The T5 Q&a Thread

[want2reef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15225427#post15225427 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Be close one way or another.

Cool

What 4 bulb configuration should I run to get between 14k and 20K?

Thanks again

 

[aquaboy620]

right on Grim. really appreciate it. and I thought about 2 PM fixtures just not sure about which ones to get. The 36" fixtures cost almost as much as the 60" model. Wierd, but I guess they have to get the people with the small tanks money too. But yeah it does make sense on the 2 36" PM's with the way I need to distribute the light across this tank. off topic but your avatar would make a sick tattoo. for any reefer.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15225549#post15225549 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by want2reef
Cool

What 4 bulb configuration should I run to get between 14k and 20K?

Thanks again

Probably 3 ATI Blue Plus and 1 UVL Aquasun or Actinic white.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15225650#post15225650 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by aquaboy620
right on Grim. really appreciate it. and I thought about 2 PM fixtures just not sure about which ones to get. The 36" fixtures cost almost as much as the 60" model. Wierd, but I guess they have to get the people with the small tanks money too. But yeah it does make sense on the 2 36" PM's with the way I need to distribute the light across this tank. off topic but your avatar would make a sick tattoo. for any reefer.

I lifted the pic from a website with questionable motives and added the Nemo. Guess it's time to put the one without the Santa Hat back up but Nahhhhh.

If their isn't much of a price difference in the fixtures or lamps I go ahead and do 48" fixtures.

 

[sharkbait97437]

Hi Grim,

Can you give me your opinion on my post:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1658156

Thanks!

 

[weiky]

Hi Grim,
I am setting up a new tank, 50 gallon and it 22" deep. I have a clam, lots of lps and a few sps. the fixture i got has 6 39w bulb. what would be your ideal bulub set up? I like it a bit bulb but not 20k it just a little too much. I have read a ton of your posts and wanted you opion on my setup to achieve best color and growth. thank you!

 

[aquaboy620]

sweet. I will get back to you when I decide on what my LFS prices are on the PM fixtures.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15227522#post15227522 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by weiky
Hi Grim,
I am setting up a new tank, 50 gallon and it 22" deep. I have a clam, lots of lps and a few sps. the fixture i got has 6 39w bulb. what would be your ideal bulub set up? I like it a bit bulb but not 20k it just a little too much. I have read a ton of your posts and wanted you opion on my setup to achieve best color and growth. thank you!

Assuming your fixture is Tek or better about 4" above the water. For lamps I would do 1 UVL Actinic White, 4 ATI Blue Plus and 1 ATI Aquablue. I would grab a spare Blue Plus in case you think the look is too white with the Aquablue in it.

 

[DML08]

TOO COOL!.

TOO COOL!.

so with my fans running when my T5's are on I'm having a hard time keeping my tank warm.. should the fans be on at all times when the T5's are on? I have a 250w heater and it can keep up with the heating.. any suggestions?
here is a pic on how it is set up (fans), fans blow across the end caps, perpendicular to the bulbs..

 

[cashman95]

Grim, I just received my 6 lamp 24" ATI sunpower, and was wondering what to set the fans voltage on? I remember reading it somewhere, but could not find it!

Also Just to make sure.......This fixture with 4 ATI Blue+ and 2 ATI Aquablue plus will do just fine for SPS right? Seems like my 250 Radium halide in a lumenbright fixture was a good bit brighter?!?!?

24x20x20 cube

Thanks Brian

 

[kube]

suggestions

suggestions

Grim,
I loved your suggestions for my 4 - T5 set up on my 55. But the upgrade bug has bit me so i got a 125 long set and just need to do the lights.

i have an Ice cap 660 ballast I plan on using that to overdrive 3 - 60in lamps (how many watts does that drive them at if they are normally 80watts?)

I then plan on buying a workhorse ballast to drive 2 more 60 in lamps

it will be mixed coral tank with an anemone, nothing insane light demanding.

I want to have the dusk/dawn blue effect achieved by running the workhorse ballast an hour before and after the ice cap

Whats your suggestions for lamps, placement and on which ballast. Thanks

 

[cich4fish]

OK, I removed the white moonlights from my nova extreme 8x54 and replaced them with 8 blue moonlights.Put it all back together and 2 of my t5 don't come on.When I turn on the switch they attempt to come on but never fire up.I did not touch any of the connections for the t5's.Any suggestions on what might be the problem?

Thanks,
Eric

 

[tylert]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15224430#post15224430 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
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.

Would overdriving the tx5 be a good option? If so should the bulb configuration be different? Right now it's:
Aquablue ATI
Blue Plus ATI
Fiji Purple KZ
Blue Plus ATI
Aquablue ATI

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: TOO COOL!.

Re: TOO COOL!.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15228338#post15228338 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DML08
so with my fans running when my T5's are on I'm having a hard time keeping my tank warm.. should the fans be on at all times when the T5's are on? I have a 250w heater and it can keep up with the heating.. any suggestions?
here is a pic on how it is set up (fans), fans blow across the end caps, perpendicular to the bulbs..

I'd leave the fans on and get a better or even a second heater if you need too. Keeping the lamps cool is pretty important.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15228680#post15228680 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cashman95
Grim, I just received my 6 lamp 24" ATI sunpower, and was wondering what to set the fans voltage on? I remember reading it somewhere, but could not find it!

Also Just to make sure.......This fixture with 4 ATI Blue+ and 2 ATI Aquablue plus will do just fine for SPS right? Seems like my 250 Radium halide in a lumenbright fixture was a good bit brighter?!?!?

24x20x20 cube

Thanks Brian

7.5 volts is where I would set them.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: suggestions

Re: suggestions

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15228697#post15228697 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kube
Grim,
I loved your suggestions for my 4 - T5 set up on my 55. But the upgrade bug has bit me so i got a 125 long set and just need to do the lights.

i have an Ice cap 660 ballast I plan on using that to overdrive 3 - 60in lamps (how many watts does that drive them at if they are normally 80watts?)

I then plan on buying a workhorse ballast to drive 2 more 60 in lamps

it will be mixed coral tank with an anemone, nothing insane light demanding.

I want to have the dusk/dawn blue effect achieved by running the workhorse ballast an hour before and after the ice cap

Whats your suggestions for lamps, placement and on which ballast. Thanks

Front
ATI Blue Plus WH
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus WH

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15232592#post15232592 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tylert
Would overdriving the tx5 be a good option? If so should the bulb configuration be different? Right now it's:
Aquablue ATI
Blue Plus ATI
Fiji Purple KZ
Blue Plus ATI
Aquablue ATI

If you overdrive you will probably find yourself wanting to swap out a Aquablue for another blue plus. WHen overdriven the lamps are so much brighter it doesn't appear to be as blue.

 

[Jeff]

Grim, thanks for all of the great information. I went with your recommendations last year and have been very happy. I know things have changed in the T5 world. I am running a 14 bulb Aquactinics Constellation and am looking for the Reeflux 12K look with high PAR and some "pop" (aren't we all). What are your current suggestions?
Thanks in advance.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15233207#post15233207 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jeff
Grim, thanks for all of the great information. I went with your recommendations last year and have been very happy. I know things have changed in the T5 world. I am running a 14 bulb Aquactinics Constellation and am looking for the Reeflux 12K look with high PAR and some "pop" (aren't we all). What are your current suggestions?
Thanks in advance.

Front
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
Blue Plus

 

[Jeff]

Thanks Grim. Between you testing T5 bulbs, Billybeau1 testing salt mixes, and others adding great equipment reviews, we dont have to guess anymore