The T5 Q&a Thread - split

Hi everyone.
Sorry for posting rather than searching this thread for this question; one time I spent literally 45 minutes trying to get to the beginning and I couldn't. Then I closed my browser. So...here we go.

I have a 4-bulb, t5 36" retrofit, powered by an icecap 660-609.
(The bulbs *actual* length is right around 34", but this is considered a 36" bulb, right?)

What would you recommend for a light setup that would give growth, but good color as well. Right now I have no idea how old the bulbs are, I'm growing lots of algae, and it looks pretty white; I'm ready to get some pop in there.

I have the option to buy some of these bulbs for a discount, so if we can pick four from them, all the better:
Zoo Med "Flora Sun"
ATI "Aquablue Special"
ATI "Purple Plus"
Wavepoint (appears to be 420nm bulb, but hard to tell from pic)

Appreciate the help!!
Tom
 
Hey Grim have you got par numbers for the KZ tubes? I couldn't find them anywhere. I'm going to have a mix of T5 and LED as I find my current LEDs just don't give me the pop I used to have with T5s. I'm only going to have 4 T5s so am thinking this:

FRONT
LEDs 12 x Royal Blue
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Aquablue Special
ATI Blue Plus
Gman Actinic Pure
LEDs 12 x Royal Blue
BACK

What would you recommend?
 
Hey Grim am I going to miss any color on my Sps with this combo:
4 B+
1 GE 6500K
1 Fiji Purple
Would you recommend anything else, I like a blue look. Also what order should they be?
Thanks in advance
 
earthboy17 said:
Hi everyone.
Sorry for posting rather than searching this thread for this question; one time I spent literally 45 minutes trying to get to the beginning and I couldn't. Then I closed my browser. So...here we go.

I have a 4-bulb, t5 36" retrofit, powered by an icecap 660-609.
(The bulbs *actual* length is right around 34", but this is considered a 36" bulb, right?)

What would you recommend for a light setup that would give growth, but good color as well. Right now I have no idea how old the bulbs are, I'm growing lots of algae, and it looks pretty white; I'm ready to get some pop in there.

I have the option to buy some of these bulbs for a discount, so if we can pick four from them, all the better:
Zoo Med "Flora Sun"
ATI "Aquablue Special"
ATI "Purple Plus"
Wavepoint (appears to be 420nm bulb, but hard to tell from pic)



Appreciate the help!!
Tom
Click to expand...

First lose the Ice Cap ballast. It kills good lamps within 6 months, those 2 cheap lamps you used were probably down half on their par in a couple months.

3 ATI Blue Plus
1 ATI Purple Plus

2 2x39 watt T5 ballasts, you can get all that from Reefgeek.
 
Zoanut said:
Hey Grim have you got par numbers for the KZ tubes? I couldn't find them anywhere. I'm going to have a mix of T5 and LED as I find my current LEDs just don't give me the pop I used to have with T5s. I'm only going to have 4 T5s so am thinking this:

FRONT
LEDs 12 x Royal Blue
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Aquablue Special
ATI Blue Plus
Gman Actinic Pure
LEDs 12 x Royal Blue
BACK

What would you recommend?
Click to expand...

Should be good. The Fiji doesn't have a lot of PAR but it doesn't matter. If those are Cree Royal Blues you get a lot of PAR from them.
 
Setragni said:
Hey Grim am I going to miss any color on my Sps with this combo:
4 B+
1 GE 6500K
1 Fiji Purple
Would you recommend anything else, I like a blue look. Also what order should they be?
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...

Use a Coral Plus instead of the GE. Blue first and last, purple front of center, other than that it doesn't matter.
 
The Grim Reefer said:
Use a Coral Plus instead of the GE. Blue first and last, purple front of center, other than that it doesn't matter.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply Grimm
If you would suggest me any combination of 6 bulbs that will pop all the colors what would it be?
Whatever u say is what im buying.
Thanks again.
 
Thanks!
Forgive me for asking so many questions. Im new to T5s I am actually replacing my AI Sols for a T5 Fixture.
I was talking to my supplier and it looks like the only high end brand they have is Giesemann.
Is it a huge difference between ATI and Giesemann? As far as quality and color.

If i were to use Giesemann bulbs only, what would be the bulbs i have to buy to get equivalent coloration to this setup?
The Grim Reefer said:
Blue Plus
Purple Plus
Blue Plus
Coral Plus
Blue Plus
Blue Plus
Click to expand...
 
Setragni said:
Thanks!
Forgive me for asking so many questions. Im new to T5s I am actually replacing my AI Sols for a T5 Fixture.
I was talking to my supplier and it looks like the only high end brand they have is Giesemann.
Is it a huge difference between ATI and Giesemann? As far as quality and color.

If i were to use Giesemann bulbs only, what would be the bulbs i have to buy to get equivalent coloration to this setup?
Click to expand...

*Bump*
 
I ordered the ATI sunpower 4x24w today for my 29g lps/SPS tank. I figure why not have one of the best, even if some say it's overkill. I ordered the following bulbs...
Blue plus
Ge6500
Fiji purple
Blue plus
I've read enough of this thread to know the combo will satisfy my tastes. I guess I really just want to thank you for your dedication and what at times must get old answering our bulb questions all the time..lol your testing has convinced me to get this fixture over a TEK light and I know I'm gonna love it. Thanks grim!

Edit- do you think it's overkill ?
Are you not recommending the ge6500 anymore?
 
Last edited:
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