The T5 Q&a Thread

[jimpierce7]

I sure hope the new bulbs make a difference. The mushrooms do not seem to like the new lights.

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14105845#post14105845 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ton702
Grim,

First off I would like to thank you for all the work you've put into this thread. I've learned a ton. Quick question before I place my order. I have a 75 gallon tank with 4 in dsb. I was gonna order the 48" TEK 5 fixture from reefgeek with the following bulbs

ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue

or

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

The tanks going to be mixed reef. Is it possible to have claims with this setup. Do you think the overall setup will work?

Thanks.

The second is better if you want a clam. The super actinic loses a lot of PAR. You will get plenty of actinic by running the Blue Pluses and the 75/25.

Go get a fan from foster and smith. It is the Azoo 2 fan fixture. Have that blow on the fixture to help cool the whole thing for better performance.

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14107814#post14107814 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jimpierce7
another question. I don't know if my NEP is weird or what. When they come on, one and five come on together. Two, three, four and six come on together.

front

ATI blue plus first
ati procolor 15 minutes later
ati blue plus 15 minutes later
ge 6500k 15 minutes later
ati blue plus first
ati aqua blue special 15 minutes later


that works doesn't it?

Do you have pics of that setup? Also yes that does work. If you want your dusk/ dawn to be brighter just swtich the Blue Plus and Aquablue in the back.

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14106023#post14106023 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Fireworm
Grim,

What do you suggest for reflectors, I would like to do at least a 6 bulb set up over my 90, but 8 would be awesome, unless you think it is over kill. I have a 660 ballast already that I am using on my VHO. Any thoughts

8 IC or Reefgeek will not fit over and 18" wide tank like that. I am not sure what the size is of the new ATI reflectors but I know you could use Aquactinics relfectors. They are only 2" wide.

There is a thread here on RC about a guy that put 2 bulbs per reflector and had really good results. If you want 8 you can try that.

But IMO with a 660 running some of them you will only need 6.

 

[ton702]

Thanks for the reply. If I ran the second set of bulbs would there be any advantage / disadvantage to using the ge 6500k over the aquasun?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14108214#post14108214 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rtparty
The second is better if you want a clam. The super actinic loses a lot of PAR. You will get plenty of actinic by running the Blue Pluses and the 75/25.

Go get a fan from foster and smith. It is the Azoo 2 fan fixture. Have that blow on the fixture to help cool the whole thing for better performance.

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14108699#post14108699 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ton702
Thanks for the reply. If I ran the second set of bulbs would there be any advantage / disadvantage to using the ge 6500k over the aquasun?

I don't see there being a big difference. Definitely not noticeable. The Aquasun has more PAR but only a little. The GE is cheaper to replace in the long run.

It really is up to you. Go with your gut.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14104466#post14104466 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by widmer
Thanks for the reply. I must have been confusing your endorsement with someone elses endorsement of this ballast. Can I beg a couple of followup questions?

1. Could you help me understand how the Workhorse is unsafe, if it is being marketed as a T5HO ballast for industrial/residential?

2. Do you recommend any other ballast that I might be able to purchase for a reasonable price from any of the non-reef-vendors, as I don't really want to buy an IceCap and overdrive the heck out of these T5's in my custom setup?

Workhorse isn't unsafe as long as you wire it correctly as per their reco, MAYBE

T5 lamps are designed with certain ballast specs in mind. The Workhorses don't meet those requirements. One of those is end of life protection. Fulham includes it on the PC ballasts they make but not the Workhorse. Don't know why.

The Advanced ballast and universal triads along with Sylvania are all major manufacturers you can buy anywhere. Ice Cap is the only trade specific ballast I know of.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14104774#post14104774 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by anin
ok thanks, i'll try the 75/25, how would it look compared to my current setup? how high should i put the lights in the canopy? should they be put right next to each other? and put in the middle of the canopy? or is better to give them space in between? sorry this is my first retro kit..Thanks

You want the lights about 4" above the water ideally. Mount the lamps right next to each other in the center.

 

[jimpierce7]

I just plugged the new bulbs in.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14104983#post14104983 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Montezuma
Grim, im curious. How many hours are your running you T5 setup?

2 Blue Plus 12 houre
2 Blue Plus 1 UVL 75/25 10 hours
GE 6500K Daylight 1 ATI Pro Color 8 hours

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14105404#post14105404 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kev24k
Grim, 60x18x25 tank with hood and I want to go t5s. want sps up top and softies below. which t5 setup would be best. thanks in advance.

6x54 watt retro with Ice Cap, Aquactinics or Reefgeek reflectors.

Not overdriven, Just the normal HO T5 ballasts.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14105827#post14105827 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by half5.0
I have a 75 gallon tank, and I was wondering just how big a difference individual reflectors would make over one reflector. it seems like it wouldnt make much if any difference but idk.Oh yeah and would 4x54w bulbs be enough for softies and some lps.

Reflectors make a huge difference. An 8 lamp Nova extreme with cooling did 174 PAR in my tank. A 6x54 Tek with good reflectors but no cooling did 258

A 4 lamp Tek will work for your needs.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14105845#post14105845 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ton702
Grim,

First off I would like to thank you for all the work you've put into this thread. I've learned a ton. Quick question before I place my order. I have a 75 gallon tank with 4 in dsb. I was gonna order the 48" TEK 5 fixture from reefgeek with the following bulbs

ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue

or

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

The tanks going to be mixed reef. Is it possible to have claims with this setup. Do you think the overall setup will work?

Thanks.

SHould be fine for clams with either set of lamps.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14106023#post14106023 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Fireworm
Grim,

What do you suggest for reflectors, I would like to do at least a 6 bulb set up over my 90, but 8 would be awesome, unless you think it is over kill. I have a 660 ballast already that I am using on my VHO. Any thoughts

You could cram 8 lamps in if you use Aquactinics reflectors and standoffs. They take 2" per lamp.

As long as you are not raising any low or moderate light stuff in the tank you can do it.

 

[Paul_PSU]

Grim,

I'm in the process of upgrading my tank to a 150 cube (36x36x27) I am going to make my fixture and use my existing MH and also add more T5's than just actinics.

My fixture will be a 36"x36". I am going to have the MH's lamps in the center. I will be keeping mostly sps, clams but will have a couple zoo's along with a frogspawn and hammer. I wanted to bring out the full range of colors so I was thinking of the following:

Front
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Pro Color
ATI Aquablue
250w 14k Phoenix MH 250w 14k Phoenix MH
ATI Aquablue
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus

Is this combo ok? I wasn't sure if I should have one each Pro Color and UVL 75/25 or pick one and use two of that bulb? Would this number of T5's be sufficient or should I go with 8?

Thanks!

Paul

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14106758#post14106758 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 02WRXGT30R
Hey Grim are you familiar with the ProfiLux controller? if so i am setting up a 50gallon extra tall 36/18/20deep with T5's planned and am wanting to get a dimmable ballast that the ProfiLux can control. Which would be a good ballast and light settup for this

You should contact the company. They should have a list of the ballasts that work with their product. I haven't really gotten too exited over the dimming deal because the price was so high not many people were going to use them. Should be seeing a wave of dimmable equipment hit the market now.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14107814#post14107814 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jimpierce7
another question. I don't know if my NEP is weird or what. When they come on, one and five come on together. Two, three, four and six come on together.

front

ATI blue plus first
ati procolor 15 minutes later
ati blue plus 15 minutes later
ge 6500k 15 minutes later
ati blue plus first
ati aqua blue special 15 minutes later


that works doesn't it?

Yep, they must have changed the wiring or I was on drugs when I tested the one where it came on in 3's,

 

[ReefEnabler]

the official profilux statement I believe is that only their specialty Dimmable 54w and 80w "i bars" are supported.


http://www.cherrycorals.com/equipment/product.php?productid=445&cat=28&page=1




Although I have heard tales of people getting an icecap ballast and ATI powermodul to work with the profilux. it would require expert electrical DIY skills and it would void the warranty on both products. neither are risks I am personally willing to take.

I dont know of any actual threads unfortunately. if you look and find something interesting, give me a shout

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14107980#post14107980 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by deeemaa
thanks alot grim! i think i will go with the 8x54 tek fixture. would it be an overkill? or the 6x54 would be more suitable?

With 8 lamps you arent really increasing your peak PAR a lot, just increasing the size of the area that gets the more intense light. More lamps allows you to use a more varied mix of lamps so...

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14108699#post14108699 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ton702
Thanks for the reply. If I ran the second set of bulbs would there be any advantage / disadvantage to using the ge 6500k over the aquasun?

The 6500K would boost the yellow where the Aquasun boosts the red more. If you would like to have a little purple look in the blue do the Aquasun, especially if you have a lot of red pink or purple in the tank. The 6500K will give you a more neutral look in the light.