The T5 Q&a Thread

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<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14828911#post14828911 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jthao
thanks for helping me out grim and rtparty. you guys are awesome.
I'm new to t-5s, never ran them b4, was always a mh and vho guy.
one more question, well two more, sorry:
so with my set up, would it be sufficient for sps? cuss it seems dull to me compared to my mh set up from b4.
what bulb combo would you run if you had a 180g tank 80%+ sps and was using 5ft t-5s with ic660s running 9 bulbs?
I want good growth/color and nice looking tank aesthetically(14K-20Kish).
thanks!!!

I'd go with 5 Blue Plus, 2 Aquablues and 2 Fiji Purples. I think that will be fine on a 180 assuming you are using the Reefgeek Reflectors.
 
New tank build

New tank build

Good afternoon everyone,

I'm thouroughly impressed by all the information and everyone's willingness to answer questions on this forum.

I'm finally getting back into the hobby after an all too long hiatus. My previous experience was with reefs at a time when VHO's were state of the art and MH's were considered somewhat experimental; so I'm fascinated by the evolution that has taken place in reef lighting over the past few years.

In planning my new system, I'll be looking to keep a predominantly SPS tank with some LPS and possibly a few select softies. I will be custom building the tank and it will be 36"l x 24"w x 30"t. The canopy I'm planning will be enclosed but vented and cooled with fans.

Having read up on this board as well as a few others here on RC I'm contemplating either going with 2x250w MH & supplemental t5's or going fully with t5's.

I live in a desert climate, so heat build-up is a major concern - which has led me to look at an all t5 setup. Another concern is that the electrical current here is 240v, so a setup wired for that voltage will be a huge benefit (no step-down units or voltage converters producing heat.)

Starting from scratch means I can build anything at this point. I look forward to getting everyone's thoughts/input/suggestions.

Thanks in advance!
 
thanks, I'll try that, I actually have 2 extra fijis, so no true actinics huh? okay.
I'm using ice cap slr reflectors, I think??
so like this right?:
back
3.blue plus
2.aquablue
1.blueplus
3.fiji
2.blueplus
moonlight
1.aquablue
3.blueplus
2.fiji
1.blueplus
 
Re: New tank build

Re: New tank build

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14828974#post14828974 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Atdnole
Good afternoon everyone,

I'm thouroughly impressed by all the information and everyone's willingness to answer questions on this forum.

I'm finally getting back into the hobby after an all too long hiatus. My previous experience was with reefs at a time when VHO's were state of the art and MH's were considered somewhat experimental; so I'm fascinated by the evolution that has taken place in reef lighting over the past few years.

In planning my new system, I'll be looking to keep a predominantly SPS tank with some LPS and possibly a few select softies. I will be custom building the tank and it will be 36"l x 24"w x 30"t. The canopy I'm planning will be enclosed but vented and cooled with fans.

Having read up on this board as well as a few others here on RC I'm contemplating either going with 2x250w MH & supplemental t5's or going fully with t5's.

I live in a desert climate, so heat build-up is a major concern - which has led me to look at an all t5 setup. Another concern is that the electrical current here is 240v, so a setup wired for that voltage will be a huge benefit (no step-down units or voltage converters producing heat.)

Starting from scratch means I can build anything at this point. I look forward to getting everyone's thoughts/input/suggestions.

Thanks in advance!

ATI will have fixtures that should work in your situation assuming your power is compatible with European power specs. The T5's will add heat but it is a whole lot more manageable than what halides produce. Another option would be LED fixtures but I am not sure if anyone makes one that is compatible with your power. Reefgeek is a dealer for Aqua Illumination which makes a good LED setup. If you have the $$$ and they can get a 240v power supply that might be a very smart move.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14828975#post14828975 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jthao
thanks, I'll try that, I actually have 2 extra fijis, so no true actinics huh? okay.
I'm using ice cap slr reflectors, I think??
so like this right?:
back
3.blue plus
2.aquablue
1.blueplus
3.fiji
2.blueplus
moonlight
1.aquablue
3.blueplus
2.fiji
1.blueplus

back
3.blue plus
2.aquablue
1. .fiji
3 blueplus
2.blueplus
moonlight
1.aquablue
3.blueplus
2.fiji
1.blueplus

Slight change, that gives you 3 Blue Plus on the #3 ballast in case you dont like the 2 blue plus and fiji purple but I would try that.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14830286#post14830286 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by persun87
what kind of photoperiod do you run with t-5s how many hours actinics and how many with all bulbs running?

10 to 12 hours with dusk/dawn and 6 to 10 hours for the rest is what most people are doing as far as I know.
 
Hey Grim,

If I wanted the deep water look and keep the colors pop and growth can that be done.

I keep SPS,LPS,Zoas,Riccs and clams.

I have 2 fixtures

Tek5 6 Bulbs
Tek5 8 Bulbs

thx in advance
 
Last edited:
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14830618#post14830618 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BaNDiTo_RoX
Hey Grim,

If I wanted the deep water look and keep the colors pop and growth can that be done.

I keep SPS,LPS,Zoas,Riccs and clams.

I have 2 fixtures

Tek5 6 Bulbs
Tek5 8 Bulbs

thx in advance

You can use as many Blue Plus lamps as you want. They have really good PAR. You could try a couple Fiji Purple and the rest blue plus then add a Aquablue or two to brighten things up a bit if you want.
 
Grim

I have the nova extreme pro 48" fixture. I've had it for about a year now and I'm getting ready to replace the bulbs. The unit contains 6x54 currently. There are 3 10ks and 3 460nm in their currently. It is currently over a 55 but will be moved to a 75 when we move with in the next few months. I have a couple of nems, zoas a couple pieces of favia and a pavona. I'm looking for something to give good color and good growth. I know I will be limited to what I will be able to get with that fixture when I upgrade to the 75. Any help would be great.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14831578#post14831578 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ncompany
Grim

I have the nova extreme pro 48" fixture. I've had it for about a year now and I'm getting ready to replace the bulbs. The unit contains 6x54 currently. There are 3 10ks and 3 460nm in their currently. It is currently over a 55 but will be moved to a 75 when we move with in the next few months. I have a couple of nems, zoas a couple pieces of favia and a pavona. I'm looking for something to give good color and good growth. I know I will be limited to what I will be able to get with that fixture when I upgrade to the 75. Any help would be great.


ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue or Blue Plus
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14827986#post14827986 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mikesommers
Grim do you know the answer to this by chance??

I found it

33" including the prongs would be 34"!!
 
Hello I just got the 48" 6 bulb ATI SUNPOWER!

The fixture came today.
9ZTJ1-XQW94sSyZWlYasoQ
yOTCqsPrV-ZW7aWZzlLCVA
 
My bulbs will be here tomorrow. Reefgeek helped me pick the bulbs. I went with
3 -- ATI Blue Plus
1 -- ATI 12000K Aquablue
1 -- GE 6500K Daylight
1 -- UV Lighting 75-25

In what order would you place these?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14831578#post14831578 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ncompany
Grim

I have the nova extreme pro 48" fixture. I've had it for about a year now and I'm getting ready to replace the bulbs. The unit contains 6x54 currently. There are 3 10ks and 3 460nm in their currently. It is currently over a 55 but will be moved to a 75 when we move with in the next few months. I have a couple of nems, zoas a couple pieces of favia and a pavona. I'm looking for something to give good color and good growth. I know I will be limited to what I will be able to get with that fixture when I upgrade to the 75. Any help would be great.

You will need to be careful where you place higher light stuff in the 75.

Front
Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
 
Re: New tank build

Re: New tank build

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14828974#post14828974 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Atdnole
Good afternoon everyone,

I'm thouroughly impressed by all the information and everyone's willingness to answer questions on this forum.

I'm finally getting back into the hobby after an all too long hiatus. My previous experience was with reefs at a time when VHO's were state of the art and MH's were considered somewhat experimental; so I'm fascinated by the evolution that has taken place in reef lighting over the past few years.

In planning my new system, I'll be looking to keep a predominantly SPS tank with some LPS and possibly a few select softies. I will be custom building the tank and it will be 36"l x 24"w x 30"t. The canopy I'm planning will be enclosed but vented and cooled with fans.

Having read up on this board as well as a few others here on RC I'm contemplating either going with 2x250w MH & supplemental t5's or going fully with t5's.

I live in a desert climate, so heat build-up is a major concern - which has led me to look at an all t5 setup. Another concern is that the electrical current here is 240v, so a setup wired for that voltage will be a huge benefit (no step-down units or voltage converters producing heat.)

Starting from scratch means I can build anything at this point. I look forward to getting everyone's thoughts/input/suggestions.

Thanks in advance!

you can get the Ice Cap ballast in 240v.
 
Hello all!

120 gallon tank.....8 overdriven T5's.......building a canopy......no shield.

How high would you have the lights/reflectors off the water?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14836827#post14836827 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by villious
Hello all!

120 gallon tank.....8 overdriven T5's.......building a canopy......no shield.

How high would you have the lights/reflectors off the water?

A minimum of 4 inches off the water. You don't want water splashing on the bulbs and reflectors.
 
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