The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14274302#post14274302 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 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

You will have to do 2 36 x 8 ATI Powermodules or a 6 x 80 retrofit kit with the Ice Cap ballasts and the Reefgeek brand reflectors.

Which way you go will determine the lamps because the 80 watt 60" lamps dont have quite as wide a selection.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14274313#post14274313 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 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

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

Do the front 2 lamps on a ballast for dusk/dawn

You will be using the 36" lamps which are 39 watts but the IC ballasts will overive them some. Make sure you use a fan at each end of the canopy blowing in from the rear at the rows of endcaps.

 

[bllfish]

Sorry Grim,
I was reading one thread and thought someone said T5 was only good as a supplement to MH. My mistake.
I have a tek retro, 4 54W setup on my 72 bowfront and it is time to replace the bulbs.
Front to back
ATI Blue +
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue +
You suggested this set up last March. I was wondering if there is a better combination now?

Thanks for your help through the years. I changed from PC to T5 on 6/23/05 (blue +, ultra blue, GE daylight, blue +). You suggested the lighting scheme for me back then and several times since then.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14275449#post14275449 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 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???

3 80 watt lamps would be my first choice if your halides arent spaced so close to the ends that the T5's wont cover them. If you have room (Need 2 1/2" for reflectors) two staggered 48" lamps in front and 2 behind the halides would work. I would use Blue Plus lamps.

 

[Fireworm]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14275508#post14275508 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
2 lamps only? ATI Blue Plus for both lamps. Make sure you are using fans to cool the lamp ends.

My bad. I ment 2 retro kits. I have one 4 bulb and one 3 bulb on there.

I have a tall canopy on my tank from running MH, the fan I have is just a little 3" desk fan that I used for the MH, Is that going to be ok, or do I need to do something different for the fans to keep the endcaps cool?

Also, bulbs?

 

[puchowave]

Hi,this week i'm ready to get a 48" 4 x 54w tek light and i would like to know about the better light combination for soft corals.
The tank is 52" L X 26" W X 13" H

 

[gbothepro]

Grim, Im thinking about going with an ATI Sunpower fixuture. Should I go for a 4 bulb or 6 bulb for a 72 gallon bow? Also what bulbls should I get?

Thanks!

 

[ocarius]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14275570#post14275570 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
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

Grimm by tek Im assuming you mean the light fixture.. i was going to go with the 6 x 54 ATI setup, either the powermodule or Sunpower... any reason you suggested TEK?

 

[louisvilleboy]

grimm first off i want to do all t5s i read some where that the ati powermodules are not being sold in the states just yet second i do want the best t5 system you said i could do 2 36x8 ati powermodule cant find theme sorry if i seem stupid im not im just new to the salt water so please be patience with me if you could please explain to me what i need im going tommor to get my lights if i can find theme thanks my email is louisvilleboy@insightbb.com thanks im a newbie

 

[Todd March]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14277182#post14277182 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by louisvilleboy
grimm first off i want to do all t5s i read some where that the ati powermodules are not being sold in the states just yet second i do want the best t5 system you said i could do 2 36x8 ati powermodule cant find theme sorry if i seem stupid im not im just new to the salt water so please be patience with me if you could please explain to me what i need im going tommor to get my lights if i can find theme thanks my email is louisvilleboy@insightbb.com thanks im a newbie

You can get the ATI Powermodules at reefgeek.com, and at aquariumspecialty.com (better package deals with the bulbs at reefgeek.com)

 

[KRASHPD]

Reefgeek has the powermodules in stock right now and they are excellent fixtures. Give Greg at Reefgeek a call and he will help you out. They have the best customer service by far. I have never been more pleased with a light then the one I have now. It is the 10 X 54w 48" Powermodule.

As for 4 or 6 bulb fixtures over a 72g, it depends on what you want to keep. I would recommend the 6 bulb so that your options are not limited at all and you have very good coverage over the tank.

Here's the pic I promised Grimm with the bulb configuration he recommended

 

[bllfish]

Can you fit a 6 bulb over a 72 bowfront?
I could only fit 4 on a retro.

 

[kmacartney]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14275869#post14275869 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
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

Thanks!

Yeah, I have a 4X39W Tek and that is about 4 years old at work and have replaced both ballasts since owning it. Now I realize that I actually have to bypass the switch because the wires are messed up, where they make that silly bend, where they clip onto the switch.

Although unlike your link I was not able to get the chassis out of the cover because the fixture and screws were too rusty. My new light is much lighter (despite being bigger) than my older light. This makes me think it might be make out of aluminum.

 

[rtecanoe]

Thanks in advance for any help!
I have a 180 gallon with 6 80" T5s driven off icecap 660's, I'm planning on ordering from Reef Geek again.

From reading much of this is seems my bulbs should be

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K
ATI Blue Plus
Geisman Aquablue - Is this as good as the ATI (no ATI aquable in 80W)

Since there is no UVL 75/25 in 80W, what should I use as a replacement. Do the rest of the bulbs/arrangement look OK?
Thanks!!!

 

[rtparty]

Replace the 75/25 with a Fiji Purple and yes ATI makes the Aquablue in an 80W version. It is on Reefgeek

 

[buccard]

Is there any tread with bulb recomendations for common tank needs...I am sure someone has asked about my fixture but this thread is mind-numbing long.

I have a Nova extreme 48" 8x54 fixture with stock bulbs-the light is bright but the colors are a little boring...What would be the best all around bulb configuration?

Even with the single reflector my tank seems to be getting all the light it needs.

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14280937#post14280937 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by buccard
Is there any tread with bulb recomendations for common tank needs...I am sure someone has asked about my fixture but this thread is mind-numbing long.

I have a Nova extreme 48" 8x54 fixture with stock bulbs-the light is bright but the colors are a little boring...What would be the best all around bulb configuration?

Even with the single reflector my tank seems to be getting all the light it needs.

ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
GE 6500K
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus

May need to change the order a little for dusk/dawn

 

[jon99]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14276079#post14276079 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
3 80 watt lamps would be my first choice if your halides arent spaced so close to the ends that the T5's wont cover them. If you have room (Need 2 1/2" for reflectors) two staggered 48" lamps in front and 2 behind the halides would work. I would use Blue Plus lamps.

Thanks for the reply Grim. Why the Blue Plus? I thought the actinic 420 were more beneficial to coral and gave the colors more glow.

 

[louisvilleboy]

grimm thanks man just got off the phone with reef geek im going with the 60" x 8 x 80 watts tek2 t5 very high output retrofit kit w bulbs my next ? is i see they have lots of lights to choose from which ones and what order do you suggest remember my tank is 72x30deepx24 and these lights are vho right thanks alot i would be lost with out you oh do you have to do something special to over drive these lights

 

[unbreakable]

Hey Grim, could you tell me what order to put the following Bulbs:

3- 54W Blue Plus T5 HO Fluorescent ATI
1- 54W Super Actinic T5 HO Fluorescent UV Lighting
1- 54W 10000K AquaSun T5 HO Fluorescent UV Lighting
1- 54W 12000K Aquablue Special T5 HO Fluorescent ATI

I'm going for a blue look for SPS

Thank you