The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14437802#post14437802 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by anin
So grim, i'm looking at from reefgeek
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5...inch__2x39W_SLR_T5_High-Output_Retrofit_Kit_w!_Bulbs_by_IceCap

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5..._2x39W_SLR_T5_Very_High-Output_Retrofit_Kit_w!_Bulbs_by_IceCap

you said before when i asked to get these bulbs
Front ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

I am guessing the 2 middle bulbs would be overdriven?

I'd overdrive the Blue Plus and Aquablue

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14438136#post14438136 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rldavisou
Grats on another split, and thanks so much for your help, Grimm!

My question is this:

I'm replacing all six bulbs in my Solar Flare, which I bought with used bulbs about 3 months ago. What would you recommend to supercharge the growth on my SPS? I have lots of cool frags, but nothing's ever grown very well, I think in part because of my lights. I have heard that the pink bulbs will encourage lots of growth, is that true?

Also, where's the best place to buy bulbs? I would like a reliable shipper; I'm a student on a budget, so if the bulbs get busted in shipping, it'll be a loooonng time before I can get the dough to reorder.

Like RT said reefgeek.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14438921#post14438921 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by daveonbass
Ok so I finally HAVE my ATI 36" 6 bulb Powermodule...and WOW...this is one NIIIIICE piece of hardware...worth every penny. The ATI guys know what they are doing. I ended up getting 4 Blue plus, 1 fiji purple, and 1 Aquablue.

I don't even have the tank up yet...but I did this:

Front
blue+
fiji purple
blue+
blue+
aquablue
blue+

I know it's all about my personal taste. and I like that all the blue+'s are on one plug and the other two are on the other plug...(dawn/dusk setting), but is there a better combination for that.
(read: better order) Already the fish colors pop, I can't wait to get it over the proper tank and stock it with corals. I'll post pics ASAP...but if there is a better order to place them in then I'm open to ideas...also I can't wait to give reefgeek more business and get different color bulbs and play around with it...I'll bug you guys about that later once the tank is up and running (hopefully this month)

thanks for all the help so far. This light is a beast, a sexy beast.

It's all about what looks good to you. I wouldn't worry about playing until you have the thing over corals, position will make a little more difference then.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14439627#post14439627 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dahc1979
I am currently running 130 watts of pc's on my 35 gallon mixed tank with some softies and a few lps. I am in the process of buying equipment for a new 55 gallon tank I bought and want to put t-5 lights on the new tank. What light fixture would you recomend I go with. I would like to try some sort of sps in the future too. Thanks

Tek will work as long as you don't do a lot of SPS. Otherwise 4x54 ATI Sunpower.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14441465#post14441465 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Glennw
Does anybody know if Reefgeek ships to Winninpeg? If not does anybody know which fish/supplies stores sell and ship to Winnipeg besides J&L Aquatics?
Thanks

You can check reefgeek and see. If not Aquarium Obsessed is in Canada but I don't know what equipment they are carrying.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14441624#post14441624 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mikenjo
hi grim
what would you suggest for a 90 gallon with soft coral only
i have two lighting systems a retro 4 bulb or as 6 bulb extreme pro not sure which one i will use
what bulb configuration would you suggest for each fixture over a 90
to make the colors pop in the tank
thanks in advance

A 6 lamp Extreme pro will be good for a softy tank
For lamps do 3 ATI Blue Plus. 1 GE 6500K Daylight, 1 UVL 75/25 and 1 UVL Super Actinic. For softies the actinic is worth having for dusk/dawn cause it give the corals a nice glow. Id try dusk/dawn with the actinic and the 75/25 or the Blue Plus.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14442381#post14442381 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by seanmc980
Hey Grim and anyone else who can help.

I am ordering a Retro setup from Reefgeek for a 72G BF. Its gonna be 5X54W with two Ballasts. One is going to be an Icecap 430 firing 3 bulbs and an advance ballast for the other 2 bulbs.
I am looking for alot of blue pop but need to be able to support SPS and softies! My questions are:

What 5 bulbs would you go with and how would you arrange them?

Also which 3 bulbs would you overdrive with the IC430?

Thanks for your help and the amount of time you have spent helping fellow reeferz!

The 430 can't fire 3 54 watt lamps, only 2. You would need a 660 to do 3 or 4. Assuming you are getting Ice Cap reflectors are you going to have room for 5 lamps, 2 1/2" per lamp. If you already have the 430 don't sweat it just OD 2 lamps.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14442440#post14442440 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JOESWOODWORKS
HI Grim ,



I ordered these bulbs from the ReefGeek, ATI blue plus, UVL 75/25, ATI Aqua sun and ATI Blue plus. What will be the over all color be? Also what is the difference between ATI Aquablue and ATI Aqua sun ?

Aquasun is a UVL lamp that has a pink cast to it. the Aquablue is slightly blue with a lot of blue/actinic in it. Overall your color will be a little on the purple side of blue. Your corals should glow considering all the lamps but the aquasun have a lot of actinic in the output.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: t5

Re: t5

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14442541#post14442541 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by johnfaas
t5

I have SPS's on top and yumas,rics,shrooms and zoos lower .in a 120 with a tec 8 bulb setup.


First what light does coralline like ?

Also what bulb combo for some growth with lots of color.

Any of : ?


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

Front
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Actinic Blue
ATI Pro Color
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Actinic blue
ATI Blue Plus

Front
Giesemann: PowerChrome Actinic Plus
Giesemann: PowerChrome Actinic Plus
Giesemann: PowerChrome Pure Actinic
ATI Procolor
Giesemann: PowerChrome Actinic Plus
UV Lighting Aquasun
Giesemann: PowerChrome Aqua Blue +
Giesemann: PowerChrome Actinic Plus

Current Tanks: 120 Gal, Tek T5 48" X 8 ,40 Gal sump,ASM G2, Mag 18
Interests: reef,21000 gal kio pond's and stream

Hell I can't sit here and say one of your mixes is wrong so I can't tell you which one you will like

The third one will be more of a deepwater color. The first one will be closer to 14K, just a little blue. Second one slightly more blue.

Cause of all the shrooms and stuff I would try

Front
ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple or UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Pro Color
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus

That should give you bright light on top of the rocks from the GE lamp and more subdues light out front where the shrooms and stuff are. The Pro Color will give you some red without much PAR (A good thing for the shrooms) So will the Fiji Purple. But the two might give you a slightly ptrple look so you could use the UVL 75/25 in it's place. You could use 2 75/25 instead of both the purple and Pro Color lamps which will cut the PAR a bit but I wasn't sure if there would be enough light for Yumas and recordias, don't they need a decent amount of light? I wasn't sure on that.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14445557#post14445557 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by louisvilleboy
grim i got my lights but no instructions we know how to hook the ballast up but putting the bulds in sockets and pins and all the other stuff do you know some place on the web that shows or something im stuck

No. Not yet (Hint Hint )

The wiring diagram should be on the ballast.

You should have endcaps and standoffs. Snap 2 standoffs onto 2 endcaps and install the endcaps on a lamp. Now just use the holes in the standoffs are a template and lay out the mounting holes for your standoffs. Mount the standoffs for your first lamp and test fit a lamp. You want it to be snug between the endcaps or at least not sloppy.

Once you get all your standoffs mounted you will fish your ballast wires through the square hole in the standoff and into the bottom of the endcap.

There are holes in the bottom of the endcap. you strip 1/4" or so of wire back and stab it into the hole and it will lock in. There are usually two inside and two outside holes. Inside or out doesn't really matter, just make sure you use the left and right side bank of holes.

Should you have to remove a wire a safety pin or needle jabbed into the hole with the wire will cause the jaws to release it and the pin will slide out with a little wiggling.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: Nothing is easy

Re: Nothing is easy

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14445692#post14445692 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by LouDogDaddy
Hello to all... I read through the entire thread and did not see an example of what I am looking for... I did see the dedication of several individuals to this forum and I can't thank you enough for the knowledge that you are passing on to the masses...

I have a 36"x36"x26"H tank that I will like to have sps, lps and clams (clams in the sand). Tank will be viewable from all 4 sides. I have the tank set up in a location where I cannot support a fixture from the ceiling so it must be a tank mount. I also can not have a canopy so that the top remains open...

I assume that I would need a 36" T5 fizture with tank mounting brackets... Which fixture(s) are the best for my application and a recommendation on bullbs would be greatly appreciated...

See, nothing is easy...

Thanks so much in advanced...

Damn!

Damn!

DAMN!

I dunno.

There isn't a great T5 solution I know of. The ATI Fixtures all hang. I suppose you could get a 10 x 36 and sit it right on the tank. Trouble with that is I don't think it's enough lamps. Maybe get 2 6 x 39 watt Sunpowers instead. You could make something for them to sit on. You would have a couple inches between the two fixtures where the case bumps out but no biggie. It would give you an area about 26" with full illumination. Should be enough.

 

[Todd March]

Re: Re: Nothing is easy

Re: Re: Nothing is easy

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14446475#post14446475 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Damn!

Damn!

DAMN!

I dunno.

There isn't a great T5 solution I know of. The ATI Fixtures all hang. I suppose you could get a 10 x 36 and sit it right on the tank. Trouble with that is I don't think it's enough lamps. Maybe get 2 6 x 39 watt Sunpowers instead. You could make something for them to sit on. You would have a couple inches between the two fixtures where the case bumps out but no biggie. It would give you an area about 26" with full illumination. Should be enough.

I was waiting for you, Grim, to answer this one... I read the post and thought," Ewwwwhhhh... that's a hard one...!"

 

[LouDogDaddy]

Many Thanks

Many Thanks

When I saw where the tank was being placed... I knew this wasn't going to be easy... Its in the center of a 30 foot, glass domed entry hall and there is nothing to hang from. I may look into having some sort of bracket fabricated to rise above the lights and then let them hang from that... I was just hoping that someone would have seen a top quality fixture out there that was plug and play... But, if it were easy... everyone would be doing it...

Thanks again for all of your assistance to your humble hobbiests..

 

[seanmc980]

Hey Grim, If you had a 72G bowfront how would you light it? Retro from scatch. I plan on keeping alot of Softies but want some SPS up high as well. Thanks I appreciate your time!!

 

[hotrodolds]

What will the 4bulb 96watt set up from fishneedit support coral wise and at what depth?

my tank is 18" deep. Would it support monticaps on the bottom? Could this sustain a nem?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: Re: Re: Nothing is easy

Re: Re: Re: Nothing is easy

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14446623#post14446623 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Todd March
I was waiting for you, Grim, to answer this one... I read the post and thought," Ewwwwhhhh... that's a hard one...!"

I love a challenge

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: Many Thanks

Re: Many Thanks

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14448032#post14448032 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by LouDogDaddy
When I saw where the tank was being placed... I knew this wasn't going to be easy... Its in the center of a 30 foot, glass domed entry hall and there is nothing to hang from. I may look into having some sort of bracket fabricated to rise above the lights and then let them hang from that... I was just hoping that someone would have seen a top quality fixture out there that was plug and play... But, if it were easy... everyone would be doing it...

Thanks again for all of your assistance to your humble hobbiests..

You could have someone make a couple of acrylic braces to sit on either end of the tank notched to lock in place front to rear in the tank frame. Then have the top part of the braces notched out to accept the fixture (s) so they can't slide side to side. It would look nice, a lot better than a bracket hanging over the tank.

If you by chance have a couple pictures of the room post em up, maybe between all of us we can come up with a better idea.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14449700#post14449700 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by seanmc980
Hey Grim, If you had a 72G bowfront how would you light it? Retro from scatch. I plan on keeping alot of Softies but want some SPS up high as well. Thanks I appreciate your time!!

Aquactinics TX5 fixture or a 4 lamp Ice Cap HO retro. Use the bow area for the softies and keep the high light critters back under the lights

 

[The Grim Reefer]

test

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14449776#post14449776 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hotrodolds
What will the 4bulb 96watt set up from fishneedit support coral wise and at what depth?

my tank is 18" deep. Would it support monticaps on the bottom? Could this sustain a nem?

I wouldn't try montis over half way down or so, Anemone would likely be fine as long as it has rocks to move up on,