The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
3 Blue Plus and a UVL Actinic White would look cool.
The T5 Q&a Thread
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3 Blue Plus and a UVL Actinic White would look cool.
picassotrigger1
New member
Thanks Grim
Retrofitting T5's
Retrofitting T5's
Grim or others,
I have a 90 gallon AGA 48"L x 18" D x 24" T. It has a canopy built many years ago which I retro-fitted with a 4 X 96w Powercompact set-up made by CustomSeaLife, Inc. The back of the canopy is open and I run a pair of Icecap 4" fans that bring air in on each side of the canopy.
Here are my questions and forgive me if they have been asked and answered before.
Can retro-fitted T5's operate effectively in this set-up replacing my 4 X 96W PC's in a canopy?
Is there more heat generated by the T5's than the Power Compacts?
What brands available here in the US are the best for retro-fitted canopy set-ups such as this?
Does this thread on another discuss canopy designs that accommodate T5 lighting system requirements for ventilation and dissipating heat if I need to design a new canopy?
What is the optimal height for T5's to sit above the water?
TIA
Retrofitting T5's
Grim or others,
I have a 90 gallon AGA 48"L x 18" D x 24" T. It has a canopy built many years ago which I retro-fitted with a 4 X 96w Powercompact set-up made by CustomSeaLife, Inc. The back of the canopy is open and I run a pair of Icecap 4" fans that bring air in on each side of the canopy.
Here are my questions and forgive me if they have been asked and answered before.
Can retro-fitted T5's operate effectively in this set-up replacing my 4 X 96W PC's in a canopy?
Is there more heat generated by the T5's than the Power Compacts?
What brands available here in the US are the best for retro-fitted canopy set-ups such as this?
Does this thread on another discuss canopy designs that accommodate T5 lighting system requirements for ventilation and dissipating heat if I need to design a new canopy?
What is the optimal height for T5's to sit above the water?
TIA
I am currently running 4 65w 10000k's, 2 65w 50/50 and 2 430/460 actinic pc's. The SPS's that I have purchased in the past have never been able to survive. I wld like to upgrade to t5's. Is there any benefit to the upgrade. Cooler, brighter, cheaper? Wld SPS's survive in the upgrade?
Grim,
I know you call the ge6500k similiar to a 10k lamp, but how is coral coloration affected when directly under this lamp (sps,lps..etc). I really like the warmth & intesity it brings to my tank, but of course where I like it, is where most of my acros will be placed. I was thinking b+,b+,ge,b+.
Thanks in advance,
ron
I know you call the ge6500k similiar to a 10k lamp, but how is coral coloration affected when directly under this lamp (sps,lps..etc). I really like the warmth & intesity it brings to my tank, but of course where I like it, is where most of my acros will be placed. I was thinking b+,b+,ge,b+.
Thanks in advance,
ron
bluemantr
New member
Hello
I just got Tek 48" 8 bulbs fixture with UVL bulbs but i didnt really like the combination, it has lots of pink/red colors. I like more blue/white lights. Tank size is 48x36x12 and has zoas/lps. This tank only has top down view.
Here are the bulbs and current combination:
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Actinic White
UVL 75-25
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Super Actinic
UVL 75-25
UVL Actinic White
UVL Super Actinic
I have another same size tank with full of SPS that tank has 2 x 400 MH right now I am thinking to go with T5 on that tank too, Can i get bulb suggestion for this tank too please?
Both of these tanks arent grow out tanks, i just want corals to colorup more.
Thanks for any help
I just got Tek 48" 8 bulbs fixture with UVL bulbs but i didnt really like the combination, it has lots of pink/red colors. I like more blue/white lights. Tank size is 48x36x12 and has zoas/lps. This tank only has top down view.
Here are the bulbs and current combination:
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Actinic White
UVL 75-25
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Super Actinic
UVL 75-25
UVL Actinic White
UVL Super Actinic
I have another same size tank with full of SPS that tank has 2 x 400 MH right now I am thinking to go with T5 on that tank too, Can i get bulb suggestion for this tank too please?
Both of these tanks arent grow out tanks, i just want corals to colorup more.
Thanks for any help
mojo~
Skimmer Guy
All your UVL bulbs have pink in them.
I would look at this instead maybe trying to use what bulbs you have.
I would suggest running maybe one 75.25 and on 1 actinic white
not two each. Replace the other two with ati aquablue special 12k bulbs. Also the super actinics are purple. I would replace them with aTI blue plus. Much more par and will balnce the color better. Just my two cents.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Re: Retrofitting T5's
Re: Retrofitting T5's
Yeah, T5 retro fits are made to go in a canopy. ATI, Giesemann, UV Lighting, GE 6500K Daylights, KZ are all good lamps.
Less heat and More light reaching the tank with T5's.
Keep the lamps 4~6 inches above the tank.
Best way to cool the lamps is a fan at each end blowing in from the rear of the canopy so the air blows on the endcaps and lamp ends.
Re: Retrofitting T5's
Yeah, T5 retro fits are made to go in a canopy. ATI, Giesemann, UV Lighting, GE 6500K Daylights, KZ are all good lamps.
Less heat and More light reaching the tank with T5's.
Keep the lamps 4~6 inches above the tank.
Best way to cool the lamps is a fan at each end blowing in from the rear of the canopy so the air blows on the endcaps and lamp ends.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Lots of advantages to T5's, less power/heat, more light, better colors. . If lack of light is the reason why your SPS are parishing the increased light would certainly help.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
It tends to bring out green colors a little better and yellow too if you are running a lot of blue lamps. The Giesemann Midday does about the same thing. Your arrangement is probably fine. You just wouldn't want it first or last.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Put 4 ATI Blue Plus in the fixture. I would remove 2 Super Actinics and one of each of the other lamps then just play around to get tyhe look you like best.
For the halide replacement I would use 6 ATI Blue Plus and 1 UVL Actinic White and 1 UVL 75/25
launchnukes
New member
I've got a ton of t5 questions so i figured i'd ask the first few here. i'll try to keep the questions to a minimum. lol.
I currently have 3 250w MH and 4 96w PCs in my 220 (72"x24"x30"tall). i'd like to keep mostly sps (maybe a few lps and zoas)
One of my PC ballasts just went swimming so it needs to be replaced and my PC lights should probabally be replaced here in the next few months. I'm wondering if i should take the opportunity (before i replace the ballast and buy 4 more lights) to upgrade to t5s. I've seen quite a few t5 tanks and the colors just always seem to be better, and the cheaper, longer lasting replacements don't hurt either.
if i did switch to t5s, what would be the cheapest, most effective way of pulling this off? which t5 kits and bulbs should i be looking at?
also, i'm going to be building a new light rack so if i do get t5s i could make the rack to fit the new light setup and make it the most effective.
thanks.
edit: or.....should i just stick with my power compacts? lol.
I currently have 3 250w MH and 4 96w PCs in my 220 (72"x24"x30"tall). i'd like to keep mostly sps (maybe a few lps and zoas)
One of my PC ballasts just went swimming so it needs to be replaced and my PC lights should probabally be replaced here in the next few months. I'm wondering if i should take the opportunity (before i replace the ballast and buy 4 more lights) to upgrade to t5s. I've seen quite a few t5 tanks and the colors just always seem to be better, and the cheaper, longer lasting replacements don't hurt either.
if i did switch to t5s, what would be the cheapest, most effective way of pulling this off? which t5 kits and bulbs should i be looking at?
also, i'm going to be building a new light rack so if i do get t5s i could make the rack to fit the new light setup and make it the most effective.
thanks.
edit: or.....should i just stick with my power compacts? lol.
Last edited:
tprize
New member
Hey Grim, Was wondering if this unit would be good on a 40Breeder. I want to keep 90% SPS. I was wondering if you heard anything about if this fixture really adds the look of MH which is really exciting if it does.
4 x 39 Watt with 1W x 15
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...oduct_Code=FI-DL-3639&Category_Code=Finnex-T5
4 x 39 Watt with 1W x 15
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...oduct_Code=FI-DL-3639&Category_Code=Finnex-T5
Mojo,
Any more details on your set-up? I'm contemplating an upgrade to T5's and am working within the confines of a canopy over a 90 gallon as well. I'm curious what you found that works for you. I'm currently running 4X96w PC's. I'm having trouble finding room for the 6 T5's under the canopy. My PC set-up is so slick as the bulbs are mounted so they can be moved as a group on a track in the hood forward or backward. It make it so easy to gain access to a large portion of the tank. I know I could design something similar with a 4 bulb set-up but don't know if that is enough light.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
If you are just supplementing the halides 4 80 watt 60" T5's would be fine. Use the Reefgeek brand reflectors (only 2.5 inches wide). I would use 3 ATI Blue Plus and 1 KZ Fiji Purple lamp.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Throw away the stock lamps and use 2 ATI Blue Plus, UVL 75/25 and a ATI Aquablue. If those reflectors are worth a damn that should be enough for SPS in most of the tank.
fredflinstone
New member
Hi T5 lighting Gods,
I have a NOVA Extreme 48" 4 bulb fixture. Some of my corals are loosing colors and a couple of my SPSs are loosing color as well. Should I get a new 6 bulb fixture or can I just get away with new ATI bulbs?
I have a NOVA Extreme 48" 4 bulb fixture. Some of my corals are loosing colors and a couple of my SPSs are loosing color as well. Should I get a new 6 bulb fixture or can I just get away with new ATI bulbs?
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Aquactinics has 2" wide reflectors and standoffs (The mounts for endcaps) that work really well.
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