The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13998522#post13998522 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by A.T.T.R
i can only fit 7 of the 8 t5's over my tank
what bulb would you recomend leaving out
2 uvl actinic
4 giesment aquablues or what ever they are called
2 uvl aquasuns
think i should drop the actinic or the white?

The Bow would work. If you only do 7 I would leave out an Aquablue if thats what you have 4 of. They aren't all that blue. If you dont have any blue lamps like the actinic Plus I would use both the super actinis for the blue spectrum.

 

[VinnieChenzo]

How long do T-5's last

How long do T-5's last

I want to know how long a T-5 last's? Also are they as strong or effective as MH's?

Thanks so much.

 

[rtparty]

Re: How long do T-5's last

Re: How long do T-5's last

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13999245#post13999245 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by VinnieChenzo
I want to know how long a T-5 last's? Also are they as strong or effective as MH's?

Thanks so much.

Depends. They can last anywhere from 8 months to 14 months.

In my opinion they are just as strong and define effective?

If you are asking if they grow corals and give them great color, then the answer is yes. I think they give better color to corals.

They will not penetrate water as deep as MH will but unless your tank is more than 30" top to bottom, you don't have to worry.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: How long do T-5's last

Re: How long do T-5's last

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13999245#post13999245 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by VinnieChenzo
I want to know how long a T-5 last's? Also are they as strong or effective as MH's?

Thanks so much.

I year is a good average on T5's. Some go less, some go more.

T5's can be better than halides given the right conditions. You get into a tank over 30" tall then the mega watt halides are the only way to do if you have SPS and clams. Larger footprint tanks are also better candidates for halides.

 

[VinnieChenzo]

Thanks so much. I have a friend who said that he was going to give me his old six foot strip of 3-250 MH's for free. I have a 55gallon standard tank (48"w, 20"h, 12.5"d) I have been trying to get a great setup going until I have the money for a larger tank. Now I am building a sump from a 90 gallon or 110 gallon Rubber Maid horse troff. I have about 100lbs of live rock now and my whole tank is covered in Purple coraline and I want to start my high end corals. I would like to have a clam and I know a kid who has one using PC just keeps it real close to the top. I have 260watts of PC running now so how much and what kind of of T-5 system should I look at. I am a vet going to school now so I don't have to much money to spend and if I can save money using the T-5's than I am all about it. Thanks again for taking your time to help all of us out.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13999476#post13999476 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by VinnieChenzo
Thanks so much. I have a friend who said that he was going to give me his old six foot strip of 3-250 MH's for free. I have a 55gallon standard tank (48"w, 20"h, 12.5"d) I have been trying to get a great setup going until I have the money for a larger tank. Now I am building a sump from a 90 gallon or 110 gallon Rubber Maid horse troff. I have about 100lbs of live rock now and my whole tank is covered in Purple coraline and I want to start my high end corals. I would like to have a clam and I know a kid who has one using PC just keeps it real close to the top. I have 260watts of PC running now so how much and what kind of of T-5 system should I look at. I am a vet going to school now so I don't have to much money to spend and if I can save money using the T-5's than I am all about it. Thanks again for taking your time to help all of us out.

A 4x54 watt Tek light T5 would let you keep anything in a 55. 6x54 Nova Pro Extreme would too but I would go with the TEK. You might be able to score one used.

 

[VinnieChenzo]

Is TEK better than the Nova? Is there a better one that will have Moon lighting system in it too? Also can I get more bang for the Buck if I go with a Retro? Everyone keeps talking about the 660 Icecap. Is it that great?

 

[VinnieChenzo]

Oh and what is the calculation that is to be used for the amount of light per gallon?

 

[A.T.T.R]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13999175#post13999175 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
The Bow would work. If you only do 7 I would leave out an Aquablue if thats what you have 4 of. They aren't all that blue. If you dont have any blue lamps like the actinic Plus I would use both the super actinis for the blue spectrum.

my mistake i have 4 actinic+ bulbs
same recomendation leave out one actinic plus

i dont think ill be able to make the woob bow easily :/

 

[A.T.T.R]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13999175#post13999175 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
The Bow would work. If you only do 7 I would leave out an Aquablue if thats what you have 4 of. They aren't all that blue. If you dont have any blue lamps like the actinic Plus I would use both the super actinis for the blue spectrum.

my mistake i have 4 actinic+ bulbs
same recomendation leave out one actinic plus

i dont think ill be able to make the woob bow easily :/

 

[A.T.T.R]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13999693#post13999693 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by VinnieChenzo
Is TEK better than the Nova? Is there a better one that will have Moon lighting system in it too? Also can I get more bang for the Buck if I go with a Retro? Everyone keeps talking about the 660 Icecap. Is it that great?

while i dont know much about the bulbs and color i do know the awnser to this one

no the nova is not as good bad reflectors in it
if i remember i think they are more of a mirrored slot then a reflector

 

[Altikesimoglu]

Hi,
there is really great info on this thread...
And still, i need advice here. My display is 82x28x25 and i am planning to switch to T5-only fixture. Since the tank is a little bit long, i am unsure with ATI PM 10x80 (because it's only 60 long!).
My alternatives are 2 Sfiligoi Stealth 12x39 fixtures or 2 ATI PM 10x39 fixture side by side. Which one should i prefer, considering the dense SPS population? Or, is this 'side by side' solution ok for the 'coverage' issue? Right now, i have a Sfiligoi Infinity 3X250 MH + 8x39 T5 fixture, which is 72 long.
Thank you for your help

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14000054#post14000054 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Altikesimoglu
Hi,
there is really great info on this thread...
And still, i need advice here. My display is 82x28x25 and i am planning to switch to T5-only fixture. Since the tank is a little bit long, i am unsure with ATI PM 10x80 (because it's only 60 long!).
My alternatives are 2 Sfiligoi Stealth 12x39 fixtures or 2 ATI PM 10x39 fixture side by side. Which one should i prefer, considering the dense SPS population? Or, is this 'side by side' solution ok for the 'coverage' issue? Right now, i have a Sfiligoi Infinity 3X250 MH + 8x39 T5 fixture, which is 72 long.
Thank you for your help

You will definitely want the ATI PowerModule or the ATI Sunpower.

If money is not an issue then go with the PM. The issue I see is that 2 36" fixtures leaves you with dark spots on the sides. I don't mind the dark spots, just have softies on the ends and keep the SPS in the middle.

Now that I think of it you could do the Constellation 72" fixture. It has 14 - 39W bulbs in it. Also reefgeek will be carrying it soon.

This one is definitely for Grim to answer but I thought I would say to stick with ATI or Constellation fixtures.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13999693#post13999693 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by VinnieChenzo
Is TEK better than the Nova? Is there a better one that will have Moon lighting system in it too? Also can I get more bang for the Buck if I go with a Retro? Everyone keeps talking about the 660 Icecap. Is it that great?

If you want moon lights and have a canopy a retro would be good. Get the reefgeek Ice Cap retro but get the HO sytem with the standard T5 ballast unless you are going to be SPS, Clams and anemones only. A 660 ballast overdrives the lamps. On a 55 thats a hell of a lot of intensity for anything but high light critters.

For moonlights there are several brands available that can mount in the canopy

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14000009#post14000009 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by A.T.T.R
my mistake i have 4 actinic+ bulbs
same recomendation leave out one actinic plus

i dont think ill be able to make the woob bow easily :/

Yep

 

[knockout]

Grim, what you recommend for maximum color "pop", growth would be nice but secondary, unit is a Constellation 39w x 14 bulbs over a 215g 30" deep tank
Thanks.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14000054#post14000054 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Altikesimoglu
Hi,
there is really great info on this thread...
And still, i need advice here. My display is 82x28x25 and i am planning to switch to T5-only fixture. Since the tank is a little bit long, i am unsure with ATI PM 10x80 (because it's only 60 long!).
My alternatives are 2 Sfiligoi Stealth 12x39 fixtures or 2 ATI PM 10x39 fixture side by side. Which one should i prefer, considering the dense SPS population? Or, is this 'side by side' solution ok for the 'coverage' issue? Right now, i have a Sfiligoi Infinity 3X250 MH + 8x39 T5 fixture, which is 72 long.
Thank you for your help

2 39 watt lamps fixtures is the way to go.

10 lamp fixtures will be enough. Assuming you get the Sfigiloi fixtures with the cooling option those or the ATI should be fine. Based on my experience with the Sfigiloi mini stealth I would probably go with the ATI if the price is similar. The ATI seems to have better output.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14000132#post14000132 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rtparty
You will definitely want the ATI PowerModule or the ATI Sunpower.

If money is not an issue then go with the PM. The issue I see is that 2 36" fixtures leaves you with dark spots on the sides. I don't mind the dark spots, just have softies on the ends and keep the SPS in the middle.

Now that I think of it you could do the Constellation 72" fixture. It has 14 - 39W bulbs in it. Also reefgeek will be carrying it soon.

This one is definitely for Grim to answer but I thought I would say to stick with ATI or Constellation fixtures.

The thing about using 2 fixture is you can space them apart a bit so while at the very center and at the ends the light may not be as intense visually you will see little or no difference in the light. you could also have fairly high light corals in those areas rather than having to stick with softies only. The 8th lamp is really needed too. The Constellation would be OK but the Powermodule edges it out for the extra lamp and higher intensity.

 

[Altikesimoglu]

rtparty and Grim, thank you.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14001639#post14001639 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by knockout
Grim, what you recommend for maximum color "pop", growth would be nice but secondary, unit is a Constellation 39w x 14 bulbs over a 215g 30" deep tank
Thanks.

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus

I think that could look sweet. I would grab a couple GE 6500K daylights and try those in the center position just to see if you like the look better. What I listed there is going to be a fairly deepwater look but should make the corals glow. Growth will be prettty good. The blue plus has really high PAR.