The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15328837#post15328837 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jadeguppy
Grim, how do you feel about putting an acrylic sheet between the bulbs and the water to keep salt spray off the reflectors? I'm thinking of finding a way to rig it so the fan blows on both sides of the acrylic.

Also, double checking: workhorse 5 will run two 54watt (4') t5ho and a workhorse 8 will run two 60" bulbs. Correct?

Acrylic will be fine. You need to check fulhams website for which ballasts to use. I don't recommend them as they are not a spec T5 ballast. www.fulham.com

 

[newsalt]

My 72" T5 Aquactinics has workhorse ballasts in it. Is that not the correct ballast?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15329778#post15329778 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by newsalt
My 72" T5 Aquactinics has workhorse ballasts in it. Is that not the correct ballast?

There is a reason why Aquactinics had to do that. The WH will run T5 lamps but are hard on them. In a retrofit where space isn't a concern I recommend going with the "real" T5 ballasts. The price difference just isn't that much. It is debatable how much lamp life you lose with the WH but you do lose some.

 

[Lyfey]

So the WH ballasts are overdriven?

 

[newsalt]

Is there a way to retrofit the 72" Constellation with say IceCap ballasts? I know there probably isn't room inside the fixture, but perhaps something could be done to mount the ballast externally. The 72" has 14 bulbs. I wonder how many ballasts would be required.

 

[cdness]

Hi All,

I have a chance to purchase a used 8 bulb Icecap retro kit. It is currently using normal "vossloh schwabe" ballasts and not being overdriven. The bulbs are 8 months old.

The question is, if I got that and upgraded to IC660s to overdrive the bulbs, how much life would you expect I'd have on the bulbs?

Also do you think 8 overdriven would be too much light for a 75?

Thanks!
Curtis

Posting here as well to possibly catch Grim

duplicate here:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=15329927#post15329927

 

[jadeguppy]

Well shoot. I thought the workhorse were a good ballast that won't overdrive the bulbs. The workhorse 5 sells for abot $22.

What ballasts do you suggest? The 4 bulb retro kit (4') came with 1 workhorse 8, but I'd prefer to have two ballasts to simulate dawn/dusk.

 

[jeremyreef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15325616#post15325616 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
PM's, E-mails. Phone calls. God help you people when I finally get into good enough shape again to get out and about. Fair warning, that day is finally in sight

:lolspin: no kidding.

someone on my local club (worc) told me you were the t5 man, and i can tell you are. so i have read 15+ pages of this thread and cannot find my same question.

so here it goes have a standard 90GAL DT and a CURRENT 8 bulb fixture with factory current 4 10k 54w ho and 4 54w actinic. have lps,sps and softies with about every color. so what would be the best all around setup of bulbs. i need a more blue look and even i guess bulbs to make reds, oranges, purples, greens and blues etc. pop and get the best color/growth. thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15332303#post15332303 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jeremyreef
:lolspin: no kidding.

someone on my local club (worc) told me you were the t5 man, and i can tell you are. so i have read 15+ pages of this thread and cannot find my same question.

so here it goes have a standard 90GAL DT and a CURRENT 8 bulb fixture with factory current 4 10k 54w ho and 4 54w actinic. have lps,sps and softies with about every color. so what would be the best all around setup of bulbs. i need a more blue look and even i guess bulbs to make reds, oranges, purples, greens and blues etc. pop and get the best color/growth. thanks

Not sure of the exact placement for your dusk/dawn but 5 ATI Blue Plus, 2 UVL Actinic White and a GE 6500K Daylight.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15330086#post15330086 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jadeguppy
Well shoot. I thought the workhorse were a good ballast that won't overdrive the bulbs. The workhorse 5 sells for abot $22.

What ballasts do you suggest? The 4 bulb retro kit (4') came with 1 workhorse 8, but I'd prefer to have two ballasts to simulate dawn/dusk.

Reefgeek has pretty good prices on retros.

VS/Osram/Sylvania, Advanced, Universal triad are all good. You are really looking for Programmed or rapid start and end of life protection.

 

[tas5tas]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15329877#post15329877 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by newsalt
Is there a way to retrofit the 72" Constellation with say IceCap ballasts? I know there probably isn't room inside the fixture, but perhaps something could be done to mount the ballast externally. The 72" has 14 bulbs. I wonder how many ballasts would be required.

4 ballasts.....as each one will only run 4 bulbs. They would have to mounted externally.......but it could be done.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15330023#post15330023 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cdness
Hi All,

I have a chance to purchase a used 8 bulb Icecap retro kit. It is currently using normal "vossloh schwabe" ballasts and not being overdriven. The bulbs are 8 months old.

The question is, if I got that and upgraded to IC660s to overdrive the bulbs, how much life would you expect I'd have on the bulbs?

Also do you think 8 overdriven would be too much light for a 75?

Thanks!
Curtis

Posting here as well to possibly catch Grim

duplicate here:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=15329927#post15329927

First off you cant fit 8 Ice Cap reflectors over a 75. If you do 6 I would overdrive 4 and normally drive 2. I wouldn't even fool around with 8 month old lamps other than to get a general idea what mix you want to use. If this is an existing tank then the older lamps would be good to use as a way of acclimating the corals to the intense lighting..

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15329877#post15329877 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by newsalt
Is there a way to retrofit the 72" Constellation with say IceCap ballasts? I know there probably isn't room inside the fixture, but perhaps something could be done to mount the ballast externally. The 72" has 14 bulbs. I wonder how many ballasts would be required.

You could do it but you would also have to figure out a way to provide additional cooling. If you weren't on the other side of the country this is a project I would love to help with. I thing overdriving 4 lamps/2 rows would be doable but I am just not sure about fan placement. I haven't seen a 72" version but if the fans are placed like they are in the 48" it might be possible to reverse the fans so they blow in to cool the lamp ends at the center of the fixture it could be workable.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15329860#post15329860 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lyfey
So the WH ballasts are overdriven?

No, you can make them overdrive but I do think I would suggest it. Aquactinics uses them in the Constellation because there isn't a spec 39 watt T5 ballast that will drive 4 lamps. There isn't room in that fixture for 7 ballasts. Using the WH they only need 4 ballasts.

 

[jadeguppy]

Should I replace the workhorse 8 for 2 80w bulbs or is it good enough to use? What will it do to the bulbs?

Also, I saw that you suggested this combination for 4 bulbs that will make all the colors pop:

ATI Blue Plus
UV Actinic White
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aqua Blue

I want the corals to have a nice glow to the, not a yellow color from the bulbs.

I bought bulbs some time ago (has taken forever to upgrade lights) and currently have two UV Super Actinic. Are those able to replace one of the other bulbs you mentioned without losing color?
Also, I have two Glo bulbs that I am considering trying to return to the store. Unfortunatly I don't have a receipt. They are a Life-glo (6700k) and power-glo (18000k). Are they worth keeping?

Picking lights is truly an art and I've gotta say you're the man! Thanks for your help.

 

[qn5reef]

I just upgraded my lighting from 4 24" bulbs Tek Fixture to 6 24" Tek Retro in the Canopy. My bulb combination is---
Front:
ATI Bule Plus
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Pro Color
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus

I like the looks so far but do you think I should maybe exchange Pro Color or 75/25 to ATI Aqua Sun or Blue Special?
My tank is SPS dominated in 33 Gallon.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15332736#post15332736 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jadeguppy
Should I replace the workhorse 8 for 2 80w bulbs or is it good enough to use? What will it do to the bulbs?

Also, I saw that you suggested this combination for 4 bulbs that will make all the colors pop:

ATI Blue Plus
UV Actinic White
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aqua Blue

I want the corals to have a nice glow to the, not a yellow color from the bulbs.

I bought bulbs some time ago (has taken forever to upgrade lights) and currently have two UV Super Actinic. Are those able to replace one of the other bulbs you mentioned without losing color?
Also, I have two Glo bulbs that I am considering trying to return to the store. Unfortunatly I don't have a receipt. They are a Life-glo (6700k) and power-glo (18000k). Are they worth keeping?

Picking lights is truly an art and I've gotta say you're the man! Thanks for your help.

The 8 will work. If all you are using is 4 lamps I wouldn't use super actinics, not much PAR there. Also don't know much about the glo lamps but sound like a daylight type and a Aquablue style

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15332777#post15332777 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by qn5reef
I just upgraded my lighting from 4 24" bulbs Tek Fixture to 6 24" Tek Retro in the Canopy. My bulb combination is---
Front:
ATI Bule Plus
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Pro Color
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus

I like the looks so far but do you think I should maybe exchange Pro Color or 75/25 to ATI Aqua Sun or Blue Special?
My tank is SPS dominated in 33 Gallon.

If you like the look I wouldn't worry bout it. I would place a blue plus between the pro color and 75/25

 

[jadeguppy]

Just checked out the website. I like it and look forward to reading the rest. Since it appears to be in the production process, may I suggest an explination of the benefits to the combinations suggested. You kinda have it on the other page, but it would be great to spell it out on the comb page for us lighting impared ppl. Again, kodos to you for taking the time to combine the information you have provided us into such a nice format.

Another q-ton: with 4 bulbs can/should I run a dawn/dusk? If so, do I leave all bulbs on during the day portion or switch between the two sets of lights? What time frame is best for a mixed corals tank? Oh, tank in question is a 40g long.

 

[jeremyreef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15332566#post15332566 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Not sure of the exact placement for your dusk/dawn but 5 ATI Blue Plus, 2 UVL Actinic White and a GE 6500K Daylight.

placement is
front
10k
act
10k
act
10k
act
10k
act
10ks on one circuit and actinics on other switch

sorry to bug you again. have you had any experiance with blue life brand? good bad?
thanks again