The T5 Q&a Thread

[stormrider27]

Kill 2 birds with one stone

Kill 2 birds with one stone

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15221248#post15221248 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by runningnreefing
Hi Grim,

I have a 6 x 54w PM fixture, and I wanted a similar look to the Reeflux 12K. You recommended this bulb combination from front to back.

ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus

The look is a little too white for me so can you suggest a bulb combination that is closer to a 14K look.

Thanks.

Grim, I am looking for a 14K look on my sunpower 6x80w too so I am guessing that what ever you recommend for runningreef will work for me?

Is there a way you can search a thread instead of the whole forum? I hate to bother you with questions when the answer is more than likely buried somewhere within this thread

 

[tdawgnjlo]

Grim,

What kind of T5 lighting fixture would you recommend for a 48"x30x24 Tank? I want to keep anything in the tank. I know two options are to go with either the 10 bulb PM or 2 6 bulb SP.

Since I already have 6 old style Tek reflectors on Triads, and an Ice Cap 660 ballast laying around, would a retro with 4 T5 overdriven 48 inch bulbs and 6 to 8 normally driven bulbs work well enough to keep anything. Or would you I go with 2 660 ballast overdriving 8 48 " bulbs with 2 to 4 normally driven bulbs 48 " bulbs on Triads. I assume the Aquatinics 7 bulb 48 " fixture will not work on the 30 " wide tank.

Thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15220301#post15220301 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by aquaboy620
hey grim looks like your the man to ask about T5's since your name is all over this thread and I'm looking for some good advice. so here goes. I have a 240 gallon mixed reef and I currently have 2 x 250 watt metal halides 20k and 4 x 39 watt T5's hagen glo retro kit with hagen actinics. I ordered 2 x 48 inch 8 x 54 watt Tek light fixtures and I want to know what kind of bulbs would be the best combo for a nice blue look that still grows coral. I see ATI is all over this thread but I can get good deals on the giesemann bulbs from my LFS. What do you think of the Giesemann bulbs(if you have any experience with them) compared to the ATI bulbs. Interested in the Powerchrome Aquablue plus bulb which is described by giesemann.

POWERCHROME aquablue + is the ultimate blue/white light spectrum for brilliant colours from your corals and fish. The ideal light for all marine creatures
that live in salt-water and reef aquariums.

A special 60:40 combination of 6000K and 22000K (approx) phosphor blend. It is specifically designed for reef aquariums mimicking sea water to a depth of one to twenty meters. It can be used for growing SPS corals up to 80cm in the aquarium. The tubes can be combined with Aqua Flora for freshwater, tropical fish and planted aquaria.

If I were to go with 16 of these bulbs would I achieve good coral growth or would another combo of giesemann bulbs be better and if so, what?

If ATI is a better brand can you tell me why and what combo of bulbs to get.

thanks for your help and sorry so long. just need to know before I pay 300+ dollars for bulbs.

I would do this

Front

Gieseman Actinic Plus
Gmann Pure Actinic
Gmann Aquaflora
Actinic Plus
Gmann Midday
Actinic Plus
Actinic Plus

Aquablue
Aquaflora
Actinic Plus
Midday
Actinic Plus
Aquablue
Pure Actinic
Actinic Plus


The blue actinic plus lamps has as much PAR as any other Gmann lamp so I figure load up on them if you like blue.

Use the 1, 2, 7 & 8 set on the front fixture for dusk/dawn 1 and probably the same on the rear fixture for D-D 2

The Aquaflora lamp should help pop reds. If they are not available swap one for a midday and 1 for a midday. Grab a couple spare aquablues so you can play and have extra lamps in case one fails or gets broken.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15220410#post15220410 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by arctictwist
Grim, do you know anything about the t5 fixtures at fishneedit.com?

Not really. Based on what they didn't say I suspect they used cheap reflector materials.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15220532#post15220532 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by aquaboy620
just checked out the 72" aquactinics constellation fixture which is 14 x 39 watt t5s. very nice looking. would that be better for my 240 gallon 96x24x24 than 2 x 48" 8 lamp tek fixture from sunlight supply. stupid question considering wattage is way about 546 to 864. Plus I would be missing about 2 feet with the 72". wish somebody made a 96" fixture with 16 x 54 watt t5's. all in all would the 72" fixture be sufficient or would it be underpowered for my 240 gallon. If not what bulbs do you recommend and in what order. please help cause I can tell my LFS to stop the order on the sunlight tek fixtures which I would have to hang side by side to make it look right.

Teks are a better plan. Use a fan blowing across the center of each fixture. You want the air flowing in from the side or even a little above the fixture but not below. Also don't use splash shields.

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

If you don't like the look of the UVL lamp in your dusk/dawn just change positions of it with the blue plus right behind it.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15220573#post15220573 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by aquaboy620
oh yeah forgot to mention that I have 6 rose anemones that have made their homes at the top of my tank about 3 to 4" from top of water line will the t5s affect my roses. they are my prize possesions. all about 4" to 8" in diameter.

Don't run the fans when you first start with the fixtures. I would also start off using the 1, 2, 7 & 8 lamps for a 10 to 12 hour cycle and use the other 4 lamps 2 to 4 hours a day for the first week or so to see how the Anemones react. You can start slowly increasing the duration for the 4 center lamps until you get the photoperiod you want. Then add in the fans.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15221248#post15221248 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by runningnreefing
Hi Grim,

I have a 6 x 54w PM fixture, and I wanted a similar look to the Reeflux 12K. You recommended this bulb combination from front to back.

ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus

The look is a little too white for me so can you suggest a bulb combination that is closer to a 14K look.

Thanks.

Dump the front Aquablue for another Blue Plus and see what you think.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15221649#post15221649 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by aquaboy620
hey grim I'm all over the place with decisions to make. I was looking at the 10 x 80 watt ATI PM but its only 60" long. my tank is 96" wattage is nice but would it cover the whole tank?

Do the 2 Teks. You could do 2 8 lamp Powermodules with the lamps I recoed although you might have to tweak the positions to get the right lamps for dusk/dawn. Unless you are going heavy into SPS and clams on the sand I think the Teks with external fans will be fine.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: Kill 2 birds with one stone

Re: Kill 2 birds with one stone

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15221870#post15221870 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by stormrider27
Grim, I am looking for a 14K look on my sunpower 6x80w too so I am guessing that what ever you recommend for runningreef will work for me?

Is there a way you can search a thread instead of the whole forum? I hate to bother you with questions when the answer is more than likely buried somewhere within this thread

UVL Doesn't make 60" lamps so

Aquablue
Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
Blue Plus

 

[runningnreefing]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15222400#post15222400 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Dump the front Aquablue for another Blue Plus and see what you think.

I will try that. Thanks.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15222019#post15222019 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tdawgnjlo
Grim,

What kind of T5 lighting fixture would you recommend for a 48"x30x24 Tank? I want to keep anything in the tank. I know two options are to go with either the 10 bulb PM or 2 6 bulb SP.

Since I already have 6 old style Tek reflectors on Triads, and an Ice Cap 660 ballast laying around, would a retro with 4 T5 overdriven 48 inch bulbs and 6 to 8 normally driven bulbs work well enough to keep anything. Or would you I go with 2 660 ballast overdriving 8 48 " bulbs with 2 to 4 normally driven bulbs 48 " bulbs on Triads. I assume the Aquatinics 7 bulb 48 " fixture will not work on the 30 " wide tank.

Thanks

10 lamp PM of the retro. I would OD 4 and do 4 on standard ballasts if you go retro. I'd use Ice Cap or reefgeek brand reflectors. .

 

[syrss]

Hi,

I am setting up my first rimless tank 48x24x20 with 3inch sandbed.

I am wondering if I will be ok with the 36inch TEK T5 or should I just go with 48inch?

And how high should I hang the fixture?

TIA
Ron

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15222692#post15222692 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by syrss
Hi,

I am setting up my first rimless tank 48x24x20 with 3inch sandbed.

I am wondering if I will be ok with the 36inch TEK T5 or should I just go with 48inch?

And how high should I hang the fixture?

TIA
Ron

Id go 48" about 6 inches above, could go more but not too much. The T5 lamps only illuminate along about 43" of the tube so they would be good over a 48" tank.

 

[stormrider27]

Re: Re: Kill 2 birds with one stone

Re: Re: Kill 2 birds with one stone

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15222430#post15222430 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
UVL Doesn't make 60" lamps so

Aquablue
Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
Blue Plus

Thank You Grim!!!

 

[tylert]

Hey Grim, you've helped me out alot.
I have a Tx5 fixture on a 90 gallon(48x18x24) not set up yet. I'm on my final stages of getting it running, and I'm starting to second guess myself. Will I have enough light to not only keep SPS and clams but to have them thrive and grow also? I want a mixed reef but I love monti's and want to get some acro and clams too. Is there anything I should do, ie. 1 middle halide, or overdrive the T5's, or am I just worrying to much?

Also What is the best set up and order for groth and color pop?

 

[aquaboy620]

thanks grim I really appreciate the help on all my questions. Hard to say if I really want to tek lamps above my tank with hang on fans. trying to go with the cleaniest most efficient look. 1 fixture would look nicer above the tank but if you think I should go with the teks and clamp on fans then I will go with that and the lamps you recommended, unless you think the PM fixture will do the job. I only have zoas, acans and other softies with the roses. didn't really plan on SPS but did want clams. Just afraid to buy something like the teks and later on be like "why didn't I cough up the extra money and get the PM fixture." Right about now money isn't the issue. willing to pay good money now so I don't have to later. I've made this mistake more times than I can remember. Don't want to do it again. Thanks again for all the help.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15223917#post15223917 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tylert
Hey Grim, you've helped me out alot.
I have a Tx5 fixture on a 90 gallon(48x18x24) not set up yet. I'm on my final stages of getting it running, and I'm starting to second guess myself. Will I have enough light to not only keep SPS and clams but to have them thrive and grow also? I want a mixed reef but I love monti's and want to get some acro and clams too. Is there anything I should do, ie. 1 middle halide, or overdrive the T5's, or am I just worrying to much?

Also What is the best set up and order for groth and color pop?

If you set the fixture right on the tank and change out the lamps at about 10 months I think your critters will be fine. Could they do finer? Probably but I would just take care how you place things and not worry. If you want clams on the sand then I would make a break in the rocks so they can be placed directly under the lighting array.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15224053#post15224053 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by aquaboy620
thanks grim I really appreciate the help on all my questions. Hard to say if I really want to tek lamps above my tank with hang on fans. trying to go with the cleaniest most efficient look. 1 fixture would look nicer above the tank but if you think I should go with the teks and clamp on fans then I will go with that and the lamps you recommended, unless you think the PM fixture will do the job. I only have zoas, acans and other softies with the roses. didn't really plan on SPS but did want clams. Just afraid to buy something like the teks and later on be like "why didn't I cough up the extra money and get the PM fixture." Right about now money isn't the issue. willing to pay good money now so I don't have to later. I've made this mistake more times than I can remember. Don't want to do it again. Thanks again for all the help.

If you got the money to do a couple powermodules now do it. I am going from memory but 96" tank right? One 72" fixture just isn't enough linear light for that tank. You could even do 2 36 inch powermodules if it saves a lot of money. That would let you place them out over the tank to get a pretty even light end to end. With the Teks you may not really need the fans. Just change lamps at 10 months and don't mount the fixtures much more than 4" above the water and I think it would be fine.

 

[want2reef]

Grim

I am going from 2 250 Phoenix bulbs to 4 or maybe 6 T5s for my sps 120g.

I want to utilize my Icecap 660, and was wondering if 4 T5's driven off the 660 spaced one inch from each other would have about the same output and spread as 6 normally driven bulbs with no space in between the reflectors?

Thanks
Kevin

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15224541#post15224541 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by want2reef
Grim

I am going from 2 250 Phoenix bulbs to 4 or maybe 6 T5s for my sps 120g.

I want to utilize my Icecap 660, and was wondering if 4 T5's driven off the 660 spaced one inch from each other would have about the same output and spread as 6 normally driven bulbs with no space in between the reflectors?

Thanks
Kevin

Be close one way or another.