The T5 Q&a Thread

[ReefEnabler]

I have two 660's wired up to 6 bulbs so far The other ballast and bulbs should arrive later today

Here's how I wired them (still putting wires into the black channel), Note icecap fan on top blowing out:

I think they're around 10" from the water.

Not really happy with this color right now but its close:

3 ATI Blue+
1 ATI AB Special
1 Giesemann Pure Actinic (YUCK!!)
1 Fiji Purple (hmmm not sure either)

Definitely will lose the Giesemann actinic, might keep the Fiji, but right now with 6 bulbs its very overpowering IMO and kinda washes things out. (in this photo all the blue+ are in the back, so the colors dont blend so well)

But overall looks pretty good:

some more pics here in my thread, and updates hopefully tonight http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=14834067#post14834067

 

[ReefEnabler]

I did some testing of bulb temps with IR thermometer.

The cold spot is varying from 115F to 150F.... strange because even two Blue+ right next to eachother have this difference.

Bulb temps in the middle avg. around 200F (the thermometer doesn't correct for emissivity, so it might be wrong, but a touch of the finger says its close). I still need to mount the fans on the opposite end (not the label end).

 

[jthao]

wow, nice tank reefenabler!!!!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Thats purdy enabler.

 

[aquariumclown]

T5 supplementation

T5 supplementation

Hi Grim,

I have a 150gal (5'x2'2') and run 3x 250w SE radium bulbs. I would like to supplement with some t5 bulbs for coral fluorescence. I assume this means actinic bulbs. I'm thinking either 2 bulbs (one on each side of the MH), over driven by icecap 660 ballast. Or would it be better to run 4 bulbs normally driven? I'm also confused what bulbs I should use for my purpose. What's the difference between Blue Plus and pure actinic. I'm seeing that most people are using blue plus, but in my case I just want the corals to reflect fluorescence. Any help is appreciated.

 

[jrreese]

Hi Grim, I'm new to this thread. Am getting a new tank rimless 72x36x24 glass. What would be the ideal fixture or number of bulbs and lenghts for a sps set up. Retro doesn't bother me. Thanks for the help. jr

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14838760#post14838760 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jrreese
Hi Grim, I'm new to this thread. Am getting a new tank rimless 72x36x24 glass. What would be the ideal fixture or number of bulbs and lenghts for a sps set up. Retro doesn't bother me. Thanks for the help. jr

If it is 36" front to back you will want at least 12 bulbs. If you want to go retro fit I would do 2 rows of 36" lamps. So a total of 24 bulbs.

You could run some fixtures but it would be like 4 of them. The 6x39W ATI Powermodule would work. Get 4 of them. You could also run (2) 72" Constellations over it also.

It will be a huge project none the less! That tank will be awesome!

 

[rtparty]

Re: T5 supplementation

Re: T5 supplementation

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14838213#post14838213 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by aquariumclown
Hi Grim,

I have a 150gal (5'x2'2') and run 3x 250w SE radium bulbs. I would like to supplement with some t5 bulbs for coral fluorescence. I assume this means actinic bulbs. I'm thinking either 2 bulbs (one on each side of the MH), over driven by icecap 660 ballast. Or would it be better to run 4 bulbs normally driven? I'm also confused what bulbs I should use for my purpose. What's the difference between Blue Plus and pure actinic. I'm seeing that most people are using blue plus, but in my case I just want the corals to reflect fluorescence. Any help is appreciated.

If you can fit 4, I say do that. But if you can fit 2 then run 2 ATI Blue Plus with Reefgeek reflectors.

 

[jrreese]

Thanks so much for the info Ryan. After checking out the Reef Geek site my next question is if I went retro fit with the Ice Cap package should I go VHO of HO? Thanks for any help or insight ... jr Oh, yes it is 36 front to back ... pennsula set up in room

 

[mattiej]

Due to most of the fixtures I had decided to purchase are either back ordered or not to be delivered for a month or so, I will finally be getting a Constellation fixture. I will be purchasing the fixture with lamps, however, the retailer only carries UVL and Giesemann lamps. I believe these are as good as the ATI lamps, correct? What would be a combination of lamps from the above two manufacturers that would be about the same as the ATI combos most are using?

 

[ReefEnabler]

the "VHO" designation there is a misnomer, the only difference is that the "VHO" kits come with a 660 ballast which overdrives the bulbs.... however VHO is a term used to describe T12 fluorescents.

I think its just marketing speak.

HO kits come with AccuStart Triad electronic ballast which will not overdrive them.

 

[jrreese]

By the way, would still love to hear your thoughts as well Grim, after all wisdom comes throught many wise counselors jr

 

[jay02483]

i have a 29gal and i wanna keep sps and clams, i currently have a current usa 4x39w t5ho with 2 10k and 2 460mm actinics what do u all think?

 

[jrreese]

Reef Enabler, any thoughts on "to overdrive or not to overdrive" ? or the pros and cons? Thanks for the clarification and insights. jr

 

[bshumake]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14827706#post14827706 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Do a Fiji Purple or 75/25, not both.

Which would be preferable if you want the colors to pop?

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14839283#post14839283 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jay02483
i have a 29gal and i wanna keep sps and clams, i currently have a current usa 4x39w t5ho with 2 10k and 2 460mm actinics what do u all think?

Just be selective. Keep the high light critters under the lamps.

ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14839449#post14839449 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jrreese
Reef Enabler, any thoughts on "to overdrive or not to overdrive" ? or the pros and cons? Thanks for the clarification and insights. jr

If you want to keep clams on the sand and SPS clear down to the bottom then you need to overdrive the bulbs. Since you are doing a peninsula make sure the bulbs are balanced so you don't get the rainbow effect going on. You want all the sides to look the same.

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14839196#post14839196 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mattiej
Due to most of the fixtures I had decided to purchase are either back ordered or not to be delivered for a month or so, I will finally be getting a Constellation fixture. I will be purchasing the fixture with lamps, however, the retailer only carries UVL and Giesemann lamps. I believe these are as good as the ATI lamps, correct? What would be a combination of lamps from the above two manufacturers that would be about the same as the ATI combos most are using?

UVL 454
UVL 75/25
UVL 454
Gmann Midday or UVL Actinic White
UVL 454
Gmann Aquablue
UVL 454

The 454's can be replaced with the Gmann Actinic+.

 

[jay02483]

so i can really chose any lights i want and it will be fine? or is there like a must have?

 

[jrreese]

Thanks RTParty, you guys are great, now I'll have to pester you for bulb choices and position jr