The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14474652#post14474652 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rickyrooz1
Grim, would a 6 bulb ATI Powermodule outperform a 6 bulb IceCap retrofit from Reef Geek if I provide enough cooling fans?

Depends how low you set the fixture. You can sit the fixture a lot closer to the water so that puts lots more light in the tank.

 

[nanojg]

Anyone no if other company's (besides slimpaq) are planning to make the 18" bulbs. I'm thinking of getting the 20" nova extreme but the bulb selection is small (10k and actinic.)

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14475005#post14475005 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by achillesheel
not sure on the spread of these set ups
ok 60"l x18"w x20"h

90% sps

do i need to go with a 8, 7, or 6 bulb set up?

thanx

6 lamps will do. Only question is 60" or 48" lamps. I would do the 48" ones.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14475097#post14475097 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by anin
so for my 4x39 icecap retro, my 36" canopy is completely closed in, i thought that i would put 3 80mm DC computer fans(each at 28dB) across the back side, 12 inches apart, and figured to have the two on the outside blow out, and the 1 in the middle blow in. Or is there another better method? Like on top of canopy, or on the sides? i guess side would help cool the endcaps, while putting all three in the back would help cool the bulbs itself? Not exaclty sure what to do..I can also up to 5 fans, but figured 3 is good enough...Another method is one on each side and two in the back, all blowing in or out?...

One on each end blowing in from the back down the endcaps/lamp ends with a center vent in the top or back should do ducky swell.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14478981#post14478981 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kaskiles
What is the recommended:
-bulb types
-placement
-bulb count
-bulb to colony base distance

for a 24" bulb ATI powermodule or sunpower; illuminating a single SPS colony (such as a ORA red planet table).

A convenient distance would be around 12 inches, but would be easy to adjust either way. Would just a four bulb fixture be enough for a single colony? Seems like the following is a universal four bulb recommendation:

Front:
ATI Aquablue 12000K
ATI Blue Plus
UV 75/25 14000K
ATI Aquablue 12000K

Or should the UV 75/25 possibly be replaced with an ATI Pro Color or a Korallen Zucht Fiji Purple?

Thanks!

Hard to say what is right other than the 4 lamp fixture. The particular choice of lamps will come down to personal taste. I would be tempted to so this

Front
Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

The Blue Plus has plenty of PAR and will help pop color. The Actinic White has the red output plus good PAR. All the lamps have some actinic output.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14479655#post14479655 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jck9
how does this sound for a bulb combo for my 90 gal aga lps tank with maybe a clam on a ledge about half way up?
front
ati blueplus
fiji purple
ati aquablue special 12k
ati blue plus
i have a spot for a fifth bulb but unsure if i will need it yet but if i do what bulb should i add? all suggestions are welcome and appreciated.
thanks
john

Probably a GE 6500K Daylight but try your first 4 and see what you think of the look. The GE will lessen the amount of blue you see and make any yellow or certain color of green critters look a lot better.

 

[Giga]

since I got a lot of information from this thread I thought I'd share what I built-all diy


http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1584706

 

[anin]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14480492#post14480492 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
One on each end blowing in from the back down the endcaps/lamp ends with a center vent in the top or back should do ducky swell.

Grim, when u said "One on each end blowing in from the back down the endcaps/lamp ends", do u mean in the backside as in back of tank, positioned where the endcaps/lamps meet so , or on the left and right sides? i made a quick sketch, i'm thinking you meant backside of canopy...

 

[anin]

sorry pic came out small, thats looking at the back of canopy..obviously..Thanks

 

[sunsetSPS]

Can 6-bulbs ATI sunpower fixture be enough for 24" tank width? 120G (48"L,24"W,24"H). For mixed reef.

 

[dailydriven911]

Looking to go 40b...Grim what do you think of this fixture?


http://www.premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-supplies/Finnex-T5.html

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14480932#post14480932 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by anin
Grim, when u said "One on each end blowing in from the back down the endcaps/lamp ends", do u mean in the backside as in back of tank, positioned where the endcaps/lamps meet so , or on the left and right sides? i made a quick sketch, i'm thinking you meant backside of canopy...

Yeah, blowing in from the backside of the tank.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14480950#post14480950 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sunsetSPS
Can 6-bulbs ATI sunpower fixture be enough for 24" tank width? 120G (48"L,24"W,24"H). For mixed reef.

Sure, just hang it a bit higher above the tank to allow the light to spread.

Another idea would be to hang it a little forward of center over the tank but hang it so the fixture is a little lower in front causing the light to be directed towards the rear of the tank a bit.

 

[INNOVATOR]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14471782#post14471782 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Halide/T5 combo is probably what you will need.

I think what I would do is go with a 10K 250 in a Sunlight Supply reef Optix 3 pendant running with T5's.

I would do this

Front

ATI Blue Plus 48" T5
ATI Blue Plus 48" T5
--------------------24" ATI Blue Plus T5
------------------- 24" UVL Actinic White T5
-----Halide ------24" ATI Blue Plus T5
--------------------24" ATI Aquablue T5

ATI Blue Plus 48" T5
ATI Blue Plus 48" T5

Fan------------------------------------- Fan
(blowing in down the row of T5 endcaps)

Install the T5 lamps so the labels are all installed at this end. (left side viewing from front)
That will allow the cold spot which is at the label end to be cooled on the 24" lamps as well as the 48" ones.

I wouldn't overdrive the T5's. Use the Ice Cap reflectors but standard T5 ballasts.

The 24" lamps will be kinda 14K-ish so not only will it not be as bright as the halide it will also start out more blue. With the 4 Blue Pluses running it will be really close to what an overdriven 20K halide does. The halide side will look fairly blue as well but be much brighter. You might want to order a spare 48" Aquablue lamp. It would brighten up the look of the halide side some if you think the look is too blue.

Thank you so very much for your input, always greatly appreciated! I know that halides should extend 8"-12" above the water's surface, but what is your recommendation considering the tank will primarily house soft corals, lps, and an anemone? The manufacturer's standard canopy is 10" high so I am hoping you see no problem if I cut the canopy and mount the Reef Optix 3 halide on the lid so there is still full light penetration and heat dissipates outside of the canopy? Here is a relevant post (7th post down): http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1581039 By chance any particular halide bulb/ballast brand you are rather fond of in the 250w 10k you mentioned?

Once again I cannot thank you enough

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14481038#post14481038 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dailydriven911
Looking to go 40b...Grim what do you think of this fixture?


http://www.premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-supplies/Finnex-T5.html

Probably be fine for a mixed reef but replace the stock lamps.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14483495#post14483495 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by INNOVATOR
Thank you so very much for your input, always greatly appreciated! I know that halides should extend 8"-12" above the water's surface, but what is your recommendation considering the tank will primarily house soft corals, lps, and an anemone? The manufacturer's standard canopy is 10" high so I am hoping you see no problem if I cut the canopy and mount the Reef Optix 3 halide on the lid so there is still full light penetration and heat dissipates outside of the canopy? Here is a relevant post (7th post down): http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1581039 By chance any particular halide bulb/ballast brand you are rather fond of in the 250w 10k you mentioned?

Once again I cannot thank you enough

You know, if you are sticking with moderate light stuff you could go with a 150 watt 10K in a PFO mini pendant (Marine Depot still has those) Mounted inside the canopy which would leave it about 5" above the water.

I just checked the halide bible (Sanjays lighting pages) and a 250 watt XM lamp had PAR of 109, the 150 watt was 61. If you place the 250 watt lamp 10" above the tank and the 150 6" above the 150 is going to give you more light. Using the 150 watt you want to use the HQI ballasts, PFO if they are still in stock.

If your canopy is sealed and you run two fans blowing in for the T5's you could hake a vent right above the halide pendant so all the air will be force out of the canopy right at the halide. That I think would be enough to keep the temp under control assuming your tank room doesn't have heat issues.

Other than that the 250 on top will work fine.

 

[BIGBIRD123]

Grim,
I now have my light rack built and are ready to add bulbs. I have 2-Gman actinic+, 2-Gman aquablue, 2-Gman true actinic and I want to put either 2-midday or daylight and 2-fiji purple. What would you recommend and in what order. This is an SPS Dominant tank with Zoas and LPS. It is 72" x 30" x 30" and installed as a peninsula, viewable from 3 sides.

I also want to give you do "props" as you are the Man!

Steve

 

[INNOVATOR]

I can always have the canopy height shortened prior to purchase as well so the T5's could have better penetration along with the 250w halide. I guess I'll have something to think about then considering the only reason for such light penetration would be an anemone without worry of soft coral/lps recession/burning:

1. 10" standard canopy with 250w halide mounted on the lid.
2. 10" standard canopy with 150w mounted inside.
3. Shorten the canopy (height = 6"-8"?) with 250w halide mounted on lid.

I hate being indecisive with lighting (my crux)...

 

[BIGBIRD123]

Here is a picture ofy light rack. The center dual lights remain still but the outside 4 on each side pivot up out of the way.

S

 

[funny718]

hey Grim I am looking for a sort of confirmation that these are the lights i should get for these type of coral i just recently got yellow scroll, Montipora Scroll Brown, and candy cane.

the lights another reefer suggested where as follow just wanna make sure it's good blue plus, aquablue, KZ Fiji purple, Blue plus.


oh yeah i have 4 light setup retro kit

thanx in advance