The T5 Q&a Thread

[arctictwist]

Vinnie. V.H.O is just over driven H.O

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14011273#post14011273 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by arctictwist
grim, i did alot of reading...so much my eyes got blurry! But im still unsure so im just going to give you my particular case. Im building an AIO (well a tank builder is currently building it, the rest is on me.) the Display area will be 24x24x20. I would like to keep most corals (with an extensive zoa garden) and eventually even a clam. I was thinking a 250w MH and 4 x t5s. Is this overkill? Do i just need 2 x t5s with the mh or can i even do all t5s, say 8? also how high would you mount. If i did the 4 x t5s, and the MH, i was thinking lumenarc, and for the i would have to mount the t5s on a slant from the edge of the mh to wall of the hood. so what do you think, and what combo for bulbs selection?

If the tank is 20" tall you could easily do T5's or whatever.

I would do a 175 watt Halide with a 10K lamp. Then use the T5's to add blue. You tank advantage of the higher PAR output of the 10K lamp as well as the high PAR of the Blue Plus T5.

If you don't plan on much high light stuff you could even use a 150 watt halide. If you were to use a PFO mini pendant the intensity of the halide lamp would be more focused so you wont be blinding the zoos or other lower light critters. If you plan on a clam you need to make sure the clam can be placed under the halide or at least not too far from under the reflector.

Anyway using either 10K halide I would use this for T5's

Front
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
Halide
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus

You can set up the light so the front and 3rd F5's come on for dusk/dawn, then add in the Aquablue which is a crisp white light with a slight blue tint and the rear blue plus to come on for early/late daylight which will look 20K then add in the 10K halide for midday.

For all T5's 6 lamps will work.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14011713#post14011713 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JosefDevaty
My tank will be 48x22x12. Shallow, I know. It will be primarily SPS. Will 6 icecap reflectors and endcaps on accustart ballasts do the trick? I want a very blue look to the tank. Right now I have a standard 75 gallon with 2x250 halides, Icecap ballasts with 12k reeflux bulbs. Will I notice much of a difference in color and growth going with a shallower tank and T5's? Will it be better?

With regular driven T5's the growth will be at least as good, probably better. Hard to say, if you have good reflectors on the 75 you are already giving as much APR as most critters can use.

For a nice blue look try this

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus

SHould be bright and grab all colors pretty well. The 75/25 has a lot of actinic and decent amount of red and the aquablue is very white.

If you want more of a striong blue 20K look substitute a UVL Super Actinic for a 75/25

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14012188#post14012188 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by zippgirl
I could use your expert advise. I currently have a 29 gal with a Sundial, which I replaced the bulbs with 2 blue plus, 1 aquablue, and 1 procolor (I like the pink color). I am going to upgrade to a 75 gal but I am going to put a false wall in to hide my equipment and set up a refugium ( I'm afraid of a flood with a sump), so it will end up being a little over 55 gal display. I was considering a Nove Extreme Pro 6 bulb, but decided a Icecap retrokit would be better. Here is the problem? Do I get the 4 bulbs with the 660 (called VHO) or will the regular icecap (called HO on reefgeekk) be enough, it has 2 ballast that don't overdrive the bulbs. I try to read alot before asking questions, but I just don't completly understand this lighting stuff. I should mention I only have xenia, softies, and LPS. Merry Christmas and any help would be appreciated. The bulb choice would be the same as above except I would like to replace the blue special with another blue plus. What do you think? Thank you again.

You can set up a sump where it is about impossible to flood but anyway.

A 6 lamp Ice Cap HO system would be fine.

For lamps do

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Pro Color
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue

Use the Aquablue over the fuge area. I would do like a 12 Hour dusk/dawn pair cycle with lamp 1 and 5 so the light from the 5th lamp will feed the fuge a little then add in the 3rd and 6th lamp on a 10 or 11 hour cycle for a early late day sun so the aquablue will feed the fuge. Then add in the 75/25 and Pro Color for the middays as long as you want to run them. The 75/25 will add a tad more red and brighten the look up a bit. Between than and the bleed through of the Aquablue in the rear you should get a slighly more blue look than you have with your current tank.

 

[gig]

btw, Merry Christmas Grim, you are da man...")

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14013686#post14013686 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by the2ofus
Grim,
I've read allot here "blurry eyed too". and would like your input.

This is on a budget so........I have a 75 gal. , 5-6 inch sand bed, 130 lbs. LR. Mostly zoas right now with a leather and shrooms.
My current lighting is 260w PC, and I would like to retro t-5's in the hood (two at a time). Could you recommend reflectors and bulbs for this and the progression for adding the bulbs. Eventually I would like to have 8 t-5's with out the PC's. Add two t-5's, then in a couple months two more, then remove the pc's and add two more, then the final two.

Pretty much going to stay with zoas and softies. Maybe a monti.

Any help and links for purchase would be appreciated.


~Matt~

Add 2 Ice Cap HO T5 retrofit from reefgeek with 2 ATI Blue Plus lamps. You will need 5" of space for these 2 lamps so you probably will need to take out 2 PC's. Whatever you are using for the Blue PC's are the ones you want to remove. Next pull out the last two PC lamps and add in a UVL Super Actinic and Aquasun T5. Unless and until you plan on some serious SPS or a clam that is all the light you need. If you want the Monti Cap just place it on top of the rocks and it will have plenty of light.

If you do want to add more mojo to the system and get SPS for the 5th and 6th T5's use a AYI Aquablue and another Blue Plus. You can't fit, nor do you need 8 T5's on a 75 unless you use Auqactinic reflectors and standoffs. Unless you want to grow an Acropora garden you don't need to be doing that.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14013761#post14013761 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RokleM
What's the best ballast to drive these bulbs, especially if mounted say 6-10" or so above a tank? I assume the icecap 440/660 would be ideal. AccuStart Triad?

The two I have that I've been using for actinic dusk-dawn/supplementation is a Workhorse 5 (looks like I should get rid of this one) and a "Metropolis TR-254B". Not sure exactly what that one is.

Ice Cap 430 doesn't overdrive as much as the 660. If these are just supplemental and have good reflectors you can probably just run the triads and be fine. The 430 would be nice but I wouldn't use a 660.

 

[arctictwist]

thanks for the help grim. merry xmas!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

give you the most PAR and a pretty decent look.


__________________

thanks very much grimm for the help.


I wouldn't waste Ice Cap ballasts on Catalina's crappy reflectors:rollface: :rollface: :rollface: haha [/B]

Just bending some shiny aluminum doesn't do a good job of reflecting light. There is a reason why the good products cost more. Regular polished aluminum reflects about 73% of the light, the spectal aluminum Ice Cap, Tek, Aquactinics etc. reflector are made of is expensive and reflects 95 to 98% of the light and the precision made reflectors add to that advantage.

I don't want to come across like I am bashing a little guy American company but they just don't produce a product in the same class as the companies making the good stuff.

 

[arctictwist]

with a PFO type reflector/pendant i would be able to mount everything in the same plane which is good. how high would you mount off the surface? also im no seeing many that are 175w.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14015116#post14015116 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by VinnieChenzo
Grim:

1.) What is the difference between H.O. and V.H.O.? I have been reading the post but I have not had any luck finding an all inclusive explanation.

2.) I have an anemia now with my 260w PC hood. I want to grow what ever i want in my tank and grow all of my corals out fast to frag it and give it to people in trade. Its only a 55 but i would have to build a hood that kinda why I am undecided with buying a unit or building one. I would like to have a hood but I want what ever is better for the tank.

Happy Holidays and thanks again.

VHO T5's are just a designation UVL uses for their lamps which have beefier electrodes to better withstand being over driven. VHO T5 is really just a T5 lamp being ran on an Ice Cap 660 ballast. As of now there isnt an industry standard for it.

For a 55 gallon tank a good 4 lamp retrofit kit will let you grow anything. If you want clams and SPS using a Ice Cap 430 to overdrive 2 of the 4 lamps will give you plenty of PAR.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14015206#post14015206 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jtunafish
I'm changing out my bulbs on my constellation to, front to back:

ati blue plus
ge 6500k daylight
blue plus
uvl 75/25
blue plus
uvl aquasun
blue plus

I'm thinking of running 3 blue pluses like 12 hours a day and the rest of the bulbs 8 hours a day, does this seem like a good
schedule or I'm open to suggestions, thanks Joe.

Be fine but I think you mean run 2 blue pluses (Number 3 & 5) 12 hours

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14016037#post14016037 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gig
btw, Merry Christmas Grim, you are da man...")

Ho-D Ho to you and the rest of the T5ites too.

 

[Pitcom]

Anyone have any info on the new aqua science bulbs? Specifically the 22k bulbs. Thanks.

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14016604#post14016604 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Pitcom
Anyone have any info on the new aqua science bulbs? Specifically the 22k bulbs. Thanks.

They are basically the ATI Blue Plus.

The Blue Plus still has better PAR but the Aqua Science isn't a bad replacement if that is all you can get.

 

[the2ofus]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14016091#post14016091 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Add 2 Ice Cap HO T5 retrofit from reefgeek with 2 ATI Blue Plus lamps. You will need 5" of space for these 2 lamps so you probably will need to take out 2 PC's. Whatever you are using for the Blue PC's are the ones you want to remove. Next pull out the last two PC lamps and add in a UVL Super Actinic and Aquasun T5. Unless and until you plan on some serious SPS or a clam that is all the light you need. If you want the Monti Cap just place it on top of the rocks and it will have plenty of light.

If you do want to add more mojo to the system and get SPS for the 5th and 6th T5's use a AYI Aquablue and another Blue Plus. You can't fit, nor do you need 8 T5's on a 75 unless you use Auqactinic reflectors and standoffs. Unless you want to grow an Acropora garden you don't need to be doing that.

Thanks for the help Grim, I'll order the first two tonight.

Don't go after to many people on New years eve....:fun2:

Enjoy !!!!!

 

[rtparty]

Grim,

Just an update for ya.

I got my Dad 2 Aquablue, 1 GE 6500K, and 1 Geissmann AquaFlora. The color of the tank is awesome and they are at least 2 times brighter than the other garbage Current bulbs he had. The plants are coloring up big time in just 2 days.

FYI, the Geissmann is a pink bulb. When you look at the water, and see the reflection of the bulbs, you can see the blue, white and a pink.

Very good coloration. Nice white with a blue tint.

thanks again!

 

[the2ofus]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14016091#post14016091 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Add 2 Ice Cap HO T5 retrofit from reefgeek with 2 ATI Blue Plus lamps. You will need 5" of space for these 2 lamps so you probably will need to take out 2 PC's. Whatever you are using for the Blue PC's are the ones you want to remove. Next pull out the last two PC lamps and add in a UVL Super Actinic and Aquasun T5. Unless and until you plan on some serious SPS or a clam that is all the light you need. If you want the Monti Cap just place it on top of the rocks and it will have plenty of light.

If you do want to add more mojo to the system and get SPS for the 5th and 6th T5's use a AYI Aquablue and another Blue Plus. You can't fit, nor do you need 8 T5's on a 75 unless you use Auqactinic reflectors and standoffs. Unless you want to grow an Acropora garden you don't need to be doing that.

About placement;

the pc I have now has the 420nm actinic in front and 10,000K in back. When adding the first two ATI Blue Plus lamps, placing one in front of the pcs' and one in back to start correct?
When I add the second two I will pull out the first actinics and ballast and replace with the UVL Super Actinic and aquasun or should I remove the 10000K for the second set and the actinics last when I install the 5th and 6th t5's (ATI Aquablue and the other Blue Plus)?

In the end the 6 t5's should be what from front to back?

Thanks for your help.

~Matt~

 

[arctictwist]

grim, or anyone else, have any experience with ati's new Pro color bulb?

 

[RTBS]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14026465#post14026465 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by arctictwist
grim, or anyone else, have any experience with ati's new Pro color bulb?

No but I have just ordered 1 in the replacement lamps for my ATI Powermodules.
Have ordered the following
4 -- ATI Blue Plus
2 -- ATI 12000K Aquablue
1 -- ATI True Actinic
1 -- ATI Pro Color
We have 2 4X80W units and lamps come on in pairs
I have no idea what order to fit the lamps, anyone??
We cannot easily get 80W marine tubes in my country so have had to order from the US so its a bit of a guess to see if the mix of bulbs is right.
If anyone is running this combination I would appreciate a picture
Cheers