The T5 Q&a Thread

[bunzaroo]

Grim,

I plan , I plan on running a 6 lamp 48 inch T5 retro kit, what bulb combination would you recommend for a good balance between PAR and color, I prefer the bluer look to the white. Tank is a bowfront 72 gallon, 18 inch deep, I will be running 1 660 ballast for the rear 4 lamps and another 660 for the front 2. I plan on using the front 2 lamps for the dawn / dusk effect. Thanks in advance.

 

[bunzaroo]

Grim,

I plan , I plan on running a 6 lamp 48 inch T5 retro kit, what bulb combination would you recommend for a good balance between PAR and color, I prefer the bluer look to the white. Tank is a bowfront 72 gallon, 18 inch deep, I will be running 1 660 ballast for the rear 4 lamps and another 660 for the front 2. I plan on using the front 2 lamps for the dawn / dusk effect. Thanks in advance.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14787552#post14787552 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by elmatth1
I've been using a 6x24w t-5 setup for about a month now. The fixture came with 3-10k white bulbs and 3-actinic bulbs. I've replaced one each of the 10k and actinic's for blue+ bulbs, but my tank still seems too white. Any recommedations for what to swap out another 10k and actinic with? I'd like to still keep one each 10k and actinic so i'm not throwing out good bulbs.

Here's how it's set up now:

front:
10k
actinic
blue+
10k
actinic
blue+

Move a Blue Plus or actinic to the first slot and see what you think

The Actinics (If they are true actinics) don't put out much visible light, swap one out with another Blue Plus if changing the placement doesn't do it for you.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14787581#post14787581 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by austin93
I have been a user of t5 lighting for a couple years and have changed bulbs many times. I would really like someones opinion on this setup.......

Front
Blue + (already have)
AB Special (already have)
Aquascience 22K (This is where I am concerned)
Aquascience Duo (Another new bulb)
AB Special
Blue +

I only need to buy 2 bulbs and I was thinking the aquascience bulbs would be nice and the duo might add a little bit of red. I have an aquasun now and think it is too pink. It is a SPS tank so par is a concern. Any advice is great. I was also entertaining the idea of all Blue+ and AB Special bulbs. Thanks.

The DUO is just a more blue version of a Aquablue. The 22000K Is about the same as a blue plus. If you want to replace the Aquasun because of the pink then go with the AS Special 15K. It is more of a white light so it will have more red in it than the duo but wont give you the pink tint

 

[ReefEnabler]

What is the relationship between the people who did that test and the aquascience bulb distributors? is http://archiv.korallenriff.de/ the german distributor company?

I was thinking the name Korallen-Riff sounded very similar to Korallen-Zucht... but then I realized that korallen it was just german for coral :lol:

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14787839#post14787839 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tor101898
Grim, I have another question.While researching my options for the marineland DD 200 gallon, I came across fixtures that have MH with T5 bulbs. What advantage does this have ?
Also since I already have two 250 watt ballasts ( mogul), can I just get a combination on T5 bulbs if I kept the MH.

The setup would be On a 48"L x 36"W x 27"H Tank , I was thinking front to back:

4 T5 bulbs
MH
4 T5 bulbs

As before the bulbs would start off with 4 t5 actinics on then the other 4 bulbs on for a daytime look, then the MH on for noon hours. then the bulbs would reverse for dusk.
The Mh bulbs are 250 w 15k
what would be your recommendation.

I'd run Blue and Actinic T5's with 10K halides.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14788366#post14788366 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rprew
I have an ATI power module. The tank is a 120g 48X24X24 with mostly SPS. I have the following bulb combination and need advise on what my best configuration would be. Here is my current placement.

Front
gman pure actinic
gman actinic
fiji purple
gman aqua blue+
gman pure actinic
fiji purple
gman actnic
gman aqua blue+

Thanks

You probably have about as good as you can get with those lamps.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14789335#post14789335 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JonnyD91
I just ordered a ATI sunpower fixture from reefgeek for my new 90G. i was wondering what i could put over the tank as a screen or a cover to prevent jumpers that wouldnt kill the output and par of the light?

Eggcrate or just sit the fixture on the tank and let the splash shield act as a lid.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14789910#post14789910 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by solareclisped
I am thinking about buying the constellation. I have a choice of adding 7 bulbs for $120. The options I have to choose from for this price is UVL brand T5HO lamps along with Sylvania 6500K and Coralvue Actinic Blue lamps. Could I do a good mix for a 90 gallon out of those choices for that price or would I be better off getting different bulbs. If some of those bulbs would be a good choice for the price which ones would you recommend?
Thanks for all the help.
Gary

Make sure the UVL lamps arent the ones with the enternal reflectors

Front
UVL 454
UVL 75/25
UVL 454
6500K
UVL 454
UVL Actinic White
UVL 454

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14790027#post14790027 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bunzaroo
Grim,

I plan , I plan on running a 6 lamp 48 inch T5 retro kit, what bulb combination would you recommend for a good balance between PAR and color, I prefer the bluer look to the white. Tank is a bowfront 72 gallon, 18 inch deep, I will be running 1 660 ballast for the rear 4 lamps and another 660 for the front 2. I plan on using the front 2 lamps for the dawn / dusk effect. Thanks in advance.

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus

Thats pretty blue but will still bring in pink and purple nice. Grab an Aquablue as a spare and try it in place of the UVL lamps and see what you think.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14790210#post14790210 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ReefEnabler
What is the relationship between the people who did that test and the aquascience bulb distributors? is http://archiv.korallenriff.de/ the german distributor company?

I was thinking the name Korallen-Riff sounded very similar to Korallen-Zucht... but then I realized that korallen it was just german for coral :lol:

It was the guy from Fauna Marin promoting the lamps. Not sure if he actually has those made ir is just the distributor but I had 2 different people warn me that the guy doing the test was a friend of his.

Again, I go by the PAR readings. Had the lamps been from a lot different spectrum I could chalk it up to inaccuracies in the PAR meter but considering the Special had less PAR AND less Blue light than the Aquablue I am not buying the better growth. If anything the PAR meter would under report PAR in the Aquablue lamp so it probably has an even bigger advantage over the special than I found. The meter doesn't read blue light as well as other spectrums

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14789335#post14789335 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JonnyD91
I just ordered a ATI sunpower fixture from reefgeek for my new 90G. i was wondering what i could put over the tank as a screen or a cover to prevent jumpers that wouldnt kill the output and par of the light?

Here ya go! Way better than egg crate.

http://www.rareclownfish.com/forums/f32/diy-screen-covering-top-381/#post4552

 

[ReefEnabler]

Here's a quick mockup of what I will end up with:

Nine icecap endcaps staggered so they can be closer together, since aquactinic reflectors are only 2" wide. Staggering also makes it easy to access the endcaps Five 80mm fans will be fairly close to the endcaps angled slightly at them (they'll be on some kind of aluminum frame)

Then the two 120mm Noctua fans behind will be blowing in air through two 4" holes in the canopy side... They put out very wide air flow so they shouldn't overly cool the outer bulbs.

I am going to move the variable icecap fans from the back of the canopy to the top blowing air OUT... so they will draw out the rising heat from the dense arrangement of reflectors.

To get the 80w reflectors I riveted together two 36" reflectors as Grim suggested in another thread which worked out nicely.

I am waiting on my bulb shipment, and I need to do some wire crimping to get all these fans wired in parallel. They will be on a DC supply with a switch for 7, 9 and 12v so I will be able to tune the amount of air.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14790652#post14790652 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ReefEnabler
Here's a quick mockup of what I will end up with:

Nine icecap endcaps staggered so they can be closer together, since aquactinic reflectors are only 2" wide. Staggering also makes it easy to access the endcaps Five 80mm fans will be fairly close to the endcaps angled slightly at them (they'll be on some kind of aluminum frame)

Then the two 120mm Noctua fans behind will be blowing in air through two 4" holes in the canopy side... They put out very wide air flow so they shouldn't overly cool the outer bulbs.

I am going to move the variable icecap fans from the back of the canopy to the top blowing air OUT... so they will draw out the rising heat from the dense arrangement of reflectors.

To get the 80w reflectors I riveted together two 36" reflectors as Grim suggested in another thread which worked out nicely.

I am waiting on my bulb shipment, and I need to do some wire crimping to get all these fans wired in parallel. They will be on a DC supply with a switch for 7, 9 and 12v so I will be able to tune the amount of air.

Looks slick. You should do a build thread.

 

[ReefEnabler]

I've got an ongoing build thread, just been slacking on updating it lately. didn't mean to clutter up this thread too much just wanted to share the fan layout I am trying out. these t5s will be replacing an existing MH setup.

 

[z3r0ko0l]

Ha this thread moves so fast, its great to see all the input and help. About 11 pages back I asked about different fixtures for a standard 75G that currently has 260w of PC above it and is in need of some new bulbs. I was asking about the Tek 6/8 and the Nova Extreme 8. After some reading ive seen people saying that the Nova Extreme Pro 6x54w is hands down better than the NE due to reflectors. With free shipping deals and sales on var. sites round the internet the NEP can be had for round 360 which includes OK bulbs (which i would prob replace in 6mo or so). Is the TEK 6 or 8 worth the extra 100 dollars (300+ after you include bulbs, Legs, Shield, and cooling Fan)? Ive been reading some pretty impressive things about the NEP and Im now considering it since the extra I have over I could use for lamps and new RO/DI replacement filters which i also need to get. If its not one thing with this hobby, its another.

 

[PoukieBear]

Forgive me if the answer to this question is burried somewhere in the past 25 pages of this thread, or in the previous splits....


I'm looking to change my lighting. I do have a T5 set up right now, but it's loud, outdated, and kind of ugly...

My dream is to have a T5 set up with BUILT IN moonlights, but I can't find anyone who makes one ! (other than Giesemann....for $3000)

Any suggestions? I don't want more tha 6 bulbs...and I don't mind dropping down to 5 bulbs.

 

[Overland04]

Still cant decide.

I had my heart set on the Aquactinics TX5 but because of the width I wanted to go with something a little wider. So now I like the ATI 4X39 but will that be plenty of light for BB SPS 36x18x18 tank? Should I do the 6x39?

Or should I scratch the whole ATI thing and go back to the TX5?

 

[austin93]

quote:Originally posted by austin93 I have been a user of t5 lighting for a couple years and have changed bulbs many times. I would really like someones opinion on this setup....... Front Blue + (already have) AB Special (already have) Aquascience 22K (This is where I am concerned) Aquascience Duo (Another new bulb) AB Special Blue + I only need to buy 2 bulbs and I was thinking the aquascience bulbs would be nice and the duo might add a little bit of red. I have an aquasun now and think it is too pink. It is a SPS tank so par is a concern. Any advice is great. I was also entertaining the idea of all Blue+ and AB Special bulbs. Thanks. The DUO is just a more blue version of a Aquablue. The 22000K Is about the same as a blue plus. If you want to replace the Aquasun because of the pink then go with the AS Special 15K. It is more of a white light so it will have more red in it than the duo but wont give you the pink tint

Thanks for the responses. Do you all think that maybe this would look good?

B+
AB
Fiji Purple
B+
AB
B+


I want something that makes the colors look accurate and rich, but not too white. Bright radium look would be great.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14790701#post14790701 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ReefEnabler
I've got an ongoing build thread, just been slacking on updating it lately. didn't mean to clutter up this thread too much just wanted to share the fan layout I am trying out. these t5s will be replacing an existing MH setup.

Cool projects are never clutter, it will just get buried here really fast.