The T5 Q&a Thread

[Altikesimoglu]

Grim, Todd and rtparty,

Thank you for your wonderful suggestions, they are actually quite similar and very close to the one I have in my mind.
Again, this thread is awesome !

 

[malawinovice]

Hello,

I am setting up a 75 gallon tank for leathers and a frogspawn, mushrooms. I need to have the tank mounted on the tank.

I have two questions:

My tank back up to an partially open stair well, and I need to have some cover on it to prevent stuff falling into it. Right now I have a glass canopy/covers. How much does this decrease my light?

Second: Can a tek 4 bulb manage the tank? I have a similar one on my 40 breeder and it works fine, but that tank is 4" shorter.

Thanks in advance

 

[VerySharky]

What bulb combo for an Outer Orbit Pro?

What bulb combo for an Outer Orbit Pro?

Hi,

Wow, this is some informative thread. I have the Current Outer Orbit Pro HQI/T5 48" fixture over my 150 gallon 48x24x30" high tank. I'm planning on swapping out all the bulbs. I'd like to use the Phoenix 250 watt 14000K bulbs for the metal halides. What T5 combo do you think would work best? I'm planning on keeping LPS corals at first but probably will add some SPS once I gain experience, as this is my very first reef tank. Any advice will be very much appreciated.

 

[Todd March]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14235759#post14235759 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Altikesimoglu
Grim, Todd and rtparty,

Thank you for your wonderful suggestions, they are actually quite similar and very close to the one I have in my mind.
Again, this thread is awesome !

I really recommend buying extra bulbs, particularly the Blue+ bulbs, and playing around to find what you like best... I did this for months, and still change my bulbs every once in a while, if for no other reason than to confirm my current selection is just right...!

 

[Todd March]

Re: What bulb combo for an Outer Orbit Pro?

Re: What bulb combo for an Outer Orbit Pro?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14236730#post14236730 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by VerySharky
Hi,

Wow, this is some informative thread. I have the Current Outer Orbit Pro HQI/T5 48" fixture over my 150 gallon 48x24x30" high tank. I'm planning on swapping out all the bulbs. I'd like to use the Phoenix 250 watt 14000K bulbs for the metal halides. What T5 combo do you think would work best? I'm planning on keeping LPS corals at first but probably will add some SPS once I gain experience, as this is my very first reef tank. Any advice will be very much appreciated.

So much depends on what you personally like.... I think the Phoenix is a great bulb, though closer to 20K, some find it just blue enough, some think it's too blue. I think it needs some actinic punch, so I would run either 4 x UVL actinics, or 2 x UVL actincs and 2 x Blue+ for some more blue... You could also use some red spectrum, such as Fiji Purples, or even Pro Colors, particularly if you plan on keeping pink and red colored corals...

But I have seen those who prefer a more white look and run the Phoenix's with Actinic Whites and even Aquablue Specials (which ruins the Phoenix for me personallyâ€"way too white).

 

[Challenge]

Re: Re: ATI Pro Color of Fiji Purple?

Re: Re: ATI Pro Color of Fiji Purple?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14210877#post14210877 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Fiji Purple or UVL 75/25 either one. For the rest just wait till you get it over a tank and see what you think

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14207702#post14207702 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rtparty
If you want to keep some actinic plus add red then the UVL 75/25 is your best bet. If you want to simply add a lot of red then do the Fiji Purple.

Order like this:

Actinic Plus
75/25 or Pro Color or Fiji Purple
Aquablue
Midday
Actinic Plus
Aquablue

You want the 75/25, Pro color or Fiji Purple front of center. That way the light strikes the viewing side of the corals.


PS - If you get really good deals on Gmann then maybe the Aqua Flora would work. It is a pink bulb.

Grim and RT thanks for the input and help. I have my hood done and hung, I went with the UVL 75/25 for the sixth bulb and arranged them as RT suggested.

I just posted a step by step with lots of pics in the DIY section

DIY Hanging Hood Build

I will be taking some PAR readings some time soon and will post them and a some clearer whole tank pics.

 

[tsprice82]

Only Giesemann bulbs available locally.

Only Giesemann bulbs available locally.

Grim and others,
You recently suggested a mix of bulbs for my 8x54w Tek fixture. However, my LFS only sells Giesemann brand bulbs. Could you suggest 8 bulbs with only these bulbs. Thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14233487#post14233487 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by woz9683
Ok, hopefully last questions. How much of a difference are we talking about for the ballasts? Are they different outputs or different lifespans? And what are the reefgeek brand reflectors, I didn't see them listed on their site?

See if they are now listed as Aqua Illumination, if not contact them on the reflectors


On 54 watt lamps the Ice Cap ballasts push about 35% more light than standard T5 ballasts. Life span might be slightly less when overdriven, especially on the shorter lamps

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14235937#post14235937 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by malawinovice
Hello,

I am setting up a 75 gallon tank for leathers and a frogspawn, mushrooms. I need to have the tank mounted on the tank.

I have two questions:

My tank back up to an partially open stair well, and I need to have some cover on it to prevent stuff falling into it. Right now I have a glass canopy/covers. How much does this decrease my light?

Second: Can a tek 4 bulb manage the tank? I have a similar one on my 40 breeder and it works fine, but that tank is 4" shorter.

Thanks in advance

As long as you keep the frogspawn a little higher up in the tank the 4 lamp Tek will be fine

 

[Kenmx10]

HI Grim, I have a 60x28x18deep tank I want to use for mixed corals. I can get a 8 bulb Tek unit for $100 cheaper than a 6 bulb ATI Sunpower. Ive heard it said that the ATI puts out more light. But the two extra bulbs sounds good too. In your opini0n which would be the best choice. Thanks for your help.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: Re: Re: ATI Pro Color of Fiji Purple?

Re: Re: Re: ATI Pro Color of Fiji Purple?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14237959#post14237959 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Challenge
Grim and RT thanks for the input and help. I have my hood done and hung, I went with the UVL 75/25 for the sixth bulb and arranged them as RT suggested.

I just posted a step by step with lots of pics in the DIY section

DIY Hanging Hood Build

I will be taking some PAR readings some time soon and will post them and a some clearer whole tank pics.

For any of you looking to cram a lot of lamps in a tight space check out his standoff mod in this thread

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: Only Giesemann bulbs available locally.

Re: Only Giesemann bulbs available locally.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14238161#post14238161 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tsprice82
Grim and others,
You recently suggested a mix of bulbs for my 8x54w Tek fixture. However, my LFS only sells Giesemann brand bulbs. Could you suggest 8 bulbs with only these bulbs. Thanks

Front
Actinic Plus
Pure Actinic
Aquaflora or Midday
Actinic Plus
Midday
Actinic Plus
Pure Actinic
Actinic Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14239308#post14239308 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Kenmx10
HI Grim, I have a 60x28x18deep tank I want to use for mixed corals. I can get a 8 bulb Tek unit for $100 cheaper than a 6 bulb ATI Sunpower. Ive heard it said that the ATI puts out more light. But the two extra bulbs sounds good too. In your opini0n which would be the best choice. Thanks for your help.

If the tank is 28" tall you really need the ATI for the deeper penetration.

A tek light over that tank is going to really limit you to lower light softies in the lower half of the tank. If you can live with that then yes the extra couple lamps are nice but they don't really add significant intensity as far as how deep the light penetrates.

 

[Aqua Keepers]

Re: Re: Re: Re: ATI Pro Color of Fiji Purple?

Re: Re: Re: Re: ATI Pro Color of Fiji Purple?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14239310#post14239310 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
For any of you looking to cram a lot of lamps in a tight space check out his standoff mod in this thread

Don't forget about The Aquatinics standoffs. They're only 2".

 

[woz9683]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14233349#post14233349 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
It would be hard but not impossible to duplicate the powermodule cooling scheme on a retro. You can't swap out the ballasts. If you aren't in a big hurry and have a good lighting budget hold off on your purchase a couple months. There might be something of interest to you coming along.

Oh, don't tease like that. PM me if you have to.

 

[Challenge]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: ATI Pro Color of Fiji Purple?

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: ATI Pro Color of Fiji Purple?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14239884#post14239884 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pito
Don't forget about The Aquatinics standoffs. They're only 2".

Your right, but in my case I already had about half of the needed icecap type standoffs so was cheaper and faster to do it this way. My LFS carries the Icecap standoffs but would have had to order the others.

 

[Aqua Keepers]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: ATI Pro Color of Fiji Purple?

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: ATI Pro Color of Fiji Purple?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14240371#post14240371 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Challenge
Your right, but in my case I already had about half of the needed icecap type standoffs so was cheaper and faster to do it this way. My LFS carries the Icecap standoffs but would have had to order the others.

It's defiantly a good mod for those who have their standoffs already. I just wanted to mention the Aquatinics as an option for people. BTW, that's a great hood that you built.

 

[silence88]

hi again grim, iam still not sure wich light to get could you please suggest some bulb combos for the 6 and 8 blulb teks as well?

again lights i can get are URI, giesmann, aquascience, figi purple that i know of any other good brands i should look out for up here?

 

[jcgso]

I have an eight lamp t5 fixture on my 120G. I want to replace one of the 10Ks with a bulb that will give a little more blue and make the corals flouresce more. I don't want to lose a lot of par. What would be the best bulb?

 

[gorey]

Hello grim, I have a 2 bulb T5 fixture. Im ging to replace my stock bulbs with ATI aquablue bulbs, But I can only afford to do one at a time. Which on should i replace first the antic bulb or the 10,000k bulb?