The T5 Q&a Thread - Page 2

sprayin70 · 12/07/2006, 11:09 PM

Thanks for the help Grim!!! I will order a spare also 6500K.

sprayin70 · 12/07/2006, 11:09 PM

Thanks for the help Grim!!! I will order a spare also 6500K.

kslick · 12/07/2006, 11:14 PM

Where can you pick up the 3000k bulbs?

The Grim Reefer · 12/07/2006, 11:15 PM

Reefgeek.com has the 3K's but I am not sure if they are on the website. If not phone in the order.

TekCat · 12/08/2006, 02:39 AM

I asked Reefgeek.com and this is what they told me:

Quote:

I have the GE 54W 3000K in stock. You can simply give us a call on the toll-free at 866-295-9230 to place your order or if you'd prefer to place your order on-line simply order the GE 6500K Daylight bulb and make a note in the 'Product/Bulb Options' box below the shopping cart that you would like to swap it for a 3000K.

Greg Morgan

AquaPython · 12/08/2006, 08:46 AM

ok my situation was that i already own an icecap 660 running vho t-12s, so my plan was to lose the T-12, and switch over to T-5, and then get a second IC 660 with the same set up. originally i was thinking of just doing the 3 x 60"(80w?) for each IC 660, but maybe its better to have 4 x 39w on each side ?

The Grim Reefer · 12/08/2006, 08:51 AM

I'd lean towards the dual 4x39 in IC reflectors.

AquaPython · 12/08/2006, 09:07 AM

ok if i do that, then A) i cant get more than 4 per, right?
and B) to get the dawn/dusk effect, i would need to have on IC control bulbs on both sides of the tank, and the other one filling in the gaps on both sides of the tank, as opposed to having one control the left, and the other the right. - right?

The Grim Reefer · 12/08/2006, 09:18 AM

Yes, 4 lamps per ballast. Just wire them so each ballast runs 2 lamps on each side.

AquaPython · 12/08/2006, 09:25 AM

do you have a suggestion as for the 8 bulbs i should use and placement? should i have a total of 2 actinic bulbs, or 4 actinic -type bulbs? is 4 overkill, when i could more 10ks for gowth? and then the other set of 4 all daylight 14ks or something?

The Grim Reefer · 12/08/2006, 09:44 AM

Front

UVL Super Actinic
ATI Aquablue
GE daylight
ATI Blue Plus

The Aquablue and Daylight have good PAR and the Blue Plus ain't half bad. The Super Actinic even has decent PAR.

AquaPython · 12/08/2006, 10:03 AM

ok and mirror that on the other side, right?
is there any choice of K with those bulbs?

The Grim Reefer · 12/08/2006, 10:23 AM

Yes, mirrored. K ratings are a real joke and just thrown out for marketing purposes for the most part. Go by the lamp names.

dg13 · 12/08/2006, 11:04 AM

Hi - I am going to be changing tanks and want to change my lighting too. I am going from a 70 gallon cube to a 54 gallon corner tank. I am currently running a 250W MH pendant (because of the depth of the 70 - 31") and I can't keep the temp down where I'd like it (seahorse tank). It was recommended that I go with a T5 fixture. I was told it would use less electricity and not run nearly as hot. My question is I think I would use a 24" fixture that would sit on top of the 54. I read that Tek Lights are the best T5's around - is this true? (I've now heard this may not be ture) The 24" fixture has 4 24w bulbs - is this enough? I have mostly softies - zoas, shrooms, leathers, but have a couple of candy canes. Will the total 96w be enough for growth? If so, what combination of bulbs should I go with for the best color and growth? What fixture would you recommend if not Tek?

Thanks.

The Grim Reefer · 12/08/2006, 11:31 AM

You should be fine with the Tek but I would contact www.aquactinics.com and see when their 24" 5 lamp T5 fixture will be available. It is a better value.

dg13 · 12/08/2006, 12:07 PM

Thanks Grim.

I called Aquactinics and they said that if they make the 24" fixture it won't be available until at least February. I can't wait that long. Is there anything else besides that and the Tek that you can recommend? If I go with the Tek what would you recommend for bulbs?

Thanks for all your help. I really appreciate it.

arbee · 12/08/2006, 12:55 PM

Hi Grim,
I am in the process of planning a new 6ft long tank -- either a 120 -which would be 22 inch deep (with one support in the middle) or if I get my way with my husband--maybe a 180 gal -24" deep with two supports every 24".

The big questions--Should I get one 72 inch system and not worry about the supports causing shadows
or should I go with 2 36" for a 120 gallon tank -or three 24" if I go with the 180 gal tank?
I don't think I will be using a canopy so not interested in retrofits, but rather would need to buy a complete system since I am electronically challenged

I want to keep sps corals along with a few lps and softies.
Just figuring out my cost sheet and seeing where this is going (besides the poor farm). I do know I want to go with T-5's.
Thanks for any help you can give me.

jamesdawson · 12/08/2006, 02:49 PM

Hey Grim,

Have you tested that Solar Flare and have any numbers yet?

James

The Grim Reefer · 12/08/2006, 02:59 PM

Go Tek. I would run a daylight or UVL Aquasun, 1 UVL Super Actinic, 1 ATI Blue Plus and 1 ATI Aquablue.

Quote:

Originally posted by dg13
Thanks Grim.

I called Aquactinics and they said that if they make the 24" fixture it won't be available until at least February. I can't wait that long. Is there anything else besides that and the Tek that you can recommend? If I go with the Tek what would you recommend for bulbs?

Thanks for all your help. I really appreciate it.

The Grim Reefer · 12/08/2006, 03:01 PM

Aquactinics make a 72" T5 fixture that has side by side 36" lamps, 7 rows. The Only Way To Fly. It will cost more than 2 Tek lights but looks nicer and will smear th Tek when it comes to light output.

Quote:

Originally posted by arbee
Hi Grim,
I am in the process of planning a new 6ft long tank -- either a 120 -which would be 22 inch deep (with one support in the middle) or if I get my way with my husband--maybe a 180 gal -24" deep with two supports every 24".

The big questions--Should I get one 72 inch system and not worry about the supports causing shadows
or should I go with 2 36" for a 120 gallon tank -or three 24" if I go with the 180 gal tank?
I don't think I will be using a canopy so not interested in retrofits, but rather would need to buy a complete system since I am electronically challenged
I want to keep sps corals along with a few lps and softies.
Just figuring out my cost sheet and seeing where this is going (besides the poor farm). I do know I want to go with T-5's.
Thanks for any help you can give me.

The Grim Reefer · 12/08/2006, 03:03 PM

Not yet, Have someone local with one I need to get together with.

Quote:

Originally posted by jamesdawson
Hey Grim,

Have you tested that Solar Flare and have any numbers yet?

James

arbee · 12/08/2006, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by The Grim Reefer
Aquactinics make a 72" T5 fixture that has side by side 36" lamps, 7 rows. The Only Way To Fly. It will cost more than 2 Tek lights but looks nicer and will smear th Tek when it comes to light output.

Thanks much for your help Grim. Is this the system you mean?
It's the one I've been checking out and will probably go with.
It will be fine for either a 18" or 24" tank (width) I hope.
http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/cat...oducts_id=1184

The Grim Reefer · 12/08/2006, 05:49 PM

Should be fine for either.

ReefArtist · 12/08/2006, 06:07 PM

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.

naka · 12/08/2006, 06:54 PM

Hey Grim, I have a 2 x 250 de MH light fixture w/ 4 x 54 T5. I'm thinking of changing out my blue T5 bulbs by Sylvania. I'm running 14k Ushio de on my MH. Any suggestions on my 4 T5 bulbs? I was leaning towards UVL Super Actinic x2 and UVL Aquasun x 2.

Thanks,

James

12/07/2006, 11:15 PM	#29
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	Reefgeek.com has the 3K's but I am not sure if they are on the website. If not phone in the order. __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

12/08/2006, 08:51 AM	#32
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	I'd lean towards the dual 4x39 in IC reflectors. __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

12/08/2006, 09:18 AM	#34
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	Yes, 4 lamps per ballast. Just wire them so each ballast runs 2 lamps on each side. __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

12/08/2006, 09:44 AM	#36
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	Front UVL Super Actinic ATI Aquablue GE daylight ATI Blue Plus The Aquablue and Daylight have good PAR and the Blue Plus ain't half bad. The Super Actinic even has decent PAR. __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

12/08/2006, 10:23 AM	#38
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	Yes, mirrored. K ratings are a real joke and just thrown out for marketing purposes for the most part. Go by the lamp names. __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

12/07/2006, 11:09 PM	#26
sprayin70 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: GA Posts: 49	Thanks for the help Grim!!! I will order a spare also 6500K.

12/07/2006, 11:14 PM	#28
kslick Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 253	Where can you pick up the 3000k bulbs?

12/08/2006, 08:46 AM	#31
AquaPython Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: So Fla Posts: 222	ok my situation was that i already own an icecap 660 running vho t-12s, so my plan was to lose the T-12, and switch over to T-5, and then get a second IC 660 with the same set up. originally i was thinking of just doing the 3 x 60"(80w?) for each IC 660, but maybe its better to have 4 x 39w on each side ?

12/08/2006, 09:07 AM	#33
AquaPython Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: So Fla Posts: 222	ok if i do that, then A) i cant get more than 4 per, right? and B) to get the dawn/dusk effect, i would need to have on IC control bulbs on both sides of the tank, and the other one filling in the gaps on both sides of the tank, as opposed to having one control the left, and the other the right. - right?

12/08/2006, 09:25 AM	#35
AquaPython Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: So Fla Posts: 222	do you have a suggestion as for the 8 bulbs i should use and placement? should i have a total of 2 actinic bulbs, or 4 actinic -type bulbs? is 4 overkill, when i could more 10ks for gowth? and then the other set of 4 all daylight 14ks or something?

12/08/2006, 10:03 AM	#37
AquaPython Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: So Fla Posts: 222	ok and mirror that on the other side, right? is there any choice of K with those bulbs?

12/08/2006, 11:04 AM	#39
dg13 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 55	Newbie needs help........ Hi - I am going to be changing tanks and want to change my lighting too. I am going from a 70 gallon cube to a 54 gallon corner tank. I am currently running a 250W MH pendant (because of the depth of the 70 - 31") and I can't keep the temp down where I'd like it (seahorse tank). It was recommended that I go with a T5 fixture. I was told it would use less electricity and not run nearly as hot. My question is I think I would use a 24" fixture that would sit on top of the 54. I read that Tek Lights are the best T5's around - is this true? (I've now heard this may not be ture) The 24" fixture has 4 24w bulbs - is this enough? I have mostly softies - zoas, shrooms, leathers, but have a couple of candy canes. Will the total 96w be enough for growth? If so, what combination of bulbs should I go with for the best color and growth? What fixture would you recommend if not Tek? Thanks.

12/08/2006, 11:31 AM	#40
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	You should be fine with the Tek but I would contact www.aquactinics.com and see when their 24" 5 lamp T5 fixture will be available. It is a better value. __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

12/08/2006, 12:07 PM	#41
dg13 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 55	Thanks Grim. I called Aquactinics and they said that if they make the 24" fixture it won't be available until at least February. I can't wait that long. Is there anything else besides that and the Tek that you can recommend? If I go with the Tek what would you recommend for bulbs? Thanks for all your help. I really appreciate it.

12/08/2006, 12:55 PM	#42
arbee Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Massillon, Ohio Posts: 439	Hi Grim, I am in the process of planning a new 6ft long tank -- either a 120 -which would be 22 inch deep (with one support in the middle) or if I get my way with my husband--maybe a 180 gal -24" deep with two supports every 24". The big questions--Should I get one 72 inch system and not worry about the supports causing shadows or should I go with 2 36" for a 120 gallon tank -or three 24" if I go with the 180 gal tank? I don't think I will be using a canopy so not interested in retrofits, but rather would need to buy a complete system since I am electronically challenged I want to keep sps corals along with a few lps and softies. Just figuring out my cost sheet and seeing where this is going (besides the poor farm). I do know I want to go with T-5's. Thanks for any help you can give me.

12/08/2006, 02:49 PM	#43
jamesdawson Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: I AM THE SEA Posts: 1,303	Hey Grim, Have you tested that Solar Flare and have any numbers yet? James __________________ Old Reefers Never Die, they just...join the crew! Current Tank Info: I'm expanding my reach

12/08/2006, 05:49 PM	#48
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	Should be fine for either. __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

12/08/2006, 06:07 PM	#49
ReefArtist Moved On Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Largo, FL Posts: 2,703	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.

12/08/2006, 06:54 PM	#50
naka Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,544	Hey Grim, I have a 2 x 250 de MH light fixture w/ 4 x 54 T5. I'm thinking of changing out my blue T5 bulbs by Sylvania. I'm running 14k Ushio de on my MH. Any suggestions on my 4 T5 bulbs? I was leaning towards UVL Super Actinic x2 and UVL Aquasun x 2. Thanks, James