Want to add T5 to my MH setup

chinoxl3 · 09/02/2008, 01:25 PM

I have two XM 20K 250W bulbs and no actinic supplementation. I have a standard 90 gallon mixed reef and would like to add at least 4 T5's to my setup. I will be using one Icecap 660 and one Icecap 430 ballast. I would like to continue using the MH and make the neon colors pop with the T5's. Does anyone have this setup or had this setup before? If so, what bulbs will look good with the MH bulbs?

TIA

qfrisco · 09/02/2008, 02:29 PM

With actinic supplementation, the neon colors should pop a bit more, but I personally don't think they'd pop that much more since you're already using 20K bulbs. To get the pop, you'll need actinic T5s, and your MHs are already quite blue, so I'm not sure how much more pop you'll get with actinic T5s.

I'm also assuming your 90g is 48" long? If so, you should be able to drive 4 48" T5s just with the Icecap 660. You shouldn't need the Icecap 430, unless you want to do more than four bulbs.

Jay180reef · 09/02/2008, 03:26 PM

I've got 4 48" actinics running off my Icecap 660. The T5s are: two super actinic blues and two actinic whites. To get the most blue, perhaps you might want to run all 4 super actinic blues IMO.

chinoxl3 · 09/02/2008, 06:40 PM

I am thinking of using 4 T5's just like jay180reef. 2 will be actinic for dusk/dawn effect and I still don't know what to use for the other two. I was thinking maybe running 2 fiji purple to get some of the red and pinks from the corals. I was told I could use blue plus bulbs but I've never seen what they look like.

09/02/2008, 01:25 PM	#1
chinoxl3 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Kendall, FL Posts: 369	Want to add T5 to my MH setup I have two XM 20K 250W bulbs and no actinic supplementation. I have a standard 90 gallon mixed reef and would like to add at least 4 T5's to my setup. I will be using one Icecap 660 and one Icecap 430 ballast. I would like to continue using the MH and make the neon colors pop with the T5's. Does anyone have this setup or had this setup before? If so, what bulbs will look good with the MH bulbs? TIA __________________ All your reefs are belong to us Current Tank Info: 90 Gallon Mixed SPS and LPS

09/02/2008, 03:26 PM	#3
Jay180reef Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Calgary Posts: 431	I've got 4 48" actinics running off my Icecap 660. The T5s are: two super actinic blues and two actinic whites. To get the most blue, perhaps you might want to run all 4 super actinic blues IMO. __________________ Jay Current Tank Info: 180G reef, 2x45G sumps, 45G fuge, MH lights w/T5s, ReefOcto skmr, Barracuda pump, Magnum powerheads

09/02/2008, 06:40 PM	#4
chinoxl3 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Kendall, FL Posts: 369	I am thinking of using 4 T5's just like jay180reef. 2 will be actinic for dusk/dawn effect and I still don't know what to use for the other two. I was thinking maybe running 2 fiji purple to get some of the red and pinks from the corals. I was told I could use blue plus bulbs but I've never seen what they look like. __________________ All your reefs are belong to us Current Tank Info: 90 Gallon Mixed SPS and LPS

09/02/2008, 02:29 PM	#2
qfrisco Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Dallas, TX Area Posts: 1,389	With actinic supplementation, the neon colors should pop a bit more, but I personally don't think they'd pop that much more since you're already using 20K bulbs. To get the pop, you'll need actinic T5s, and your MHs are already quite blue, so I'm not sure how much more pop you'll get with actinic T5s. I'm also assuming your 90g is 48" long? If so, you should be able to drive 4 48" T5s just with the Icecap 660. You shouldn't need the Icecap 430, unless you want to do more than four bulbs.