The T5 Q&a Thread

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14881365#post14881365 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cobra2326
Does anyone know if the TEK fixtures are overdriven? What about the ATIs?

Neither one are overdriven. You don't need overdriven if you go with the ATI fixtures. They will give you plenty of output.

Aquactinics makes a fixture called the Solar Flare and it is overdriven using IceCap ballasts.

 

[RRaider]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14879938#post14879938 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rtparty
I don't think you need to overdrive on either tank.

What is your opinion on using a 6 bulb 48" retro on a 60" tank. Would I be better off going with IC660's and raising them up a bit higher or would a non OD 48" 6 bulb retro still do the trick?

 

[Skeptic_07]

Still debating on lighting for my next tank. Can I get recommendations on good fixtures for a 36" tank mixed reef zoa, lps, sps, clam, nem...

 

[tangers]

Hey guys,
I am currently in the process of setting up a new tank. It will either be 96x24x25 or 96x24x31. I am planning on going with 2 48" tek fixtures (8x54). This will be a mixed reef, anything and everything.
My first question is: Do you see any issues running the t5's over a 31" tank, I seem to remember seeing others do it, but wanted to check.
And last, what bulb config do you think would be best. On my last setup I ran 4 blue plus, 2 aqua sun, and 2 75/25. The color was ok but I would like it a little bluer when all bulbs are on. When the "whites" came on the colors went from "popping" to being a little washed out. I will be ordering the fixtures from reefgeek so the bulbs they have in stock would be convenient, as they sell the kits with the bulbs the cheapest.
Thanks in advance!

 

[kkris]

Does anyone have any suggestions or an acclimation schedule when making the swith from MH to T-5's. I'm looking to switch this weekend.

I'm going from 3 x 250 HQI converting to 6 x 80 watt T5's. Less wattage, but different light source.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14876178#post14876178 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RRaider
I have t5's overdriven on my 29g tank which is 18 inches tall and often it seems like too much light. I recently acquired a 21 inch tall 100g tank and plan on using t5's on it as well. I'm wondering though if I should overdrive them or not. If it makes a difference I'm planning on starting out with 6 60" bulbs and have mostly sps.

It is more economical to use a Ice Cap ballast for the 80 watt lamps. They are not overdriven as much with the IC ballasts and work really well.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14876306#post14876306 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by McMax
Fiji Purple is suppose to be really purple right ? Because mine looks almost like a white bulb... Is it because it's too early yet since I only have it for like 12 hours ?

What you are seeing sounds right.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14876369#post14876369 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by serum153
I just received and put in my new bulbs
blue+
75/25 (fiji purple out of stock)
aquablue
blue+

I am not impressed with the combo as I feel it is too much of a bright white with a hint of blue. Maybe after the bulbs burn for a little bit, it will grow on me. My previoius combo I thought was a good overall color..blue+superactinic+aquasun+blue+, but after reading...the gurus didn't like the superactinic and I wasn't going to go against what Grim and rt recommend.

Any thoughts on how to get a more blue look? This is on an ic660 retro. Thanks Grim and RT

On an Ice Cap ballast I would go with 3 blue plus and either the fiji purple or Aquablue. Having the 2 "white" lamps is a lot when overdriving the lamps.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14876500#post14876500 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by philagothos
What's the best 60" actinic? I'm looking for something to go with 2 Blue+ for the dusk/dawn portion to help make the corals pop. I am running 3 Blue+ right now, but it feels like too much blue, even once the daylights (2 Fiji Purple & an Aquablue) come on. Btw, these are being driven by IC660s.

Thanks.

I like the ATI Actinic, the Giesemann pure actinic is more violet and produces less visible light so you might prefer that.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14876606#post14876606 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by takayan
Grim,
I will set up 48 x 12 x 16 tank for Acan and Zoa. I am thinking to use 4 bulbs, but I would like to have your advice of T5 bulb combination.

I would try 3 blue plus and a UVL Actinic white. Should make things pop.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14879226#post14879226 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by keegoaz
so i just ordered a T-5 lighting system it has 2 T-5s i was wondering what anyone's' opinions were about what type of T-5 lights i should put in for the best coloration for my corals. i would also like it to look good when you look at the tank no extreme colors coming out of the light if anything maybe just a blue glow.

You could do 2 blue pluses if you want a blue glow. or a blue blue and a aquablue for a brighter blue look.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14879733#post14879733 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fatboyt123
i have a 55 gallon tank with a tek 4 bulb fixture and would like to know what bulbs to use.The tank has some sps up at the top but mainly lps and softies.Right now it is just to white for me so i want it to look more blue but not a 20k blue.Somewhere right between 20k and 10k like a light bule.

also where is a good place to get all the bulbs i need for a good price?

3 blue plus and an Actinic White UVL lamp would be my choice. The UVL Lamp will brighten things up and give you some red and yellow output that will really help bring out a lot of colors that are missed with just blue lamps.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14880208#post14880208 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefgeek31
I was wondering if someone could help me find some info on how to properly cool t-5s correctly. I have some ideas of my own i just want to do it right

A fan blowing on the endcaps/lamps ends on each side is the best way.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: T5 Recommendations for a 180g

Re: T5 Recommendations for a 180g

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14880828#post14880828 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bustayanky
Hey guys,
I'm thinking about doing a switch over from MH to T5. My tank is a 6 x 2 x 2 peninsula tank. So the left side has the overflow box and wavebox. The live rock starts at the overflow box and I measured from the overflow box all the way to the other end and it came to about 5-5.25 feet. Let me know what you guys recommend with the length and how many bulbs. Also I like how the Radium 20k looks and was wondering what mixture of bulbs are good also. Plus im starting to get into SPS, so far i have 2 mini colonies and a bunch of frags. Thanks a lot guys!

WILL

Use 60" T5 retrofits.

If you order from reefgeek you can call them and have them use the reefgeek brand reflectors you can use 8 lamps (reflectors are only 2 1/2 inches wide)

Front
ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus

Should get you what you want.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14881365#post14881365 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cobra2326
Does anyone know if the TEK fixtures are overdriven? What about the ATIs?

No and not yet

 

[Skeptic_07]

I guess a better question is on a tank with a 36"x 18" footprint looking to keep SPS and others would you go with 4, 6 or 8 lamps?

also, do any brands have any major advantages over others? I'm just a bit confused.

36" 8 lamp
ATI powermodule - $940
geismann matrix - $1400

36" 6 lamp fixtures w/ lamps
SLS Tek - $430
ATI powermodule - $740

36" 4 lamp fixtures w/ lamps
nova extreme - $200
geismann reflex - $400

What is with the wildly differing pricing? What is better about the more expensive lights besides looks?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14882372#post14882372 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RRaider
What is your opinion on using a 6 bulb 48" retro on a 60" tank. Would I be better off going with IC660's and raising them up a bit higher or would a non OD 48" 6 bulb retro still do the trick?

I use 48 inch lamps on a 5 foot tank and its fine. My fixture sit right on the tank so the ends don't get the intensity but its only about 4 inches or so on each side. You would want retros a few inches above the tank so the ends will get enough light for anything but SPS.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14882377#post14882377 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Skeptic_07
Still debating on lighting for my next tank. Can I get recommendations on good fixtures for a 36" tank mixed reef zoa, lps, sps, clam, nem...

ATI Sunpower or Aquactinics TX5

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14882607#post14882607 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tangers
Hey guys,
I am currently in the process of setting up a new tank. It will either be 96x24x25 or 96x24x31. I am planning on going with 2 48" tek fixtures (8x54). This will be a mixed reef, anything and everything.
My first question is: Do you see any issues running the t5's over a 31" tank, I seem to remember seeing others do it, but wanted to check.
And last, what bulb config do you think would be best. On my last setup I ran 4 blue plus, 2 aqua sun, and 2 75/25. The color was ok but I would like it a little bluer when all bulbs are on. When the "whites" came on the colors went from "popping" to being a little washed out. I will be ordering the fixtures from reefgeek so the bulbs they have in stock would be convenient, as they sell the kits with the bulbs the cheapest.
Thanks in advance!

Depends what you want to grow. If you want clams I would use ATI Powermodules. Mixed tank with some SPS up on the rocks 8 lamp teks would work on a 25" tank but not a 31" tall.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14882684#post14882684 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kkris
Does anyone have any suggestions or an acclimation schedule when making the swith from MH to T-5's. I'm looking to switch this weekend.

I'm going from 3 x 250 HQI converting to 6 x 80 watt T5's. Less wattage, but different light source.

Just watch the corals, I would run full lighting about 4 hours a day to sart with dusk/dawn 10 to 12 hours and see how the critters react.