The T5 Q&a Thread

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<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14663899#post14663899 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tinnghe
Grim

I am running 2 250 watt with 2 t5 supplement. I am looking for an upgrade. I have a set of 400 watt mh that I can put on my lumen brite reflector. However I want to go t5 instead. Would a powermodule 8x54 watt be enough? It is a 48x24x31h tank with about 3 inches of sand. Or should I not even think about t5?

Even with the powermodule you will need to be careful how low you place high light critters but it is doable with T5's over a 31" tall tank.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14664046#post14664046 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by andy57
Thanks for the heads up, it definitely changes where I'm leaning :)

Only thing I don't like about the Tek lights is how much more I'd have to pay for the acrylic cover and stand (I don't want to hang them :))

How would the 4 bulb Tek compare with Nova Extreme Pro? I know the Tek fixtures are better but not sure if the 4 bulb Tek would be better than the 6 the Nova Extreme Pro offers.

The width becomes an issue as I'll be lighting my 72g bowfront which is only 12" at the ends, so the 6 bulb Tek would be too wide.

Thanks again!

Look at the Aquactinics Tx5 for the bow. It is 5 lamps and the fixture is only 9.5 inches front to back, best solution for a bow.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14664423#post14664423 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by onegreenray
grim,
looking for a color combination for my 40 breeder. have two 36" 4 t5 nova extremes running.

currently running 4 uv super actnics and 4 uv AquaSun 10000°K


what i am looking for is a combination that will bring out the colors of my zoas(make them pop) and add some more light to increase growth. i guess more blue then the current purple i have. not to crazy about the uv bulbs.

thx

Front
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
Aquasun
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
Aquasun
Blue Plus
Blue Plus

Try that to start so you don't go broke buying new lamps.
 
Thanks Grim. Would you recommend the 4-bulb Powermodule or something else? I'm afraid it's too much light as I'm shading some of my lps on the sand of my 90 (175w halides), but I don't know what else to look at as I'd like to avoid making a canopy for it.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14665696#post14665696 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Chibils
Thanks Grim. Would you recommend the 4-bulb Powermodule or something else? I'm afraid it's too much light as I'm shading some of my lps on the sand of my 90 (175w halides), but I don't know what else to look at as I'd like to avoid making a canopy for it.

I would look around for a fixture you like the look of. The 4 lamp Finnex would put out enough light with good lamps in it. The ATI will be way overkill on that shallow of a tank.
 
Grim is the Glo brand a good T-5 bulb? I have 4-39W T-5 HO bulbs on my 125gal. tank. L6' X W18" X H23" that I retro-fit into my hood. Bulb set-up is as follows.

Front
Power-glo
Marine-glo
Marine-glo
Power-glo

I have a frog spawn, some mushrooms, green star polyps, toad stool leather, I would like to get into the sps corals in the future and recomandtions or input would be great!! i.e. on different brand bulbs, different set-up or a point in the right direction.

Thank you, Hozer
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14666463#post14666463 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by HOZER62
Grim is the Glo brand a good T-5 bulb? I have 4-39W T-5 HO bulbs on my 125gal. tank. L6' X W18" X H23" that I retro-fit into my hood. Bulb set-up is as follows.

Front
Power-glo
Marine-glo
Marine-glo
Power-glo

I have a frog spawn, some mushrooms, green star polyps, toad stool leather, I would like to get into the sps corals in the future and recomandtions or input would be great!! i.e. on different brand bulbs, different set-up or a point in the right direction.

Thank you, Hozer


I used Glo brand stuff on my FW planted tank for a year and the plants always suffered. I switched out to good name brand bulbs and the tank has gone crazy over the past three months. I don't have PAR readings but my plants have told me the Glo brand is no good.

If you are serious about getting into SPS on your 125 you will need to go with (6) 80W bulbs over that tank at the minimum. You can also do 2 rows of 36" bulbs. 12 bulbs total. Find Grim's posts and click on the red house to learn a lot more about T5.
 
I'm trying to light a 58g tank(36l x 18d x 21h). It's replacing a 37g that I currently have set up. On the 37g I have 250w MH, with 4 24w T5's. I'm trying to decide between going with more of the same(just getting a 36" Current Outer Orbit to replace the 24") or going with all T5's. There aren't a ton of 36" T5 options. Right now I'm looking at the Nova Extreme Pro(6 bulbs), the Aquatinics TX5(5 bulbs) or the 6 bulb Tek light. Now the Tek is definitely "no frills" over the other two. The other option would be to possibly have a canopy built and add Ice Cap retros. If that was the case, would 4x39 overdriven be any better than 6x39 not overdriven?

Overall, I'm just looking for a mixed tank. I have my acros now that are up high in my tank with mostly lps and softies on the bottom. I hate upgrading lights, so I want something that's gonna be good enough for a while. My sons 30g has a Current Sundial on it and all of the LPS that are in it look great. So I'm not too worried about LPS or softies....just what I'll need to get good growth from Acros.
 
Have some old (I've run then 1.5 yrs and bought used) 2x54W Helios Super Blu 03 along with 2x250W DE 14K Ushio.

Turned the T5s off (with the MH on) and couldn't tell the different so think time to replace.

What's suggested that's not to purple for the dusk/dawn but still has the actinic kick for supplementing the MH.

If it makes a difference the tank is a room divider so viewable from both sides.
 
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Grim, i'm a teacher and i STILL don't know how you're doing this! All should be very grateful!!!

For anyone, my question, cheapest place for a 2x24 w t5 retro?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14666831#post14666831 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Milhouse
I'm trying to light a 58g tank(36l x 18d x 21h). It's replacing a 37g that I currently have set up. On the 37g I have 250w MH, with 4 24w T5's. I'm trying to decide between going with more of the same(just getting a 36" Current Outer Orbit to replace the 24") or going with all T5's. There aren't a ton of 36" T5 options. Right now I'm looking at the Nova Extreme Pro(6 bulbs), the Aquatinics TX5(5 bulbs) or the 6 bulb Tek light. Now the Tek is definitely "no frills" over the other two. The other option would be to possibly have a canopy built and add Ice Cap retros. If that was the case, would 4x39 overdriven be any better than 6x39 not overdriven?

Overall, I'm just looking for a mixed tank. I have my acros now that are up high in my tank with mostly lps and softies on the bottom. I hate upgrading lights, so I want something that's gonna be good enough for a while. My sons 30g has a Current Sundial on it and all of the LPS that are in it look great. So I'm not too worried about LPS or softies....just what I'll need to get good growth from Acros.


As for a fixture the TX5 or ATI Sunpower is your best bet. The Sunpower may be a little much for your softies but you can run lower PAR bulbs if needed.

As for a retro you will want 6 bulbs. 4 overdriven is not worth it as the tank is only 21" deep. The extra 2 bulbs is extremely nice to have so you can really tune in the coloration.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14666844#post14666844 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by das75
Have some old (I've run then 1.5 yrs and bought used) 2x54W Helios Super Blu 03 along with 2x250W DE 14K Ushio.

Turned the T5s off (with the MH on) and couldn't tell the different so think time to replace.

What's suggested that's not to purple for the dusk/dawn but still has the actinic kick for supplementing the MH.

If it makes a difference the tank is a room divider so viewable from both sides.

2 ATI Blue Plus
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14666884#post14666884 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by puckbs
Grim, i'm a teacher and i STILL don't know how you're doing this! All should be very grateful!!!

For anyone, my question, cheapest place for a 2x24 w t5 retro?

For a good retrofit kit go with reefgeek.com
 
I decided to upgrade to Sunpower 48", 6 bulb for my 75. Don't have any corals yet but plan on keeping a mix of different things.

What watt should I be looking to get?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14667180#post14667180 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rtparty
As for a fixture the TX5 or ATI Sunpower is your best bet. The Sunpower may be a little much for your softies but you can run lower PAR bulbs if needed.

As for a retro you will want 6 bulbs. 4 overdriven is not worth it as the tank is only 21" deep. The extra 2 bulbs is extremely nice to have so you can really tune in the coloration.

First off, who sells the Sunpower? I'm pretty sure that I've looked for it before and couldn't find it. I like the powermodule but I think it's a little pricey for me at this time. Is the TX5 at 5 bulbs really going to be that much better than the Nova Extreme Pro at 6 bulbs?

As far as the retro goes, you're saying that 6 regularly driven bulbs are better than 4 over driven for my application? I'm assuming since you mentioned "depth" that over driven bulbs are better for deeper tanks then.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14667344#post14667344 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Milhouse
First off, who sells the Sunpower? I'm pretty sure that I've looked for it before and couldn't find it. I like the powermodule but I think it's a little pricey for me at this time. Is the TX5 at 5 bulbs really going to be that much better than the Nova Extreme Pro at 6 bulbs?

As far as the retro goes, you're saying that 6 regularly driven bulbs are better than 4 over driven for my application? I'm assuming since you mentioned "depth" that over driven bulbs are better for deeper tanks then.

Reefgeek carries the Sunpower. You have to call and get on the waiting list for them.

Yes the TX5 will out do the Nova Extreme, better reflectors, better cooling, and better ballasts.

Over driving is for very high light tanks and deep tanks.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14667409#post14667409 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rick17
On a icecap 430 ballast how many 48" giesemann powerchrome actinic pure T5 HO 24 watt can i put on

I believe 2
 
After much reading I've decided to do
Front ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

What's the difference between that and

Front ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue

This seems very popular also.
 
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