The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13791861#post13791861 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by binoy_415
hello,i wanted to upgrade my lights,into a nova extreme pr0 t5 ho 72"(12 39w,610000k,6-460nm)so far i had a couple of birds nest bunch of zoa;s,monti danae,anemone,nepthea green.basically it would be a mix of sps and lps,,right now i have 2 175 mh(20000k sps bulb,hamilton ballast,and 2 t5 1 actnic 1 day(which is under the needs of this tank)..,,i wanted to ask for opinions on wich combination would likely fit my tanks needs,by the way my tank is 72x24x30 with a canopy that is around 8'-10" high,i wanted this upgrade before i buy some more frags for my tank,,thanks very much..

If you have a canopy do retrofits instead of a fixture.

Doing 36" lamps side by side for 6 rows will work.

I would get a 8 lamp Ice Cap VHO Retro (Uses Ice Cap ballast) and a 8 lamp Ice Cap HO retro.

Front
ATI Blue Plus HO ballast
ATI Aquablue
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus HO Ballast

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13792317#post13792317 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Enterprise
Hey Grim, just wanted to give an update. I was able to fit the IceCap ballasts into my DIY fixture that I had asked about a few pages ago. I have a total of 6 bulbs, on an IC660 and a 430, with the bulbs in this order:

Geismann Pure Actinic
Geismann Aquablue +
Geismann Pure Actinic
UVL 75/25
Geismann Aquablue +
Geismann Actinic +

Here are a few pictures of the project:

Neither the bulbs or ballasts get hot, I would describe them as warm to the touch, which I am very happy about!

Thank you for all your work and dedication!

Purdy Slick!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13793859#post13793859 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mboos
Grim,

reefgeek.com offers the 2 x 54 icecap retro, but it says that it comes with either the Universal AccuStart or Vossloh-Schwabe electronic ballast. Which one would you suggest?

And what two lamps do you suggest for a FOWLR?

thank you.

Probably a UVL Aquasun and a ATI Blue Plus

Flip a coin on the ballast, they are both good.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13793958#post13793958 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by in_flight
just wondering if anyone has any recommendations for a 24" 4 bulb fixture for my frag tank, i'm looking for a nice blue colour with good par and promotes faster growth if possible

Tek

2 ATI Blue Plus

1 GE 6500K Daylight

1 UVL Aquasun

 

[redhanded77]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13744120#post13744120 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
The Tek will do for that tank
Front
UVL Super Actinic
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus

whats up grim, i went ahead and purchased the ATI 36" 6 bulb fixutre and im happy with it. one thing though, i followed your bulb advice but my dusk/dawn setting has the daylight bulb coming on. should i re arrange the bulbs to accomodate for the ATI on/off settings?

 

[kmacartney]

Does anyone else have problems with shrooms and zoas hiding from the T5's?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13797359#post13797359 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by redhanded77
whats up grim, i went ahead and purchased the ATI 36" 6 bulb fixutre and im happy with it. one thing though, i followed your bulb advice but my dusk/dawn setting has the daylight bulb coming on. should i re arrange the bulbs to accomodate for the ATI on/off settings?

Yep,just move them so you have a bluer and actinic lamp o the dusk dawn set

 

[Aqua Keepers]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13789613#post13789613 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ajones51
Ok, I currently have a 55 standard with 6" dsb and a current usa sundial t5ho fixture. The fixture is 6" above the water. It has the vvvvv style reflector and the 4 stock bulbs.

I just bought a 90 gallon setup that came with an icecap 660 ballast and 4 t12 vho bulbs. I know the t12's are old and need to be replaced. So I was thinking about doing a 4 bulb t5vho retro and using the 660 ballast to power them.

Can I do a 4 bulb T5vho retro and get another ballast so I can keep 2 of the t12 vho superactinics? Would this make the colors pop better? Or should I just go with a 6 bulb t5vho setup instead?

My tank is mixed reef with softies, lps, and sps (at top)

I will be using my sundial fixture in the mean time. It has done well enough on my 55. How about keeping the sundial and using 2 of the t12 vho superactinics?

I hate to waste the icecap ballast and I know the uvl vho super actinics are sweet.

Grim, you quoted this guys question but did not answer. I am curious as to what your reply will be.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

quote:Originally posted by ajones51
Ok, I currently have a 55 standard with 6" dsb and a current usa sundial t5ho fixture. The fixture is 6" above the water. It has the vvvvv style reflector and the 4 stock bulbs.

I just bought a 90 gallon setup that came with an icecap 660 ballast and 4 t12 vho bulbs. I know the t12's are old and need to be replaced. So I was thinking about doing a 4 bulb t5vho retro and using the 660 ballast to power them.

Can I do a 4 bulb T5vho retro and get another ballast so I can keep 2 of the t12 vho superactinics? Would this make the colors pop better? Or should I just go with a 6 bulb t5vho setup instead?

My tank is mixed reef with softies, lps, and sps (at top)

I will be using my sundial fixture in the mean time. It has done well enough on my 55. How about keeping the sundial and using 2 of the t12 vho superactinics?

I hate to waste the icecap ballast and I know the uvl vho super actinics are sweet.

Grim, you quoted this guys question but did not answer. I am curious as to what your reply will be.

I answered, it was just in the body of his quote, duhhhh. Too much time on the computer



Use the Ice Cap for the 4 T5's and grab a Workhorse 7 for the VHO Actinics. Reefgeek will make you a deal on a VHO T5 retro minus ballast.

 

[Aqua Keepers]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13798585#post13798585 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
I answered, it was just in the body of his quote, duhhhh. Too much time on the computer



Use the Ice Cap for the 4 T5's and grab a Workhorse 7 for the VHO Actinics. Reefgeek will make you a deal on a VHO T5 retro minus ballast.

Yeah, I'm sure you need a vacation from this thread.
So, you're saying that the 4 over driven T5s+2vho actinics would give him a better color POP over the 6 T5s? If so, what bulbs would you recommend to keep SPS?

 

[in_flight]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13794574#post13794574 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Tek

2 ATI Blue Plus

1 GE 6500K Daylight

1 UVL Aquasun

thanks!

what order should i position the bulbs?

 

[snaza]

Hi Grim,

Do you happen to remember your PAR readings from your tank? was it with the tek or constellation? I just got my hands on a apogee quantum meter. I set it to electric, not sunlight, is that right?

Im running 7x 54w IC HO retro on osram ballasts on my 4x2x2. 3 blue plus, 3 aqua blues and 1 fiji.

1 inch under water - 450 par
10 inches - 300
12 inches - 270
22 inches sandbed - 135

Are these readings low? I see guys with Powermodules with 380 on the Sandbed

thanks

Aaron

 

[hpglow]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13793345#post13793345 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Enterprise
It's funny you mention black acrylic! I am going to use that to fill the "gap" between the top of the tank, and the bottom of the fixture.

I chose Al for its ability as a heatsink, and for its strength and the corrosion resistance of this particular alloy.

I wouldn't cover that up, it looks awsome! That fixture would be hot over a rimless tank.

How much did the aluminum cost you?

 

[JeffReef]

Grim (or anyone),

What T5 lamp has the most PAR?

 

[swencel]

Has anyone ever thought about installing fans on the Tech lights by cutting holes in the top of the unit or is that just a dumb idea.

 

[renogaw]

Guess i should have posted here:

Ok... I'm ugrading my lights from PC's to t5's. Aquactinics was recommended by my reef club, and they seem to be a decent light. But for a 5 light setup with individual reflectors, i'd be looking at mid $400 plus tax and bulbs.

I went to the LFS listed as a vendor, and he said that he's selling a lot more Current USA's. the setup he suggested was a 6 bulb setup with individual reflectors and included the bulbs for upper $300's plus tax.

there's a setup on Ebay that has 8 lights, individual reflectors, bulbs, plus moonlights, and with the paypal promotion would only cost upper $200's..

so... i know you get what you pay for, and im not afraid to pay the extra money as long as it's worth it, so i'm just wondering what people's thoughts are. has anyone tried the t5's from ebay?


I have a 90 gallon tank.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13798708#post13798708 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pito
Yeah, I'm sure you need a vacation from this thread.
So, you're saying that the 4 over driven T5s+2vho actinics would give him a better color POP over the 6 T5s? If so, what bulbs would you recommend to keep SPS?

Actually it depends. For all SPS I wouldn't even use actinics. I'd do 6 T5's, 1 ATI Pro Color or UVL Aquasun, 1 GE 6500K Daylight and 4 Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13799148#post13799148 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by in_flight
thanks!

what order should i position the bulbs?

Blue Plus
GE
UVL
Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13799389#post13799389 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by snaza
Hi Grim,

Do you happen to remember your PAR readings from your tank? was it with the tek or constellation? I just got my hands on a apogee quantum meter. I set it to electric, not sunlight, is that right?

Im running 7x 54w IC HO retro on osram ballasts on my 4x2x2. 3 blue plus, 3 aqua blues and 1 fiji.

1 inch under water - 450 par
10 inches - 300
12 inches - 270
22 inches sandbed - 135

Are these readings low? I see guys with Powermodules with 380 on the Sandbed

thanks

Aaron

WHat lamps are you running and how old are they?

With 4 blue plus and 2 Aquablue a Tek does over 200 at the sandbed if I cool it. That is about 17" below the water surface with the light about 2" above.

Constellation was in the 240's with 4 blues 2 actinics and a Pro Color

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13799697#post13799697 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JeffReef
Grim (or anyone),

What T5 lamp has the most PAR?

I suspect it is the ATI Aquablue. I have had two people who attended one of Sanjay's talks say he found the ATI Blue Plus had higher output than the UVL Aquasun which had been the highest PAR of any available lamp I had tested.

The Apogee meter under reports blue spectrum. Sanjay uses high end equipment that is more accurate. I get reading about 10% below a Aquasun for the aquablue lamp. Because there is a large amount of blue spectrum in the aquablue I gotta assume it is being read low by the PAR meter as well.