The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by LobsterOfJustice
I posted this in a separate thread in this forum, but it was suggested that I post it here as well:


I am in the market for a T5 retrofit in the 24-36" range. This tank will be used primarily as a refugium, so I would like to be able to grow sea grasses, cheatomorpha, halimeda, etc, but it would be nice if I could have the option of keeping corals in it temporarily as needed. I have a piece of plywood maybe 10" above the tank which I will screw the retrofit into. The tank is a 30g breeder, so it is relatively shallow.

How many bulbs, and what brands should I be looking at? I found the following one which seems to be good, but I'm not sure two bulbs is going to be enough. I've used halides before, but I'm new to T5's so I dont know what will be enough.

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_...unlight_Supply

I would use the GE 6500K daylights. Cheap. lots of PAR and in a spectrum range both the corals and algaes/grasses can best use

I would get the Tek II retrofits instead of the readyfit. The reflectors are wider and as has been mentioned you can space them out to give you better lighting coverage over the tank.

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by spleen93
To make it easier for Grim, here's LobsterofJustice's post from the last page:


I'm not Grim but isn't a 30 breeder 18 inches wide? I'd be worried about light spread with only 2 bulbs. You might need two retrofit kits spaced out to supply even light over the tank. It's shallow enough that it'd work well, possibly even too well.

For a refugium/macroalgae/seagrass tank, you'd probably want the bulbs to be warmer - I'm going to guess a 2 bulb combo of UVL Aquasun and ATI Aquablue Special.

Am I way off, Grim?

Spleen

Not really. That would work but the GE 6500K is inexpensive and will do absolutely fine for corals short term without effecting color.

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by Primetime33
I have a 60*24*24 SPS dominated tank with the below bulb config, I want to get a fiji purple and a 75/25. Where, would you place them, if at all? I am still tinkering around with the bulbs/look as usual. These bulbs are on 2 icecap 660's.

1. Blue+
2. Super Actinic (dusk dawn)
3. Aquasun or GE6500 (marking has worn off)
4. Blue+ (dusk dawn)
5. Procolor
6. Blue+ (dusk dawn)

Thank you as always!!!!

You could try replacing the pro color with the 75/25 if you think there is too much red. The fiji purple you could try in place of the front Blue Plus;

[Primetime33]

yeldarbj,
Thank you for the suggestion!! Sounds like an interesting combo. I will try that out first.

Grim,
Yes, it looks a little too red for me now. I will order the 2 bulbs today. Hopefully the fiji will not make it too purple being in front.

Should the PAR be about the same as my original combo?

Thank you both for the help.

[The Grim Reefer]

The Fiji is actually violet like an actinic lamp. Violet isn't purple. Purple is purple.

[reefcrazy0821]

thanks grim...you said it would be good for a 55 but im a put it on my new 75g...this light would still be fine for that right?

[LobsterOfJustice]

Originally posted by The Grim Reefer
I would use the GE 6500K daylights. Cheap. lots of PAR and in a spectrum range both the corals and algaes/grasses can best use

I would get the Tek II retrofits instead of the readyfit. The reflectors are wider and as has been mentioned you can space them out to give you better lighting coverage over the tank.

Thanks very much. So you think 2 will be fine because I can spread them apart? Should I get high output or very high output? Is the kit relatively simple to assemble? I've never done wiring or electrical work or anything like that. Thats the only reason I had chosen the ready fit. I don't mind doing some assembly as long as it comes with instructions and they assume I have no idea what I'm doing

[Primetime33]

Originally posted by The Grim Reefer
The Fiji is actually violet like an actinic lamp. Violet isn't purple. Purple is purple.

lol.. ok ok

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by reefcrazy0821
thanks grim...you said it would be good for a 55 but im a put it on my new 75g...this light would still be fine for that right?

Yeah.

[reefcrazy0821]

thanks alot grim...i appreciate the feedback

[xenon]

Hey Grim!

What type of rainbow effect would I get with the 48" ATI Powermodule 8x54w when viewing the fish tank at the end?

I am building a peninsula style tank.

[syilk1]

Hi grim I asked this ? a week ago but no one ever replied. I have an aquatinics 5-54w setup and have had running for over a year. When do I need to change the bulbs? I will be using your 5 bulb recommendation I saw on earler post. What is best place also to order bulbs from?
Thx, Scott

[dwiseman]

Grim
I have been reading about the Current USA Sundial and Extreme Pro. I have about 5" of height clearance in my existing canopy. I noticed the specs on the 48" vary but I don't see any above 4.25" The questions is does Current make a canopy with 6 54watt T5's with moonlights?
Thanks again

[Biotoper]

I haven't read much about the ATI powermodules - are they pretty much the top of the line t5 fixtures?

Reefgeek.com indicates that the 2x24W ATI Powermodule can support a 30g softie tank, a 20g mixed reef, or a 15g SPS tank. Does the powermodule really improve the light output that much? I have 20H softie tank that I am upgrading my cheapo 130W pc hood. Would a 2x24 powermodule really be enough light?

If not, I'll go with my original plan and buy a 4x24W Tek - I can't afford the 4x24 powermodule or 5x24W TX5, and I don't want to build a canopy/retrofit.

[shelburn61]

To fit T5s in my canopy along with my Lumenarc minis I have 2 options:

1)Mount the reflectors at ~45 degrees to the water surface.
2)Mount each pair of reflectors facing toward each other in an upside down "V" config.

Am I going to lose a lot of light this way? Any idea which option would be better?

[EvilE]

Hi I bought these retro fit kits from Hellolights--what are your thoughts on them? Are they good? I have two ballasts running 4 bulbs total. They are all 48" HO T5's 54 watts each. 2 are the TRU 10k and the other two are the TRU actinic 3. Thoughts?

http://www.hellolights.com/index.asp...OD&ProdID=1369

[returnofsid]

Hiya Grim,
It would seem you're the T5HO GURU!!! I currently have a Tek5 48"X6 bulb fixture over my 75 gallon reef. My current bulb configuration is as follows:

ATI 54W Blue Plus T5 HO Fluorescent
UV Lighting 54W Super Actinic T5 HO Fluorescent
ATI 54W 12000K Aquablue Special T5 HO Fluorescent
GE 54W 3000K Daylight T5 HO Fluorescent
UV Lighting 54W 10000K AquaSun T5 HO Fluorescent
ATI 54W Blue Plus T5 HO Fluorescent

This was what Greg at Reefgeeks suggested. Awesome costumer support!!

Anyway, my question is this...my bulbs are about 14 months old and I sure don't notice any visible difference but am sure noticing what I think is a degradation of color in my corals due to the bulbs needing replaced. I plan to make an order very soon. My tank is a mixed tank with some soft corals, some LPS and some SPS. I also have 2 T. Croceas and a T. Derasa. I'd like to shift more towards SPS and maybe a T. Squamosa or T. Maxima. I would really like to have some Acropora but just don't know if I have enough light with this fixture.

What would you recommend for bulb replacement? Also, I no absolutely nothing about the different ballasts but understand that I could get a larger ballast and over drive the bulbs. Would you have any recommendations in this area?

My current SPS corals consist of several different Monti. Digitata, Monti Caps, Poccilipora, and Hydnophora (both encrusting and branching) As I mentioned, I'd like to be able to do some Acropora. I read differing opinions on Acros under T5s. You seem to know more than most...lol. Thanks for any info or advice you're able to provide!!

[babogart]

Heya Grim,

I appreciate the comments earlier.

I have decided to go with the Tek 8 light for my 90 Gal. I am going to order it from the geek complete with bulbs and "legs".

It looks like I can choose any combo of eight bulbs. The fixture is set with two switches. One controls the outer four bulbs (2 at the front and 2 at the rear).

What would be your recommended bulb combo and ordering. I will be keeping a mixed reef.

Thanks Grim!

-Brent

[unbreakable]

Hey Grim, what would be the best lighting fixture for an SPS dominated 75g tank? How many bulbs in the fixture and what bulb configuration?

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by xenon
Hey Grim!

What type of rainbow effect would I get with the 48" ATI Powermodule 8x54w when viewing the fish tank at the end?

I am building a peninsula style tank.

You just want to stick with lamps that aren't too far off in color if you dont want to see banding. A mix of GE 6500K and blue Plus would probably give a pretty uniform look

[Roland Jacques]

Does anyone have the link to the T-5 lamp PAR comparasion?

Im just looking for a good 2 lamp combo for a grow out system.

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by syilk1
Hi grim I asked this ? a week ago but no one ever replied. I have an aquatinics 5-54w setup and have had running for over a year. When do I need to change the bulbs? I will be using your 5 bulb recommendation I saw on earler post. What is best place also to order bulbs from?
Thx, Scott

Anytime after a year is about right on the lamp change. Reefgeek has good selection and prices on lamps.

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by dwiseman
Grim
I have been reading about the Current USA Sundial and Extreme Pro. I have about 5" of height clearance in my existing canopy. I noticed the specs on the 48" vary but I don't see any above 4.25" The questions is does Current make a canopy with 6 54watt T5's with moonlights?
Thanks again

You really don't want to put a fixture inside a canopy, the heat and humidity will cause problems. Get a retrofit kit and mount it inside your canopy

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by Roland Jacques
Does anyone have the link to the T-5 lamp PAR comparasion?

Im just looking for a good 2 lamp combo for a grow out system.

Do like an Aquasun and a Blue Plus, gives you growth and color

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...16#post8051316

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by Biotoper
I haven't read much about the ATI powermodules - are they pretty much the top of the line t5 fixtures?

Reefgeek.com indicates that the 2x24W ATI Powermodule can support a 30g softie tank, a 20g mixed reef, or a 15g SPS tank. Does the powermodule really improve the light output that much? I have 20H softie tank that I am upgrading my cheapo 130W pc hood. Would a 2x24 powermodule really be enough light?

If not, I'll go with my original plan and buy a 4x24W Tek - I can't afford the 4x24 powermodule or 5x24W TX5, and I don't want to build a canopy/retrofit.

I tested a 4x39 ATI against a 4x39 Tek. The ATI had nearly twice the output