The T5 Q&a Thread - split

[Michigan Mike]

6 Actinic Plus, 2 Midday

Aren't the midday bulbs similar to the GE6500?
I ordered some GEISSEMAN bulbs from reefgeek they have them for 40% off, better hurry!

I'm looking into the blue lagoon bulb, anyone use this bulb yet?

 

[Froggy]

Finalizing my thoughts on a new bulb order and would like some input on the look of this lineup. I like a sunny look but still plenty of florescence. What do you all think of this combination?

front
blue plus
purple plus
blue plus
GE 6500
blue plus
coral plus
blue plus
blue plus
back

This would only be a slight change in lighting for me as I would be replacing a purple plus in the #6 position with a coral plus. What do you think about this?

Joe

 

[reeferlover]

T5 GUYS HELP!!!!!

I like geissmann equally to ATI. I have a 8 bulb 48" fixture. Geissmanns are on sale like 40% off on reefgeek. What combo do i get i want that phoenix 14k look. no more 20k here

I want to run 4 bulbs dusk to dawn 12hrs. that way i can enjoy the tank. All sps tank. The other 4 bulbs i will run for 4 to 6 hours depending how the coral handle it.

F----B I was thinking

Actinic +
Lagoon
Actinic +
Aqua Blue
Mid Day
Actinic+
Pink +
Actinic +

or maybe all the white bulbs in the center but i need to have some white during dusk to dawn so i can see the tank. so really i want the best look in the out side 4 bulbs. or do i want the inside 4 to run the 12? help me haha

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Thanks, so now the f----->b should be like this:

ATI Blue+
GE 6500K
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Blue+
ATI Blue+
KZ Fiji Purple
GE 6500K
ATI Blue+

Am i right?

Yeah

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Im also about to jump on the only Giesemann wagon. Whats a good 15-17k combo in bulbs for 8x54 fixture? Thanks

5 Actinic Plus, 2 Midday and a Aquapink or whatever they call it.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Happy Thanksgiving, guys!

And thank you very much for share your knowledge with anyone who's looking for help in the lightning forum.

I got a my new T5 fixture but I'm in need of a nice combo to make this reef pop out with colors.

4 x 48" T5 over a mixed reef of softies and LPS. What you guys recommend?

3 ATI Blue Plus and a Purple Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I recently finished a DIY project on my giesseman 12 bulb matrix T5 fixture. I removed 2 of the center bulbs and replaced them with 2 rows (12 LED's) of cree royal blue LED's.

While I had the fixture apart I rewired the firing order of the bulbs and added some fans. Now the bulbs ignite from bulbs 1,2 and 11,12 first while bulbs 3,4 & 9,10 ignite second. To finish the lighting cycle, bulbs 5 and 8 ignite third.

The cree royal blues ramp up to start and ramp down to complete the lighting cycle.

I currently use 2x GE 6500K to simulate miday sun however, I am thinking about moving to either another pair of ATI coral + or KZ new gen to replace the GE's.

Is there a noticeable difference in color between the coral+ and the new gen?
Will there be enough spectrum happening for optimal SPS coloring and growth (assuming water parameters are perfectly stable)?

Anxiously waiting for thoughts...

New Gen wont have as much red as the Coral Plus.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Finalizing my thoughts on a new bulb order and would like some input on the look of this lineup. I like a sunny look but still plenty of florescence. What do you all think of this combination?

front
blue plus
purple plus
blue plus
GE 6500
blue plus
coral plus
blue plus
blue plus
back

This would only be a slight change in lighting for me as I would be replacing a purple plus in the #6 position with a coral plus. What do you think about this?

Joe

Try it and tell us what YOU think, that's all that matters. Seems like it should be a good combo

 

[The Grim Reefer]

T5 GUYS HELP!!!!!

I like geissmann equally to ATI. I have a 8 bulb 48" fixture. Geissmanns are on sale like 40% off on reefgeek. What combo do i get i want that phoenix 14k look. no more 20k here

I want to run 4 bulbs dusk to dawn 12hrs. that way i can enjoy the tank. All sps tank. The other 4 bulbs i will run for 4 to 6 hours depending how the coral handle it.

F----B I was thinking

Actinic +
Lagoon
Actinic +
Aqua Blue
Mid Day
Actinic+
Pink +
Actinic +

or maybe all the white bulbs in the center but i need to have some white during dusk to dawn so i can see the tank. so really i want the best look in the out side 4 bulbs. or do i want the inside 4 to run the 12? help me haha

Use the pink lamp with the Actinic Plus, it's a cool look

 

[dustinc]

I ordered an 8 bulb sunpower for my new aquarium and I've ordered the following bulbs: 5xBlue+, 1xPurple+, 1xCoral+, and 1xATI Actinic. What would be the best order for the bulbs, I want the dusk/dawn to pop

 

[Photobug]

I need T5 end caps

I need T5 end caps

I am trying to remove and rebuild 4 out of the 8 bulbs in my fixture to add reflectors and LEDs. I do not believe the end caps on my current set up will be useable on a custom setup. So I will need to buy 4 sets of end caps as well as reflector clips. I am trying to keep it cheap. I have only found waterproof end caps. Are there some options that aren't so expensive? Where is the best place to buy endcaps and reflector clips?

 

[csauer52]

So I'm getting ready to replace the 8 X 39W T5's in my Current USA unit. I've always used 4 X Current 460's and 4 X Current 420's to supplement my 3 X 250W 20K's.

I have been reading on how everyone LOVES the ATI lights. Which ones would be good as a replacement for the 460's/420's I'm currently using?

Thanks!

 

[GSMguy]

So I'm getting ready to replace the 8 X 39W T5's in my Current USA unit. I've always used 4 X Current 460's and 4 X Current 420's to supplement my 3 X 250W 20K's.

I have been reading on how everyone LOVES the ATI lights. Which ones would be good as a replacement for the 460's/420's I'm currently using?

Thanks!

Switching to ATI bulbs will change the look dramatically, in a good way.

Front to back
Blue +
Blue +
Actinic
Purple +
Blue+
Blue +
Coral+
Blue+

 

[csauer52]

Switching to ATI bulbs will change the look dramatically, in a good way.

Front to back
Blue +
Blue +
Actinic
Purple +
Blue+
Blue +
Coral+
Blue+

Thanks for the reply GSMguy. So I only have a front bay and a back bay, each with 4 bulbs arranged like as below. The *=* are the MH's.

---------------- ----------------
---------------- ----------------
== == ==
---------------- ----------------
---------------- ----------------

How would you arrange those bulbs given this particular configuration?

Thanks!

 

[Froggy]

Try it and tell us what YOU think, that's all that matters. Seems like it should be a good combo

I will most definitely give my impressions once I get the new bulbs up and running. I just was not sure how the coral plus would affect and adjust the spectrum and look of the tank compared to the 2nd purple plus in the mix. I have only one year of experience with all T5 lighting and have only used one combination so far, and it has treated me well. I have not even seen a coral plus lit in person.....

It is my understanding that the coral plus still has a lot of red in the spectrum along with blue.

Joe

 

[GSMguy]

Thanks for the reply GSMguy. So I only have a front bay and a back bay, each with 4 bulbs arranged like as below. The *=* are the MH's.

---------------- ----------------
---------------- ----------------
== == ==
---------------- ----------------
---------------- ----------------

How would you arrange those bulbs given this particular configuration?

Thanks!

Sorry didn't read your post thoroughly

Front to back
Blue + Blue +
Actinic Actinic
MH. MH.
Actinic Actinic
Blue + Blue +

 

[PhLipStyLz]

I'm about to start a 93 gal cube build (30x30x24 high). I plan on using (8)-24watt bulbs for my lighting. Can you give me recommendations for bulb selection as well as bulb placement (front-to-back). Thanks!

 

[sjkarrow87]

I have a 40 breeder with a mix of bubble tip anemones, lps, softies and a few sps frags. the fixture is a 6x39 tek elite and i have the following bulbs to work with. What is the best order?

ATI Blue+
ATI Purple+
ATI Coral
GE 6500K
ATI Blue+
Giesemann Pure Actinitc

 

[csago05]

I am sure this has been asked before but this thread has been split so many times. Can i keep a clam on the sandbed of a aga 90 gallon with a 6 bulb tek elite light fixture. thanks in advance

 

[teog]

Lucky me!! I was able to get one of the tek elite fixtures from reefgeek before they sold out. I was destined since I set my alarm multiple times throughout the night to get the 8x 54 fixture for 246.00 as soon as the price changed. Which was 03:03 Florida time.

Cant wait to get the fixture and my new gmann bulbs which I ordered on Friday. Anyone else get one of the elite fixtures?