The T5 Q&a Thread

[jakano]

I forgot to mention my "actinics" are aquascience blue bulbs so their not true actinic but they still make the corals glow when the halides are off. Would the ATI bulbs be brighter than my Aquascience bulbs?

 

[Fireworm]

The Ice cap ballast will orverdrive them to 80w, might help

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14272538#post14272538 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jakano
I forgot to mention my "actinics" are aquascience blue bulbs so their not true actinic but they still make the corals glow when the halides are off. Would the ATI bulbs be brighter than my Aquascience bulbs?

I don't know if they are brighter. I know they have slightly higher PAR.

IMO 2 T5's will easily be overpowered by some MH's. From what I understand, the T5's aren't there to help make your corals pop. They are there for dusk/dawn and to help supplement the MH.

If you wanted to to see the T5's make a big difference you would probably have to add more to the mix which probably wouldn't be easy or worth it in the end.

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14272538#post14272538 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jakano
I forgot to mention my "actinics" are aquascience blue bulbs so their not true actinic but they still make the corals glow when the halides are off. Would the ATI bulbs be brighter than my Aquascience bulbs?

I don't know if they are brighter. I know they have slightly higher PAR.

IMO 2 T5's will easily be overpowered by some MH's. From what I understand, the T5's aren't there to help make your corals pop. They are there for dusk/dawn and to help supplement the MH.

If you wanted to to see the T5's make a big difference you would probably have to add more to the mix which probably wouldn't be easy or worth it in the end.

 

[kmacartney]

Ok, I have a unique situation. I have a 6X54W tek light. One of my ballasts went out so now its 4X54W(GRRRR). Anyhow I really like the color of the resulting bulb combo which is;
Front
ATI Blue+
UVL SA
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue+
Back

The question is what two bulbs can I add to keep the same color but just add a little more par when I change out the ballast?

All opinions are invited!

 

[bllfish]

I do not have any MH on my tank, just T5's with tek ballasts.

 

[Todd March]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14272273#post14272273 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jakano
I had a question I was hoping someone could answer. I currently run a 250w halide fixture thats also has two 54w T5 bulbs for actinic. The halides bulbs are so bright that it completely overpowers any florescence the T5 provide, could I overdrive the T5's with a different ballast to make their output higher so I can see more blue out of them? Would that even work or is it more trouble than its worth?

If you really want to make a dent with halides, particularly white, white 10K-esque halides, you gotta have at least 4 x T5's... You could overdrive the two you have, but you really would see better results with 4 tubes. And with a white, white halide, you still may not be happy. I have seen a couple of tanks lately with 250W Radiums/Galaxy and 4 x Blue+ T5's that looked nice. But for my tastes, if I was running white, white halides, I would need 6 x blue T5's to be happy (or 4 x T5's with bluer halides)...

It's in the end all about personal taste (my best reefer buddy has a 700G tank with AB 10K's over many fast growing corals in various shades of ivory, beige and brown, and few "brightly" colored camaflouge green ones with pastel grayish blue tips; he likes it this way, as it reminds him of what he sees when he dives. He calls my tank "cartoonish" with it's bright and vivid colors from a blue and violet spectrum skewed T5 selection)....

 

[Blown76mav]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14271632#post14271632 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rtparty
Well you have two options that I know of.

You can run a 6x80W T5-VHO set up. It will leave the sides a little dark but that is a great place for softies and looks pretty cool. Or you can go with 2 rows of 36" bulbs side by side. You would need 12 that way. 6 on each side.

Oh PS - with the 36" you have a much better bulb selection

Could I offset the 60 inch bulbs so they overlap in the middle lighting the whole tank? I was thinking 6-8 bulbs is this too much, not enough or just right? What color selection should I be looking for? The last question is are the 36 bulbs and ballasts going to be comparable in price by the time I buy all the stuff to do them.

Thanks

Lonnie

 

[louisvilleboy]

help my tank is a 220 gallon 72 long 30 deep 24 front to back can i run all t5s on this tank will it be enought light to reach the bottom of the tank and if so how many and which order should they be it will be a mixed reef with clams on bottom thanks

 

[02WRXGT30R]

Hey Grim I have a 50gal tank 36-18-20d and it will be a mixed reef and i would like to be able to support about everything like anemones and such i plan on running VHO 36" and i have 2 icecap 430's other then that im not sure how many bulbs or color or watts and brand so any suggestions would help als will i be able to get enough light from VHO or will i be forced to run MH

thanks

 

[jon99]

I'm considering adding t5's over a 6' 200gallon tank, mainly for actinic supplementation. I was going to get a icecap 660 ballast. I'm trying to decide between 3 80watt bulbs (can it run that many?), 4 54watt (can it run that many?), or 4 39watt bulbs. What would be the most economical combination? Fewer larger bulbs to replace or more smaller bulbs to replace???

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14268811#post14268811 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Fireworm
Grim,

I have a 90, that I just set 2 T5 retros on. I am running all ice cap reflectors, and IC 660 ballasts. The bulbs it came with suck. I was told it was a blue look, and when I got the bulbs, I have one blue bulb. I was wondering what you suggest for bulbs. I can run 7 over my tank.

2 lamps only? ATI Blue Plus for both lamps. Make sure you are using fans to cool the lamp ends.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14263601#post14263601 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Yuki
I have a 24" Icecap T5 retro kit. What amount of air flow should i be putting across the end caps? I bought computer fans that blow 31cfm. Will these cool enough and not over cool to keep the bulbs at optimum output? Also, do I need to be blowing across both sides of end caps?

Thank you Yuki

SHould work. The idea is to not blow the air across the center part of the lamp which tends to overcool the lamp and kills the output. You just want the arflow in the area of the endcaps/lamp ends.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14269042#post14269042 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ocarius
Grimm,

Change of plans bro, last time I promise. Im going with a 75 gallon tank, normal size. I still want to go with an all T5 setup and would still like to have torch coral, other sps, softies, and maybe even clam.

How many bulbs would you get at what watt and which bulbs would you personally put in there.

Thanks Sir

Tek will work but be careful where you place clams. Up on the rocks just a little would be best.

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

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14271560#post14271560 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Blown76mav
Ok,

You will have to forgive my ignorance, still a little new at this. I'm going to be upgrading my 65g to a 150g. I know I want T5's how many and what flavor. This is going to end up being a mixed reef with fish and live rock. Right now all I have for corals is a few Zoa's, Mushrooms, Torch and a Hammer.

Tank is 72x18x28

Thanks

Lonnie

I would try to get a 6x80 Powermodule from reefgeek.

Front
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
KZ Fiji Purple.
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue


If its in the budget 8 would be better as far as having a more varied mix of lamps.

Front
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Actinic
ATI Pro Color
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14271910#post14271910 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by louisvilleboy
hello grim my tank is a 220 gallon 72 inches long 30 inches deep 24 jnches front to back it will be a mixed reef clams on bottom of tank will t5s be good and so what order if not what halides 250 watts or 400 watts thanks im a newbie in need of some help it will have atleast 250 pounds of live rock fish and lots of corals mixed reef

A couple of 36 inch ATI Power Modules or one 60" unit would work. Either with 8 rows of lamps.

If you want a bluish look to the tank then probably 3 400 watt halides or 3 250 watt 10K halides with 3 rows of Blue Plus T5 lamps, the 80 watt version.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14272538#post14272538 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jakano
I forgot to mention my "actinics" are aquascience blue bulbs so their not true actinic but they still make the corals glow when the halides are off. Would the ATI bulbs be brighter than my Aquascience bulbs?

The ATI are a tad better for outoput but I doubt you will notice a difference. Don't overdrive the T5's either. Too much heat in the halide fixture to begin with to pull that off.

If you are running 10K halides step up to a good 14 K lamp like the phoenix.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14273046#post14273046 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kmacartney
Ok, I have a unique situation. I have a 6X54W tek light. One of my ballasts went out so now its 4X54W(GRRRR). Anyhow I really like the color of the resulting bulb combo which is;
Front
ATI Blue+
UVL SA
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue+
Back

The question is what two bulbs can I add to keep the same color but just add a little more par when I change out the ballast?

All opinions are invited!

A Blue Plus and Aquablue but personally I'd do a Aquablue and UVL 75/25

The 75/25 will add a little red which will pop pink and purple colors really nice.

Ballast replacement is fun

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=13675717#post13675717

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14273050#post14273050 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bllfish
I do not have any MH on my tank, just T5's with tek ballasts.

Yeah, so give us some details ya goof

Tank size, number and colors of lamps.

Nice reef!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14274042#post14274042 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Blown76mav
Could I offset the 60 inch bulbs so they overlap in the middle lighting the whole tank? I was thinking 6-8 bulbs is this too much, not enough or just right? What color selection should I be looking for? The last question is are the 36 bulbs and ballasts going to be comparable in price by the time I buy all the stuff to do them.

Thanks

Lonnie

You really dont need to stagger the lamps to cover the 72". The upper edges of the ends will be a little darker but it looks kind of cool. You end up with more high light area by not staggering the lamps.

You can get the 80 watt retros at reefgeek with the reefgeek brand reflector which are only 2 1/2" wide. You need to call them for the reflectors, they arent up on the site