The T5 Q&a Thread

[ryddo]

Grim/rtparty -

I currently have 2 40 gallon breeders setup. I am considering swapping them over to 4x39w t5 fixtures. One aquarium is totally SPS and the other is LPS with some zoos mixed in. First I was wondering if the 4x39w would be enough for the SPS and if so, what combo of lights would you use. Second, would the 4x39w be too bright for the LPS? If not, what bulbs would you recommend for them. Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14301968#post14301968 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ryddo
Grim/rtparty -

I currently have 2 40 gallon breeders setup. I am considering swapping them over to 4x39w t5 fixtures. One aquarium is totally SPS and the other is LPS with some zoos mixed in. First I was wondering if the 4x39w would be enough for the SPS and if so, what combo of lights would you use. Second, would the 4x39w be too bright for the LPS? If not, what bulbs would you recommend for them. Thanks in advance for your help!

What fixtures? The Tek's would probably work for both. Just get some fans to cool the fixtures.

For the SPS:

ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus

For the LPS/zoos:

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

 

[ryddo]

Thanks for the quick response. Is there really that big of a difference in the actual fixture or is it more of the ballast that is incorporated in the fixture that makes the difference? I was going between the TEk's, Nova Extreme, and as a cheap quick fix the Odyssea.

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14302233#post14302233 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ryddo
Thanks for the quick response. Is there really that big of a difference in the actual fixture or is it more of the ballast that is incorporated in the fixture that makes the difference? I was going between the TEk's, Nova Extreme, and as a cheap quick fix the Odyssea.

There is a HUGE difference in the fixture itself. The TEK's have individual reflectors where the others don't. The ballast also plays a big part. The one draw back with the TEK is no active cooling but that is a cheap and easy fix. Go to foster and smith and buy the Azoo clamp on fan. It is good for a 20% boost in output.

On the LPS tank you could get away with the Nova Extreme but you would want to change the bulbs in it. For the SPS you will want the Tek or even the new ATI Sunpower if that is in budget.

 

[rldavisou]

Hey grimm, I gotta question for ya!

I have a solar flare that keeps blowing bulbs on the 430 ballast. I think they've all been in the same socket but I'm not certain; I didn't think to check which socket it was, and now I'm out of old bulbs.

What happens: I'll put the bulb in, it looks great, when I get home the next day, the bulb is dark, never to light again. The other one attached to the same ballast is dark, too, but will fire once the other bulb is replaced.

Icecap said this is an issue with either water in the endcaps or a bad/loose connection within the endcap itself. So, I'm going to replace the endcaps with the waterproof Icecap models.

My question(s): 1. Does it sound to you like the endcaps are the problem?

2. Will the icecaps be a direct replacement for my current, factory, endcaps? Will I need these standoffs?

Thanks for your help!!!

 

[hazmat319]

Trying to decide on a T5 fixture for a 90 gallon. And I feel like I'm deciding between apples and oranges.

SLS TEK 6 bulb 48"at a discount because of a group buy or:

Aquactinics Solar Flare 48" which is going to be twice the price.

I'm new to the bigger tanks. I've had a RSM for the past year. I've read everything about each one. I will probably have some SPS and clams higher up in the tank.

Really having a hard time with this one. I don't want to skimp but I could use that money in other areas too.

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14303264#post14303264 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hazmat319
Trying to decide on a T5 fixture for a 90 gallon. And I feel like I'm deciding between apples and oranges.

SLS TEK 6 bulb 48"at a discount because of a group buy or:

Aquactinics Solar Flare 48" which is going to be twice the price.

I'm new to the bigger tanks. I've had a RSM for the past year. I've read everything about each one. I will probably have some SPS and clams higher up in the tank.

Really having a hard time with this one. I don't want to skimp but I could use that money in other areas too.

The Tek would work for you. Just go to foster and smith and buy the Azoo clamp on fan to help cool the fixture down.

You may want to look into the ATI Sunpower from Reefgeek. The 6x54W version would be perfect for your tank.

 

[hazmat319]

Thanks! I emailed Reefgeek and had not heard back from them. The group buy ends tonight so I think I will go ahead and buy the TEK. With the group buy it saves me $50. So basically I will get the legs for free.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14297652#post14297652 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jennmac415
Grim!! I would like to see an updated picture of your tank...have any?

Not yet, Ill see what I can do

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14297877#post14297877 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by taku
Thank you SUPER BOWL!!!! The search feature actually worked for a change.

Can anyone assist with a few questions?

I'm completely replacing the lighting on my 120 (5ft long version) with T5's. Does any company sell a 6 x 54w retrofit kit with 2 icecap 660's for overdriving + dusk/dawn? I think the 48" fixture with 6 bulbs is what I'm interested in but I could be wrong. ReefGeek has good prices, but they only have 4 x 54w kits? http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Fluorescent/IceCap/


And my second question; Here's a picture of my tank with 2 x 250w 15K XM halides + 2 x 98w PC actinics:

left side

right side

I'm curious about bulb configuration for a 6 bulb setup. I'm concerned that I may wash out the pink color of my huge toadstool coral on the left... or that I may mess up the bright orange and greens or the zoos on the right/middle, but I have a lot of purple mushrooms and red (with purple spots) mushrooms that I'd like to liven up a bit. So this was my thought, please correct if needed:

ATI Blue +
KZ Fiji Purple
GE 6500K
ATI Aqua Blue
KZ Fiji Purple
AT Blue +

Is that way too much blue? I've never seen T5's in person, let alone any of these bulbs. I like a 15K look to the tank. Thank you so much in advance!!

Reefgeek has tons of different retrofit kits available. Your mix of lamps should get you what you are looking for. Remember you need to use a couple of fans to cool the lamp ends.

 

[dkirchoff]

would 14 (an 8 and 6 bulb fixture) be overkill on a 120 (4x2x2)?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: 90 Gal set up

Re: 90 Gal set up

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14300027#post14300027 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RicGio
Hey Grim, Wanted to take the time to thank you for your help. I've followed this thread for awhile and learned a lot!




I have a 90 Gal with mostly SPS and LPS, a few softies. I WAS running (2) Blue plus (1) Aqua Sun and (1) Super actinic along with a 250 watt DE Phoenix 12K halide on an icecap MH ballast.
I liked the look of this, but I was getting bleaching on my montis that are close to the top. I recently removed the halide.

My Questions are:

Are (4) T5's alone enough for a 90 stocked this way? If YES, what bulb combo do you recommend? I was thinking (2) blue plus a 75/25 and an aqua blue.

The lamp mix should be good (listed at the end) and as long os your high light critters are right under the lamps they will be fine

 

[Reef55]

Hey Grim, thanks for all the great T5 info... insane!

Anyway, I have an SPS dominated tank, and am looking to switch the lighting, and am hoping for some advice.

Current setup:
48" long by 24" wide by 26" deep tank (2" sand, so 24" water depth), tank visible from two room from long ends (it is in a dividing wall)

2 x 250 watt MH Radium's on Icecap ballasts and lumenarc mini's (2.25 amps each)
4 x 24" URI actinic VHO's on icecap 660 with Solar Dimmer (2.8 amps roughly)


I have another icecap 660 and a set of icecap 46" reflectors for T5's. I am thinking of swapping out the 2 x 250 MH's for my second icecap660. Keep the other icecap 660 with URI actinic bulbs, but change them to 46.5" bulbs. So the new setup would be:

110 watt VHO actinic
110 watt VHO actinic
54 watt T5
54 watt T5
54 watt T5
54 watt T5
110 watt VHO actinic
110 watt VHO actinic

Does that sound like a good idea, or should I swap out 2 or all of the VHO actinics for T5's?

Thanks much for the help.

Mark

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14301645#post14301645 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by zachtos
Grimm:
What is your impression of the GE 3000K bulbs?

I can not find any info in your threads concerning these bulbs and I recently switched to this based on info from this site

I now am running:
Blu+
GE6.5K
Blu+
BluSp
GE3.0K
Blu+

It is a very orange bulb and supposedly brings out the red pigments in corals, but I have read recently in advance aquarist that too much red can inhibit coral's growth. Any advice?

*I'm currently looking for the strongest pure T5 light to re-grow out my tank w/ nothing but millepora, montipora caps and a handful of zoanthids.

They are OK, Good PAR but a little harsh looking if you dont have a lot of other lamps running with them. Having one in the mix with a few other lamps isn't going to harm coral growth. That study was under pure red light

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14302564#post14302564 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rldavisou
Hey grimm, I gotta question for ya!

I have a solar flare that keeps blowing bulbs on the 430 ballast. I think they've all been in the same socket but I'm not certain; I didn't think to check which socket it was, and now I'm out of old bulbs.

What happens: I'll put the bulb in, it looks great, when I get home the next day, the bulb is dark, never to light again. The other one attached to the same ballast is dark, too, but will fire once the other bulb is replaced.

Icecap said this is an issue with either water in the endcaps or a bad/loose connection within the endcap itself. So, I'm going to replace the endcaps with the waterproof Icecap models.

My question(s): 1. Does it sound to you like the endcaps are the problem?

2. Will the icecaps be a direct replacement for my current, factory, endcaps? Will I need these standoffs?

Thanks for your help!!!

Have you tried contacting Aquactinics about this? They have a forum here in the sponsors forums. I'd say a bad wire or connection. Check the lamp pins to see if they are burnt.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14305545#post14305545 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dkirchoff
would 14 (an 8 and 6 bulb fixture) be overkill on a 120 (4x2x2)?

Why not just a good 8 lamp fixture, you'll end up with more light in the tank.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14305570#post14305570 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Reef55
Hey Grim, thanks for all the great T5 info... insane!

Anyway, I have an SPS dominated tank, and am looking to switch the lighting, and am hoping for some advice.

Current setup:
48" long by 24" wide by 26" deep tank (2" sand, so 24" water depth), tank visible from two room from long ends (it is in a dividing wall)

2 x 250 watt MH Radium's on Icecap ballasts and lumenarc mini's (2.25 amps each)
4 x 24" URI actinic VHO's on icecap 660 with Solar Dimmer (2.8 amps roughly)


I have another icecap 660 and a set of icecap 46" reflectors for T5's. I am thinking of swapping out the 2 x 250 MH's for my second icecap660. Keep the other icecap 660 with URI actinic bulbs, but change them to 46.5" bulbs. So the new setup would be:

110 watt VHO actinic
110 watt VHO actinic
54 watt T5
54 watt T5
54 watt T5
54 watt T5
110 watt VHO actinic
110 watt VHO actinic

Does that sound like a good idea, or should I swap out 2 or all of the VHO actinics for T5's?

Thanks much for the help.

Mark

Be nice but do you know you can use VHO and T5's on the same Ice Cap ballast?

VHO Actinic
Blue Plus T5

GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
ATI Aquablue

T5 Blue Plus
VHO Actinic


The Blue Plus and actinic combo looks sweet and cuts down on some heat.

 

[dkirchoff]

well i bought a cheap fixture to start with from catalina aquariums with 8bulbs and then down the road my friend offered to sell his Aquatinics Solar Flare to me but that has 6 bulbs

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14305690#post14305690 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dkirchoff
well i bought a cheap fixture to start with from catalina aquariums with 8bulbs and then down the road my friend offered to sell his Aquatinics Solar Flare to me but that has 6 bulbs

Go with just the flare, that will give you plenty of lights

 

[dkirchoff]

Thanks Grim