The T5 Q&a Thread - Page 3

The Grim Reefer · 12/08/2006, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ReefArtist
Hi, I'm putting together a new 29g (30"L x 12" x 12") and was going to go with the IC 660 using (4) 24"- T5's. Would this be enough light to keep some sps corals?

Also I'm upgrading the lights on my 75G which at this time I have IC660 with 4 VHOs for a total of 440W. I was thinking of going with a MH 250 and keeping 2 or 3 of the VHOs (I have spare bulbs - don't want to waste) and then later switch the VHO's to T5's. Is this to much lighting or would it be better to go with say 6 or 8 T5's? I'm not hard core into the high light corals but would like to have some. Any advice would be very appreciated.

For the 29 stick with the standard Tek T5 retros unless you want to melt everything.

For the 75 you need to decide Halide or T5 and just do it. If you want some SPS 4 T5's on a IC ballast is plenty over a 75. If you want a full blown SPS tank then do an additional 2 standard driven Teks. If you go halide I would use the 660 to run 1 VHO super Actinic and 2 T5's, one blue plus and 1 aquablue. You could run the halides 4 or 5 hours a day and use the flo's the rest of the time.

ReefArtist · 12/08/2006, 07:23 PM

Grim, thanks for the information. Here I was thinking that the 24 length tubes would be to weak for the 30" tank.

As for the 75 I think I'll stick with the T5's and like you said using the Teks. You here so much about light, light, light and MH that you forget all the heat they produce. I live in FL and I'd like to avoid using a chiller - going with the MH would put the nail in the coffin.

Thanks again.

PLNelson · 12/09/2006, 01:35 AM

Grim,
I just aquired a 46g bowfront and I have been trying to reed through this thread, but it's just to longs to read all of it. anyways, I'm thinking that I will buy the 36" TEK t5 6x39w light, and I was wondering what I wouldn't be able to keep in it. From what I understand, I can start using th efixture with at least two lights, and increase as my skill levels increase. I'm new to marine aquariums, and will start with the easier stuff, but would like to get in to high light sps's and clams. Do you think that this would be a good way to go.
thanks for the help.

The Grim Reefer · 12/09/2006, 07:59 AM

Not sure if you can fit a 6 lamp Tek over a 46 bow. Take a look at the aquactinics 36" 5 lamp T5. They are a little better than the Tek and a lot better value. 7.5" wide front to back. You would be able to raise about anything you want under either light.

sds · 12/09/2006, 09:04 AM

i have a 58g and considering 4 t5s with ice cap reflectors and using a workhorse 7 ballast (i already have the ballast that is why i am considering the ballast). What bulbs should I use and what should i be able to keep witht this light?

thanks

The Grim Reefer · 12/09/2006, 09:52 AM

I would start with a UVL Super Actinic, GE Daylight, ATI Aquablue and Blue Plus. SHould be able to keep about anything as long as you keep the higher light critters off the bottom of the tank.

sds · 12/09/2006, 01:31 PM

thanks for the help grim
what look will this mix give me like 10k?

bdare · 12/09/2006, 02:53 PM

Ok... I'm planning a new tank. Just not happy with the lighting options on a 30" wide tank.

The all important question is...

Could I keep clams in the sand of a 40 breeder with the 5x39w aquatinics fixture? What bulb combo should I rock?

Thanks in advance!

hahnmeister · 12/09/2006, 03:42 PM

Well, I have a 6x39wattTek (prolly about the same output as what your 5 bulb aquatinics would have considering 2 of my bulbs are actinics, and then two aquablues, and then two blue+ bulbs... not exactly the highest output bulb combo), and I have clams that are loving it on the sand bottom of my 40B. I can even grow SPS on the bottom, except for the very high-light loving pink millis and such... they go up top or they fade.

I have a crocea on a rock, about 4" off the sand. I also have a squamosa off in a corner. They are both fine as far as I can tell.

The Grim Reefer · 12/09/2006, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sds
thanks for the help grim
what look will this mix give me like 10k?

More like 14K but a fairly bright one.

The Grim Reefer · 12/09/2006, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bdare
Ok... I'm planning a new tank. Just not happy with the lighting options on a 30" wide tank.

The all important question is...

Could I keep clams in the sand of a 40 breeder with the 5x39w aquatinics fixture? What bulb combo should I rock?

Thanks in advance!

Easy

Do a GE Daylight, 1 Aquablue, 2 Blue Plus and 1 Super Actinic. If you are starting out with small clams maybe do 2 Aquablue and 1 Blue Plus to give them a little extra intensity.

docwells · 12/09/2006, 04:11 PM

I have a 75 gallon sps reef that the ARO vho ballast just died on. I was running 440 watts vho and 2 x 250 watt 10k DE ushios. I was wondering shouild i switch over the T5's now? It is time to change the vho bulbs anyway. If I change to T5, what would you reccomend for bulbs and ballast? I am not able to get a 48 inch bulb in the canopy, so it would have to be a 36 inch or 24 inch.

The Grim Reefer · 12/09/2006, 05:00 PM

The "48" inch T5's are a tad less than 48" with moisture proof endcaps so they might fit.

Whether you run 48 or 36" lamps I would switch now if it's in the budget. Gotta wonder how much longer the T12 VHO will be availabe. 4 T5's will be more than equal to the VHO's as long as you use the reflectors. The actinic isn't quite as good as the VHO super actinic but it isn't bad.

horkn · 12/09/2006, 05:09 PM

grim, why are you now recommending using the 6500k ge dayligth again?

it changed in the last year, and looks differentt han the old style like i still use.

The Grim Reefer · 12/09/2006, 05:38 PM

Yeah but with 4 or 5 lamp units the Aquasun tends to be a little too pink for most people/s taste. ATI changed their sun lamp as well. I suspect there was something in the lamp being used to produce light in that range that has been banned.

hahnmeister · 12/09/2006, 05:49 PM

The G-man midday is still a good alternative as well as the new aquascience 6500K.

Gee.. I better hold on to my GE 6500Ks for testing purposes... got a whole box of them earlier this summer... still brand new... GOLD!!!!

PLNelson · 12/09/2006, 06:51 PM

Grim,
Thanks for the help.

sds · 12/10/2006, 12:45 PM

thanks for the help grim

cgarsmokr · 12/10/2006, 02:39 PM

Hahn, My tank is 48"-18"-24".I like a more daylight look but I definately want the colors of my coals to pop. What lighting combo would you suggest for the Solar Flare 6 bulb setup?

docwells · 12/10/2006, 04:03 PM

Thanks Grim. I will be looking into ordering some T5's this week. I am going to remasure and see if I cam get 4 of them in the canopy with the reflector. If not, might go with 3 of them.

hahnmeister · 12/10/2006, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cgarsmokr
Hahn, My tank is 48"-18"-24".I like a more daylight look but I definately want the colors of my coals to pop. What lighting combo would you suggest for the Solar Flare 6 bulb setup?

2x250wattDE with Ushio 14,000K and 2x54wattT5 with blue+ bulbs. Very nice combo.

hng · 12/11/2006, 01:44 PM

Quick question for you Grim. I've got a 30 gal tank (18 inches deep) with 3X39 watt T5HO bulbs (2 actinic plus, 1 aquablue plus) driven with an ice cap 660. I wanted to keep some sps and lps. Is this too much light, will it fry my corals, or should I add another T5 bulb? Thanks in advance!

hng · 12/11/2006, 01:53 PM

Also, what photoperiod should I aim for? 10, 12 hours? Does it matter that all of my lamps turn on and off all together and not in stages?

The Grim Reefer · 12/11/2006, 04:17 PM

For a 30 I wouldnt add more light unless you want nothing but SPS.

I would think 8~10 hours will be good for light.

horkn · 12/11/2006, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by hng
Quick question for you Grim. I've got a 30 gal tank (18 inches deep) with 3X39 watt T5HO bulbs (2 actinic plus, 1 aquablue plus) driven with an ice cap 660. I wanted to keep some sps and lps. Is this too much light, will it fry my corals, or should I add another T5 bulb? Thanks in advance!

the sps wont care, but the lps will not like the overdriven bulbs ona tank like that.

heck, i had issues with lps on my 35g with 3x39 normally driven...

12/09/2006, 07:59 AM	#54
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	Not sure if you can fit a 6 lamp Tek over a 46 bow. Take a look at the aquactinics 36" 5 lamp T5. They are a little better than the Tek and a lot better value. 7.5" wide front to back. You would be able to raise about anything you want under either light. __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

12/09/2006, 09:52 AM	#56
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	I would start with a UVL Super Actinic, GE Daylight, ATI Aquablue and Blue Plus. SHould be able to keep about anything as long as you keep the higher light critters off the bottom of the tank. __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

12/09/2006, 04:11 PM	#62
docwells Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 952	I have a 75 gallon sps reef that the ARO vho ballast just died on. I was running 440 watts vho and 2 x 250 watt 10k DE ushios. I was wondering shouild i switch over the T5's now? It is time to change the vho bulbs anyway. If I change to T5, what would you reccomend for bulbs and ballast? I am not able to get a 48 inch bulb in the canopy, so it would have to be a 36 inch or 24 inch. __________________ Wellington Current Tank Info: 69 gallon AGE rimless starphire tank in progress...

12/09/2006, 05:00 PM	#63
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	The "48" inch T5's are a tad less than 48" with moisture proof endcaps so they might fit. Whether you run 48 or 36" lamps I would switch now if it's in the budget. Gotta wonder how much longer the T12 VHO will be availabe. 4 T5's will be more than equal to the VHO's as long as you use the reflectors. The actinic isn't quite as good as the VHO super actinic but it isn't bad. __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

12/09/2006, 05:09 PM	#64
horkn Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: milwaukee wisconsin Posts: 4,125	grim, why are you now recommending using the 6500k ge dayligth again? it changed in the last year, and looks differentt han the old style like i still use. __________________ people write stupid things in this space Current Tank Info: 200g DIY wood reef, 2x 250w SE 10k MH 2x80 t5ho, 75g sump, Geo Ca RX, ASD 6" recirc skimmer

12/08/2006, 07:23 PM	#52
ReefArtist Moved On Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Largo, FL Posts: 2,703	Grim, thanks for the information. Here I was thinking that the 24 length tubes would be to weak for the 30" tank. As for the 75 I think I'll stick with the T5's and like you said using the Teks. You here so much about light, light, light and MH that you forget all the heat they produce. I live in FL and I'd like to avoid using a chiller - going with the MH would put the nail in the coffin. Thanks again.

12/09/2006, 01:35 AM	#53
PLNelson White Trash Astronaut Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bemidji, MN Posts: 115	Grim, I just aquired a 46g bowfront and I have been trying to reed through this thread, but it's just to longs to read all of it. anyways, I'm thinking that I will buy the 36" TEK t5 6x39w light, and I was wondering what I wouldn't be able to keep in it. From what I understand, I can start using th efixture with at least two lights, and increase as my skill levels increase. I'm new to marine aquariums, and will start with the easier stuff, but would like to get in to high light sps's and clams. Do you think that this would be a good way to go. thanks for the help.

12/09/2006, 09:04 AM	#55
sds Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Roswell NM Posts: 342	i have a 58g and considering 4 t5s with ice cap reflectors and using a workhorse 7 ballast (i already have the ballast that is why i am considering the ballast). What bulbs should I use and what should i be able to keep witht this light? thanks

12/09/2006, 01:31 PM	#57
sds Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Roswell NM Posts: 342	thanks for the help grim what look will this mix give me like 10k?

12/09/2006, 02:53 PM	#58
bdare Salty Dude Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Rockwall, TX Posts: 1,322 Blog Entries: 3	Ok... I'm planning a new tank. Just not happy with the lighting options on a 30" wide tank. The all important question is... Could I keep clams in the sand of a 40 breeder with the 5x39w aquatinics fixture? What bulb combo should I rock? Thanks in advance!

12/09/2006, 03:42 PM	#59
hahnmeister Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brew City, WI Posts: 10,156	Well, I have a 6x39wattTek (prolly about the same output as what your 5 bulb aquatinics would have considering 2 of my bulbs are actinics, and then two aquablues, and then two blue+ bulbs... not exactly the highest output bulb combo), and I have clams that are loving it on the sand bottom of my 40B. I can even grow SPS on the bottom, except for the very high-light loving pink millis and such... they go up top or they fade. I have a crocea on a rock, about 4" off the sand. I also have a squamosa off in a corner. They are both fine as far as I can tell.

12/09/2006, 05:38 PM	#65
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	Yeah but with 4 or 5 lamp units the Aquasun tends to be a little too pink for most people/s taste. ATI changed their sun lamp as well. I suspect there was something in the lamp being used to produce light in that range that has been banned. __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

12/09/2006, 05:49 PM	#66
hahnmeister Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brew City, WI Posts: 10,156	The G-man midday is still a good alternative as well as the new aquascience 6500K. Gee.. I better hold on to my GE 6500Ks for testing purposes... got a whole box of them earlier this summer... still brand new... GOLD!!!!

12/09/2006, 06:51 PM	#67
PLNelson White Trash Astronaut Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bemidji, MN Posts: 115	Grim, Thanks for the help.

12/10/2006, 12:45 PM	#68
sds Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Roswell NM Posts: 342	thanks for the help grim

12/10/2006, 02:39 PM	#69
cgarsmokr Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: michigan Posts: 136	Hahn, My tank is 48"-18"-24".I like a more daylight look but I definately want the colors of my coals to pop. What lighting combo would you suggest for the Solar Flare 6 bulb setup? __________________ Procrastinators unite...tomorrow

12/10/2006, 04:03 PM	#70
docwells Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 952	Thanks Grim. I will be looking into ordering some T5's this week. I am going to remasure and see if I cam get 4 of them in the canopy with the reflector. If not, might go with 3 of them. __________________ Wellington Current Tank Info: 69 gallon AGE rimless starphire tank in progress...

12/11/2006, 01:44 PM	#72
hng Registered Member. Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Spartanburg, SC Posts: 75	Quick question for you Grim. I've got a 30 gal tank (18 inches deep) with 3X39 watt T5HO bulbs (2 actinic plus, 1 aquablue plus) driven with an ice cap 660. I wanted to keep some sps and lps. Is this too much light, will it fry my corals, or should I add another T5 bulb? Thanks in advance!

12/11/2006, 01:53 PM	#73
hng Registered Member. Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Spartanburg, SC Posts: 75	Also, what photoperiod should I aim for? 10, 12 hours? Does it matter that all of my lamps turn on and off all together and not in stages?

12/11/2006, 04:17 PM	#74
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	For a 30 I wouldnt add more light unless you want nothing but SPS. I would think 8~10 hours will be good for light. __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting