t5...i hold u all responisble...

pirate2876 · 04/25/2006, 05:55 AM

ok ive just spent the last 3 hrs reading different threads in regards to t5 lighting for sps corals.i 65g tank 36x18x24 that after lots of research (and almost bleeding eyes from staring at the computer screen) ive deceided to do t5s.now here is where i need your help(you being anyone reading this thread).i have found a 8x39w on reefgeek.com that seems like it would be perfect.but im not sure i understand how people are overdriving the bulbs.and would the reflectors already in the fixture be ok or should the be upgraded?last and not least i would like some recommendation on bulbs(all 8).i plan on keeping sps,clams,maybe zoos,mushys on the sides.your help is already appreciated thanks-ray

B33FST3W · 04/25/2006, 06:24 AM

people overdrive the bulbs with icecap ballasts and the reflectors need to be the icecap SLR reflectors or the aqualux ones to get the most PAR deep into the tank. If you get the 8X39 icecap retro you will need to build your own canopy to house them. As far as bulbs go, I would use the recommended configuration reefgeek has on their site ( i think its like a 1-1-2 sun:aquablue:blue+).

conefree · 04/25/2006, 07:23 AM

With your 18" wide tank, you should probably go with either the 6X39 W setup or maybe a 6 bulb retro with Icecap ballasts to overdrive if you feel the need. The 8 bulb unit will be smothering the opening for your tank. Check out the website for the actual unit dimensions. 6 bulbs should probably be plenty for anything you want to keep in there.

BigJPDC · 04/25/2006, 08:01 AM

So, this is the part of the tank build I am focussing on now, and am glad somebody opened the door on the 65G tank.

I started out with ordering two of the Aqualux retros, and I don't know how I could get more than one more over the tank without either bending the crap out of the reflectors or having them hang over the front and back of athe tank. The two I have on there right now look pretty bright to me, but I keep reading on here that I need way more than the two 11K bulbs, even for softies. I was going to order one more bulb assembly, and don't know where my DIY moonlight bar is going to go after that gets installed.

I'd really like to see a pic of somebody with the 65AGA and four or more T5's if they are using the Aqualux's.

thanks as always,
jp

Ten33 · 04/25/2006, 08:51 AM

I have a 4x54w Tek Light on my 55 gal, anything more would really be overkill. Even this amount of light alomost fried my shrooms when I first introduced the light. Had to start of with two bulbs on and slowly acclimate over four or five days...Eight bulbs on a 65 gal would really be too much in my opinion. If you are using individual reflectors you will get alot of par... Aqualux and Icecap reflectors are better quality than the Teks. I have two green acros at the top, two clams on my sandbed, and mixed softies in between. All are doing excellent.

BigJPDC · 04/25/2006, 09:17 AM

That sounds like a good stocking list.
10-33, can I ask for your bulb config?

jp

tibbs2 · 04/25/2006, 11:11 AM

I reccommend equal parts Aquablue bulbs and Blue+ bulbs for your T-5.

bennyinca · 04/25/2006, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by pirate2876
ok ive just spent the last 3 hrs reading different threads in regards to t5 lighting for sps corals.

ok you still have 7 hours of reading left

I would start 4x 39W, and add 2 more later if needed. I agree 1:1 ratio of blue+/aquablue gives a nice look. I think the 1:1:2 ratio of GE6500/actinic/blue+ would give a nice look too. I will be very blue at the start, but after the bulbs burn in, it will give a nice whiter color.

chadfarmer · 04/25/2006, 03:48 PM

if you have a good skimmer and clean water you can get away with a tek 4X39 watt fixture

now if you over drive the bulbs with a icecap amke shur you have fans running on the end caps (the bulbs get so hot that they will burn your fingers) 39w bulb running at 80watts

BigJPDC · 04/25/2006, 03:52 PM

how about the posters put up some pics showing the bulb combos?

jp

Ten33 · 04/27/2006, 02:55 PM

BigJPDC-
I am currently running Actinic/blue plus, Aquablue plus(11000K), Actinic/blue plus, Aquablue plus (11000K)

BigJPDC · 04/27/2006, 07:32 PM

1033 - my second 2x39 retro is on the way, and I'll do the same.
jp

REMF · 04/27/2006, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BigJPDC
I started out with ordering two of the Aqualux retros, and I don't know how I could get more than one more over the tank without either bending the crap out of the reflectors or having them hang over the front and back of athe tank.

So you are saying you have 2 reflectors and 2 bulbs over your 18" wide tank? I must be missing something, the Aqualux reflectors are 3" wide so x2 that's 6".

Nabber86 · 04/27/2006, 08:07 PM

I am new at this T5 thing, but does anybody out there think that 8 x T5 bulbs on overdrive ballast might be a tad much for a 65-gallon display??

BigJPDC · 04/28/2006, 05:32 AM

REMF, there winds up being much less than 18".
Measuring five inches from what I think the waterline will be, the reflectors still crash into my SeaSwirl, so moving out from there the most I could mark off on what I was mounting the lights into was three with the Aqualux's, even with the first one at the very front of the tank.

Without slamming them into each other or bending the SLRs, I needed around 2" between standoffs, unlike the pictures in that thread which has the ICs right on top of each other.

I'll get some pictures up soon.

I'd love to see how others have their Aqualux's installed.

jp

BigJPDC · 04/28/2006, 06:27 AM

Here ya go - this should clear up the SeaSwirl thing:

Would I really want to go 7-8-9" above the waterline to get an extra bulb (if I stayed with the AL reflectors)?

And a pic of the light rack, which is 13" accross. It is drilled for one AL to fit in the middle, where my moonlight bar is. I am hoping to get both IC's in between there, and then figure something out about the moonlights.

jp

04/25/2006, 05:55 AM	#1
pirate2876 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: san diego CA Posts: 70	t5...i hold u all responisble... ok ive just spent the last 3 hrs reading different threads in regards to t5 lighting for sps corals.i 65g tank 36x18x24 that after lots of research (and almost bleeding eyes from staring at the computer screen) ive deceided to do t5s.now here is where i need your help(you being anyone reading this thread).i have found a 8x39w on reefgeek.com that seems like it would be perfect.but im not sure i understand how people are overdriving the bulbs.and would the reflectors already in the fixture be ok or should the be upgraded?last and not least i would like some recommendation on bulbs(all 8).i plan on keeping sps,clams,maybe zoos,mushys on the sides.your help is already appreciated thanks-ray

04/25/2006, 07:23 AM	#3
conefree Gene Pool Lifeguard Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Downingtown, PA Posts: 758	With your 18" wide tank, you should probably go with either the 6X39 W setup or maybe a 6 bulb retro with Icecap ballasts to overdrive if you feel the need. The 8 bulb unit will be smothering the opening for your tank. Check out the website for the actual unit dimensions. 6 bulbs should probably be plenty for anything you want to keep in there. __________________ Chris "A Closed Mouth Gathers No Foot" - Unknown Some people are like Slinkies . . . not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs. Current Tank Info: 120 gallon, Ecosystem 3612, 6X54 TEK light, Tunze Osmolator, Lifereef dual overflow all down

04/25/2006, 08:01 AM	#4
BigJPDC Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 959	So, this is the part of the tank build I am focussing on now, and am glad somebody opened the door on the 65G tank. I started out with ordering two of the Aqualux retros, and I don't know how I could get more than one more over the tank without either bending the crap out of the reflectors or having them hang over the front and back of athe tank. The two I have on there right now look pretty bright to me, but I keep reading on here that I need way more than the two 11K bulbs, even for softies. I was going to order one more bulb assembly, and don't know where my DIY moonlight bar is going to go after that gets installed. I'd really like to see a pic of somebody with the 65AGA and four or more T5's if they are using the Aqualux's. thanks as always, jp __________________ Rock in the tank is money not in my bank. Current Tank Info: 65 RR AGA

04/25/2006, 09:17 AM	#6
BigJPDC Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 959	That sounds like a good stocking list. 10-33, can I ask for your bulb config? jp __________________ Rock in the tank is money not in my bank. Current Tank Info: 65 RR AGA

04/25/2006, 03:48 PM	#9
chadfarmer Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: ST Charles, MO far from nanook Posts: 11,045 Blog Entries: 1	if you have a good skimmer and clean water you can get away with a tek 4X39 watt fixture now if you over drive the bulbs with a icecap amke shur you have fans running on the end caps (the bulbs get so hot that they will burn your fingers) 39w bulb running at 80watts __________________ If you think you know the answer than ask 3 more people the question Current Tank Info: 200 Gal RR,ATB medium, 4 AI blue sol,230 LBS LIVE ROCK, no sand , 40 GAL sump, airstar1800, 3 tunze 6105 1- 6205 1-6305, Geo 818, profilux3ex with toys

04/25/2006, 06:24 AM	#2
B33FST3W Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 173	people overdrive the bulbs with icecap ballasts and the reflectors need to be the icecap SLR reflectors or the aqualux ones to get the most PAR deep into the tank. If you get the 8X39 icecap retro you will need to build your own canopy to house them. As far as bulbs go, I would use the recommended configuration reefgeek has on their site ( i think its like a 1-1-2 sun:aquablue:blue+).

04/25/2006, 08:51 AM	#5
Ten33 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Jupiter, S.E. Florida Posts: 242	I have a 4x54w Tek Light on my 55 gal, anything more would really be overkill. Even this amount of light alomost fried my shrooms when I first introduced the light. Had to start of with two bulbs on and slowly acclimate over four or five days...Eight bulbs on a 65 gal would really be too much in my opinion. If you are using individual reflectors you will get alot of par... Aqualux and Icecap reflectors are better quality than the Teks. I have two green acros at the top, two clams on my sandbed, and mixed softies in between. All are doing excellent.

04/25/2006, 11:11 AM	#7
tibbs2 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: IA Posts: 1,422	I reccommend equal parts Aquablue bulbs and Blue+ bulbs for your T-5.

04/25/2006, 03:52 PM	#10
BigJPDC Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 959	how about the posters put up some pics showing the bulb combos? jp __________________ Rock in the tank is money not in my bank. Current Tank Info: 65 RR AGA

04/27/2006, 02:55 PM	#11
Ten33 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Jupiter, S.E. Florida Posts: 242	BigJPDC- I am currently running Actinic/blue plus, Aquablue plus(11000K), Actinic/blue plus, Aquablue plus (11000K)

04/27/2006, 07:32 PM	#12
BigJPDC Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 959	1033 - my second 2x39 retro is on the way, and I'll do the same. jp __________________ Rock in the tank is money not in my bank. Current Tank Info: 65 RR AGA

04/27/2006, 08:07 PM	#14
Nabber86 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Stalewater Kansas Posts: 408	I am new at this T5 thing, but does anybody out there think that 8 x T5 bulbs on overdrive ballast might be a tad much for a 65-gallon display??

04/28/2006, 05:32 AM	#15
BigJPDC Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 959	REMF, there winds up being much less than 18". Measuring five inches from what I think the waterline will be, the reflectors still crash into my SeaSwirl, so moving out from there the most I could mark off on what I was mounting the lights into was three with the Aqualux's, even with the first one at the very front of the tank. Without slamming them into each other or bending the SLRs, I needed around 2" between standoffs, unlike the pictures in that thread which has the ICs right on top of each other. I'll get some pictures up soon. I'd love to see how others have their Aqualux's installed. jp __________________ Rock in the tank is money not in my bank. Current Tank Info: 65 RR AGA

04/28/2006, 06:27 AM	#16
BigJPDC Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 959	Here ya go - this should clear up the SeaSwirl thing: Would I really want to go 7-8-9" above the waterline to get an extra bulb (if I stayed with the AL reflectors)? And a pic of the light rack, which is 13" accross. It is drilled for one AL to fit in the middle, where my moonlight bar is. I am hoping to get both IC's in between there, and then figure something out about the moonlights. jp