The T5 Q&a Thread

[runningnreefing]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14824621#post14824621 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by murraycamp
All lawn gnomes must die.

That "lawn gnome" was a sick, sick joke.

 

[ReefEnabler]

The labels go under the holes. The air comes in from the holes, and exits on the other side by the vents. thats why I posted the photos of the Sunpower last page.

 

[vargomat]

Thanks Grim!!!!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14824626#post14824626 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by runningnreefing
I just noticed that one end of the fixture has the holes above the endcaps and the other side has the vents. Again, which side should the label end of the bulb go on.

Thanks.

Hello, Holes between the reflector and endcaps

Air blows out the hole, on the label end, down the reflector channel past the non label end and out the vent/

 

[The Grim Reefer]

DOG PILE ON THE T5 NEWBE!!!

 

[runningnreefing]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14824645#post14824645 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Hello, Holes between the reflector and endcaps

Air blows out the hole, on the label end, down the reflector channel past the non label end and out the vent/

This is my first T5 so I definitely qualify as a T5 newbie. Also, I am installing the fixture while I am trying to get some answers so I am a little impatient. Thank you for always answering my questions.

 

[ReefEnabler]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14824629#post14824629 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
If you can get the air to blow down the refector channel you wouldn't need to cool the other end of the lamps but when using a fan blowing in from the back I think its better to have a fan at each end.

That is what I was hoping would happen with this setup:

But now that everything is mounted and I tried it out, those fans don't generate much air movement more than ~2.5 feet away, simply too much space to diffuse/not enough flow.

I think the only way the PM gets away with it, is the splash-shield acts like a duct, keeping all the air travelling inside the reflectors. Maybe I'll just use a big splash shield as a duct?? Or it may be easier to just put fans on both ends.

 

[Taqpol]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14824577#post14824577 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
As long as the lamps arent over 6" above the water I thing the HO version is fine unless you plan on sps down to the sand, then overdriving 4 should be fine.

What do you think about the fan placement? Also, whats a good set of bulbs for this set up? I want good par (especially since they won't be overdriven) and pop, but I don't like the extremely blue set ups. I'm guessing I would want about a 14000K setup?

 

[dbg7798]

Grim,

I have ordered a 120 Tech Tank and would like to get the most silent black T5 fixture possible.

I will be having a mixed reef mostly softies and LPS, but will start to dable in SPS once fully up and running. (sps can be limitted to the upper level of the tank).

What fixture would you suggest?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14824697#post14824697 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ReefEnabler
That is what I was hoping would happen with this setup:

But now that everything is mounted and I tried it out, those fans don't generate much air movement more than ~2.5 feet away, simply too much space to diffuse/not enough flow.

I think the only way the PM gets away with it, is the splash-shield acts like a duct, keeping all the air travelling inside the reflectors. Maybe I'll just use a big splash shield as a duct?? Or it may be easier to just put fans on both ends.

You could use the small fans at the label end like that and use those big mamas blowing in from the back at the other end and make a vent in the upper center part of the rear for the hot air to exit

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14824809#post14824809 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Taqpol
What do you think about the fan placement? Also, whats a good set of bulbs for this set up? I want good par (especially since they won't be overdriven) and pop, but I don't like the extremely blue set ups. I'm guessing I would want about a 14000K setup?

Fans should be fine, I would use the bigger ones, 4".

I would use 4 ATI Blue Plus, 2 ATI Aquablue and 2 UVL Actinic White or KZ Fiji Purple.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14825474#post14825474 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dbg7798
Grim,

I have ordered a 120 Tech Tank and would like to get the most silent black T5 fixture possible.

I will be having a mixed reef mostly softies and LPS, but will start to dable in SPS once fully up and running. (sps can be limitted to the upper level of the tank).

What fixture would you suggest?

If you are only going to dabble in SPS the 8 lamp Tek light. I would add a remote fan that woll blow air across the rear center edge of the rear of the fixture to provide air movement, really helps the output and you can choose your own fan to find one quiet enough. Dont use the splash shield, just make sure the fixture is at least 4" above the tank.

 

[dbg7798]

Grim,

Thanks for the reply, how quiet is your Constellation fixture?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14825621#post14825621 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dbg7798
Grim,

Thanks for the reply, how quiet is your Constellation fixture?

It isn't annoyingly loud but you do get noise from it. Mine is on the tank in a 12 x 20 foot living room and it wasn't obnoxious. It wasn't enough to drown out the sound of the HOB overflow on the tank.

 

[Taqpol]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14825573#post14825573 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Fans should be fine, I would use the bigger ones, 4".

I would use 4 ATI Blue Plus, 2 ATI Aquablue and 2 UVL Actinic White or KZ Fiji Purple.

Thanks for all your help! Whats the difference between the UVL Actinic White and the KZ Fiji Purple (as in, what factors should I consider when I choose between those two)? Also, which bulbs would you suggest I use to start a dawn/dusk cycle?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14825749#post14825749 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Taqpol
Thanks for all your help! Whats the difference between the UVL Actinic White and the KZ Fiji Purple (as in, what factors should I consider when I choose between those two)? Also, which bulbs would you suggest I use to start a dawn/dusk cycle?

As far as I am concerned I see no difference between what the actinic white does and the Fiji Purple when used with other lamps.

Blue Plus for the dusk/dawn.

 

[Taqpol]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14825847#post14825847 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
As far as I am concerned I see no difference between what the actinic white does and the Fiji Purple when used with other lamps.

Blue Plus for the dusk/dawn.

Ok, last question, I promise! If I bought the 8x54W retrofit kit with the four accustart ballasts but later down the road I wanted to overdrive four of the bulbs I could just pick up an IC 660 and plug that into the existing setup in place of two of the accustarts, correct?

 

[Scottn29]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14825898#post14825898 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Taqpol
Ok, last question, I promise! If I bought the 8x54W retrofit kit with the four accustart ballasts but later down the road I wanted to overdrive four of the bulbs I could just pick up an IC 660 and plug that into the existing setup in place of two of the accustarts, correct?

I dont see why not

 

[keith5]

I've been using this combo in my 4x39 powermodule for a few months but I don't like how bright it is:

ATI Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
UVL Super Actinic
ATI Blue Plus

Any suggestions on what to change for a more subdued look? I'm thinking I should switch out the aquasun with something but not I'm not sure with what. Thanks.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14825898#post14825898 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Taqpol
Ok, last question, I promise! If I bought the 8x54W retrofit kit with the four accustart ballasts but later down the road I wanted to overdrive four of the bulbs I could just pick up an IC 660 and plug that into the existing setup in place of two of the accustarts, correct?

It isn't quite as easy as just plugging it in but it isn't hard either.