The T5 Q&a Thread

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<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13847004#post13847004 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by steelhant
Grim, I purchased the 72" Constellation and the bulbs you recommended. I really like the colors. The only problem I have is that my tank is 24" wide, I have been playing the front to back placement, and having some dead areas. The light is flush on the tank, would raising the fixture help or should I be looking for maybe 2 bulb strips for added light.

Thanks,
Steelhant
Click to expand...

You really shouldn't have an issue with 7 lamps over a 24" tank but you could grab a couple of the Nova 36" 2 lamp strip lights with Blue Plus lamps and use them at the front of the tank.
 
grim, hpglow - whoa, that just all went above my head.

1. where do you suggest I get the reflectors? are they all the same?

2. Do I need a fan to cool the bulbs?

3. Do I need a splashguard?

4. What are the 18 gauge jumpers?

Sorry for the long winded questions. thx,
 
Last edited:
Grim,
I have a 12" deep frag tank that I am lighting with 4-48" T5s overdriven on 660s. I am looking for quick growth and moderate colors. Any advice on bulbs?
Nick
 
Hey Grim I am needing to replace my bulbs on my softy lps tank. Looking for nice coloring with growth. Light fixture is a 5 bulb aquatinics. What combo do you reccomend? THanks
 
Hi Grim,

So I went ahead and purchased two of the 48" Ice Cap retros from reefgeek, with 1 each Blue Plus, AquaBlue, Aquasun and Super Actinic bulbs. It comes with two HO ballasts, each of which can run 1 or 2 T5 bulbs. I decided to get two instead of three because there is room on the back of my canopy for two of these ballasts, plus I'm trying to save a few bucks if I can!

I decided against the workhorse ballast, but I still have the option of running two VHO actinics off the 660 and 3 T5s off the new ballasts. Which would you suggest - that setup or just go with the four T5s?

Thanks again,
Robert
 
Well, looks like my Nova Extreme Pro was not in stock and I have a little bit more cash, so thinking about going with the Aquactinics TX5.

Is the TX5 really going to be that much better to warrant a $250 price difference?

Or should I just get another Tek?

Decisions, decisions...
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13849686#post13849686 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fernandokng
grim, hpglow - whoa, that just all went above my head.

1. where do you suggest I get the reflectors? are they all the same?

2. Do I need a fan to cool the bulbs?

3. Do I need a splashguard?

4. What are the 18 gauge jumpers?

Sorry for the long winded questions. thx,
Click to expand...

Reefgeek, Ice Cap reflectors are the best deal

Use a fan blowing in from the back down the row of end caps at one side with all the lamp labels are that end.

Dont need a splash guard if the lamps are at least 4" above the water.

18 guage is the wire size you use to make the jumpers needed when wiring the ballast to the endcaps.
 
Hey grim,

Looking at lighting a 180 gallon Fuge. It will have 6 inches of sand in it so the depth of the tank will be less than 18 inches. Looking at growing Green Ulva and Gracilera. Do I really need a constellation or 72" Nova Extreme to cover this or could I go with less bulbs and a further spread between them in the canopy? I was originally Planning to use two old Reefstar MH for this but have decided to sell the MH and go with a T-5 setup in hopes of saving a little money on Electricity....
 
Hey Grimm what do u think about this bulb config. How would it look like? Iam thinking about Using the procolor or the uvl 75/25 whats the difference would make to the bulb congfig. This would be for sps and zoos tank. Would u change anything? Is the uvl 75/25 have high par and what color would it help out? The procolor is mainly for red and has low par right? I have tx5.

thanks

blue+
aquablue
blue+
75/25 or procolor
blue+
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13849752#post13849752 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nces519
Grim,
I have a 12" deep frag tank that I am lighting with 4-48" T5s overdriven on 660s. I am looking for quick growth and moderate colors. Any advice on bulbs?
Nick
Click to expand...

2 Blue Pluses 1 UVL Aquasun and 1 GE 6500K Daylight
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13850649#post13850649 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sds
Hey Grim I am needing to replace my bulbs on my softy lps tank. Looking for nice coloring with growth. Light fixture is a 5 bulb aquatinics. What combo do you reccomend? THanks
Click to expand...

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
 
Grim....also replacing bulbs its a 54wx6 bulb on a 90g....not sure if there is anything new out there since the beginning of the year. Appreciate your help. Thanks.
 
hey Grim, I finally was able to get an ATI Blue Plus bulb, I don't have the complete setup you advised, but I need to wait until late december to get my new VHO's

Right now it's from front to back

VHO - UVL Super Actinic
T5 - ATI Blue Plus
VHO - UVL daylight 10K
T5 - UVL Super Actinic
VHO - UVL daylight 10K
VHO - UVL Super Actinic

I must say this looks awesome, once I get the new VHO's, it will be this:

VHO - UVL Super Actinic
T5 - UVL Aquasun
VHO - UVL Super Actinic
T5 - ATI Blue Plus
VHO - UVL Daylight 10K
VHO - UVL Super Actinic
 
Last edited:
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13857269#post13857269 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RobertK
Hi Grim,

So I went ahead and purchased two of the 48" Ice Cap retros from reefgeek, with 1 each Blue Plus, AquaBlue, Aquasun and Super Actinic bulbs. It comes with two HO ballasts, each of which can run 1 or 2 T5 bulbs. I decided to get two instead of three because there is room on the back of my canopy for two of these ballasts, plus I'm trying to save a few bucks if I can!

I decided against the workhorse ballast, but I still have the option of running two VHO actinics off the 660 and 3 T5s off the new ballasts. Which would you suggest - that setup or just go with the four T5s?

Thanks again,
Robert
Click to expand...

Flip a coin.

If you do the 3/2 run a Blue Plus, Aquablue and GE 6500K Daylight for the T5's/
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13857351#post13857351 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by roushracer
Well, looks like my Nova Extreme Pro was not in stock and I have a little bit more cash, so thinking about going with the Aquactinics TX5.

Is the TX5 really going to be that much better to warrant a $250 price difference?

Or should I just get another Tek?

Decisions, decisions...
Click to expand...

You wont regret the Tx5 purchase. They are good fixtures.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13858384#post13858384 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by obiwanthegoby
Hey grim,

Looking at lighting a 180 gallon Fuge. It will have 6 inches of sand in it so the depth of the tank will be less than 18 inches. Looking at growing Green Ulva and Gracilera. Do I really need a constellation or 72" Nova Extreme to cover this or could I go with less bulbs and a further spread between them in the canopy? I was originally Planning to use two old Reefstar MH for this but have decided to sell the MH and go with a T-5 setup in hopes of saving a little money on Electricity....
Click to expand...

I would just get a 3 lamp 60" Ice Cap retro from reefgeek with the Tek II reflectors. 3 GE 6500K Daylight lamps and you're set.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13858886#post13858886 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by snapperface
Hey Grimm what do u think about this bulb config. How would it look like? Iam thinking about Using the procolor or the uvl 75/25 whats the difference would make to the bulb congfig. This would be for sps and zoos tank. Would u change anything? Is the uvl 75/25 have high par and what color would it help out? The procolor is mainly for red and has low par right? I have tx5.

thanks

blue+
aquablue
blue+
75/25 or procolor
blue+
Click to expand...


The 75/25 is probably the better choice because it will pop the zoos a little better. The procolor would help bring out some colors in the SPS as far as pink and purple colors but the 75/25 will too, maybe not as fast.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13859442#post13859442 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by casingbill
Grim....also replacing bulbs its a 54wx6 bulb on a 90g....not sure if there is anything new out there since the beginning of the year. Appreciate your help. Thanks.
Click to expand...

Nothing all that new. I'd do 3 Blue Plus, 1 GE 6500K Daylight 1 UVL Aquasun and either a Aquablue or UVL Super Acinic
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13859491#post13859491 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gig
hey Grim, I finally was able to get an ATI Blue Plus bulb, I don't have the complete setup you advised, but I need to wait until late december to get my new VHO's

Right now it's from front to back

VHO - UVL Super Actinic
T5 - ATI Blue Plus
VHO - UVL daylight 10K
T5 - UVL Super Actinic
VHO - UVL daylight 10K
VHO - UVL Super Actinic

I must say this looks awesome, once I get the new VHO's, it will be this:

VHO - UVL Super Actinic
T5 - UVL Aquasun
VHO - UVL Super Actinic
T5 - ATI Blue Plus
VHO - UVL Daylight 10K
VHO - UVL Super Actinic
Click to expand...

TRY TO GET US SOME PICS
 
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