The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15357012#post15357012 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by roscozman
Thanks Grim Reefer
The fixture has individual reflectors that clip on the lamps.

Also, this is how the ballasts were wired:
Front
48" Ballast 1___36" Ballast 4
48" Ballast 1___36" Ballast 4
48" Ballast 2___36" Ballast 5
48" Ballast 2___36" Ballast 4
48" Ballast 3___36" Ballast 5
48" Ballast 3___36" Ballast 5
Back

Would I place the same lamps for the 48" and 36" like below?
Front
48" ATI Blue Plus______36" ATI Blue Plus
48" UVL Actinic White___36" UVL Actinic White
48" ATI Blue Plus______36" ATI Blue Plus
48" GE 6500K Daylight__36" GE 6500K Daylight
48" ATI Blue Plus______36" ATI Blue Plus
48" ATI Blue Plus______36" ATI Blue Plus
Back

I forgot to mention we are going for that "Blue" look.

Also, I have read about "Figi Purple" and other colors. What are these lamps for.

Thanks.

If you want a more blue look what I recoed will be OK. You could use a Fiji Purple instead of the Actinic White and get an even more blue look but either will be fin. The Fiji just adds some red.

The way you have the lamps listed to be placed is good. Use ballast 3 for dusk/dawn then 1 then 2 but try 1 for dusk/dawn too. The blue plus plus red/purple lamp looks cool.

 

[jasonrp104]

What would be a good 4 bulb combo for me?

It's a 36" tank with zoos, lps and a sebae anemone. I'd like to add some sps eventually.

I've always just run and replaced the stock 10k/ Actinic combination and I've never liked how yellow it is during the day

Thanks for your help

 

[MVlk]

Thx Grim! Will go with your suggestion.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15357646#post15357646 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jasonrp104
What would be a good 4 bulb combo for me?

It's a 36" tank with zoos, lps and a sebae anemone. I'd like to add some sps eventually.

I've always just run and replaced the stock 10k/ Actinic combination and I've never liked how yellow it is during the day

Thanks for your help

Do 2 ATI Blue Plus, UVL 75/25 and ATI Aquablue for a 14Kish look or 3rd blue plus for a more deep water 20K look.

 

[jasonrp104]

Wow, you're quick. Thanks again.

Do I run them in that order? What are my Dawn/dusk lights?

Sorry, I know nothing about bulbs

 

[Lyfey]

"Easiest way to check is to place those lamps in a different ballasts endcaps." -Grim

Not really tracking grim.. are you saying just try the lamp in another slot?.. which I did..

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15357722#post15357722 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jasonrp104
Wow, you're quick. Thanks again.

Do I run them in that order? What are my Dawn/dusk lights?

Sorry, I know nothing about bulbs

\

Run a blue plus in the front and on whichever other position will give you 2 blue pluses for dusk/dawn.

Front
Blue Plus
75/25
Blue Plus
Blue Plus or Aquablue

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15357844#post15357844 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lyfey
"Easiest way to check is to place those lamps in a different ballasts endcaps." -Grim

Not really tracking grim.. are you saying just try the lamp in another slot?.. which I did..

Thats it. If they work in a different slot then obviously the lamps are good.

 

[roscozman]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15357420#post15357420 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
If you want a more blue look what I recoed will be OK. You could use a Fiji Purple instead of the Actinic White and get an even more blue look but either will be fin. The Fiji just adds some red.

The way you have the lamps listed to be placed is good. Use ballast 3 for dusk/dawn then 1 then 2 but try 1 for dusk/dawn too. The blue plus plus red/purple lamp looks cool.

Thanks Grim...

Can you tell me where I could get these from? Our LFS don't carry these. Also, can you please tell me the watts for the bulbs(54w)? Still very green at this...

 

[blide]

Is there a DIY thread somewhere that explains how to add a fan to a TEK fixture? I'm trying to push my 24inch fixture from my 20g to the max, so I can run it over my new 40b.

Thanks for the help...

Oh I did do some searchs and nada...

 

[Mark426]

Grim

I just about have my TX5 looking how I want it...but... I need to add just a little red to the overall look.

Now:
Blue+
Fiji Purple or ATI Aquablue
Blue+
GE6500
Blue+

The Fiji adds too much of a red/purple look for my taste and the Aquablue has none.
What lamp could I try that would give me some red, just a slight step down from the Fiji Purple?

Thanks partner,
Mark

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15358083#post15358083 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by roscozman
Thanks Grim...

Can you tell me where I could get these from? Our LFS don't carry these. Also, can you please tell me the watts for the bulbs(54w)? Still very green at this...

reefgeek.com is a good place. The wattage is determined by the length. 54 watt lamps go in the 48" fixtures.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15358191#post15358191 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by blide
Is there a DIY thread somewhere that explains how to add a fan to a TEK fixture? I'm trying to push my 24inch fixture from my 20g to the max, so I can run it over my new 40b.

Thanks for the help...

Oh I did do some searchs and nada...

There was a thread where someone added them but I don't have a link to it.

Get a 2 fan Azoo clam on unit from dr foster and smith and clamp it on the rear of the tank so the air blows against the rear edge of the fixture in the middle. Don't use a splash shield and don't point the air right at the lamps. Even having the air blowing down from above the fixture at like a 45 degree angle works well. I have gotten as much as a 25% increase doing that with a 6x54 watt fixture.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15358437#post15358437 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mark426
Grim

I just about have my TX5 looking how I want it...but... I need to add just a little red to the overall look.

Now:
Blue+
Fiji Purple or ATI Aquablue
Blue+
GE6500
Blue+

The Fiji adds too much of a red/purple look for my taste and the Aquablue has none.
What lamp could I try that would give me some red, just a slight step down from the Fiji Purple?

Thanks partner,
Mark

Try the Aquablue where the GE is and see if that gives you a look you like. If not put the GE back in and try a UVL 75/25 where the fiji is. You could also try swapping the position of the ge and fiji.

 

[deeper moods]

HELLO> GRIM, THANK YOU FOR ALL THE INFO YOU HAVE POSTED TO US ON THE BULBS COMBO'S. I WANTED TO ASK IF YOU KNOW OF ANY GOOD REPLACEMENTS ON REFLECTORS FOR A TEK 5 (6 BULB) FIXTURE. I DONT REALLY WANT TO UPGRADE TO ANOTHER FIXTURE AT THIS TIME SO I WANTED TO SEE OUT THERE YOU CAN RECOMMEND.


THANKS OMAR

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15358772#post15358772 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by deeper moods
HELLO> GRIM, THANK YOU FOR ALL THE INFO YOU HAVE POSTED TO US ON THE BULBS COMBO'S. I WANTED TO ASK IF YOU KNOW OF ANY GOOD REPLACEMENTS ON REFLECTORS FOR A TEK 5 (6 BULB) FIXTURE. I DONT REALLY WANT TO UPGRADE TO ANOTHER FIXTURE AT THIS TIME SO I WANTED TO SEE OUT THERE YOU CAN RECOMMEND.


THANKS OMAR

Reefgeek can order you a new tek reflector. you MIGHT be able to aqueeze Aquactinics reflectors in there.

 

[deeper moods]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15358798#post15358798 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Reefgeek can order you a new tek reflector. you MIGHT be able to aqueeze Aquactinics reflectors in there.

Thanks for the feedback. Ill check out the Aquactinics reflectors. I dont want to get the same Tek 5 reflectors because they stain. I wanted the new Tek II reflectors but i heard they dont fit.

Thanks GRIM

 

[cql]

Grim,

I have a 125 72x18x20 with one center overflow in back that. I will keeping mostly soft corals, LPS, claims and maybe try a hardy sps on top. I was thinking of getting the ATI sunpower 60" fixture with 4x80w. What do you think and what bulbs would you recommend.

Thanks

 

[jahorgos]

Re: Re: 72" long Tank 60" T5s?

Re: Re: 72" long Tank 60" T5s?

Do you have any plastic center braces? I have 2 2" plastic center braces equally space and I'm worried about having dark spots where those are, any pics or thoughts about this? I'm thinking if I went with 3 MHs that I would avoid seeing dark spots. But I'd rather go T5 but only if I won't notice the center braces.

Thanks again.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15327853#post15327853 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Yep, 6 lamp retro with the Aqua Illumination reflectors from reefgeek. With the lamps 4 or 5 inches above the water I would say SPS would be safe out within maybe 4 inches of each end. There is a picture in my gallery of my 125 with 60" lamps that were only a couple inches above the water and the ballasts mounted at the end of the lamps on each side and you can just see a little shadowing at the upper edges

 

[Lance M.]

Hey Grim,

I've been looking through the thread but it is sooo long. I'm looking to set up a 20L (30'' long, 12'' wide) in a month and I am thinking about doing a 4x 24 watt retro kit, like a Icecap retro from Reefgeek (so just Icecap reflectors, or should I get a 660 ballast?), and I will stagger the bulbs to get a good spread of light. I've never used T5's but I've used pc and MH. The tank will have sps and an lta that I am moving from another tank.

What 4 bulb combo would give me a crisp white with a blue tint and good PAR for the sps and lta? and how far off the surface should the bulbs be?

Also the 20L will have a 20L sump that will have a frag area and some lps. I would like to put a 2 bulb 24'' retro over that. What bulb combo would give me the best growth and color? How far off the surface?

I can also add a small fan since the canopy would be custom.

TIA