The T5 Q&a Thread

[60Cubed]

If I were going to put t5's over a fuge that was a 40L...48X12X15. Basically a 55g just a bit shorter. What 4 bulb combo would work or is a t5 set up not really good for a fuge?

This will be a display fuge. In it's own stand/canopy......

Thanks

 

[morphiii]

I have a Current Orbit with 2 150W 14K bulb and 4 T5 39W bulb.

The stock comes with 2 420 and 2 460.

Thinking of

2 ATI blue plus
1 Fiji Purple
??

Have no idea for the last one. I have a lot of reds and greens acans and want them to pop. Like bluish light.

Please help.

Thanks.

 

[redhanded77]

if im going to do dual 36" 10 bulb fixtures, what would the bulb recommendations be for an sps and clam tank? also, whats the max depth i would be able to keep sps? thanks grim

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: T5 Height

Re: T5 Height

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15077305#post15077305 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Fishingpcola
What is the optimum height of T5 lighting? I am running into heat issues I would like to raise my lights to 8" from water in order to install 4" fans to blow cool air in.
Thanks,

The lower you mount the lights the more intensity you will have. I would try the fans with the fixture 5 inches or so up and see what happens.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15077503#post15077503 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 60Cubed
If I were going to put t5's over a fuge that was a 40L...48X12X15. Basically a 55g just a bit shorter. What 4 bulb combo would work or is a t5 set up not really good for a fuge?

This will be a display fuge. In it's own stand/canopy......

Thanks

Go with whatever looks good to you. 3 Blue Plus and a Aquasun would probably look pretty good.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15078238#post15078238 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by redhanded77
if im going to do dual 36" 10 bulb fixtures, what would the bulb recommendations be for an sps and clam tank? also, whats the max depth i would be able to keep sps? thanks grim

I wouldn't go much over 25" tall.

For lamps something like this

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus

 

[go200mph]

Would a Aquatinics TX5 be much better than a 4 lamp ATI?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15081214#post15081214 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by go200mph
Would a Aquatinics TX5 be much better than a 4 lamp ATI?

Not as good PAR wise but you do get that extra lamp so......

 

[siskiou]

Is there much of a difference between the ATI Aquablue special and the Giesemann Aquablue?

Aquablue special is 12000k, and the Giesemann 11000k.

 

[siskiou]

Can't delete or edit my previous post, but have found the answer in this thread.

 

[NVTE]

Hi Grim.
I just replaced my Tek with ATI powermodule, but don't know which end is the cold spot of T5 bulb and where to place it .
I currently run ATI fan at 4.5 V and the fixture kind of hot. so I wonder if there is something wrong with it. thanks Grim

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15082134#post15082134 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by siskiou
Is there much of a difference between the ATI Aquablue special and the Giesemann Aquablue?

Aquablue special is 12000k, and the Giesemann 11000k.

One is slightly bluer than the other, I think the ATI.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15083278#post15083278 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by NVTE
Hi Grim.
I just replaced my Tek with ATI powermodule, but don't know which end is the cold spot of T5 bulb and where to place it .
I currently run ATI fan at 4.5 V and the fixture kind of hot. so I wonder if there is something wrong with it. thanks Grim

If you remove a lamp you will see a cooling duct between the reflector and end cap at one end. Should be opposite of the end place with the vent slots in it. You mount the lamps so the label end is at the side with the cooling ducts.

I would turn the fans up to 7.5 vdc.

 

[kmacartney]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15084427#post15084427 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
One is slightly bluer than the other, I think the ATI.

I have both. The ATI is bluer.

 

[TheThumper]

New guy to T5 with questions

New guy to T5 with questions

Just set up my 60 gal aquarium, it's been 15years since my last saltwater so be nice

Before just had a 4 T12 DIY setup for lighting. Upgraded to 48" Icecap 4 T5 retro kit with 2 Giesemann pure actinic and 2 Giesemann midday T5 bulbs. This is mounted inside my canopy, but what I have noticed is that it gets HOT in there. so hot that it caused my center acrylic support to droop. Using a room thermometer it was maxing the ambient temps in there at 120. Should it get that hot? I installed a fan, but it runs full bore and can only get the temps down to ~100 degrees. I read that T5's were designed to run around ~100 on their surface for best lighting. Any thoughts/advice? Sure would appreciate it!

 

[jadeguppy]

What is a reasonable price to pay for a 2 bulb retro kit or parts and a 4 bulb? It has been a while since I bought new lights and I don't recall where is best to get them or what the going price is. Thanks!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: New guy to T5 with questions

Re: New guy to T5 with questions

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15085216#post15085216 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TheThumper
Just set up my 60 gal aquarium, it's been 15years since my last saltwater so be nice

Before just had a 4 T12 DIY setup for lighting. Upgraded to 48" Icecap 4 T5 retro kit with 2 Giesemann pure actinic and 2 Giesemann midday T5 bulbs. This is mounted inside my canopy, but what I have noticed is that it gets HOT in there. so hot that it caused my center acrylic support to droop. Using a room thermometer it was maxing the ambient temps in there at 120. Should it get that hot? I installed a fan, but it runs full bore and can only get the temps down to ~100 degrees. I read that T5's were designed to run around ~100 on their surface for best lighting. Any thoughts/advice? Sure would appreciate it!

You should run a fan blowing across the left and right bank of endcaps so you are cooling the lamp ends. If the air temp in the area of the lamp is less than 100 you should be good. Having the fans blow in from the rear of the canopy works well.I would also suggest getting 2 Actinic Plus lamps and replace one of each of your current lamps, you will like the difference.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15086259#post15086259 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jadeguppy
What is a reasonable price to pay for a 2 bulb retro kit or parts and a 4 bulb? It has been a while since I bought new lights and I don't recall where is best to get them or what the going price is. Thanks!

Reefgeek usually has about the best prices, DIY reef and Aquarium Speciualtys from the sponsors page are also good places to check.

 

[kgbower]

Grim I am currently running a 72" extreme pro with alternating actinic white and current actinic bulbs should this work ok for now.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15086899#post15086899 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kgbower
Grim I am currently running a 72" extreme pro with alternating actinic white and current actinic bulbs should this work ok for now.

I wouldn't run the current lamps too long if you have high light critters in the tank.