The T5 Q&a Thread

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Being as though I'm gonna have my bulbs DIY in a standard hood, do I need to run fans on them? I keep hearing they need fans. Just wondering..............?
 
Need one bulb

Need one bulb

I just installed 4 ATI Blue Plus bulbs and 2 Aquablue Specials in my 6 x 80 retro. While I like the look, it's a little to 20K. Is there another bulb out there that I can swap with one blue + to give more of a 14-15K look. Fiji purple, Aquascience 20K?
 
Re: Need one bulb

Re: Need one bulb

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14966917#post14966917 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kkris
I just installed 4 ATI Blue Plus bulbs and 2 Aquablue Specials in my 6 x 80 retro. While I like the look, it's a little to 20K. Is there another bulb out there that I can swap with one blue + to give more of a 14-15K look. Fiji purple, Aquascience 20K?
Click to expand...


I would do either a GE 6500K or KZ Fiji Purple.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14966700#post14966700 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 60Cubed
Being as though I'm gonna have my bulbs DIY in a standard hood, do I need to run fans on them? I keep hearing they need fans. Just wondering..............?
Click to expand...


Yes you need to run fans. No cooled bulbs will lose roughly 50% of their output within a few hours of them being on.
 
what bulb combo would you use in a nova extreme pro 12 x 39 watt fixture? i don't like the 20k look, i want colors to pop out. thank you.
 
Hi Grim,

I was hoping to get some opinions/help from you. You helped me out on my 90g a couple years ago. Now I just upgraded and I'm looking for some help again :)

I just got a 96x30x26 tank. I've decided to stay with T5s. Anyway, I plan on using 2 racks of 48" T5s. I know that the par in the middle won't be ideal because of the ends in the middle. However, I don't plan on having a lot of corals in the middle. I plan having two islands. Anyway, this will be a mixed reef, but mainly SPS.

I'm trying to get away with 8 bulb setup on each side for a total of 16 bulbs. I will be using IC 660s to overdrive and IC reflectors. I could probably add 2 more bulbs on each side if that isn't enough, but I want to see if I can get away with this configuration.

Anyway, I would like a blue tint...not a very heavy one...pretty light actually (I just don't want a white tank). What would you suggest? I have an idea of a setup, but I want to see if it matches what you are thinking.

Thanks!
 
Hi there,

I'm having some supply issues and the advance ballast (4x54watt) may or may not be available to me so I'm working on plan B this morning while the store see's if Plan A is still a go.

I saw on a different webstore an Icecap 660 listed for way below (like half of) what other retailers are looking for and only a small ($20ish) jump from other Program Start Ballasts I'm looking at so I'm thinking there's three possibilities 1) maybe an opened/returned item 2) maybe it's a 430 and they posted the wrong product description or 3) The just got the wrong price on the website.

So, my questions would be: If it is a 660 for that price i'd probably grab it, but how much shorter a life do bulbs have when they're overdriven like that?

And second, if it's a 430 will it drive 4 54 watt bulbs?

Thanks
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14967881#post14967881 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Slick Fork
Hi there,

I'm having some supply issues and the advance ballast (4x54watt) may or may not be available to me so I'm working on plan B this morning while the store see's if Plan A is still a go.

I saw on a different webstore an Icecap 660 listed for way below (like half of) what other retailers are looking for and only a small ($20ish) jump from other Program Start Ballasts I'm looking at so I'm thinking there's three possibilities 1) maybe an opened/returned item 2) maybe it's a 430 and they posted the wrong product description or 3) The just got the wrong price on the website.

So, my questions would be: If it is a 660 for that price i'd probably grab it, but how much shorter a life do bulbs have when they're overdriven like that?

And second, if it's a 430 will it drive 4 54 watt bulbs?

Thanks
Click to expand...

So are you trying to keep this place a secret? Give up the store man.

To answer your question, if the bulbs are properly cooled by a fan, you should see no difference in life.
The 430 will only run 2 54w bulbs.
 
OK, gotta ask...with the lights so close to the water, how do u do any maintenance to the tank?
 
Grim I know that your answering a ton of these questions but I think you give great advice and I give you many props for your dedication to helping others

Planning on an upgrade to a 180 gal from my 125 gal 6' tank

Using 72" Outer orbit pro 8x39w t5 w/ 3x 250w DE "hqi's"

Right now all bulbs are stock t5.. 4x 420nm actinic 8x 460nm actinic and 2x 12k reeflux and center is a 10k current bulb..

I want to replace all my t5's with good bulb combo but for the life of me I cannot figure a good combo out because its 4 bulbs on each side so I figured that this would be ok
Front
Blue+
Blue+
UVL super actinic
BLue+
Back

for each side..

I want really good growth and that super sick t5 look that mcliffy2 has in the SPS forum..

I dont know what to run really.. Can I run a bulb on one side and not the other? Like a fiji purple on the left 36"s and something different on the right?

I just bought this light 2 weeks ago and Im still acclimating my corals..

I badly want to buy new bulbs for a beautiful poppin bright vivid t5 colors but right now its not doing it, far from doing it.

Can you reccomend a good combo for me? My fingers are itching to press submit on some ATI bulbs.

Thanks Grim or anyone else that has knowledge I would appreciate your help also!
Cheers! -Chris
 
How anyone know how much par is lost from an acrylic shield? Does the distance of the acrylic shield to the bulbs affect par?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14970139#post14970139 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mray
How anyone know how much par is lost from an acrylic shield? Does the distance of the acrylic shield to the bulbs affect par?
Click to expand...

You will lose roughly 20% or so with a shield is what I have been told. I personally have never tested it out though.

I would avoid running a shield if you can.
 
So right now I have in my cart, about ready to checkout but wanted advice before I drop 300

6x blue+
2x 75.25 uvl
3x XM 250w 10k's

peanut gallery?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14970431#post14970431 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lyfey
So right now I have in my cart, about ready to checkout but wanted advice before I drop 300

6x blue+
2x 75.25 uvl
3x XM 250w 10k's

peanut gallery?
Click to expand...

I personally would run Reeflux 12K bulbs or Phoenix 14K's as the MH. Then for T5's I would 6 ATI Blue Plus and 2 KZ Fiji Purple but the 75/25's aren't a bad choice either.
 
can i get a 10 bulb selection for a 60x30x18 deep. I like the look of a bright 14k. normally driven with slr's. I change my plan from 8 to 10. Sorry to be a pain the neck
Thanks for your time
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14965920#post14965920 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pito
Current Nova Extreme SLR -VS- Current Nova Extreme PRO

Which is better?
Click to expand...

The reflectors in the Pro arfe nothing special so HOPEFULLY the SLR is better.
 
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