The T5 Q&a Thread
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rivensteve13
New member
6 bulb nova extreme pro. thats why i was asking, if you guys thought that my corals colors may suffer because of the stock lighting and if i should just change them all out at right now.
fishtk75
New member
T5 new fixture time setting help!
T5 new fixture time setting help!
I replaced my coralife 4-65w fixture with Nova Extreme HO Lighting Fixture - 4 x 54W T5HO - 48 in. on my 75.
How is it for time the T5 last before change the tubes?
Also I see a big change in light how much more light do they put out compared to the CF I had?
I have the 10k at 4hr and actinic at 6 hr will this be good for my softies or is there a time you have that is better for my tank to get use to the new fixture?
Input helpful.
T5 new fixture time setting help!
I replaced my coralife 4-65w fixture with Nova Extreme HO Lighting Fixture - 4 x 54W T5HO - 48 in. on my 75.
How is it for time the T5 last before change the tubes?
Also I see a big change in light how much more light do they put out compared to the CF I had?
I have the 10k at 4hr and actinic at 6 hr will this be good for my softies or is there a time you have that is better for my tank to get use to the new fixture?
Input helpful.
redfishsc
New member
On a 30" deep tank you would need to cram as many lights via retrofit kits as you could over that tank. Most reflectors are about 2.5" wide so I would suggest no less than 10 tubes running the full length.
The problem is the lenght of your tank seems to be 80" which is a bit aggrivating to find a good bulb combo to light it. You'd most likely need to put two "shorter" sets retro kits end to end, like two 36" retro kit sets to make for one 72" long run of bulbs.
The problem with that is that you now have 20 retro kits to buy and 20 tubes to replace.$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
I would go with 3X400W HQI halides and supplement with T5 blues. Use good reflectors.
happy_valley
New member
how to balance out blue plus?
how to balance out blue plus?
okay well i have a 6 bulb t-5 setup, and i went with three blue plus bulbs in there. i dont really like how the blue plus is like a blacklight and changes the color of EVERYTHING. my pinks look blue and gray and i was wondering if thats suppose to be like that?
is that really good for coral growth or just wondering why thats look is so beneficial? i really dont like it so what do i do?
how to balance out blue plus?
okay well i have a 6 bulb t-5 setup, and i went with three blue plus bulbs in there. i dont really like how the blue plus is like a blacklight and changes the color of EVERYTHING. my pinks look blue and gray and i was wondering if thats suppose to be like that?
is that really good for coral growth or just wondering why thats look is so beneficial? i really dont like it so what do i do?
uglyamericanV1
New member
I have a 75 gallon mixed reef (shrooms on very bottom with some chalices, lps on bottom/middle/top and sps at top)
currenly with 4 lamp tek fixture and 250 MH (hangs behind the tek)
going to move the MH; sell the tek 4 lamp
Im going to get another tek (love this thing, seriously) and i have 2 questions
1.) is 8 bulb over kill or would it just be more the merrier!
2.) if limited to uv and geisemann (the lights will be super discounted if i buy with the fixture) what would be a good mix for optimal growth and POP!
i know the last question is kinda opinion, but when i see 1 gillion people happy with the suggestions they are getting on the thread, well, something good is going on.
currenly with 4 lamp tek fixture and 250 MH (hangs behind the tek)
going to move the MH; sell the tek 4 lamp
Im going to get another tek (love this thing, seriously) and i have 2 questions
1.) is 8 bulb over kill or would it just be more the merrier!
2.) if limited to uv and geisemann (the lights will be super discounted if i buy with the fixture) what would be a good mix for optimal growth and POP!
i know the last question is kinda opinion, but when i see 1 gillion people happy with the suggestions they are getting on the thread, well, something good is going on.
levischilz
New member
Sorry was out for a day. Im running the current hamilton magnetic 2x 175mh and 2x96pc on a 65g tank. Was looking into the NEP but u stated it would not handle clams. I was running clams under my current setup just wanted to get your thoughts about my current setup vs a decent t5 setup. Im at 550w right now would be nice to cut my power usage in half on the tank. If the NEP is not adequate what do you think about a TEK light would that handle clams. If not maybe ill just skip the clams. 
I've had one for a while under my current light setup seemed ok but I just dont like the fixture /heat/power usage etc.. Also could anyone that has switched from MH to T5 give me there thoughts having a hard time deciding if I should switch over but thinking I would like the color varation also of T5, My current tank is not that bright do you guys think a t5 setup would be brighter. Thanks so much for the help. Levi
I've had one for a while under my current light setup seemed ok but I just dont like the fixture /heat/power usage etc.. Also could anyone that has switched from MH to T5 give me there thoughts having a hard time deciding if I should switch over but thinking I would like the color varation also of T5, My current tank is not that bright do you guys think a t5 setup would be brighter. Thanks so much for the help. Levi
rtparty
Raise The Reef!
2 - ATI 10x 39W Powermodules could work. You would have some dark spots on the ends but that's a good place for softies and lower light stuff.
If you want to use the Current LED's plan on least 20 of them over the tank but you will still need plenty of T5's. I have the Current LED's and have 6 over my 90 and will try to fit more soon. They don't grow anything really just make corals look really good.
fishtk75
New member
Re: Re: T5 new fixture time setting help!
Re: Re: T5 new fixture time setting help!
What about that MFG's say that T5 last every 14-18 months before changing I saw on posts.
Has to change these are the ones to change to? What light cycle need to be set at? Who sells them?
ATI Blue Plus = supplment a MH?
KZ Fiji Purple = ?
GE 6500K = replicating natural sunlight
ATI Blue Plus
Re: Re: T5 new fixture time setting help!
What about that MFG's say that T5 last every 14-18 months before changing I saw on posts.
Has to change these are the ones to change to? What light cycle need to be set at? Who sells them?
ATI Blue Plus = supplment a MH?
KZ Fiji Purple = ?
GE 6500K = replicating natural sunlight
ATI Blue Plus
Last edited:
pfoster40
New member
I have a question about the T-5 fixtures. I'm currently debating on what to upgrade to for my 75 gallon tank. As of now I have a current orbit pc 260w fixture. Right now I have a couple of zoa's, softies, and lps in my tank. I would like to get some sps in a few months. My question is what fixture to get for my tank. I'm currently looking at the TEK light 6 bulb fixture, NEP, or maybe a Tx5 (because I found a nice used one). Can someone please help me out as I am need of some help from the light gods!
rtparty
Raise The Reef!
I would really like to hear Grim's reco on this.
The Powermodule is better than the Sfilgoi. The Powermodule is the best of the best. They will have no issues keeping the demand for SPS. If you want 12 bulbs then get 4 fixtures total. 4 of the 6x39W ATI Powermodule. If you want to go that rout you could even get the ATI Sunpower possibly.
Good idea with the LED's though. You need more than they recommend. They make dusk/dawn really fun! Only get the blue. Don't get the mixed one. It isn't cool.
rtparty
Raise The Reef!
Re: Re: Re: T5 new fixture time setting help!
Re: Re: Re: T5 new fixture time setting help!
I am not sure I understand your second question.
T5 bulbs usually last about a year. After that people notice big differences. They will not last 18 months that is for sure. All of the blue phosphors will be gone by then. Current USA bulbs are good for about 6 in my opinion.
The bulbs I recommended are the 4 you should run in my opinion.
Re: Re: Re: T5 new fixture time setting help!
I am not sure I understand your second question.
T5 bulbs usually last about a year. After that people notice big differences. They will not last 18 months that is for sure. All of the blue phosphors will be gone by then. Current USA bulbs are good for about 6 in my opinion.
The bulbs I recommended are the 4 you should run in my opinion.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
What are the dimensions of the tank?
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
I would do 12 rows of 54 watt T5's on the IC ballasts. I would make a custom duct work out of PVC to cool the ends of the lamps. If you mounted a 3" fan so it blew into 3" pvc (Capped at the opposite end) and mounted the pipe on the outside of the endcaps on each end you could tap into the PVC between each of the two endcaps with with like half inch pvc and use a T so each of your taps cools two lamps. You might have to mill down the T's a bit so the locking rings on the endcaps can slide past but it shouldn't be too hard.
I think I would mount the ballasts so you can have a small fan provide airflow across them as well.
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