The T5 Q&a Thread - Page 28

The Grim Reefer · 02/18/2008, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by T8T
Originally posted by The Grim Reefer
Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
GE 6500K Daylight
Blue Plus
ATI Pro Color
Blue Plus
Aquablue
Blue Plus

Should be pretty Blue and have good PAR.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Whoops! I should have said, 6x48" bulb Overdriven Icecap Retro.
So still trying to acheive the same goal, what bulbs?

__________________

Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
GE 6500K Daylight
Blue Plus
ATI Pro Color
Blue Plus

The Grim Reefer · 02/18/2008, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jimfed1
Hey Grim
I am looking at getting the Icecap 6x54W SLR T5 Very High-Output. I mainly have softies and plan on getting very little if an SPS. What are the advantages on this setup with VERY high output as compared to "high output". Do I really need the VERY part? Also which bulbs would you run for a 90 gallon softie tank? Could I get by with a 4 bulb very high output T5?

Thanks for all the info. Learning lots

Get the 6 lamp High output setup.
Front
Blue Plus
ATI Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
Blue Plus

raleej337 · 02/18/2008, 10:50 PM

I'm just wondering if a 48" 4x54W T5 will be enough for a 90gal tank. I have few SPS (planning to add more), clams, mostly softies and some LPS.

Thanks!

bprinehart · 02/18/2008, 11:41 PM

Hey Grim- You're a very busy man...

I'm just about done setting up my 75, looking to be able to keep just about anything I'd like to. I was curious about the new UVL 75/25 bulb, and if you think this combo would give sufficient par.

I have 2x 110W VHO UVL SA, and a 4 bulb t5 retro with Icecap reflectors. I currently have a UVL Aquasun t5ho. For my setup I was thinking something along these lines:

Front
UVL SA VHO
Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
UVL SA VHO

or possibly this one:
UVL SA VHO
Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
Blue Plus
Pro Color
UVL SA VHO

Any suggestions? Would like to be able to keep a crocea, and a few choice sps, mainly in the upper half of the tank, and a nice mix of lps on the bottom.

Thanks in advance, I'm almost done thanks to your excellent threads!

-Brian

devin · 02/19/2008, 10:51 AM

Thanks for all the great posts - I just ordered my upgrade from reefgeek for the following combo:

Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
UVL Aquasun
Blue Plus
and the icecap SLRs

unfortunately the blue + are on backorder so i'll have to wait a couple more weeks - but at least i can start on my new canopy in the meantime.

laud · 02/19/2008, 12:25 PM

Hello,
I am lighting a 210 reef and was wondering what you thought about a certain ebay light that claims 12 t5's @ 80watts each totalling 72". I know the bulbs will have to be changed for optimum lighting, but I thought you may have some feedback on this item.

Thanks.

ebay light

bigbris1 · 02/19/2008, 01:22 PM

I read through the other thread & am very happy I decided to go T5, thanks for all of the great info.

I have a 26 bowfront (2' wide, 21" tall, 15" deep at the bow) & am retrofitting 3 24W T5s. So far I have 2 Giesemann Actinic plus, 1 UVL Super Actinic & 1 TRU 10,000K. I have 2 Workhorse 5 ballasts & the retro kit comes with an Advance ballast.

I was planning on running each bulb with it's own ballast so I can control them individually (the kit comes tomorrow via FedEx) with timers.

Also, should I just run two actinics on one ballast & the one 10,000K on the Workhorse5? I was thinking of wiring the WH5 to overdrive the 10,000K bulb. Any thoughts?

So far I have 35 corals, all softies & LPS, looking to add some sps soon.

Thanks!

bigbris1 · 02/19/2008, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by laud
Hello,
I am lighting a 210 reef and was wondering what you thought about a certain ebay light that claims 12 t5's @ 80watts each totalling 72". I know the bulbs will have to be changed for optimum lighting, but I thought you may have some feedback on this item.

Thanks.

ebay light

They can't spell "cords", I would beware

snaza · 02/19/2008, 03:19 PM

Hi Grim,

for my 6 bulb IC slr i went with

aquaz blue pro
aquaz ocean pro
Ati blue plus
KZ fiji purple
aquaz blue pro
aquaz ocean pro

there are 3 blue bulbs but i still find it very white. any ideas. im thinking about getting a 7th bulb which will be blue also. we cant get pure actinic in australia. would that be ok for 75g with sps? is the current bulb config ok?

SanFranTodd · 02/19/2008, 07:52 PM

OK I've read this ENTIRE thread (whew!) and am finally ready to dive into T5 ownership.

I have a 55g softie tank currently lit by a 2x150w MH + 2x55w PC.

Question 1: Is the 4-lamp kit the correct one for me?

Question 2: I don't understand the difference beween "very high output" and "high output" - worth the extra $60 for "very high output"?:

4x54W Tek 2 T5 Very High-Output

4x54W Tek 2 T5 High-Output Retrofit

Question 3: I know it's been asked a HUNDRED times, but what do you recommend as a bulb combination?

THANK YOU !!!

The Grim Reefer · 02/19/2008, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by raleej337
I'm just wondering if a 48" 4x54W T5 will be enough for a 90gal tank. I have few SPS (planning to add more), clams, mostly softies and some LPS.

Thanks!

If you are going with 4 lamps you should overdrive them.

The Grim Reefer · 02/19/2008, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bprinehart
Hey Grim- You're a very busy man...

I'm just about done setting up my 75, looking to be able to keep just about anything I'd like to. I was curious about the new UVL 75/25 bulb, and if you think this combo would give sufficient par.

I have 2x 110W VHO UVL SA, and a 4 bulb t5 retro with Icecap reflectors. I currently have a UVL Aquasun t5ho. For my setup I was thinking something along these lines:

Front
UVL SA VHO
Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
UVL SA VHO

or possibly this one:
UVL SA VHO
Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
Blue Plus
Pro Color
UVL SA VHO

Any suggestions? Would like to be able to keep a crocea, and a few choice sps, mainly in the upper half of the tank, and a nice mix of lps on the bottom.

Thanks in advance, I'm almost done thanks to your excellent threads!

-Brian

Top mix looks good

The Grim Reefer · 02/19/2008, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by laud
Hello,
I am lighting a 210 reef and was wondering what you thought about a certain ebay light that claims 12 t5's @ 80watts each totalling 72". I know the bulbs will have to be changed for optimum lighting, but I thought you may have some feedback on this item.

Thanks.

ebay light

Junk/

Obviously a retrofit unit to be placed in a canopy but the endcaps are not moisture resistant. If you aren't comfortable putting together a 12x39 retrofit and can't afford the 72" Aquactinics Constellation then get a Nova Extreme Pro and just be carefull to keep high lighting critters up top.

The Grim Reefer · 02/19/2008, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bigbris1
I read through the other thread & am very happy I decided to go T5, thanks for all of the great info.

I have a 26 bowfront (2' wide, 21" tall, 15" deep at the bow) & am retrofitting 3 24W T5s. So far I have 2 Giesemann Actinic plus, 1 UVL Super Actinic & 1 TRU 10,000K. I have 2 Workhorse 5 ballasts & the retro kit comes with an Advance ballast.

I was planning on running each bulb with it's own ballast so I can control them individually (the kit comes tomorrow via FedEx) with timers.

Also, should I just run two actinics on one ballast & the one 10,000K on the Workhorse5? I was thinking of wiring the WH5 to overdrive the 10,000K bulb. Any thoughts?

So far I have 35 corals, all softies & LPS, looking to add some sps soon.

Thanks!

Not sure I'd try overdriving with a Workhorse. Could kill the lamp pretty quick. I would run all 4 lamps over the tank. That will be plenty of light.

AD87 · 02/19/2008, 08:36 PM

Grim any possibility of gettng updated pics of your tank with bulb combo listed?

The Grim Reefer · 02/19/2008, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by snaza
Hi Grim,

for my 6 bulb IC slr i went with

aquaz blue pro
aquaz ocean pro
Ati blue plus
KZ fiji purple
aquaz blue pro
aquaz ocean pro

there are 3 blue bulbs but i still find it very white. any ideas. im thinking about getting a 7th bulb which will be blue also. we cant get pure actinic in australia. would that be ok for 75g with sps? is the current bulb config ok?

Add Another blue lamp, actinic isn't going to do much of anything to make it look more blue.

The Grim Reefer · 02/19/2008, 08:42 PM

Go with the Ice Cap HO 4 lamp retro, you wont fit 4 TrkII reflectors under that hood. VHO is just one manufacturers term for overdriving the lamps. You dont need to do that.

For lamps
Front
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Aquablue

Quote:

Originally posted by SanFranTodd
OK I've read this ENTIRE thread (whew!) and am finally ready to dive into T5 ownership.

I have a 55g softie tank currently lit by a 2x150w MH + 2x55w PC.

Question 1: Is the 4-lamp kit the correct one for me?

Question 2: I don't understand the difference beween "very high output" and "high output" - worth the extra $60 for "very high output"?:

4x54W Tek 2 T5 Very High-Output

4x54W Tek 2 T5 High-Output Retrofit

Question 3: I know it's been asked a HUNDRED times, but what do you recommend as a bulb combination?

THANK YOU !!!

snaza · 02/19/2008, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by The Grim Reefer
Add Another blue lamp, actinic isn't going to do much of anything to make it look more blue.

sorry one last Question. should i replace one of the ocean pro's with a blue lamp or get an extra blue lamp so i have 7 bulbs. would that be ok with SPS and clams. 20inch high.

chris melb · 02/19/2008, 08:53 PM

Can anyone please recommend a good quality T5HO lighting unit, or combination of components for an SPS 4ft tank

Ive been looking at the IceCap 660 Ballast, and IceCap SLR reflectors, retro kit.

also looking into the D&D Giesemann Razors are they any good as good as the IceCap kits

Also what 4 bulb combination would be best for a balance of growth and colour.

Regards

Chris

The Grim Reefer · 02/19/2008, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by snaza
sorry one last Question. should i replace one of the ocean pro's with a blue lamp or get an extra blue lamp so i have 7 bulbs. would that be ok with SPS and clams. 20inch high.

Just swap out an ocean pro

The Grim Reefer · 02/19/2008, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by chris melb
Can anyone please recommend a good quality T5HO lighting unit, or combination of components for an SPS 4ft tank

Ive been looking at the IceCap 660 Ballast, and IceCap SLR reflectors, retro kit.

also looking into the D&D Giesemann Razors are they any good as good as the IceCap kits

Also what 4 bulb combination would be best for a balance of growth and colour.

Regards

Chris

Don't know anything about the Razor but the Ice Caps will be good.

Front
Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
UVL Aquasun
ATI Aquablue

snaza · 02/19/2008, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by The Grim Reefer
Just swap out an ocean pro

sorry i said one last question before but if i swap out an ocean pro i'll only have 1 white lamp and the fiji. the rest are blue. would that give a broad enough spectrum and PAR for corals (SPS) in particular. i starting to get a few more SPS now and a clam soon

thanks again

SanFranTodd · 02/19/2008, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SanFranTodd
OK I've read this ENTIRE thread (whew!) and am finally ready to dive into T5 ownership.

I have a 55g softie tank currently lit by a 2x150w MH + 2x55w PC.

Question 1: Is the 4-lamp kit the correct one for me?

Question 2: I don't understand the difference beween "very high output" and "high output" - worth the extra $60 for "very high output"?:

4x54W Tek 2 T5 Very High-Output

4x54W Tek 2 T5 High-Output Retrofit

Question 3: I know it's been asked a HUNDRED times, but what do you recommend as a bulb combination?

THANK YOU !!!

Thanks for the advice!

Would you recommend anything besides the TEK retrofit from reefgeek, or is that a pretty good setup?

laud · 02/20/2008, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by The Grim Reefer
Junk/

Obviously a retrofit unit to be placed in a canopy but the endcaps are not moisture resistant. If you aren't comfortable putting together a 12x39 retrofit and can't afford the 72" Aquactinics Constellation then get a Nova Extreme Pro and just be carefull to keep high lighting critters up top.

Can you briefly explain the difference between the constellation and the Nova extreme pro?

Thanks for your dedication. This thread is what actually got me to change from MH's to t5s.

coogarts · 02/20/2008, 08:59 AM

Hi grim, I'll be making the switch from PCs to T5s for my tank. It is a 35g bowfront that is 30" long. I'm keeping softies and mushrooms, but want to add in LPSs in the future.

Could you suggest a fixture that would work (I'm having issues due to the odd size [most fixtures are 24 or 36"]) well for those purposes?

02/18/2008, 11:41 PM	#679
bprinehart Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Baltimore Posts: 40	Hey Grim- You're a very busy man... I'm just about done setting up my 75, looking to be able to keep just about anything I'd like to. I was curious about the new UVL 75/25 bulb, and if you think this combo would give sufficient par. I have 2x 110W VHO UVL SA, and a 4 bulb t5 retro with Icecap reflectors. I currently have a UVL Aquasun t5ho. For my setup I was thinking something along these lines: Front UVL SA VHO Blue Plus UVL Aquasun Blue Plus UVL 75/25 UVL SA VHO or possibly this one: UVL SA VHO Blue Plus UVL Aquasun Blue Plus Pro Color UVL SA VHO Any suggestions? Would like to be able to keep a crocea, and a few choice sps, mainly in the upper half of the tank, and a nice mix of lps on the bottom. Thanks in advance, I'm almost done thanks to your excellent threads! -Brian __________________ Brian Word to your mother. Let's Go Caps! Current Tank Info: 45 Cube, 100 Gallon Rubbermaid Sump in the basement. AI SOL Super Blue, 2 x Vortech MP10w ES, SRO 1000 int, Apex Jr, BRS Carbon reactor, Reef Octopus BR-70 Biopellet Reactor

02/19/2008, 03:19 PM	#684
snaza Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 1,393	Hi Grim, for my 6 bulb IC slr i went with aquaz blue pro aquaz ocean pro Ati blue plus KZ fiji purple aquaz blue pro aquaz ocean pro there are 3 blue bulbs but i still find it very white. any ideas. im thinking about getting a 7th bulb which will be blue also. we cant get pure actinic in australia. would that be ok for 75g with sps? is the current bulb config ok? __________________ T5 SPS 60x33x20 Display Tank + 50x16x8 Frag Tank - 10x54W ATI Powermodule \| 2 x Tunze 6205 \| Tunze 6105 \| 2 x modded Tunze 6025 \| Polario 15ML (Frag Tank) \| ATB white cone Skimmer with Airstar 1500 \| WM Ecobak in TLF 550 Current Tank Info: 60x33x20 SPS T5 DT + 52x16x8 FT, 4x2x2, 30x10x8

02/19/2008, 08:36 PM	#690
AD87 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: NE Ohio Posts: 1,819	Grim any possibility of gettng updated pics of your tank with bulb combo listed? __________________ Antonio H Magnificia or bust.

02/19/2008, 08:53 PM	#694
chris melb Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Melbourne: Australia Posts: 135	4ft Lighting T5HO Can anyone please recommend a good quality T5HO lighting unit, or combination of components for an SPS 4ft tank Ive been looking at the IceCap 660 Ballast, and IceCap SLR reflectors, retro kit. also looking into the D&D Giesemann Razors are they any good as good as the IceCap kits Also what 4 bulb combination would be best for a balance of growth and colour. Regards Chris

02/18/2008, 10:50 PM	#678
raleej337 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Fairfield, CA Posts: 151	I'm just wondering if a 48" 4x54W T5 will be enough for a 90gal tank. I have few SPS (planning to add more), clams, mostly softies and some LPS. Thanks!

02/19/2008, 10:51 AM	#680
devin Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: st. louis, mo Posts: 63	Thanks for all the great posts - I just ordered my upgrade from reefgeek for the following combo: Blue Plus UVL 75/25 UVL Aquasun Blue Plus and the icecap SLRs unfortunately the blue + are on backorder so i'll have to wait a couple more weeks - but at least i can start on my new canopy in the meantime.

02/19/2008, 12:25 PM	#681
laud Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: fort lauderdale Posts: 1,225	Hello, I am lighting a 210 reef and was wondering what you thought about a certain ebay light that claims 12 t5's @ 80watts each totalling 72". I know the bulbs will have to be changed for optimum lighting, but I thought you may have some feedback on this item. Thanks. ebay light

02/19/2008, 01:22 PM	#682
bigbris1 Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: New York City Posts: 75	I read through the other thread & am very happy I decided to go T5, thanks for all of the great info. I have a 26 bowfront (2' wide, 21" tall, 15" deep at the bow) & am retrofitting 3 24W T5s. So far I have 2 Giesemann Actinic plus, 1 UVL Super Actinic & 1 TRU 10,000K. I have 2 Workhorse 5 ballasts & the retro kit comes with an Advance ballast. I was planning on running each bulb with it's own ballast so I can control them individually (the kit comes tomorrow via FedEx) with timers. Also, should I just run two actinics on one ballast & the one 10,000K on the Workhorse5? I was thinking of wiring the WH5 to overdrive the 10,000K bulb. Any thoughts? So far I have 35 corals, all softies & LPS, looking to add some sps soon. Thanks!

02/19/2008, 07:52 PM	#685
SanFranTodd Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: San Francisco Posts: 1,699	OK I've read this ENTIRE thread (whew!) and am finally ready to dive into T5 ownership. I have a 55g softie tank currently lit by a 2x150w MH + 2x55w PC. Question 1: Is the 4-lamp kit the correct one for me? Question 2: I don't understand the difference beween "very high output" and "high output" - worth the extra $60 for "very high output"?: 4x54W Tek 2 T5 Very High-Output 4x54W Tek 2 T5 High-Output Retrofit Question 3: I know it's been asked a HUNDRED times, but what do you recommend as a bulb combination? THANK YOU !!!

02/20/2008, 08:59 AM	#700
coogarts Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 192	Hi grim, I'll be making the switch from PCs to T5s for my tank. It is a 35g bowfront that is 30" long. I'm keeping softies and mushrooms, but want to add in LPSs in the future. Could you suggest a fixture that would work (I'm having issues due to the odd size [most fixtures are 24 or 36"]) well for those purposes?