Dropping the actinic for an Aquablue gives more PAR. Judging by your discription your fixture is not one with good reflectors so you need the higher output lamp combination.

 

[Jarrod Corby]

Bulb Combo

Bulb Combo

Thanks Grim!!!

Recommended bulb combo? I want the Reds and Oranges to Pop a bit but dont want to short myself on the actinic either.

Thanks Again!

 

[daveonbass]

Re: Re: update

Re: Re: update

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13764712#post13764712 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Dropping the actinic for an Aquablue gives more PAR. Judging by your discription your fixture is not one with good reflectors so you need the higher output lamp combination.

Ok that makes sence...but would an actinic give me better growth? The fixture IS one reflector, but it is crimpt into 4 seperate bulb reflectors...and it gives out a much better look than my MH lighting. So I was wondering if adding an actinic would speed up growth...or is the PAR to low to be effective for me?

by the way the little red house....good link.

 

[bandsaw2]

hey grim hows it going i've read alot of this thread and i don't see anything about dimmers for ic660
though i seen something in here about them
anyway what do you think of them
only one i know of is the solar offered by bluelineaquatics.com
thanks curt

 

[ekrunch]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13765085#post13765085 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bandsaw2
hey grim hows it going i've read alot of this thread and i don't see anything about dimmers for ic660
though i seen something in here about them
anyway what do you think of them
only one i know of is the solar offered by bluelineaquatics.com
thanks curt

I don't think you can dim T5's on a 660, only VHOs if I recall correctly. You might want to check with IceCap in their vendor forum before purchasing that dimming module.

Ed

 

[Everyones Hero]

What do you all recommend for cleaning reflectors? I have my fixtures about 6" off the water's surface & I'm starting to get a good bit of salt buildup on the reflectors. Would water & a rag be the best solution or is there a specific polish that's good for cleaning them/making them shine?

Also, when I had initially picked up my T5 from another RC member I went to Lowe's & picked up some light guards (plastic tubes that go over the lights to catch the glass if they break.) I never installed them because I didn't want to loose a lot of PAR, but I'm wondering if such a thin piece of plastic would have a very detrimental effect on the amount of light getting to/through the water; especially the loss the guards cause vs the loss of PAR through salt buildup on the bulbs.

 

[bandsaw2]

thanks Ed
that's not what I wanted to hear
I'll check with ice cap first. maybe just them give a call.
thank again

 

[steelhant]

T-5's or T12's ? T-5's or T12's ?

Thanks Grim, Seems like a great idea... I have that crazy Mission style hood on my AGA. I have simple reflectors on my setup for the MH's that could be my problem with not enouph light and t-12's on both sides..may have to make another hood. if I don 't buy another fixture.

Thanks again.
Steelhant

 

[imprezed02]

how do i remove the bulbs from the nova extreme pro fixture?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: Bulb Combo

Re: Bulb Combo

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13764740#post13764740 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jarrod Corby
Thanks Grim!!!

Recommended bulb combo? I want the Reds and Oranges to Pop a bit but dont want to short myself on the actinic either.

Thanks Again!

ATI BLue Plus
UVL 75/25
UVL Aquasun
ATI Aquablue

Should do it.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: Re: Re: update

Re: Re: Re: update

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13764955#post13764955 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by daveonbass
Ok that makes sence...but would an actinic give me better growth? The fixture IS one reflector, but it is crimpt into 4 seperate bulb reflectors...and it gives out a much better look than my MH lighting. So I was wondering if adding an actinic would speed up growth...or is the PAR to low to be effective for me?

by the way the little red house....good link.

The actinic lamps have much lower PAR than the Blues and the blues do have a decent amount of actinic spectrum in them. I dont even run actinics any more.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13765085#post13765085 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bandsaw2
hey grim hows it going i've read alot of this thread and i don't see anything about dimmers for ic660
though i seen something in here about them
anyway what do you think of them
only one i know of is the solar offered by bluelineaquatics.com
thanks curt

Ice Cap ballasts cannot dim T5 lamps. There are some others out there that can.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13765904#post13765904 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Everyones Hero
What do you all recommend for cleaning reflectors? I have my fixtures about 6" off the water's surface & I'm starting to get a good bit of salt buildup on the reflectors. Would water & a rag be the best solution or is there a specific polish that's good for cleaning them/making them shine?

Also, when I had initially picked up my T5 from another RC member I went to Lowe's & picked up some light guards (plastic tubes that go over the lights to catch the glass if they break.) I never installed them because I didn't want to loose a lot of PAR, but I'm wondering if such a thin piece of plastic would have a very detrimental effect on the amount of light getting to/through the water; especially the loss the guards cause vs the loss of PAR through salt buildup on the bulbs.

I wouldn't mess with the guards

If you can pull the reflectors I would hit them with vinegar once a year. Other than that RO water once a month or so.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13766925#post13766925 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by imprezed02
how do i remove the bulbs from the nova extreme pro fixture?

Give them a quarter turn and they should lift out.

The two pins on the ends of the lamps slip into a slotted disk that rotates through a virticle slot in the endcap. When you rotate them a quarter turn they are locked in place.

 

[jtma508]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13768341#post13768341 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Ice Cap ballasts cannot dim T5 lamps. There are some others out there that can.

Hey Grim... The ballast specs on the IceCap say theye are both (the 430 and 660) fully dimmable. Is that not the case?

From the IceCap site:

"The 660 is fully dimmable, operates silently, has many available features, is fully repairable and has a 3 year conditional warranty.
"

 

[emoore]

They can dim T12's but not T5's

 

[Gravesj1s]

bulb choice recom.

bulb choice recom.

Hey Grim,
seams a basic all to often question here but have to ask.
I am finally receiving my ATI power module after an incredibly long wait .4-1/2 months.

Tank is 72 gal bowfront(48 long-13 ends-15 middle-22 high witch gave me fewer options.After your recomendation here I went with a 4 bulb ATI fixture. I was wondering what bulbs you would chose, they come with the fixture.I really don't like the 20k radium look. A slight blue hue is ok . Like the last poster ,I too like to see orange,pinks but dont want to sell short on blue either.

Tank will consist of a clams ,sps,zoas, lps. So my questions are
(1) bulb choice from ATI line up?
(2) Do I have to worry about changing bulbs more frequently to keep the clam ,sps thriving?Keeping them only at the top ,or am I ok

-Sorry for asking , I know this is such a common question here but I wasn't sure with the fixture what would be the best choice,
thank you ,again, steve

 

[Rickyrooz1]

Grim, how often do T-5's need to be replaced on an SPS dominated tank? I know MH's should be replaced every 8-12 months because they loose 30-40% of their initial PAR.

Never mind, just read the post from above (replace every 10 months).

 

[scoobyalty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13724685#post13724685 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
If you want to go all T5's then a 8 lamp Ice Cap VHO T5 retro is the way to go, stronger output and better lamp selection. 6 lamps would work if you had a halide to provide the intensity for the clams

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Avtinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquable
ATI Blue Plus

Seeing I have brand new MH bulbs, XM 10,000, how would a setup of the 2 of those along with 3 T5 80w bulbs work? Would this be something that would work or would it fail misurably? I am looking at it from the standpoint that I have something brand new right now and would be able to replace the MH when the bulbs are ready with the rest of the T5 lighting. That is if this way would work for my 220. If this setup of 2 MH and 3 T5 would work for me what bulbs would you suggest?

ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
MH MH
ATI Blue Plus

Would that work?

 

[ekrunch]

Controller

Controller

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13764548#post13764548 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lsudiva
Hi Grim! Thank you so much for all of your time and expertise. I was looking through the thread and didn't see any mention of suggestions for 5 foot 80W bulbs. I am looking for an end result of about a 20k Radium on a HQI Ballast and I have room for 6 bulbs. Thank you so much in advance for your advice. The bulb selection is a little more limited for the 80W. Or should I bite the bullet and just go with 12 36" for my 125? Do you think I'll lose a lot of light by only having 5 foot bulbs over my 6 foot tank?

Thanks again!

Bump for this. I'm quite interested in 5' bulbs as well and wondering what the options are seeing as there is no support from UVL.

Thanks,
Ed