The T5 Q&a Thread - split

[The Grim Reefer]

Hello,

In my 180 reef, I have been using the stock Current TrueLumen T5 bulbs from the 6 (12 x 39 watt) bulb Nova Extreme Pro light fixture. I've had tremendous growth with the bulbs. My reef has mostly softies (leathers, mushrooms, ricordia, zoos, polyps, etc), a RBTA, monti caps, and LPS (duncans, torch, and trumpets).

I've been running the same stock bulbs since March 2011, and it's time to buy replacements. *Since the TrueLumens gave me such success, I hate to change a good thing. *I'm considering switching to AquaticLife or ATI bulbs. What are others thoughts? *Do I keep what works or switch brands?

What are people's experience with AquaticLife bulbs? *I know ATI are highly regarded.*

Thanks

Matt

Go with ATI. The Aquatic life look good but I have no idea what the usable life span is and your fixture isn't exactly overwhelming your tank in the area of light intensity. 4 rows Blue Plus, 1 Purple Plus and 1 Coral Plus.

 

[dmatt56]

What's the best recommended order for the bulbs on the nova extreme pro? Bulbs 1 and 5 are on one switch and 2, 3, 4, and 6 are on the other.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

What's the best recommended order for the bulbs on the nova extreme pro? Bulbs 1 and 5 are on one switch and 2, 3, 4, and 6 are on the other.

Blue Plus
Purple Plus
Blue Plus
Coral Plus
Blue Plus
Blue Plus

 

[karsseboom]

So with the powermodule, when do you turn on the fans? In the morning I have just 2 bulbs running and then at 12 all 8 bulbs are running. Should I have the fan turn on wih just the first 2 bulbs on or wait until the others come on?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

So with the powermodule, when do you turn on the fans? In the morning I have just 2 bulbs running and then at 12 all 8 bulbs are running. Should I have the fan turn on wih just the first 2 bulbs on or wait until the others come on?

They should go on with your first set of lights.

 

[Michigan Mike]

Hey Grim I was wondering if you think the aquatilife is better than TEK, because of the aquaticlife true spec t5 ballasts compared to TEK advance ballast? What's going on with that. I'm still looking for a 30" fixture with legs that fit a 29g that will perform well...

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim I was wondering if you think the aquatilife is better than TEK, because of the aquaticlife true spec t5 ballasts compared to TEK advance ballast? What's going on with that. I'm still looking for a 30" fixture with legs that fit a 29g that will perform well...

Performance wise I'd say about equal. Might get better lamp life with the Aquatic life.

 

[canesfan44]

Blue Plus
Purple Plus
Blue Plus
GE daylight
Blue Plus

Thanks Grim.

 

[TheAquatect]

Blue Plus
Purple Plus
Blue Plus
GE 6500K
Blue Plus
Purple Plus
Blue Plus
Blue Plus

I got my new tek 8bulb fixture and the bulbs you suggested. All I can say is hot damn it looks good! You nailed it as far as look goes, totally love it. Thanks Grimm!

 

[theitalianczech]

New tank 27 cube

New tank 27 cube

Im setting up a 27 cube (20 x18 x20) Im limited to 18 inch bulbs. I have a 4 x 24 settup right now on the tank i am taking down so i want to hopefully use the ballasts to run 18 watt bulbs if possible. Any bulb recommendations to softy tank. I love the ati bulbs i have now but dont think they make 18 inch bulbs.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Im setting up a 27 cube (20 x18 x20) Im limited to 18 inch bulbs. I have a 4 x 24 settup right now on the tank i am taking down so i want to hopefully use the ballasts to run 18 watt bulbs if possible. Any bulb recommendations to softy tank. I love the ati bulbs i have now but dont think they make 18 inch bulbs.

I don't even know who's building 18 inch lamps now. 3 Blues and a purple would be what I'd use.

 

[theitalianczech]

Thanks uvl makes them...actinic white, aquasun, super actinic ,454Nm and Indigo sun are the choices

 

[The Grim Reefer]

3 454's and a Actinic White

 

[theitalianczech]

Thanks

 

[Dr. Fish]

Looking for some bulb combo suggestions.

I have a 6x24 Sunpower and I have these bulbs
4 ATI Blue Plus
2 ATI Purple Plus
1 ATI Aquablue Special
1 Korallen Fiji Purple
1 Giesmann Actinic +

I have a Solana that is 20" high and I want to keep SPS towards the top with Zoas near the bottom.

What bulb combo should I try?

 

[Dr. Fish]

I searched this thread and right now I am running:

Front
Blue plus
Purple plus
Blue Plus
Aquablue special
Blue plus
Blue plus

Any reason I should swap bulbs around or use some of the other brand bulbs I have? How does the Korallen Fiji Purple or the Giesmann Actinic + compare with my current setup?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I searched this thread and right now I am running:

Front
Blue plus
Purple plus
Blue Plus
Aquablue special
Blue plus
Blue plus

Any reason I should swap bulbs around or use some of the other brand bulbs I have? How does the Korallen Fiji Purple or the Giesmann Actinic + compare with my current setup?

You could try other lamps in place of the aquablue just for shigiggles but there is no reason to change if you like the current look/

 

[jhawkor]

Hi, I am new to T5's and would appreciate some feedback on bulb combinations. I would like to achieve a 14k appearance. How would this combo look?

Front
Aquablue
Blue+
Coral+
Actinic
Coral+
Blue+
Back

Thanks.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hi, I am new to T5's and would appreciate some feedback on bulb combinations. I would like to achieve a 14k appearance. How would this combo look?

Front
Aquablue
Blue+
Coral+
Actinic
Coral+
Blue+
Back

Thanks.

No real point in running actinics with Blue Pluses so drop that actinic and add another blue plus and move the aquablue more towards the center instead of up front.

 

[jhawkor]

No real point in running actinics with Blue Pluses so drop that actinic and add another blue plus and move the aquablue more towards the center instead of up front.

Will do. Thanks.