The T5 Q&a Thread

[MeVsTheWorld]

Thanks Grim, your input is invaluable.

 

[wardworld]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13941456#post13941456 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
You just have to strip the wires back3/8th of an inch or so and push them into the holes in the stem area of the end cap.

If you screw up you can push a pin or needle in the hole with the wire which will release it.

Again, pardon my ignorance, but I assume you mean the wires that come from the ballast's wiring harness????

 

[ejreyes6]

Looking for some advice I have a 48" nova extreme pro and a 36"
nova extreme over a 144G half round. Tank is very bright but i'm looking for a little more blue to bring out the colors of the coral. Is there some different bulbs I could use but not have to change all of them since the fixture are brand new.

Thanks Ernie

 

[jtunafish]

Grim I'm also running the 7 bulb constellation, I looked back thru most of this thread but didn't notice if you ever listed what bulbs your running on your tank, I'm getting ready to order new bulbs and am open to suggestion, mostly lps now but looking to getting into sps, thanks in advance Joe

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13942535#post13942535 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wardworld
Again, pardon my ignorance, but I assume you mean the wires that come from the ballast's wiring harness????

Yep, the wiring diagram should be printed right on the ballast.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13942690#post13942690 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ejreyes6
Looking for some advice I have a 48" nova extreme pro and a 36"
nova extreme over a 144G half round. Tank is very bright but i'm looking for a little more blue to bring out the colors of the coral. Is there some different bulbs I could use but not have to change all of them since the fixture are brand new.

Thanks Ernie

Pick up either ATI Blue Plus or Giesemann Actinic Plus lamps and replace the current 460's with them. You may want to also want to get either brands Aquablue lamps and use one of those in place of a 10K current lamp from each fixture.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13942014#post13942014 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jlaurence32
Alright Grim, here's the results of the Par test on the new T5's. My buddy down here that was getting 330 on the sandbed, has the same setup except he's using the Tek 2 reflectors. Thanks for all the help, by the way.

Specs:

Lights =
six 60" T5's overdriven w/ IC 660's
Reefgeek MiroIV reflectors
three ATI blue plus bulbs (20,000k?)
two ATI aquablue bulbs (12,000k)
one GE daylight (6500k)

Tank =
125gal at 23" tall
Lights at 7" above water

This was fairly difficult to do considering two of my bulbs flip up over my tank when the canopy is open. So I had to open/close the canopy between each reading.

Good numbers, thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13943037#post13943037 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jtunafish
Grim I'm also running the 7 bulb constellation, I looked back thru most of this thread but didn't notice if you ever listed what bulbs your running on your tank, I'm getting ready to order new bulbs and am open to suggestion, mostly lps now but looking to getting into sps, thanks in advance Joe

Front
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus

Gives really good color. You could do an actinic in slot 4 if you prefer.

 

[Jtro]

lighting needs

lighting needs

Grim
Have a 240 gallon I am installing 2 400watt MH also have 2 icecap 660 ballast with 39watt bulbs 3 rows in front of the tank and two in back total of eight bulbs wondering what t-5 bulbs you would suggest.Mainly softies in my tank but a few other things also.

Thanks
Jim

 

[DheereCrossing]

Hey folks. I've got a 20" cube tank (current Solana) with the silver orb 150 HQI pendant. I'm changing out the bulb soon and using a Pheonix 14,000 K. I'm thinking about getting a Icecap 3 lamp 24" T5 retro kit and doing this if possible:

Back
T5
T5
150 HQI pendant
T5
Front

It'll be IC reflectors and a 660 ballast.

First, can a 'rack' be setup that would split the lamps like that, leaving most of the space open for the MH light to come through?

Second, from seeing the recommendations, I thought, Blue Plus and ProColor? I could always do just one lamp in back and one in front in a two bulb setup.

What y'all think?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: lighting needs

Re: lighting needs

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13943176#post13943176 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jtro
Grim
Have a 240 gallon I am installing 2 400watt MH also have 2 icecap 660 ballast with 39watt bulbs 3 rows in front of the tank and two in back total of eight bulbs wondering what t-5 bulbs you would suggest.Mainly softies in my tank but a few other things also.

Thanks
Jim

Kinda depends on the halides but generally you get the most out of T5's running a row of Actinics and the rest Blue Plus.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13946334#post13946334 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DheereCrossing
Hey folks. I've got a 20" cube tank (current Solana) with the silver orb 150 HQI pendant. I'm changing out the bulb soon and using a Pheonix 14,000 K. I'm thinking about getting a Icecap 3 lamp 24" T5 retro kit and doing this if possible:

Back
T5
T5
150 HQI pendant
T5
Front

It'll be IC reflectors and a 660 ballast.

First, can a 'rack' be setup that would split the lamps like that, leaving most of the space open for the MH light to come through?

Second, from seeing the recommendations, I thought, Blue Plus and ProColor? I could always do just one lamp in back and one in front in a two bulb setup.

What y'all think?

You can place the retro lamps wherever they will fit.

I would do 10K halide with 3 Blue Plus and one Super Actinic lamp

 

[DheereCrossing]

Nice call Grim. I'll look at it. Thanks

 

[aaron1987]

Looking to illuminate a 30" deep tank, 20" long, 18" width. I have HOB skimming and filtration so for practicality's sake, say 16" width and I need a non-hanging application. I'd initially been planning on a 250w MH but have been considering running T5HO or VHO instead. I would prefer a fixture, but could retro if absolutely necessary. I'll be keeping a mixed reef with including SPS and clams. What sort of set up would you recommend, or, considering the depth of the tank and the limited dimensions up top, do you think MH is my best bet?

 

[gorey]

Hello grim, I only got a 2 bulb 48 in fixture for a 75g. I know its not much but its what i have for right now, anyway what combo would you reccommend, As well as brand name for some good color. Thanks in advance, jeff

 

[aaron1987]

Thoughts on this retro for my application?

 

[Mike de Leon]

Hello there. just picked up a new tank 60 X 30 X 24 and looking for a reasonably priced fixture I can hang from the ceiling. I have sps dominated tank. What would be the best deal out there...

 

[MeVsTheWorld]

OK, I'm going with the icecap 660 T5 with 4 3ft bulbs. I'm mounting in my canopy. The canopy is open in the back with 2 2" slots running the whole length of the canopy. Will 1 fan be sufficient? Can I wire it to the bulb/ballast so it would come on when the lights do?

 

[salmon alley]

Hi Grim-

I've got a 48" x 24" x 20" tall SPS dominated tank. I currently have 2 x 150w Radiums over it. I love the color of the radium bulbs, but I'm switching to an ATI 8 x 54w fixture. Can you recommend a bulb combo which will be close to the radium bulb color?

 

[pelochas]

hi grim

why would a 4 x 24 watt retro kit cost much more than a 2 x 54 retro kit...im looking to add in a 48 inch canopy

is the 4 x 24 with two ballasts kit better than a 2 x 54 kit with one ballast?