The T5 Q&a Thread

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<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15241010#post15241010 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by IronVikingMC
Need some help ASAP! i need to get new lights for my 60 gallon tank its 48" 13" 20" im going to order something tomorrow! im going to go T5 and hang them so im looking for a fixture i want to beaable to keep pretty much whatever i want i have been looking at some new Hamilton t5 fixtures with built in fans and led blue lights it come in a 6 and 4 bulb. I know trk lights is a great brand but the price without bulbs kills me. Do you have any suggestions. im leaning towards the hamilton lights!!
Click to expand...

I don't know how good the hamilton stuff is. If it's 13" front to back 4 lamps should work. Nova has a sundial T5 that would work a mixed reef. My choice would be an ATI fixture but they ain't cheap.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15239217#post15239217 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
You don't want to use the Shield on the Teks.

The Nova reflectors are not very good but if thats all the budget will cover.... I just would replace lamps withing 6 months.
Click to expand...

What makes one a better unit over the other though? Ballast, endcaps, or design?

I'll assume the 6x39w Tek will grow SPS in a 58 Oceanic tank?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15241442#post15241442 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jim96SC2
What makes one a better unit over the other though? Ballast, endcaps, or design?

I'll assume the 6x39w Tek will grow SPS in a 58 Oceanic tank?
Click to expand...

Yep Tek will grow SPS as long as you place them right.

The reflector design and materials make a big difference.
 
Grim, I have a 75 gallon mixed reef leaning more towards a heavy SPS build. I have a dilema, My Nova exteme pro 8x54w, they are sending me a new ballast btw, I am currently running 6 bulbs. Keep in mind this is the Nova extreme with only a single reflector (crappo.)
Front to back:
Dead bulb
GMan Aquablue + (~3 months old)
Dead bulb
UVL 75.25 (less than 1 month old)
Gman Aquablue + (~3 months old)
Gman Actinic + (~3months old)
UVL 75.25 (less than 1 month old)
GLO t5 Actinic (about a 9months use on this one)

I have as spares right now:
4x current 10ks with about 6 months use
4x current actinics with 6 months
1x GLO power 18k (9 months use)

That is my current setup. Hopefully I will get the ballast soon.

Need a bulb combo for my 75 8x54w, combo with the ballast out, and with all 8 bulbs working. dont care if I gotta buy new bulbs,I just dont want to get bulbs I already have if they have enough life left on them.

I am planning on my new tank build, but I am not sure what size to go with. I am currently looking at the Oceanic starfire 156g 60" x 24 x 25. If I need to upgrade the lighting on my 75 and spend the money proper, do you think it would be wise to buy an ATI sunpower 60" 8 bulb and use it on my 75 with only say 4-6 bulbs installed? Only dilema is I already have a 72" Current USA outer orbit pro 3x250w and 8x39w t5s, All with brand new bulbs.. I could use the 72" halide system on my 48" tank, but that would look fugly and I or the misses might get knocked out by the overhanging light one time or another, lol.

39 watters I have brand new:
6x blue +
2x UVL 75.25
2x Fiji Purples
8x Current USA Actinics 4x 420, 4x 460nm.
Im in a jam, what do you think would be the best thing to do? I want to make the right purchases(one of the hardest things to do in this hobby) Thanks man, you truly have been a great inspiration to the reefing and t5 community. BTW, post up some pics of your tank! :)
-Chris
 
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<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15242525#post15242525 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lyfey
Grim, I have a 75 gallon mixed reef leaning more towards a heavy SPS build. I have a dilema, My Nova exteme pro 8x54w, they are sending me a new ballast btw, I am currently running 6 bulbs. Keep in mind this is the Nova extreme with only a single reflector (crappo.)
Front to back:
Dead bulb
GMan Aquablue + (~3 months old)
Dead bulb
UVL 75.25 (less than 1 month old)
Gman Aquablue + (~3 months old)
Gman Actinic + (~3months old)
UVL 75.25 (less than 1 month old)
GLO t5 Actinic (about a 9months use on this one)

I have as spares right now:
4x current 10ks with about 6 months use
4x current actinics with 6 months
1x GLO power 18k (9 months use)

That is my current setup. Hopefully I will get the ballast soon.

Need a bulb combo for my 75 8x54w, combo with the ballast out, and with all 8 bulbs working. dont care if I gotta buy new bulbs,I just dont want to get bulbs I already have if they have enough life left on them.

I am planning on my new tank build, but I am not sure what size to go with. I am currently looking at the Oceanic starfire 156g 60" x 24 x 25. If I need to upgrade the lighting on my 75 and spend the money proper, do you think it would be wise to buy an ATI sunpower 60" 8 bulb and use it on my 75 with only say 4-6 bulbs installed? Only dilema is I already have a 72" Current USA outer orbit pro 3x250w and 8x39w t5s, All with brand new bulbs.. I could use the 72" halide system on my 48" tank, but that would look fugly and I or the misses might get knocked out by the overhanging light one time or another, lol.

39 watters I have brand new:
6x blue +
2x UVL 75.25
2x Fiji Purples
8x Current USA Actinics 4x 420, 4x 460nm.
Im in a jam, what do you think would be the best thing to do? I want to make the right purchases(one of the hardest things to do in this hobby) Thanks man, you truly have been a great inspiration to the reefing and t5 community. BTW, post up some pics of your tank! :)
-Chris
Click to expand...

Once you get your ballast

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
Actinic Plus
Blue Plus
G-Mann Aquablue
Blue Plus

For the big tank I would do the 8x80 watt ATI.
 
Grim.. I have just set up an Oceanic 178g tank (L 60.5 x W 24.5 x H 29). I am thinking about going with the 8x80 60" ATI Powermodule. Currently I have an old 48" fixture with 14k 250w Pheonix bulbs over the tank and I like the color.

The tank will be mixed reef. Do you think the ATI will work with the added depth and the SPS closer to the top?

Any recommendation on the bulbs? I have noticed some of your recommended setups do not have bulbs in the 60" size.
 
Grim what do you think about running a 60" 8 bulb PM on a 48" 75 gallon tank until I get my new 60x24x25 tank? How many bulbs should I run on the PM on the 75? I dont want to fry anything :)
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15243004#post15243004 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ljr
Grim.. I have just set up an Oceanic 178g tank (L 60.5 x W 24.5 x H 29). I am thinking about going with the 8x80 60" ATI Powermodule. Currently I have an old 48" fixture with 14k 250w Pheonix bulbs over the tank and I like the color.

The tank will be mixed reef. Do you think the ATI will work with the added depth and the SPS closer to the top?

Any recommendation on the bulbs? I have noticed some of your recommended setups do not have bulbs in the 60" size.
Click to expand...

I would go with 5 ATI Blue Plus 2 KZ Fiji Purple and a GE 6500K Daylight.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15243004#post15243004 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ljr
Grim.. I have just set up an Oceanic 178g tank (L 60.5 x W 24.5 x H 29). I am thinking about going with the 8x80 60" ATI Powermodule. Currently I have an old 48" fixture with 14k 250w Pheonix bulbs over the tank and I like the color.

The tank will be mixed reef. Do you think the ATI will work with the added depth and the SPS closer to the top?

Any recommendation on the bulbs? I have noticed some of your recommended setups do not have bulbs in the 60" size.
Click to expand...

I would go with 5 ATI Blue Plus 2 KZ Fiji Purple and a GE 6500K Daylight.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15243786#post15243786 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lyfey
Grim what do you think about running a 60" 8 bulb PM on a 48" 75 gallon tank until I get my new 60x24x25 tank? How many bulbs should I run on the PM on the 75? I dont want to fry anything :)
Click to expand...

It really wouldn't be much brighter than a 54 watt ATI fixture so it shouldn't be a problem. 4 lamps should do it.
 
75 gallon - 4x54 Icecap 660

75 gallon - 4x54 Icecap 660

I have set up a 75 gallon (48x18x21) and am running 4-54W bulbs overdriven by an Icecap 660 ballast. It's a lightly used Icecap retro kit with the individual reflectors.

My plan is mostly softies, anemone, maybe a brain or two, perhaps a clam or two and even a few SPS on down the road.

Do you have any suggestions on bulbs and their placement along with any other long term suggestions? For some reason or the other, I'm a little concerned about having too purple of a look, but maybe I have no reason to feel that way.

I've noticed suggestions such as these, but didn't know which way to go:
2 ATI Blue plus, 1 UVL Super Actinic, 1 UVL Aquasun
3 ATI Blue plus, 1 UVL Aquasun
2 ATI Blue plus, 1 UVL Actinic White, 1 ATI Aquablue

Thanks!
 
Can I overdrive a 48" Tx5 with 2 IC-430's,one on 3 bulbs and one on 2bulbs?

It's 2 dusk/dawn and 3 daylight so do I have to wire them on different ballasts?

Or is it better to do a 660 on 4 bulbs and leave one alone? Will I still be able to do a dusk dawn 2/3?
Or should I use one 660 and one 430?
 
what light combination would you recommend for a t-5 8 bulb fixture over a 55, with lps, zoas and some encrusting corals in it.
 
Hi Grim,



I am building a 96” x 36” x 24” (H x W x D) tank. I plan to mainly keep SPS, but there migh be some LPS on the floor.



1) What fixture would you recommend from the choices below?



a) 4 x ATI Power Modul T5 08 X 54W (Total 32 x 54W bulbs)

b) 2 x ATI Power Modul T5 08 X 54W + 2 ATI Power Modul T5 10 X 54W (Total 36 x 54W bulbs)

c) 4 x Power Modul T5 10 X 54W (Total 40 x 54W bulbs)

d) 4 x Giesemann MATRIX T-5 1200 mm (8 x 54W) (Total 32 x 54W bulbs)

e) 2 x Giesemann MATRIX T-5 1200 mm (8 x 54W) + 2 x Giesemann MATRIX T-5 1200 mm (12 x 54W) (Total 40 x 54W)



2) What would be your choice of bulb arrangements for such fixture?



Thanks in advance, appreciate what your kind contribution to the community.
 
i have 2 x reeflux 12k DB bulb and 2 xt5 , may i check what tube should i use for the t5 ?

i am using Solite fixture
 
Re: 75 gallon - 4x54 Icecap 660

Re: 75 gallon - 4x54 Icecap 660

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15245575#post15245575 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GoPokes43
I have set up a 75 gallon (48x18x21) and am running 4-54W bulbs overdriven by an Icecap 660 ballast. It's a lightly used Icecap retro kit with the individual reflectors.

My plan is mostly softies, anemone, maybe a brain or two, perhaps a clam or two and even a few SPS on down the road.

Do you have any suggestions on bulbs and their placement along with any other long term suggestions? For some reason or the other, I'm a little concerned about having too purple of a look, but maybe I have no reason to feel that way.

I've noticed suggestions such as these, but didn't know which way to go:
2 ATI Blue plus, 1 UVL Super Actinic, 1 UVL Aquasun
3 ATI Blue plus, 1 UVL Aquasun
2 ATI Blue plus, 1 UVL Actinic White, 1 ATI Aquablue

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I'd do the bottom mix
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15245971#post15245971 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tylert
Can I overdrive a 48" Tx5 with 2 IC-430's,one on 3 bulbs and one on 2bulbs?

It's 2 dusk/dawn and 3 daylight so do I have to wire them on different ballasts?

Or is it better to do a 660 on 4 bulbs and leave one alone? Will I still be able to do a dusk dawn 2/3?
Or should I use one 660 and one 430?
Click to expand...

Do 3 lamps on the 660. 430 can only run 2 T5 lamps so you could do 1 on that instead. I wouldn't overdrive all the lamps, not sure the cooling could handle it.
 
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