The T5 Q&a Thread

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<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15170522#post15170522 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by brucem
Hey Grim, I am sure this has been already asked. I am trying to figure out the best way to cool t5 bulbs from what I can see from the power module is that they draw the air in from the sides and blow it out the top is this correct? If so does the bottom of the fixture need to be covered so to be able to control the air flow. I will have 8x24 bulbs and two icecap 660's in the fixture I am going to build. Any help would be greatly appreciated

You got it backwards. Air is drawn in the top and blow past the ballasts and out on the end of the lamp and then out the other end of the fixture.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15170548#post15170548 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by eros
Grim, I apologize if you have already talked about this but do you have any info on the new Icecap bulbs? They are apparently made by UVL and optimized to be overdriven on the Icecap ballasts. I'm running a 660 and need to get new bulbs soon so I was looking at these. Are any of the new bulbs similar to a Blue+? When I upgrade I want to get something equivalent to 3 blue+ and 1 10k. I would love to see some par readings on these bulbs on Icecap ballasts!

I am burning the lamps in as we speak.

Twilight is the UVL 454, the 10, 12 and 14K lamps look to be the Aquasun, Actinic White and 75/25. Actinic looks like the super actinic. 3 Twilight and a 10K might look nice.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15171297#post15171297 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
I am burning the lamps in as we speak.

Twilight is the UVL 454, the 10, 12 and 14K lamps look to be the Aquasun, Actinic White and 75/25. Actinic looks like the super actinic. 3 Twilight and a 10K might look nice.

So if they are just rebranded UVL's then what's the point? I realize you won't know much til you test the PAR, but is there really any benefit?

On a side note...I'm running 4 bulbs on my sons tank. It's two blue plus, one 75/25 and one aquablue. Now my tank I plan on doing 6 bulbs(not over driven). I'm assuming that 3 blue plus, one 75/25 and two Aquablue would give me roughly the same look? If I ditched one of the two Aquablue's and replaced it with a Blue Plus is it going to make it more "20k"? I love my AB 20k over another tank, but I'm worried that this will be a different blue.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15172072#post15172072 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pito
which side of a TX5 should receive the label end of the bulbs?

I would say opposite of the fan. The fan sucks the air out so the cool air will be drawn in the opposite side.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15172786#post15172786 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Milhouse
So if they are just rebranded UVL's then what's the point? I realize you won't know much til you test the PAR, but is there really any benefit?

On a side note...I'm running 4 bulbs on my sons tank. It's two blue plus, one 75/25 and one aquablue. Now my tank I plan on doing 6 bulbs(not over driven). I'm assuming that 3 blue plus, one 75/25 and two Aquablue would give me roughly the same look? If I ditched one of the two Aquablue's and replaced it with a Blue Plus is it going to make it more "20k"? I love my AB 20k over another tank, but I'm worried that this will be a different blue.

Try either combo. It's really going to come down to personal taste. I can borrow you some used lamps if you want to play before you buy but if I remember right you are up north? Kinda a long drive to get them.

What I was told is the Electrodes have been beefed up in the Ice Cap lamps. Not sure I can prove they are or aren't without doing a long term side by side test.
 
Hello again Grim, thanks for the previous advise (back about 9000 pages :))

I am setting up a new tank (48x18 footprint, 24" tall) and i am thinking about using 6 - 54 watt T5's with SLR reflectors. I plan to keep whatever sps i might come across, so output is a concern (but so is the elec bill).

Do you think it would be necessary to overdrive all the bulbs? Or could i only overdrive 4 of them and use a standard ballast on the other 2? Do i need to overdrive any of them (too late to ask that, i already purchased a 660)?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15173259#post15173259 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Try either combo. It's really going to come down to personal taste. I can borrow you some used lamps if you want to play before you buy but if I remember right you are up north? Kinda a long drive to get them.

What I was told is the Electrodes have been beefed up in the Ice Cap lamps. Not sure I can prove they are or aren't without doing a long term side by side test.

Yeah, I'm up in Fort Collins....so if I order an extra $20 bulb vs gas.....would prob be about the same either way, lol. And I can always reuse the bulb next change out. Unfortunately up north we no longer have any sources for T5 bulbs that I know of, so I get stuck ordering them. I used to have a couple of places that sold Geismanns but now there is one place that sells UVL's only and doesn't have a great selection. But thanks again for the offer. I'm still in the sloooooowly setting up stage though :)
 
Hey Grim

I have a Tek5 6 bulbs and looking for a Radium 20k look. I keep SPS,LPS,Acans,Clams and Zoas. Would that look give me growth and color pop?

On my other fixture which is a MH with T5 4 Bulbs, I have a Radium 150w which T5 bulbs would you recommend. I keep the same as above.

thx in advance.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15174753#post15174753 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 1DeR9_3Hy
Hello again Grim, thanks for the previous advise (back about 9000 pages :))

I am setting up a new tank (48x18 footprint, 24" tall) and i am thinking about using 6 - 54 watt T5's with SLR reflectors. I plan to keep whatever sps i might come across, so output is a concern (but so is the elec bill).

Do you think it would be necessary to overdrive all the bulbs? Or could i only overdrive 4 of them and use a standard ballast on the other 2? Do i need to overdrive any of them (too late to ask that, i already purchased a 660)?

Yeah, overdrive 4 and do the HO ballast for two. If you don't plan on clams I'd put the HO lamps out front so you could keep brains and Acans happy on the sand.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15175971#post15175971 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BaNDiTo_RoX
Hey Grim

I have a Tek5 6 bulbs and looking for a Radium 20k look. I keep SPS,LPS,Acans,Clams and Zoas. Would that look give me growth and color pop?

On my other fixture which is a MH with T5 4 Bulbs, I have a Radium 150w which T5 bulbs would you recommend. I keep the same as above.

thx in advance.

I'd do 5 Blue Plus and a UVL Actinic White on the one but grab an Aquablue as a spare lamp in case you want to brighten the look up a little.

The other I would run

Front
Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
MH
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

Ahould look nicve and help out that little 150 on PAR as well.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15175993#post15175993 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Yeah, overdrive 4 and do the HO ballast for two. If you don't plan on clams I'd put the HO lamps out front so you could keep brains and Acans happy on the sand.

Thanks Grim!

I was planning on trying the clam game, so i am assuming i should leave the HO's mixed in or near the rear with that idea?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15176022#post15176022 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
I'd do 5 Blue Plus and a UVL Actinic White on the one but grab an Aquablue as a spare lamp in case you want to brighten the look up a little.

The other I would run

Front
Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
MH
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

Should look nice and help out that little 150 on PAR as well.

Thanks Grim,

I don't have access to a UVL what other bulb would replace that one.

On the Tek5 6 Bulbs I have this combo right now

Front
AquaBlue
Blue+
Blue+
Fiji
Blue+
Blue+

And I have these spare bulbs until I can place a new order.
1 UVL AquaSun
2 ATI Actinic
1 KZ NewGen

In what order on the one you suggested
5 Blue Plus and a UVL Actinic White

thx again
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15176041#post15176041 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 1DeR9_3Hy
Thanks Grim!

I was planning on trying the clam game, so i am assuming i should leave the HO's mixed in or near the rear with that idea?

Front and rear
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15176145#post15176145 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BaNDiTo_RoX
Thanks Grim,

I don't have access to a UVL what other bulb would replace that one.

On the Tek5 6 Bulbs I have this combo right now

Front
AquaBlue
Blue+
Blue+
Fiji
Blue+
Blue+

And I have these spare bulbs until I can place a new order.
1 UVL AquaSun
2 ATI Actinic
1 KZ NewGen

In what order on the one you suggested
5 Blue Plus and a UVL Actinic White

thx again

Fiji would be a good substitute. As far as placement with the 5 Blue Plus just keep the other lamp in the 2nd or 3rd position.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15177460#post15177460 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ganjero
what bulb combination should I use for an 8bulb PM?

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus
 
Grim
4 bulb IC 660 ballast and looking for best growth /colr combo for SPS tank. Not that big into the real blue look but a little is OK. 40 Breeder BTW
 
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