The T5 Q&a Thread

[Todd March]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13949909#post13949909 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 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?

What ballasts are the Radiums on...? The 150W Radiums on HQI are fairly white...

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13948404#post13948404 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 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?

Because of the lack of good 18" T5 lamps I would stick with the Halide. The good T5's are 24" minimum.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13948712#post13948712 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 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

2 ATI Aquablue

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13949242#post13949242 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by aaron1987
Thoughts on this retro for my application?

Stay away from the E-bay crap.

Look at the Tek retros or the Coralvue stuff Custom Aquatics sells.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13949599#post13949599 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 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...

Aquactinics Constellation would probably be the minimum you would want to try over that tank.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13949677#post13949677 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 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?

I havent experimented with the cooling on the overdriven T5's. You could try just cooling the label end of the lamps with the fan blowing in from the rear.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13949909#post13949909 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 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?

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

 

[aaron1987]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13953337#post13953337 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Because of the lack of good 18" T5 lamps I would stick with the Halide. The good T5's are 24" minimum.

If I were willing to tolerate some light bleed, how many bulbs would you recommend for a fixture? 6 or 8? I'm operating under the assumption that, given the depth of my tank, 4 would be insufficient.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13951895#post13951895 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 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?

a 4 x kit has twice the numer of ballasts, endcaps and standoffs as well as reflectors.

You are better off with the 54 watt lamps if the tank s 48"

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13953612#post13953612 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by aaron1987
If I were willing to tolerate some light bleed, how many bulbs would you recommend for a fixture? 6 or 8? I'm operating under the assumption that, given the depth of my tank, 4 would be insufficient.

You would want to do a 6 lamp ATI Powermodule.

If you could build a canopy a 4 lamp Ice Cap retro would work well. You could design the canopy so there wouldn't be any light spill over the sides.

 

[aaron1987]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13953690#post13953690 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
You would want to do a 6 lamp ATI Powermodule.

If you could build a canopy a 4 lamp Ice Cap retro would work well. You could design the canopy so there wouldn't be any light spill over the sides.

The 4 lamp retro wouldn't be insufficient lighting for a mixed reef? I tend to think in terms of a metal halide equivalent in terms of growth potential, what would the 4 and 6 bulb equivalents be assuming individual reflectors?

 

[nreefer]

6 Bulb Nova Extreme Pro

6 Bulb Nova Extreme Pro

Hi Grim, I just purchased a 6 bulb Nova Extreme Pro for a 180 gal Fish only with some soft corals. It is 48 long x 24 wide x 36 deep.
I am looking for bulbs to create a 14K colour.
Locally I can get the UVL, Gmann, fiji purple and coral pro bulbs.
Could I trouble you for a bulb recommendation for me?

Also if I could keep some of the Current white stock bulbs which ones should stay

Thanks for keeping this thread so active.

 

[MeVsTheWorld]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13953534#post13953534 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
I havent experimented with the cooling on the overdriven T5's. You could try just cooling the label end of the lamps with the fan blowing in from the rear.

Heya Grim,

I was wondering what would be a good light cycle to run? I'll be usingthis set up:

GE 6500K
UVL super ac
ATI aquablu
ATI blu+

it will be a mixed reef system, mostly lps.

thanks again for your time and input...

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13953798#post13953798 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by aaron1987
The 4 lamp retro wouldn't be insufficient lighting for a mixed reef? I tend to think in terms of a metal halide equivalent in terms of growth potential, what would the 4 and 6 bulb equivalents be assuming individual reflectors?

4 overdriven would be fine. They are equal to or better than a lot of halide systems out there.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: 6 Bulb Nova Extreme Pro

Re: 6 Bulb Nova Extreme Pro

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13953891#post13953891 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nreefer
Hi Grim, I just purchased a 6 bulb Nova Extreme Pro for a 180 gal Fish only with some soft corals. It is 48 long x 24 wide x 36 deep.
I am looking for bulbs to create a 14K colour.
Locally I can get the UVL, Gmann, fiji purple and coral pro bulbs.
Could I trouble you for a bulb recommendation for me?

Also if I could keep some of the Current white stock bulbs which ones should stay

Thanks for keeping this thread so active.

I'd replace all the current lamps on that tall tank

Front
Gmann Actinic Plus
UVL Aquasun
UVL Supr Actinic
Actinic Plus
Gmann Aquablue
Actinic Plus

Should be about 14K

 

[obiwanthegoby]

Anyone have suggestions for lighting a 29 Gallon tank (T5 only) (6 inch sand bed) with a BTA in it?? It will be connected into my 800+ gallon system.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13953937#post13953937 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mevstheworld
Heya Grim,

I was wondering what would be a good light cycle to run? I'll be usingthis set up:

GE 6500K
UVL super ac
ATI aquablu
ATI blu+

it will be a mixed reef system, mostly lps.

thanks again for your time and input...

10 hours or so if running all four on one ballast. If you have two ballasts run the Blue Plus and actinic 12 hours and the other 2 6 to 10 hours.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13954699#post13954699 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by obiwanthegoby
Anyone have suggestions for lighting a 29 Gallon tank (T5 only) (6 inch sand bed) with a BTA in it?? It will be connected into my 800+ gallon system.

The current Sundial would work

 

[obiwanthegoby]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13954730#post13954730 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
The current Sundial would work

I have a T5 Extreme over the 29 gallon now, I'm using it for my fuge on my current 120 gal. would purchasing another T5 extreme do as well as the sundial... it would effectively be the same without the LED's....

 

[The Grim Reefer]

The sundial has the individule reflectors which help. 4 lamp Tek light would do even better.