The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by 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?

You'll lose some light but it cant be helped. Turn the reflectors 45 degrees , not towards each other.

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by 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

Cant tell exactly what reflector they are using but they look like good kits although the lamps probably suck.

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by 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!!

Use a UVL 75/25 in place of the GE 3000K and see what you think. Not quite a harsh a color but does have a little red.

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by 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

Front
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
Aquasun
Blue Plus
Aquasun
Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
Blue Plus

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by nietzsche
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?

I would probably use the Aquactinics TX5

Front
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
Blue Plus
Aquablue

[babogart]

Thanks Grim,

Here is what I went with based on the recommendations from Reef Geek:

Blue Plus - ATI
True Actinic - ATI
Blue Plus - ATI
GE 6500K - GE
ProColor - ATI
AquaSun 10K - UV
True Actinic- ATI
Blue Plus - ATI

Should be at my door (minus the mounting feet - they were out of stock and should ship tomorrow) by Friday. I can't wait!

Let me know your thoughts on the combo.

Thanks again for the help Grim!

-Brent

[returnofsid]

Originally posted by 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!!

Originally posted by The Grim Reefer
Use a UVL 75/25 in place of the GE 3000K and see what you think. Not quite a harsh a color but does have a little red.

Thank you. Any suggestions regarding Acropora under this fixture and also suggestions about overdriving with different ballasts?

[Roland Jacques]

Originally posted by The Grim Reefer
Do like an Aquasun and a Blue Plus, gives you growth and color

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

Thanks Grim

[Vinnie71975]

Current T5 HO 54w 460nm antinic x2

Current T5 ho 54w 10kk x2

Are those bulbs ok? Also does any one know where i can get the purple antinic in the USA only site i found that had them was German

[Saltywonder]

Grim,

I am setting up a 120 corner tank 30 inch deep. The tank will be FWLR to start but I hope to add softies and then maybe a few SPS (up high on the rocks) later.

I have decided to go with ice cap T5 retros from reef geek. Because of the tank shape I will have 4 x 30" lamps and then 4 x 24" , giving me 8 bulbs front to back (the most I can fit). Can you recommend a bulb selection?

Thank you,
Preston

[Saltywonder]

sorry double post

[EvilE]

Originally posted by The Grim Reefer
Cant tell exactly what reflector they are using but they look like good kits although the lamps probably suck.

Yeah, I dunno--they look very nice! What are the best lamps?

[Larry Waughon]

Hey Grim, I have a 120 gal(4x2x2) SPS reef under 400 w MH. I am looking at t-5's. Which would you recommend? I want to be able to keep sps anywhere in the tank. Could I have a carpet anemone under T-5's?
Larry

[jefft321]

I currently have an Outer Orbit 2 x 250 watt 10K XM's and 4 T5's. The 10K's are yellower than I thought and I am trying to suppliment them. I have 2 Geismann Actinic + on the ends, and 2 Geismann Pure Actinics as the inner row of T5's. It's very Blue with just the T5's, but not real noticible with the Halides on.
I was wondering if the Pure Actinics and Actinic + are enough to penetrate the corals on the bottom of the tank and in areas where the Halides don't shine on, or should I use the Geismann Aquablue + (which looks whiter and brighter to me), and since it appears brighter than the Actinic + I thought the corals might like it better. I would rather stick with the 2 Actinics, I just don't know if the corals can survive on that.
Thanks, Jeff

[spleen93]

Originally posted by Saltywonder
Grim,

I am setting up a 120 corner tank 30 inch deep. The tank will be FWLR to start but I hope to add softies and then maybe a few SPS (up high on the rocks) later.

I have decided to go with ice cap T5 retros from reef geek. Because of the tank shape I will have 4 x 30" lamps and then 4 x 24" , giving me 8 bulbs front to back (the most I can fit). Can you recommend a bulb selection?[/B]

30 inch lamps? Most standard T5s are 24 inch, 36 inch, 48 inch, and 60 inches long.

[Saltywonder]

Originally posted by spleen93
30 inch lamps? Most standard T5s are 24 inch, 36 inch, 48 inch, and 60 inches long.

Your right, I meant to say 36 inch.
I have been looking at so many different lights I think all the numbers have finally made me crazy.

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by babogart
Thanks Grim,

Here is what I went with based on the recommendations from Reef Geek:

Blue Plus - ATI
True Actinic - ATI
Blue Plus - ATI
GE 6500K - GE
ProColor - ATI
AquaSun 10K - UV
True Actinic- ATI
Blue Plus - ATI

Should be at my door (minus the mounting feet - they were out of stock and should ship tomorrow) by Friday. I can't wait!

Let me know your thoughts on the combo.

Thanks again for the help Grim!

-Brent

Move the 2nd Blue Plus back one or two placed to seperate the Aquasun amd Pro Color lamps a bit.

[The Grim Reefer]

I don't think I would overdrive unless your not happy with the growth. If you decide to overdrive get a Ice Cap 660 and overdrive the 4 rear lamps.

Originally posted by returnofsid
Originally posted by 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!!





Thank you. Any suggestions regarding Acropora under this fixture and also suggestions about overdriving with different ballasts?

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by Vinnie71975
Current T5 HO 54w 460nm antinic x2

Current T5 ho 54w 10kk x2

Are those bulbs ok? Also does any one know where i can get the purple antinic in the USA only site i found that had them was German

I wouldn't spend my money on them. Blues have low PAR and the 10K's are nothin special. Get a couple of ATI blue plus or Giesemann Actinic Plus and a ATI or UVL Actinic. The 10K's are OK.

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by Saltywonder
Grim,

I am setting up a 120 corner tank 30 inch deep. The tank will be FWLR to start but I hope to add softies and then maybe a few SPS (up high on the rocks) later.

I have decided to go with ice cap T5 retros from reef geek. Because of the tank shape I will have 4 x 30" lamps and then 4 x 24" , giving me 8 bulbs front to back (the most I can fit). Can you recommend a bulb selection?

Thank you,
Preston

Front
Blue Plus
Aquasun
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
Aquasun
Blue Plus
Aquablue
Blue Plus

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by EvilE
Yeah, I dunno--they look very nice! What are the best lamps?

ATI, UVL, Gieseman, Aquascience, GE Daylights, KZ (but not worth the money)

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by Larry Waughon
Hey Grim, I have a 120 gal(4x2x2) SPS reef under 400 w MH. I am looking at t-5's. Which would you recommend? I want to be able to keep sps anywhere in the tank. Could I have a carpet anemone under T-5's?
Larry

If you have a canopy a 8x54 Ice Cap retro, It will keep a carpet happy.

If you need a fixture either the Aquactinics Solar Flare or ATI 8x54 watt Powermodule

[swampthing]

Hey everyone,
Im looking for a T5 light for over my 210, It will have softies, LPS, and some sps.
I was looking at this light from ebay? What do you think? will it be good? http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA:IT&ih=001

[Vinnie71975]

Originally posted by The Grim Reefer
I wouldn't spend my money on them. Blues have low PAR and the 10K's are nothin special. Get a couple of ATI blue plus or Giesemann Actinic Plus and a ATI or UVL Actinic. The 10K's are OK.

Oh i didnt thats just the bulbs it came with.

[The Grim Reefer]

Aquactinics Constellation is the best choice if you want very many SPS. Plan B would be the nova extreme pro. I wouldn't waste my money on the no name ebay crap

Originally posted by swampthing
Hey everyone,
Im looking for a T5 light for over my 210, It will have softies, LPS, and some sps.
I was looking at this light from ebay? What do you think? will it be good? http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA:IT&ih=001