The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14642946#post14642946 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Phillybean
Hey Grim,

What bulbs would bring out the most color out of SPS corals in a set up with two T5's (front and back) with two 250 watt XM 10k MH bulbs in the middle? It's a retro in a canopy. MH are 10" off the water with T5's 3" off.

Blue Plus.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14643082#post14643082 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Blinding Reef
Hey Grim, setting up a prop tank dims are 36"24"15tall...will be picking up a SLS tek light 4 bulb 39watt fixture this weekend. I was told I should go with the Geismann bulbs. My question to you is is there a noticeable difference between Geismann and ATI bulbs? I'm planning on keeping/growing some LPS, but mostly zoanthids/palys. What bulb combo would you suggest for best color and growth? Both In Geismann and ati bulbs? thanks for your time.

2 ATI Blue Plus, 1 Aquablue and try the Geisemann Aquaflora lamp. It's their reddish lamp. Should give you good growth and hit all the spectrum.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14645112#post14645112 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nickbme06
man, is this site for real on prices?? or is the stuff just crap??

http://www.aquatraders.com/aquarium...-216w-4x-54w-t5-ho-light-fixture-advance.html

Absolute crap both in product and the company judging by the posts from people who have dealt with them.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14645316#post14645316 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ReefEnabler
Can the Icecap 430 ballast run 4 x 54w T5s???

I see different stats on different pages:

"One ballast can operate any combination, up to 4 lamps, with a total not exceeding 330 Watts."

also

"A Model 430 can operate up to 12 lamp feet with a total of 324 rated lamp watts. Individual lamps can be 2 through 6 feet each. This corresponds to 10 different lamp configurations. "

4 x 54w would be 16 feet and 216w... so way under the 320watts but over the 12 feet limit.

Is it really bad to run 16 feet 216w on a 430????? I dont think I'd want to run 54w bulbs on a 660.

2 T5's of any length on the 430. Maybe 3 24" T5's but that seems to be a little questionable.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14645376#post14645376 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ReefEnabler
Currently here's what I've got:

Icecap 660: (2) x 80w ATI Blue+
Icecap 660: (2) x 140w VHO Actinic
MH lights (but for how much longer? )

Now I know I can run 3 x 80w on both of my 660's and get 6 lamps from those two ballasts.

I'd like to try and fit 10 lamps in there; they will fit fine it's just a matter of the right ballast/bulb combo.

So I'd like to fit 4 x 54w on a 430. But if that's not doable then I suppose 9 bulbs total isn't bad: (6) x 80w + (3) x 54w.

Unless somebody has an idea for how to stuff another lamp with those 3 ballasts, its definitely not worth a 4th ballast to get a 10th bulb.

Run 1 VHO actinic and 2 T5's on one 660 as your dusk/dawn, 3 More T5's on the 2nd 660 and decide if you really need that many lamps. I'd go for a 3rd 660 assuming the tank is over 24" front to back and 24" tall.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14646619#post14646619 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by allykahn
I feel like a step-child using 80w bulbs for my 180g. Truly not much in choice as the 4' bulbs.

Any suggestions for a 6 lamp:
A. Mixed reef
B. LPS/softies/zoas

You can do good things with the 80's

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

Arrange them so you get 2 blue plus and the fiji on dusk/dawn, looks cool.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14646749#post14646749 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by awesomefam
Just out of pure curiousity, what type of corals would I be able to keep in a 120g (4x2x2) with 4 - 54w t5s?

Depends on the equipment. 4 lamp powermodule would allow you to keep anything below the lamps all the way to the sand. You just wont have a whole lot of area front to back in the tank with the high intensity, 6 inches or so.

4 lamp Tek you would be looking at SPS on the upper part of the rocks and high light LPS under the lamps only.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14647972#post14647972 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tripinpn01
why do you guys recommend 39W Blue Plus T5 HO Fluorescent
by ATI over 39W Actinic Plus T5 HO Fluorescent
by Giesemann and 39W Super Actinic T5 HO Fluorescent?

thanks,
Marcus

In my personal experience the ATI have higher PAR output. I have read where several people claim the Giesemann loses color sooner. I personally have not had that happen.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14648786#post14648786 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Kenmx10
Im wondering, with a 60" tank would it be better to get a 60" fixture. My first thought was to get a 48" and have the ends open for air circulation. Plus bulbs would be easier to find and cheaper.
But now im wondering if the ends of the bulbs have dead spots that wont put out much light . If so that could leave 8" to 12" inches of dead spots on each end of the tank.

What are your opinions. Grim I highly value your opinion, If you are not too busy with more difficult questions.

I run 48" lamps over my 60" tank with the fixture sitting right on the tank. Looks good to me but the last 4 or 5 inches on each end obviously don't have as much intensity., especially up high but it looks great.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14650206#post14650206 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by louisvilleboy
grim ive got the 220 gallon 72 inches long 30 inches deep 18 inches front to back ive got my hood back two of the ballast are bad thats just my luck this tank has been a nightmare but any way the guy that built the hood put the fans in the ends one blowing air in the other pulling air out will that hurt anything i know you said put theme in the back blowing on the ends they are blowing are down the lenght of the bulbs now please let me know i have time i have to send two ballast back thanks paul go cards #1

I'd change the fans so they both pull air out and then add 2 more blowing in down the endcaps on each side. You could just leave the current holes for the fans open as vents but I thing it would be cool to have the extra exhaust.

 

[nickbme06]

Well ill be gettign the TEK 4 bulb 48" fixture. Will it be enough cooling? i would assume so... just never used tek's

ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
GE 6500K
ATI Blue Plus

Mixed reef. Cool? Thanks!

 

[ReefEnabler]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14650868#post14650868 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Run 1 VHO actinic and 2 T5's on one 660 as your dusk/dawn, 3 More T5's on the 2nd 660 and decide if you really need that many lamps. I'd go for a 3rd 660 assuming the tank is over 24" front to back and 24" tall.

Tank is 72 x 24 x 30.

I dont want a 3rd 660 since my last 3 bulbs will be 54w to avoid lighting the overflows. And you yourself told me 54w bulbs on 660=bad.

2 T5's of any length on the 430. Maybe 3 24" T5's but that seems to be a little questionable.

Why do you say 3 x 54w is too much on an icecap 430??? This is within the manufacture specs.

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14653488#post14653488 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nickbme06
Well ill be gettign the TEK 4 bulb 48" fixture. Will it be enough cooling? i would assume so... just never used tek's

ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
GE 6500K
ATI Blue Plus

Mixed reef. Cool? Thanks!

It should be good. Just keep high light stuff higher up on the rocks and under the lamps. Make sure to use some fans and cool it.

 

[customdusty]

I placed an order for the Constellation for my 90 Gal. today.

I'm thinking of this bulb combo:

Blue +
Pro Color
Blue+
Aquablue Special
Blue+
Geis. Pure Actinic
Blue +

I've also got a few extra Aquablue Specials and UVL Aquasun to choose from.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14635619#post14635619 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Constellation could be sweet for a mixed reef. Full Blown SPS too as long as you place the corals right. Solar flare is good but there better not be any lower light stuff in the tank

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14653488#post14653488 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nickbme06
Well ill be gettign the TEK 4 bulb 48" fixture. Will it be enough cooling? i would assume so... just never used tek's

ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
GE 6500K
ATI Blue Plus

Mixed reef. Cool? Thanks!

It shouldn't cause heating issues in the tank

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14653533#post14653533 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ReefEnabler
Tank is 72 x 24 x 30.

I dont want a 3rd 660 since my last 3 bulbs will be 54w to avoid lighting the overflows. And you yourself told me 54w bulbs on 660=bad.



Why do you say 3 x 54w is too much on an icecap 430??? This is within the manufacture specs.

54 watt lamps on a 660 isn't bad. They may not last quite as long but you get a big increase in output. The problem you are going to run into is cooling the lamp ends of 2 different length lamps. If you are a hand at DIY I would try to make PVC duct work with nozzles that direct air right at the lamp ends.

The 430 ballast is not capable of running 3 54 watt T5 lamps. The manufacturer specs were written for T12 VHO lamps. Post the question up in Ice Cap's forum, that is their answer , not mine.

If you want to avoid 2 ballasts to run the 3 54 watt lamps there are Triad ballasts that can run up to 4 lamps that I am sure can be wired up for 3.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14654261#post14654261 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by customdusty
I placed an order for the Constellation for my 90 Gal. today.

I'm thinking of this bulb combo:

Blue +
Pro Color
Blue+
Aquablue Special
Blue+
Geis. Pure Actinic
Blue +

I've also got a few extra Aquablue Specials and UVL Aquasun to choose from.

Be nice. I'd maybe swap the actinic with the blue plus in slot 3 and use 3 & 4 for dusk/dawn.

 

[takayan]

Grim,
I am planning to replace my 3x250W (Phoenix 14000K) to ATI 48" PM 8 T5. Do you think this is good idea? My tank is only for SPS.
Also, do you have any suggestions for Bulbs? I am thinking the following combinations.

Blue+
AquaBlue
Blue+
Fiji Purple
Coral Light
Blue+
AuqaBlue
Blue+

One more thing.
Is Blue+ close to 20000K? Or much more high K?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Should be fine assuming your tank isn't over 30" tall. The Blue Plus T5's are more blue than a 20K halide. The mix you listed should look good,

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14654892#post14654892 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by takayan
Grim,
I am planning to replace my 3x250W (Phoenix 14000K) to ATI 48" PM 8 T5. Do you think this is good idea? My tank is only for SPS.
Also, do you have any suggestions for Bulbs? I am thinking the following combinations.

Blue+
AquaBlue
Blue+
Fiji Purple
Coral Light
Blue+
AuqaBlue
Blue+

One more thing.
Is Blue+ close to 20000K? Or much more high K?

 

[SkyPapa]

Hi folks.
I am adding a 20L, 30 x 12.5 x 13, to my system for frags and I am thinking about the Reefgeek 4 x 39W retro with icecap reflectors and normally driven bulbs.

What would be a good bulb combo that has good par but is closer to 10-12K in appearance.
I don't really care for blue tanks but if I can get better growth I might try something a little blue, since it s a frag tank.

My other tanks are 10K Reeflux MH and PC actinics on the 120 and a 14K ushio and T5 actinics on the 40 .
The Ushio is about as blue as i can stand it.