The T5 Q&a Thread - split

[BfishLpond78]

8x54w nova extreme with one reflector over 55 gal...overkill i know. I have reduced it down to 6 bulbs. What would be a good combo for color pop and a real deep blue for dawn and dusk. Also with a blue hue during the daytime. New tank with Zoas and LPS frags. Maybe something to inhibit growth?

Any thoughts?

 

[andrewbram]

If I do a blue+ Purple+ and two kz new gen what kind of look and growth would I get.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hello...I have 4 T5s in my aquatic life fixture, the kind where you put two together.

I run ATI/Geiseman bulbs, the fixtures have individual reflectors.

Im curious to know how far these lights will go in terms of SPS, i know birdies and montis i can keep no problem. But how about acros? I've tried green slimers and validas and they did well.

I personally wouldn't try SPS under T5's with splash shields and no cooling fans. That lack of airflow causes the lamps to get too hot and decreases the output

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Any thoughts?

Same six as recomended to everyone else. 4 Blue Plus, 1 Purple Plus and a GE 6500K. It's a great all around look. If you want more of a 20K look use a KZ New Gen in place of the GE

 

[The Grim Reefer]

If I do a blue+ Purple+ and two kz new gen what kind of look and growth would I get.

Don't know why you'd want to but sorta 15K or so with decent growth.

 

[andrewbram]

Thank you Grim. I keep pulling my hair out with all these color combos. I will just go with your original suggestion 2 blue+ a purple + and kz new gen

 

[Ucyibd1]

It is time for me to switch the bulbs on my T5 fixture. I bought the fixture used and have been using the bulbs that were in it, as they were new bulbs when I got it. I need some advice on what type and spectrum bulbs I should use. The fixture is a 48" Current Nova Extreme Pro and I currently have Frogspawn, Hammer coral, Red anemone, Kenya tree and some mushrooms (hitchhikers on a piece of LR.) All have been doing OK, the hammer and frogspawn have doubled in size already. I have noticed since getting the fixture that my coraline algae has been fading on the surfaces that are hit by the current lights, but the coraline is growing fine on the surfaces not exposed to the lights. Can you help me get the optimal bulb and specturm for my current setup. My tank is a 120 gal 4x2x2 and the fixture is a 8x54w T5. Thanks for any help you can provide.




~Mike~

 

[The Grim Reefer]

It is time for me to switch the bulbs on my T5 fixture. I bought the fixture used and have been using the bulbs that were in it, as they were new bulbs when I got it. I need some advice on what type and spectrum bulbs I should use. The fixture is a 48" Current Nova Extreme Pro and I currently have Frogspawn, Hammer coral, Red anemone, Kenya tree and some mushrooms (hitchhikers on a piece of LR.) All have been doing OK, the hammer and frogspawn have doubled in size already. I have noticed since getting the fixture that my coraline algae has been fading on the surfaces that are hit by the current lights, but the coraline is growing fine on the surfaces not exposed to the lights. Can you help me get the optimal bulb and specturm for my current setup. My tank is a 120 gal 4x2x2 and the fixture is a 8x54w T5. Thanks for any help you can provide.




~Mike~

5 ATI Blue Plus 2 ATI Purple plus and a GE 6500K, ge lamp about center with a purple plus front and rear of center but try to get one in a dusk/dawn slot

 

[Ucyibd1]

Thanks....




~Mike~

 

[Squared]

I personally wouldn't try SPS under T5's with splash shields and no cooling fans. That lack of airflow causes the lamps to get too hot and decreases the output

if i remove the splash shields, what then? i would still have a glass lid on the tank.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

if i remove the splash shields, what then? i would still have a glass lid on the tank.

That will help. SPS on top of the rocks only though, Also glass lid on a reef tank isn't a good idea unless you are running a sump and even then that glass cuts out about 20% of the light even if it's clean.

 

[leadsinker]

GRIM

I have been using a 2 x 24 watt t5 fixture for 1 year now. Coral's have had minimal growth. 20 gallon long mixed reef. Replaced orginal bulbs with giesemann 6 weeks ago, what a differnce.

picked up a 4 x 24 watt fixture.

currently have: giesemann actinic + & aquablue +

what other 2 bulbs should i be buying, looking more for coral growth, rather than color

thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

GRIM

I have been using a 2 x 24 watt t5 fixture for 1 year now. Coral's have had minimal growth. 20 gallon long mixed reef. Replaced orginal bulbs with giesemann 6 weeks ago, what a differnce.

picked up a 4 x 24 watt fixture.

currently have: giesemann actinic + & aquablue +

what other 2 bulbs should i be buying, looking more for coral growth, rather than color

thanks

Get an ATI Blue Plus and Purple Plus if you can. Otherwise a Gmann Actinic Plus and Aquapink.

 

[leadsinker]

if i go all gmann . 2 x actinic plus
1 aquapink
1 aquablue plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Yeah

 

[islandborn83]

Aquaticlife 36" 4x39w Fixture for 70gallon tall

Aquaticlife 36" 4x39w Fixture for 70gallon tall

I am in the process of buying an Aquaticlife 36" 4x39w fixture tomorrow for $200 and I hope to get your opinion/suggestion before i make the purchase. Well, I am currently setting up a 70 gallon tall reef tank 36x15x30 with a canopy (the wife's idea, only so i don't have here her complain about me spending the money to fix it up lol) but I have been lost/confused/stressed you name it about the lighting I should go with. The 15x30 is killing me! I plan to have SPS on the top tier, LPS middle, and zoas/mushrooms on bottom. I am very concerned for my high end zoas colonies on the bottom (utter chaos, CARs, etc....) Can I get away using a 4 bulb fixture? will the Aquaticlife 36" T5HO 4X39w fixture work? I plan to saw/remove the top of the canopy since its so high you can really see the top. Please help thank you very much, Joe


***sorry for the repost I just found this T5 QnA thread

 

[Tracey2]

Be fine. Blue plus isn't an actinic lamp, it blue with some actinic output.

Thanks again, one last question. I also have a viewable fuge/2nd display, I want this tank to keep haddoni carpets and I have a 4' ati 6bulb fixture to put over it that needs bulbs. Again if I can't get the ati bulbs, would I go with 4 Geissman actinic plus and 2 aquapink?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I am in the process of buying an Aquaticlife 36" 4x39w fixture tomorrow for $200 and I hope to get your opinion/suggestion before i make the purchase. Well, I am currently setting up a 70 gallon tall reef tank 36x15x30 with a canopy (the wife's idea, only so i don't have here her complain about me spending the money to fix it up lol) but I have been lost/confused/stressed you name it about the lighting I should go with. The 15x30 is killing me! I plan to have SPS on the top tier, LPS middle, and zoas/mushrooms on bottom. I am very concerned for my high end zoas colonies on the bottom (utter chaos, CARs, etc....) Can I get away using a 4 bulb fixture? will the Aquaticlife 36" T5HO 4X39w fixture work? I plan to saw/remove the top of the canopy since its so high you can really see the top. Please help thank you very much, Joe


***sorry for the repost I just found this T5 QnA thread

You would be WAY WAY WAY WAY better off spending the money on an ATI fixture. If your rocks are stacked high enough you can get away with the SPS on top but probably shrooms only in the bottom. Even a ATI fixture is probably pushing it as far as support high light zoas in the bottom of the tank.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Thanks again, one last question. I also have a viewable fuge/2nd display, I want this tank to keep haddoni carpets and I have a 4' ati 6bulb fixture to put over it that needs bulbs. Again if I can't get the ati bulbs, would I go with 4 Geissman actinic plus and 2 aquapink?

Yeah

 

[TropTrea]

I am in the process of buying an Aquaticlife 36" 4x39w fixture tomorrow for $200 and I hope to get your opinion/suggestion before i make the purchase. Well, I am currently setting up a 70 gallon tall reef tank 36x15x30 with a canopy (the wife's idea, only so i don't have here her complain about me spending the money to fix it up lol) but I have been lost/confused/stressed you name it about the lighting I should go with. The 15x30 is killing me! I plan to have SPS on the top tier, LPS middle, and zoas/mushrooms on bottom. I am very concerned for my high end zoas colonies on the bottom (utter chaos, CARs, etc....) Can I get away using a 4 bulb fixture? will the Aquaticlife 36" T5HO 4X39w fixture work? I plan to saw/remove the top of the canopy since its so high you can really see the top. Please help thank you very much, Joe


***sorry for the repost I just found this T5 QnA thread

I strongly agree with Grim especially in your situation. You are pushing a 30" tall aquarium and need as much light as possible to get down to light up high light demanding corals near the bottom. Since your only 15" wide an 8 bulb fixture will not fit for you. So you have to go with a 6 bulb fixture. Since your skimping on the light to start with you need every bit of efficiency you can get so go with the better ATI fixture in your case or you will be very disappointed in the long run.

for bulbs I'd recommend 4 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Purple Plus, and 1 KZ New Generation or GE 6,500K.