The T5 Q&a Thread

[cql]

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

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

My tank has a eurobrace, so i don't have any cross brace.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15359579#post15359579 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jahorgos
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.

 

[cerolost]

Hi guys its about time I changed my bulbs in my 48" 4 bulb tek unit. I bought it used and it came with geismann bulbs. Whats the best t5 bulbs and combination. My tank has mostly LPS and softies but I would like to do monti's and birdsnest later on. Oh by the way this is in a 72g bow. Thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15359031#post15359031 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 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

Make sure you arrange things so the clam will be under the lamps and it should be fine.

Front
ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue

 

[The Grim Reefer]

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

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

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15359579#post15359579 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jahorgos
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.

My 125 had the center braces and I saw nothing. My current tank also has 2 center braces and I sat the fixture right on top of them and I couldn't see a shadow.

with 2 lamps

with 6.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15360076#post15360076 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 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

Use the standard ballasts.

Front
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus

Mount them 4 to 6 inches above the water and don't mess with staggering them.

For the frag tank do a GE 6500K and Blue Plus.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15360756#post15360756 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cerolost
Hi guys its about time I changed my bulbs in my 48" 4 bulb tek unit. I bought it used and it came with geismann bulbs. Whats the best t5 bulbs and combination. My tank has mostly LPS and softies but I would like to do monti's and birdsnest later on. Oh by the way this is in a 72g bow. Thanks

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue

 

[cerolost]

Man, you are good thanks for the quick reply

 

[Lance M.]

by The Grim Reefer [/i]
Use the standard ballasts.

Front
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus

Mount them 4 to 6 inches above the water and don't mess with staggering them.

For the frag tank do a GE 6500K and Blue Plus.

Thanks for the help!

 

[chem368]

Hi Grim,

I have a Tek 8 bulb system and I think it is time to replace the bulbs. I am fairly new to corals in my tank and have a little of everything. I prefer LPS and softies but do have a couple SPS. My tank is a 150 Gal deep, only 48" wide but about 32" deep.

What are your suggestions for brand, placement and timing.

From of Display Tank
Switch 1
Switch 1
Switch 2
Switch 2
Switch 2
Switch 2
Switch 1
Switch 1
Back of Display Tnak

Thanks, this is a great thread thats running.

 

[blide]

Grim,

I recently upgraded my 20g to a 40b and I'm going to attempt to use the lighting TEK 4 bulb unit (Blue Plus, Super Actinic, Aquasun, Blue Plus :combo from your website) on the 40b. The TEK light has been great on the 20g and I've been able to grow SPS and etc. and I'm wanting to do similar in the 40b. Since the tank has more width and not depth I'm hoping it will work. One issue that do have though is the tank now looks extremely blue due to the width of the light being smaller than the tank. Would you recommend to me a different light combo that could compensate for the width to cut back on the amount of blue?

Here's some pics:
20G Tank

New 40b with 20g corals:

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15361795#post15361795 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chem368
Hi Grim,

I have a Tek 8 bulb system and I think it is time to replace the bulbs. I am fairly new to corals in my tank and have a little of everything. I prefer LPS and softies but do have a couple SPS. My tank is a 150 Gal deep, only 48" wide but about 32" deep.

What are your suggestions for brand, placement and timing.

From of Display Tank
Switch 1
Switch 1
Switch 2
Switch 2
Switch 2
Switch 2
Switch 1
Switch 1
Back of Display Tnak

Thanks, this is a great thread thats running.

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

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15361843#post15361843 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by blide
Grim,

I recently upgraded my 20g to a 40b and I'm going to attempt to use the lighting TEK 4 bulb unit (Blue Plus, Super Actinic, Aquasun, Blue Plus :combo from your website) on the 40b. The TEK light has been great on the 20g and I've been able to grow SPS and etc. and I'm wanting to do similar in the 40b. Since the tank has more width and not depth I'm hoping it will work. One issue that do have though is the tank now looks extremely blue due to the width of the light being smaller than the tank. Would you recommend to me a different light combo that could compensate for the width to cut back on the amount of blue?

Here's some pics:
20G Tank

New 40b with 20g corals:

I would pull the Super Actinic and use an Actinic White in it's place and replace the Aquasun with an Aquablue. Should be brighter and look nice.

 

[MVlk]

Grim, Thanks again for the bulb suggestions. I was able to go ahead and order all 12 at once. (6x2)

Quick follow up question for you or others... Has there been testing on using egg crate with the T5 setups. I recently switched from glass tops to egg crate and want to know if I need to go further with a different solution to prevent carpet surfers.

 

[chem368]

Grim,

Thanks for the bulb suggestions. Quick question (I think), what is the difference between ATI Blue Plus and Blue Plus and what brand is Blue Plus?

 

[Lyfey]

chem368 quick answer, they are the same bulb. He just states the brand in the first bulb placement.

 

[chem368]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15362785#post15362785 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lyfey
chem368 quick answer, they are the same bulb. He just states the brand in the first bulb placement.

Thank you.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15362419#post15362419 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MVlk
Grim, Thanks again for the bulb suggestions. I was able to go ahead and order all 12 at once. (6x2)

Quick follow up question for you or others... Has there been testing on using egg crate with the T5 setups. I recently switched from glass tops to egg crate and want to know if I need to go further with a different solution to prevent carpet surfers.

I haven't

 

[jahorgos]

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

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

Thanks. I ordered the 6 bulb 60" icecap retro kit from reefgeek. Should be here next tuesday. I'll send you some pics when its up and running.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15360814#post15360814 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
My 125 had the center braces and I saw nothing. My current tank also has 2 center braces and I sat the fixture right on top of them and I couldn't see a shadow.

with 2 lamps

with 6.

 

[gorey]

Hello Grim, I hava a 2 bulb t5 fixture over a 75g. It looks like its time for a bulb change..So I was wondering what 2 bulbs you might recommend. I only do easy corals like shrooms, zoas and frogspawn. Thanks for the help in advance

 

[cql]

Thanks grim,

I can also do 6x80, but is that to much light for mostly softy and LPS.

Thank you again,

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15360789#post15360789 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Make sure you arrange things so the clam will be under the lamps and it should be fine.

Front
ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue