The T5 Q&a Thread

[rtparty]

So Grim,

I ordered the 6x54W retro from Reefgeek. They were nice enough to honor the sale price even though they can't ship out my order for a month. I don't need the lighting ASAP seeming that I still have more equipment to buy.

I ordered 2 ATI BP, 2 ATI Aquablue, 1 GE 6500K and 1 Fiji Purple. I am starting to think I would rather do an ATI Pro Color, UVL Aquasun or UVL 75/25 in place of the Fiji. I just want reds and purples to really pop so I did the Fiji.

If I went with something else what would you do? or is the Fiji my best bet for reds and purples?

 

[Gdevine]

Time to change out my T5's. What is the recommended time frequency between individual lamp replacement? One per month seems to be the old rule but not sure for T5's.

Thanks.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14068201#post14068201 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by CaliDreaminjC
Hey Guys... First time posting here. I've had my 36G for about six months now with a crappy 130w Coralife PC. I have a friend who is willing to sell me this light for $150, it was used for about six months. Would you say this is a really good light, worth the money? My tank is about 18'' deep, should I worry about if it's going to bleach out my existing corals? It does have independant switches. The bulbs (three actinics & three 10k's) are also about six months old so I think that should help as far as not bleaching. ANY/ALL replies are greatly appriciated. Thank You!

No, you don't have to worry about a catalina fixture bleaching corals. If not for the fact they claim to be using Advance Ballasts I would have recoed passing on the fixture.

I wouldn't wait too long to start changing the lamps, maybe a month or so then start changing a lamp every few days so you don't shock the corals.

I am not sure what the wiring is but try to arrange the lamps so a blue Plus and actinic are on the dusk dawn pair

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Pro Color
ATI Blue Plus

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14070842#post14070842 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Gdevine
Time to change out my T5's. What is the recommended time frequency between individual lamp replacement? One per month seems to be the old rule but not sure for T5's.

Thanks.

Just change one out every couple of days and you should be fine.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: Re: Re: Fixture?

Re: Re: Re: Fixture?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14068735#post14068735 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by OneFiddy
Ok, so the Nova 8x54 is $380 shipped with bulbs that will last me for a stretch. The Power 4x54 is $650 after you add bulbs. The 6x54 is $820 with bulbs - thats a HUGE price difference.

Do you honestly feel that the extra expense is worth it for a tank that I can pretty much say will only be FOWLR?

I understand reflectors and bulbs, etc, but for some reason my brain just thinks that an 8 bulb fixture (for almost $500 less) would do the trick.

That being said, what bulbs would you recommend for the 8 bulb NOVA (versus the 6 bulb config you laid out above)?

Thanks!!!

If you are sure or pretty sure you aren't going reef there are better options. http://www.aquacave.com/48-6x54w-no...0k3x460nmbr-actinics-by-current-usa-1990.html

That fixture comes with lamps that will be OK for your tank (Order an ATI or Giesemann Aquablue lamp and install it in place of one of the 10K lamps that come with the fixture.

The 6 lamp fixture has cheap individual reflectors that aren't great but do help. This fixture will use less power and have better penetration than the standard Nova.

Ultimately with the following lamps you could keep softies and even LPS corals although you would want LPS up on the rocks a ways.

Front
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14069114#post14069114 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 02WRXGT30R
I've been reading a ton of info on RC and lighting seems to be one of the hardest to rap my head around! I am working on setting up my first saltwater tank it is a 50gal tank measuring 36 by 18W by 20D and i am planning on it being a mixed reef

My plan so far for lighting consist of a Icecap 660 electronic ballast and Icecap end caps and probably4 34" VHO bulbs does this sound like a solid setup ?

Any suggestions would be appreciated because im not exactly sure witch wrought to go thanks guys

I'd maybe drop the extra money for 2 430 ballasts so the lamps aren't overdriven as hard and you can have dusk/dawn control

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus.

 

[gaspusher]

Need adice

Need adice

Hi Grimm


I have a new 75 g tank setup with reefgeek retrofit. 2 balasts and four bulbs. I current have this arrangement and I feel it is too blue. i am looking for a more natural look but with good coloration. I intend on having a mixed reef setup. softies,lps and limited sps and fish.

Front

ATI blue plus
ATI special blue
Ati special blue
ATi blue plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14070797#post14070797 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rtparty
So Grim,

I ordered the 6x54W retro from Reefgeek. They were nice enough to honor the sale price even though they can't ship out my order for a month. I don't need the lighting ASAP seeming that I still have more equipment to buy.

I ordered 2 ATI BP, 2 ATI Aquablue, 1 GE 6500K and 1 Fiji Purple. I am starting to think I would rather do an ATI Pro Color, UVL Aquasun or UVL 75/25 in place of the Fiji. I just want reds and purples to really pop so I did the Fiji.

If I went with something else what would you do? or is the Fiji my best bet for reds and purples?

Hard to say. I personally dont see anything special about the Fiji Purple. UVL Aquasun and 75/25, ATI pro Color and GE 3000K Daylight all add rare. I personaly like the Pro Color best But also like the 75/25

You should go with your gut. Your guess is as good as mine.

 

[gaspusher]

Need adice

Need adice

Hi Grimm


I have a new 75 g tank setup with reefgeek retrofit. 2 balasts and four bulbs. I current have this arrangement and I feel it is too blue. i am looking for a more natural look but with good coloration. I intend on having a mixed reef setup. softies,lps and limited sps and fish. I also have purchased an ac jr for optimal lighting control. do you have any suggestions my local fish store carries basically all ATI's and they will work with me in changing the lights out. can you give me a couple of alternatives thankyou.

Front

ATI blue plus
ATI special blue
Ati special blue
ATi blue plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14070842#post14070842 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Gdevine
Time to change out my T5's. What is the recommended time frequency between individual lamp replacement? One per month seems to be the old rule but not sure for T5's.

Thanks.

I'd say a week should be enough. Just watch your critters.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: Need adice

Re: Need adice

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14071059#post14071059 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gaspusher
Hi Grimm


I have a new 75 g tank setup with reefgeek retrofit. 2 balasts and four bulbs. I current have this arrangement and I feel it is too blue. i am looking for a more natural look but with good coloration. I intend on having a mixed reef setup. softies,lps and limited sps and fish.

Front

ATI blue plus
ATI special blue
Ati special blue
ATi blue plus

Pull a special and add a Geisemann Midday, GE 6500K Daylight or UVL Aquasun. If you have pink or purple corals the Aquasun will probably do you more good.

 

[Gdevine]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14071072#post14071072 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
I'd say a week should be enough. Just watch your critters.

Grim, just to clarify; a weeks time frame to change all four lamps OR a week between each lamp?

Also your opinion on my lamp selection on a standard 65G using Tek-Light:

All 39W Giesemann:

F to B
Actinic Plus
Aqua Blue Plus
Midday 6000K
Actinic

Many thanks in advance again Grim

 

[02WRXGT30R]

I will look into purchasing two 430 so if i do get two ballast how would i wire them 2 bulbs per ballast?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14071151#post14071151 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Gdevine
Grim, just to clarify; a weeks time frame to change all four lamps OR a week between each lamp?

Also your opinion on my lamp selection on a standard 65G using Tek-Light:

All 39W Giesemann:

F to B
Actinic Plus
Aqua Blue Plus
Midday 6000K
Actinic

Many thanks in advance again Grim

A week between lamps. I really think a couple days would be enough but a week is easy.

Front
Actinic Plus
Actinic
Midday
Aquablue

You want the actinic far enough forward the light from it is striking the viewing side of your corals.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14071174#post14071174 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 02WRXGT30R
I will look into purchasing two 430 so if i do get two ballast how would i wire them 2 bulbs per ballast?

Yes, You can actually only run 2 lamps reliably on the 430 ballasts anyway. If you are not planning any moderate lighting corals the 660 will be great and the only downside would be not having dusk/dawn control. For the price of the added ballast you could actually get some of those Current LED pods and use those for dusk/dawn and night viewing so,,,,,,,

Decisions decisions. If you are going to have things like open brains which don't seem to like intense T5 light the two 40's are a better idea. If you are sticking with SPS then I would do the single 660 with the LED's for dusk/dawn.

 

[aquaman67]

Ok,

This is thread is "re-dic-a-liss".

I'm thinking of trying some T-5's. Come to trusty RC and the equipment forum. Find a Thread called T-5 Q&a.

Looks like a good place to start.

Hmmmm. It's split, so let's go to the beginning.

After 20 splits, I give up.

Can someone sum up the last 800 pages for me? LOL!

I think we need a new thread.....

 

[snaza]

Hi Grim,

Now that youve had a proper chance to test the sunpower do you think the PM is worth the extra money?

Ill setting up a new tank soon. 150x33x22. going to be fully SPS with some LPS at the edges.

I was planning a 10x54w PM but now im thinking of 4x80w sunpower and a 6x54w sunpower for better coverage.

I might even go 36 deep so do you think 10 bulbs would give ok coverage

cheers

 

[ataller]

Grim,

I run T5s on my 30 long right now and love them. Thinking about upgrading to a 36" cube around 20 inches high. I would love to stay with the T5s, however it seems like a very expensive proposition due to the shape of the tank. 1 400 watt halide with a couple blue+t5s seems like it would be significantly cheaper and equally capable.

How many 3 foot bulbs in say icecap reflectors would I need to get good coverage? If I have 4 bulbs over my 12" deep tank, would I need (4x3)12 bulbs over the cube? Bulbs alone every year would be quite pricey. Could I space the reflectors out and go with less bulbs, say 10 ? 8? If I went with icecap 660s that overdrive the bulbs could I get away with less bulbs spaced out more?

I can keep anything now, SPS/LPS/Zoas and would like to be able to keep everything in the cube.

Thanks

Adam

 

[jimnrose]

Grim, what is the life expectancy for 60" T5's powered by Ice Cap 660's with fans on both endsl? Also does the life vary depending on the spectum or manufacturer?
Thanks AGAIN, Jim

 

[jimpierce7]

my new light just came in the mail today. Nova extreme pro, 6 tube. I'll be ordering new tubes on Monday. I was given a wonderful suggestion for new tubes.
Then I looked over this thread at all the different combos for a 6 tube fixture.
Now my head hurts. hehe

ATI blue plus
ati procolor
ati blue plus
ge 6500k
ati blue plus
ati aqua blue special


For my 40g breeder tank. Look good to you?