The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14074851#post14074851 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by CeeGee
got the lights going (the water is a little cloudy so I haven't taken pics). It took much longer than I thought as I basically had to tear the cheap (temporary) all-glass canopy that I mounted them in and had to modify it to fit the bulbs. This combo is a little whiter than I had hoped. I guess I will see how it looks once I get some corals in the tank tomorrow.

One thing is these 54w on a icecap 660 are running much much hotter than my old 39w on a triad ballast. I can't even touch these things they are so hot.

These lights are blindingly bright gonna have to put some screen over the tank til the corals get used to them.

You are running fans right?

 

[sanababit]

Grim,

i did not know that glass cut so much % of light, why is it, could you explain, i will replace the acrylic shield tomorrow, i did test the fans and it seems that air is blowing out of the top and from the side that has the air holes on the fixture, maybe you are right, the fans blow so much air that some rebounds and comes out of the top, thanks for your help

Sana

 

[Fireworm]

Grim,

I am currently running dual 400w MH (1 - 14k and 1 - 20k SPS bulb) and 3 VHOs (2 super actinic and 1 daylight) over my 90g. I have a decent amount of sps starting to take off in my tank. I am wanting to switch over to T5s. I am going to run a 6x54w setup, with either IC or ATI reflectors. I have a IC 660 and 2 IC 440 ballasts to use for my new lights. What do you suggest for bulbs, and will have to acclimate my corals to the new light?

Also, I have a few clams, will I get enough light for them? I do not plan on putting glass covers on the tank unless I need to. Do I need to?

 

[MIIKE]

I just want to say thanks for all the help so far.

I do need a little more help from the light wizards , while searching many online suppliers I have noticed that there aren't many of them that carry the ATI or KZ brand of T-5 bulbs, however just about all of them carry the Giesemann brand.

I have a list of ATI & KZ bulbs listed below this is the type/color of bulb I want to go with from front to back, could you all please help out and tell me which Giesemann bulbs I could use to get an exact color match to the ATI bulbs.

FRONT
ATI - Blue Plus
KZ- Fiji Purple
ATI - Aqua Blue Special
ATI - Blue Plus
ATI - Aqua Blue Special
ATI - Blue Plus

Sorry for so many odd ball questions, I would like to make one large supply order for all of my tank supplies and the Giesemann bulbs give me many suppliers to choose from.

Thanks

 

[jimnrose]

Thanks Grim for your input. Does anyone have information on a PAR meter? I tried to check on the web and a few aquarium suppliers but could find any. Jim

 

[CeeGee]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14074906#post14074906 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
You are running fans right?

not yet.

I am not sure how I would even do that in this canopy. It is one of the cheap all-glass pre-made deals. It has slats on the top with big open gaps of about 2.5".

I used the same thing on my old tank but I didn't run 660's and the lamps never really got hot these are a different story.

I will post pics of the canopy when I get back from lowes.

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14075525#post14075525 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MIIKE
I just want to say thanks for all the help so far.

I do need a little more help from the light wizards , while searching many online suppliers I have noticed that there aren't many of them that carry the ATI or KZ brand of T-5 bulbs, however just about all of them carry the Giesemann brand.

I have a list of ATI & KZ bulbs listed below this is the type/color of bulb I want to go with from front to back, could you all please help out and tell me which Giesemann bulbs I could use to get an exact color match to the ATI bulbs.

FRONT
ATI - Blue Plus
KZ- Fiji Purple
ATI - Aqua Blue Special
ATI - Blue Plus
ATI - Aqua Blue Special
ATI - Blue Plus

Sorry for so many odd ball questions, I would like to make one large supply order for all of my tank supplies and the Giesemann bulbs give me many suppliers to choose from.

Thanks

Go get all the bulbs from Reefgeek. Great prices and outstanding service. Plus if you spend $200 you get free shipping on your bulbs.

I usually try to do a bulk order with my local club. We get 10% off our entire order and like I said free shipping.

You can try this setup with Geissmann but I don't know how it will look.

Actinic Plus
Aqua Flora
Aquablue
Actinic Plus
Aquablue
Actinic Plus

You may want to switch bulbs 2 and 3. Give that a shot.

 

[tim10]

Re: Re: Which tubes

Re: Re: Which tubes

HI, Grim, thanks for the reply, i have decided to go with the 4 tubes to compliment my two 14k 150MH's, as you advised, can i just ask why the AquaBlue as i understand this is a full spectrum tube, and i thought my Mh would take care of that spectrum? rather than 2 x blue plus or a Pro Colour?

Thanks

Tim

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14053553#post14053553 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
If you can run 4 lamps do 2 ATI Actinics, 1 Blue Plus and a Aquablue. For only 2 lamps do a Blue Plus and Actinic.

 

[birdman1979]

Grim,
I'm in the planning stages for setting up a 95 gallon wide. Dimensions will be 4' long 2' wide 17" deep. I'd like to go with all T5's on IC ballasts. I plan on having sps on the top third of the tank and lps/monti's middle 3rd and maybe lower light corals on the bottom. I currently have on 660 ballast which I think will overdrive (4) 4' bulbs. How many bulbs/660 ballasts do you recommend and what combo?

 

[ReefEnabler]

hey guys....

does UVL make a 60" 80w Aquasun??? I haven't been able to find anything.


If not, can somebody suggest an alternate for me?


Currently running on 6 foot tank:

3 metal halide pendants: 2 x 250w 14k, 1 x 400w Radium 14k

2 x 140w UVL Super Actinic VHO

2 x 80w ATI Blue Plus T5


My plan is to lose the VHO super actinics all together and replace with T5 lamps with good par. The 2x BluePlus is good enough for my actinic.

Thinking of adding either an ATI Procolor or a UVL Aquasun.

Might just do 1 'daylight' bulb and then replace the other VHO with another Blue Plus for a total of 3 x Blue Plus (what can I say I really like that bulb)


Thanks....

 

[96p993]

Alright Im looking for some bulb recommendations for my 90 gallon tank...Im really looking for something between a 14K and 20K look (I like the bluer look) My tank is mainly going to be zoos with some LPS thrown in the mix. I am running a 6 bulb retro...Tank is 36*24*24 rimless.

Thanks

If the 14 to 20K look isnt the best for a heavy zoo population Im an more then open to suggestions

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14075137#post14075137 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sanababit
Grim,

i did not know that glass cut so much % of light, why is it, could you explain, i will replace the acrylic shield tomorrow, i did test the fans and it seems that air is blowing out of the top and from the side that has the air holes on the fixture, maybe you are right, the fans blow so much air that some rebounds and comes out of the top, thanks for your help

Sana

Look down a piece of glass from the edge. It will look green. That is because of all the impurities in it. It blocks a lot of light. If you put a sheet of white paper half way behind the glass you will notice a difference in the color of the paper,

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14075292#post14075292 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Fireworm
Grim,

I am currently running dual 400w MH (1 - 14k and 1 - 20k SPS bulb) and 3 VHOs (2 super actinic and 1 daylight) over my 90g. I have a decent amount of sps starting to take off in my tank. I am wanting to switch over to T5s. I am going to run a 6x54w setup, with either IC or ATI reflectors. I have a IC 660 and 2 IC 440 ballasts to use for my new lights. What do you suggest for bulbs, and will have to acclimate my corals to the new light?

Also, I have a few clams, will I get enough light for them? I do not plan on putting glass covers on the tank unless I need to. Do I need to?

6 overdriven should be fine on that tank. I would hope you wouldn't need to acclimate but watch your critters just in case and cut back on the light schedule if they looked stressed.

You migh consider at least to start using 4 T5's on the 660 and as long as you have the stuff try two VHO Super Actinics on a 430 or even 1 VHO Actinic and one T5 Blue Plus on the 430 ballast. You can mix lamps on the IC ballasts. I think I'd try the 1 VHO Actinic to start and see what you think

Front
VHO Actinic 430 ballast
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight or Giesemann Midday
ATI Blue Plus on 430 ballast.

Should be close the the overall look you have now, Blue but fairly bright. You might want to start out with the dusk/dawn on like 4 hours, then add in the other 4 lamps for 4 hours and then another 4 hours of dusk/dawn and increase it from there, Add an hour of the 4 lamps (Midday) a week until you are where you want to be with it. I'd say you would want to eventually run them at least 6 hours but no more than 10. I personally keep the dusk/dawn at at least 12 hours a day cause thats what they see in nature.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14075525#post14075525 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MIIKE
I just want to say thanks for all the help so far.

I do need a little more help from the light wizards , while searching many online suppliers I have noticed that there aren't many of them that carry the ATI or KZ brand of T-5 bulbs, however just about all of them carry the Giesemann brand.

I have a list of ATI & KZ bulbs listed below this is the type/color of bulb I want to go with from front to back, could you all please help out and tell me which Giesemann bulbs I could use to get an exact color match to the ATI bulbs.

FRONT
ATI - Blue Plus
KZ- Fiji Purple
ATI - Aqua Blue Special
ATI - Blue Plus
ATI - Aqua Blue Special
ATI - Blue Plus

Sorry for so many odd ball questions, I would like to make one large supply order for all of my tank supplies and the Giesemann bulbs give me many suppliers to choose from.

Thanks

ATI Giesemann
Blue Plus = Actinic Plus

Aquablue = Aquablue

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14075789#post14075789 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jimnrose
Thanks Grim for your input. Does anyone have information on a PAR meter? I tried to check on the web and a few aquarium suppliers but could find any. Jim

www.apogee-inst.com

QMSS Quantum Meter with external sensor is what you want.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14076404#post14076404 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by CeeGee
not yet.

I am not sure how I would even do that in this canopy. It is one of the cheap all-glass pre-made deals. It has slats on the top with big open gaps of about 2.5".

I used the same thing on my old tank but I didn't run 660's and the lamps never really got hot these are a different story.

I will post pics of the canopy when I get back from lowes.

YOU HAVE TO COOL IC 660 DRIVEN T5's.

Best way is a fan mounted on the rear of the canopy at each end so they blow air down the rows of endcaps at each side. You are trying to keep the ends of the lamps cooler.

YOU WILL KILL THE LAMPS FAST NOT USING FANS

If you don't think you can mount them like that post up some pic of different angles of the canopy and we'll come up with something. My personal preference is a hot blond with an ostrich feather fan and a bowl of peeled grapes.

 

[MIIKE]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14078867#post14078867 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
ATI Giesemann
Blue Plus = Actinic Plus

Aquablue = Aquablue

Thanks Grim & Snaza for all your help.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: Re: Re: Which tubes

Re: Re: Re: Which tubes

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14077724#post14077724 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tim10
HI, Grim, thanks for the reply, i have decided to go with the 4 tubes to compliment my two 14k 150MH's, as you advised, can i just ask why the AquaBlue as i understand this is a full spectrum tube, and i thought my Mh would take care of that spectrum? rather than 2 x blue plus or a Pro Colour?

Thanks

Tim

The Aquablue is really thrown in to brighten up the look when just running T5's. Dusk/dawn looks best with a Blue Plus and Actinic. You could use a Blue Plus instead of the Aquablue if you don't mind the more subdued look. It will be cool too. I'd definatly definatly do the pro Color in the mix. That adds some red in that will not only make things look a lot nicer with just the T5's running, it will help with the halides too. You actually could use the UVL 75/25 instead. Its a white looking 75% Actinic/25% daylight lamp that adds slightly less red. If you have any pink corals in the tank running a lot of blue spectrum without adding some red makes the pink look grey.

Front
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
Halide
Pro Color or 75/25 or even Fiji Purple
Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14077993#post14077993 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by birdman1979
Grim,
I'm in the planning stages for setting up a 95 gallon wide. Dimensions will be 4' long 2' wide 17" deep. I'd like to go with all T5's on IC ballasts. I plan on having sps on the top third of the tank and lps/monti's middle 3rd and maybe lower light corals on the bottom. I currently have on 660 ballast which I think will overdrive (4) 4' bulbs. How many bulbs/660 ballasts do you recommend and what combo?

Unless you are planning on mounting the t5's like 10" above the tank you don't need to overdrive any.

I would go with 8 normal driven lamps in Ice Capor reefgeek brand reflectors or 4 lamps overdriven in Tek II reflectors (wider than the IC's) and 2 regularly driven. If you do overdrive make sure you don't have softies or LPS directly under the overdriven lamps. They wont be happy.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14078107#post14078107 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ReefEnabler
hey guys....

does UVL make a 60" 80w Aquasun??? I haven't been able to find anything.


If not, can somebody suggest an alternate for me?


Currently running on 6 foot tank:

3 metal halide pendants: 2 x 250w 14k, 1 x 400w Radium 14k

2 x 140w UVL Super Actinic VHO

2 x 80w ATI Blue Plus T5


My plan is to lose the VHO super actinics all together and replace with T5 lamps with good par. The 2x BluePlus is good enough for my actinic.

Thinking of adding either an ATI Procolor or a UVL Aquasun.

Might just do 1 'daylight' bulb and then replace the other VHO with another Blue Plus for a total of 3 x Blue Plus (what can I say I really like that bulb)


Thanks....

Hate to break it to ya champ but when Sanjay did PAR testing on T5's using a spectrometer he found the Blue Plus had more PAR than the Aquasun so if you just want more PAR you'll just have to suffer with another Blue Plus

If you want to run 4 T5's I'd do the Pro Color. That will give you an interesting dusk/dawn with all the T5's running. Just a tad on the purple side of blue I'd say. Should look cool.