The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14166817#post14166817 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by o0jmadr0x0o
http://www.fishtanksdirect.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2808

how are those reflectors?
i am trying to replace the reflector that came with my light, it is one large reflector that is bent around each bulb so i guess it is "individual" reflectors but i just dont think its rely working that great. will this be a good upgrade or should i focus on getting quality bulbs?
what first...... bulbs or reflectors(if the ones i listed would even work)?

It is a good reflector unit but you need to check your lamp spacing.

That reflector is made for lamp spacing of about 2 3/8 inches apart.

If the lamps are less than 2" apart the only option I know of is a guy was able to mount one Ice Cap reflector for two lamps on a Catalina fixture.

 

[o0jmadr0x0o]

well the stock "individual reflectors" are 2" wide each, and i emailed hellolights and they said i have 2" above each bulb if i remove the stock reflector. would i be able to squeeze the tek reflectors in there?
is it worth it? or would i be better of getting some ati bulbs?

 

[jc16]

hello just need some advice here, i have a fixture with 3 400w and 12 39w t5s. For the mh i will be using aquaconnect 14k jsut wondering what would be the best t5 combination for those halides, i was thinking 10 ati 22k blue plus and 2 fiji purples? there are 6 t5s on each side of the 400w halides in 3 rows, thanks!

 

[InsaneClownFish]

Grim, thanks for the advice on the T5s for my tank. Here's the result:

4 80w Aquamedic Sunbeams with individual Tek Reflectors staggered over my 8ft tank:

Left to Right, and front to back:

Aquamedic OceanBlue(Similar to ATI Blue +)
Giesemann Pure Actinic
Koralen Zurcht Fiji Purple
ATI Aquablue

 

[atlfishes]

I have an acrylic tank and part of the tank top is enclosed by 3/8 inch acrylic. I have 4 x54w T5s over the opening, but if I added two more they would be over the acrylic. Any idea of how much light I would lose? I don't want to throw away money.

 

[ernordstrom]

WOW! The staggering of the bulbs has a great effect on the tank lighting...nice job!!

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14167791#post14167791 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by InsaneClownFish
Grim, thanks for the advice on the T5s for my tank. Here's the result:

4 80w Aquamedic Sunbeams with individual Tek Reflectors staggered over my 8ft tank:

Left to Right, and front to back:

Aquamedic OceanBlue(Similar to ATI Blue +)
Giesemann Pure Actinic
Koralen Zurcht Fiji Purple
ATI Aquablue

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14167350#post14167350 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by o0jmadr0x0o
well the stock "individual reflectors" are 2" wide each, and i emailed hellolights and they said i have 2" above each bulb if i remove the stock reflector. would i be able to squeeze the tek reflectors in there?
is it worth it? or would i be better of getting some ati bulbs?

If the stock reflectors are 2" wide use Aquactinics retro reflectors. They are 2" wide.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14167688#post14167688 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jc16
hello just need some advice here, i have a fixture with 3 400w and 12 39w t5s. For the mh i will be using aquaconnect 14k jsut wondering what would be the best t5 combination for those halides, i was thinking 10 ati 22k blue plus and 2 fiji purples? there are 6 t5s on each side of the 400w halides in 3 rows, thanks!

That would be good.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14167791#post14167791 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by InsaneClownFish
Grim, thanks for the advice on the T5s for my tank. Here's the result:

4 80w Aquamedic Sunbeams with individual Tek Reflectors staggered over my 8ft tank:

Left to Right, and front to back:

Aquamedic OceanBlue(Similar to ATI Blue +)
Giesemann Pure Actinic
Koralen Zurcht Fiji Purple
ATI Aquablue

Nice

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14170536#post14170536 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by atlfishes
I have an acrylic tank and part of the tank top is enclosed by 3/8 inch acrylic. I have 4 x54w T5s over the opening, but if I added two more they would be over the acrylic. Any idea of how much light I would lose? I don't want to throw away money.

Clean acrylic doesn't cut a lot of light. If its grungy with salt creep or whatever you waste a lot of light

 

[atlfishes]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14171120#post14171120 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Clean acrylic doesn't cut a lot of light. If its grungy with salt creep or whatever you waste a lot of light

Are there any good 1 bulb retro kits?

 

[Big Brother]

Grim, thanks for taking the time to answer so many questions. Here's a two part.

Part 1:
I am going to be running 8 x 24" HO T5 bulbs in my new 90 gallon cube (30x30x24), and was planning on buying 2 IceCap 4 bulb retro kits, priced at around $ 600. Then I was looking around on MD, and I saw that Giesemann 2 x 54 HO T5 retro kits are under $ 100. So to get a total of 8 bulbs I would buy 4 kits, which is under $ 400.

What is the difference between the manufaturers? Does anyone see an issue with going with the Guisemanns?

Part 2:
What bulbs do you recommend to get the best growth to color pop ratio? I don't want the tank to look too blue, just probably like a 12k. A really crisp white with a tint of blue, but as much coral color as possible. Maybe I'm too demanding .

The tank will be a completely mixed reef, of course that includes SPS.

Thanks in advance.
Blake

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14171289#post14171289 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Big Brother
Grim, thanks for taking the time to answer so many questions. Here's a two part.

Part 1:
I am going to be running 8 x 24" HO T5 bulbs in my new 90 gallon cube (30x30x24), and was planning on buying 2 IceCap 4 bulb retro kits, priced at around $ 600. Then I was looking around on MD, and I saw that Giesemann 2 x 54 HO T5 retro kits are under $ 100. So to get a total of 8 bulbs I would buy 4 kits, which is under $ 400.

What is the difference between the manufaturers? Does anyone see an issue with going with the Guisemanns?

Part 2:
What bulbs do you recommend to get the best growth to color pop ratio? I don't want the tank to look too blue, just probably like a 12k. A really crisp white with a tint of blue, but as much coral color as possible. Maybe I'm too demanding .

The tank will be a completely mixed reef, of course that includes SPS.

Thanks in advance.
Blake

You just missed Reefgeek's sale they had on the retro kits. I would call them and see if they can work something out.

Look into the Reefgeek brand reflectors. They are the same price as the IceCap but have better performance. Maybe reefgeek can get you a deal on their products?

The Geisemann brand reflectors aren't as good as the IC or RG.

As for bulbs:

ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
ATI Aquablue
GE 6500K
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
UVL 75/25 or GE 6500K
ATI Blue Plus or ATI Aquablue

You could try that

 

[rstriby]

sorry quick question

was that 48 inch or 60 inch bulbs.






hey Grim

the tank I am setting up is 60L x 18Wx 24. I'm not sure exactly what I'm going to keep but I want clams to be an option. I have been looking at reef geeks for retro kits. due to space limitations I can only have 6 lights.

My question is do I need to get 60'' bulbs or can I use 48''

I have been looking at the icecap retro's. Do I have to overdrive them or is HO enough.

If I have to overdrive them I have a question about the cooling. would 2 4inch icecap fans blowing from the back of the canopy in (down the caps) be enough. or do i need more than that. The back of the canopy will be open.


last question
can you give me the best bulb config. I would like it to look bright with a blue tint. enough to make the fish and corals pop. as well as healthy for sps corals and possibly a clam


Thanks for all your time and info. This is a great thread
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



I'd do 4 lamps overdriven and 2 normally driven The IC fans at each end are fine

Front
ATI Blue Plus Normally driven
UVL 75/25
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus Normally driven


__________________
Click on the red house for T5 info

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14171152#post14171152 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by atlfishes
Are there any good 1 bulb retro kits?

You can check and see if reefgeek or Hellolights can put one together for you/

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14171289#post14171289 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Big Brother
Grim, thanks for taking the time to answer so many questions. Here's a two part.

Part 1:
I am going to be running 8 x 24" HO T5 bulbs in my new 90 gallon cube (30x30x24), and was planning on buying 2 IceCap 4 bulb retro kits, priced at around $ 600. Then I was looking around on MD, and I saw that Giesemann 2 x 54 HO T5 retro kits are under $ 100. So to get a total of 8 bulbs I would buy 4 kits, which is under $ 400.

What is the difference between the manufaturers? Does anyone see an issue with going with the Guisemanns?

Part 2:
What bulbs do you recommend to get the best growth to color pop ratio? I don't want the tank to look too blue, just probably like a 12k. A really crisp white with a tint of blue, but as much coral color as possible. Maybe I'm too demanding .

The tank will be a completely mixed reef, of course that includes SPS.

Thanks in advance.
Blake

I really don't know anything about the Giesemann retros. The description on the website doesnt really help. There is no 99.8% reflective material as they claim, I've never seen or ever heard of their ballast that has been on the market for years etc. Also when you are pricing the kits make sure you consider that reefgeek's include lamps, Giesemanns doesn't

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I'd do the 48" lamps. Better lamp selection and the shipping cost for replacement lamps is a lot better.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14172184#post14172184 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rstriby
sorry quick question

was that 48 inch or 60 inch bulbs.






hey Grim

the tank I am setting up is 60L x 18Wx 24. I'm not sure exactly what I'm going to keep but I want clams to be an option. I have been looking at reef geeks for retro kits. due to space limitations I can only have 6 lights.

My question is do I need to get 60'' bulbs or can I use 48''

I have been looking at the icecap retro's. Do I have to overdrive them or is HO enough.

If I have to overdrive them I have a question about the cooling. would 2 4inch icecap fans blowing from the back of the canopy in (down the caps) be enough. or do i need more than that. The back of the canopy will be open.


last question
can you give me the best bulb config. I would like it to look bright with a blue tint. enough to make the fish and corals pop. as well as healthy for sps corals and possibly a clam


Thanks for all your time and info. This is a great thread
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



I'd do 4 lamps overdriven and 2 normally driven The IC fans at each end are fine

Front
ATI Blue Plus Normally driven
UVL 75/25
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus Normally driven


__________________
Click on the red house for T5 info

 

[Crustman]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14104448#post14104448 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Whats the old saying about teaching a fish to man and he could walk to MacDonald's....

Think about how your lamps are grouped.

The Blues are at one area, The white w blue tit are in the back and your off color (Fiji and Midday) are clumped in the center.

You want to have the spectrum blended and spread out as much as possible. You also want the unique lamps about midway or toward in the tank so the light strikes the viewing side of the corals.

front

Blue Plus
Aquablue
Fiji Purple
Blue Plus
Midday
Aquablue
Blue Plus
Aquablue

Hey Grim,

Thanks for all your help. Here are the bulbs in the above order for my first reef tank. Everything is doing great. I can even keep croceas!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14173397#post14173397 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Crustman
Hey Grim,

Thanks for all your help. Here are the bulbs in the above order for my first reef tank. Everything is doing great. I can even keep croceas!

Looks good.

 

[JohnL]

This thread was automatically split due to performance issues. You can find the rest of the thread here: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1553614