The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14696629#post14696629 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 02WRXGT30R
Hey Grim I have a GHL Profilux controller and am looking for a ballast to drive my 36" T5's (2 on each ballast) and i found a 54 wall ballast here 54 Watt ballast and was wondering if it would work if not do you know of any ballast that is dimmable either by a 1-10V input or DALI

Thanks for all the effort you put into educating all us lighting idiots lol

Youwould need to contact the vendor about that. I dunno if that ballast is compatable with that controller or not.

 

[Milhouse]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14697372#post14697372 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
150 watt halides dont set any records for output so I would stick with 10K halides and Blue Plus T5's. Both are high PAR and should give you good power.

So do you think with that setup I'll still get as good or better par then a 6 bulb Sunpower? I mainly went with it because I felt two 250w bulbs plus the four 39w T5's would be overkill. So it was either the Current fixture with two 150w MH and 4 39w T5's(which I figured would give me some more lighting options) or a six 39w bulb Sunpower. I kinda liked the flexibility of having the MH too. So are there any 150w MH bulbs that you'd like to go with the combo? Any sps that I'd keep would be up in the top half. I might keep a clam or two as well, but I figured I should still have enough light.

edit: Hope the weather is ok down there. It was horrible this morning, but getting better now.

 

[pimp4cheddar]

Do an ATI Blue Plus and KZ Fiji Purple. Yours is one of the cases where I think the Fiji Purple is worth the price. You will have to play to see if you like it better in front or behind.

Does anyone have a picture of this set up????

ATI BLUE PLUS + KZ FIJI PURPLE?



Thanks,

 

[xlayedoutx]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14696541#post14696541 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rtparty
The issue I have found is the reflectors aren't as good and the ballasts actually don't push a T5 bulb how they should. Overall you are correct that on a shallow tank you can get away with a Current but if you are talking a full blown SPS system with clams on the bottom then the Current won't handle it.

I'm not here to argue but again if you're talking full blown SPS with clams on the bottom of a SHALLOW tank then the (6 bulb) nova pro would be fine. I wouldn't go with the (4 bulb) extreme as it wouldn't be enough but the pro would be fine. I wouldn't use the Currents on anything over 20" deep though with clams at the bottom. I forget off hand how deep my Aquapod is but the (2) clams I have in the sandbed are looking great.

Thanks for the bulb sugestion. A friend of mine has a 26g bow front and he needs some new bulbs, and I was almost thinking about running the extreme over my tank untill new bulbs come out for the 20" nova pro. I might just replace one of the 10k's with another 420 and have (4) 420's and (2) 10k's

 

[dan223]

Hey, Im setting up a 6 bulb and want a white or nuetral as possible look while keeping max flourescence hows this combo will it maximize all colors?
front
Blue +
UV superact
bluespecial
fiji purple
uv aquasun
uvl 75/25aquablue

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14697853#post14697853 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dan223
Hey, Im setting up a 6 bulb and want a white or nuetral as possible look while keeping max flourescence hows this combo will it maximize all colors?
front
Blue +
UV superact
bluespecial
fiji purple
uv aquasun
uvl 75/25aquablue

IMO that would be nice and purple! The UVL Aquasun and 75/25 are extremelt pink/purple bulbs.

ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Aquablue
GE 6500K
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus or ATI Aquablue

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14697824#post14697824 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by xlayedoutx
I'm not here to argue but again if you're talking full blown SPS with clams on the bottom of a SHALLOW tank then the (6 bulb) nova pro would be fine. I wouldn't go with the (4 bulb) extreme as it wouldn't be enough but the pro would be fine. I wouldn't use the Currents on anything over 20" deep though with clams at the bottom. I forget off hand how deep my Aquapod is but the (2) clams I have in the sandbed are looking great.

Thanks for the bulb sugestion. A friend of mine has a 26g bow front and he needs some new bulbs, and I was almost thinking about running the extreme over my tank untill new bulbs come out for the 20" nova pro. I might just replace one of the 10k's with another 420 and have (4) 420's and (2) 10k's

I believe Current is the only company that makes the bulbs for the 20" Nova Pro and no other company is going to, that I have read or heard of.

 

[xlayedoutx]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14698148#post14698148 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rtparty
I believe Current is the only company that makes the bulbs for the 20" Nova Pro and no other company is going to, that I have read or heard of.

Thats the info I had gotten too. I then called reefgeek and I'm not sure who it was I talked to but he said he knew a few were in development for some companies but that he wouldn't hold his breath waiting for them. The e-mail I received about a month ago from one of the tech guys at ATI simply stated "we're working on it".. Who knows how long though.

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14698242#post14698242 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by xlayedoutx
Thats the info I had gotten too. I then called reefgeek and I'm not sure who it was I talked to but he said he knew a few were in development for some companies but that he wouldn't hold his breath waiting for them. The e-mail I received about a month ago from one of the tech guys at ATI simply stated "we're working on it".. Who knows how long though.

That is good news! I am glad someone has heard something because I think ATI could take over the market for the 18" bulbs if they can get them to hit good PAR

 

[Milhouse]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14698524#post14698524 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rtparty
That is good news! I am glad someone has heard something because I think ATI could take over the market for the 18" bulbs if they can get them to hit good PAR

I honestly think that there is a good size market for smaller T5 bulbs. I have always wondered why Current was the only one to make them. I know that on some of CADlights nano's that they have "T5's" but they are basically just regular bulbs. I've wanted to set up my Biocube again for a while, but I just don't like PC's. The only other option is MH which seems like a bit much on a 14g tank.

 

[dan223]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14698139#post14698139 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rtparty
IMO that would be nice and purple! The UVL Aquasun and 75/25 are extremelt pink/purple bulbs.

ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Aquablue
GE 6500K
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus or ATI Aquablue

do the blue plus put out enough actinic for colors to pop?\ without using a straight actinic bulb?

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14698709#post14698709 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dan223
do the blue plus put out enough actinic for colors to pop?\ without using a straight actinic bulb?

Yes they do. They have quite a bit of actinic in them. The Aquablue and KZ Fiji Purple will also add a little actinic as well. You could replace the Fiji Purple with the UVL Actinic White or 75/25.

 

[crigsby]

Grimm,

So after lots of dileberating I have decided to upgrade my t5 lighting. I have a mixed reef with several sps and have some lps and softies on the bottom. My tank is 36x18x24, what light fixture and bulb combination do you suggest I go with. I want good growth and good pop with the colors in my sps.

Thanks,
Chris

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14697700#post14697700 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Milhouse
So do you think with that setup I'll still get as good or better par then a 6 bulb Sunpower? I mainly went with it because I felt two 250w bulbs plus the four 39w T5's would be overkill. So it was either the Current fixture with two 150w MH and 4 39w T5's(which I figured would give me some more lighting options) or a six 39w bulb Sunpower. I kinda liked the flexibility of having the MH too. So are there any 150w MH bulbs that you'd like to go with the combo? Any sps that I'd keep would be up in the top half. I might keep a clam or two as well, but I figured I should still have enough light.

edit: Hope the weather is ok down there. It was horrible this morning, but getting better now.

The 58 is what, 24" tall?

SPS up on the rocks will be fine. Keep any clams directly below the halides and they should be fine.

As far as the Halide lamps the BIT/BLV 10K had the highest output of any 150 watt halide. Using those with the blue plus T5's should get you good results. As good as the Sunpower? I kinda doubt it but you should get good growth and should get as least as good a color.

Weather isn't too bad right around my place but over toward Littleton it took a friend of the wife about 2 1/2 hours to go 3 miles.

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14699083#post14699083 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by crigsby
Grimm,

So after lots of dileberating I have decided to upgrade my t5 lighting. I have a mixed reef with several sps and have some lps and softies on the bottom. My tank is 36x18x24, what light fixture and bulb combination do you suggest I go with. I want good growth and good pop with the colors in my sps.

Thanks,
Chris

ATI Sunpower or Powermodule. The 6 bulb fixture in either will work well IMO.

ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K'
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14694003#post14694003 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ride4life
Does anyone know if it is possible to run three 54 watt 48'' T-5 HO bulbs on an IceCap 430 ballast? I know you can run up to 4 bulbs and that includes VHO bulbs, but someone mentioned that the 430 will only run 2 T-5 HO bulbs...

Acording to Ice Cap only 2. They has said 3 24" T5's are possible but I guess thats not 100%. T5's have higher internal resistance than other fluorescent lamps so it takes more mojo to light them

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14694514#post14694514 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by CLINTOS
I asked a question on here and got an answer just have a couple more thank's:

WILL I HAVE MORE PAR?

DO I NEED MORE ATTINIC?
HOW MUCH?

I'M THINKING:

2-12 000 KZ
4-20 000K GEISMEN
2-ATTINIC FIGI PURPLE KZ

inch by inch fully loaded 90G 48"x24"Hx18"W

http://www.aquacave.com/tek-light-t-5-48-lightbr-fixture-4-x-54w-lamps-brby-sunlight-supply-691.html

HOPING TO GET SIMULAR TO THIS ANY HELP WITH GUESSTAMATING?:

10-t5 80 watt on his tank that is (64” x 31” x 24” or 206-gallons) three white (ATI Blue Spezial)I believe is 12 000k, while the rest is a combination of blue and violet light (ATI Blue Plus, ATI Blue Actinic, and Korallenzucht Fiji Purple).

TOTM RK:
10 light's but also wider
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-07/totm/index.php

IS HIS OVER DRIVEN WHERE I HAVE NO CHANCE OF COMPETING WITH MY CANOPY?

WILL I HAVE MORE PAR?

IS THIS PIC BEFORE OR AFTER HIS SWITCH (below) from mh?
IS HIS 12 0000K AT HE BACK OF HIS TANK?

DOES HE HAVE ACRO'S?

IF NOT WITH MY LIGHTING DO I HAVE A CHANCE WITH THE RIGHT CALCIUM SUPLLIMENTATION AND I THINK MY EXTRA PAR?

DOES SUPPLIMENTING LIVE FOOD FOR SPS HELP FILL IN THE SPACE FOR NUTRIENT'S THAT LIGHT IS DULLER OR AM I CHASING A DEAD HORSE WITH THIS IDEA?

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-07/eb/index.php

Both of the photos above are from reefs on the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. The left photo shows the clear "nutrient poor" (oligotrophic) waters of the outer reefs. The right photo is of an inshore "nutrient rich" lagoon reef off Townsville. Notice how coral coverage in both systems is high, and even though the green phytoplankton-filled lagoonal reef is nutrient rich, it supports a high density of Acropora. Photos by Eric Borneman.

If the tank is 24" tall I would strongly suggest an 8 lamp ATI Power module or Aquactinics 7 lamp Constellation.

Trying that with a Tek Light isn't going to leave any margin for error.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14694584#post14694584 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by xlayedoutx
Most of the info on Current T-5's I see here say that they are on the low end when it comes to T-5's. That may be true for deeper tanks and it may be a cheap unit but I have the (6) bulb Nova Pro over my 24G Aquapod and it looks great and my SPS look great. Great Color and great growth. Now I wouldn't use them on Deep tanks but I don't see why they wouldn't be a good choice for tanks 20 inches deep and less. With that being said I'm most likely going with the ATI PM on my next tank (75G), but thats only because I'm going to go all out on that one. If the ATI wasn't in my price range though I wouldn't have a problem going with the currents.

Now with all that being said whats a good combo for (4 bulb) 24" T-5 unit. I really like the blue look but still want good growth and color.

2 Blue Plus, an aquablue and KZ Fiji Purple or UVL Actinic White Should work.

 

[Milhouse]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14699228#post14699228 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
The 58 is what, 24" tall?

SPS up on the rocks will be fine. Keep any clams directly below the halides and they should be fine.

As far as the Halide lamps the BIT/BLV 10K had the highest output of any 150 watt halide. Using those with the blue plus T5's should get you good results. As good as the Sunpower? I kinda doubt it but you should get good growth and should get as least as good a color.

Weather isn't too bad right around my place but over toward Littleton it took a friend of the wife about 2 1/2 hours to go 3 miles.

It's 36x18x21. So I don't think it's any taller than my 37g that it's replacing. Plus I plan on putting at least a couple of inches of sand in it. Which bulb is the BIT/BLV? Is that the Ushio(PA has some Ushio bulbs listed as Ushio/BLV)?

Weather isn't too bad here anymore, still snowing. But I got a snow day out of it so I'm pretty stoked.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14697853#post14697853 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dan223
Hey, Im setting up a 6 bulb and want a white or nuetral as possible look while keeping max flourescence hows this combo will it maximize all colors?
front
Blue +
UV superact
bluespecial
fiji purple
uv aquasun
uvl 75/25aquablue

You are better off using Blue Plus and more white lamps to get the look you want

Front
Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue

You can play with the position of the aquablue to get the look you want but that mix should be fairly white and pop colors pretty good. All the lamps have actinic output.