The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15455472#post15455472 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bjhubb
Grim, I am needing a couple of six bulb configurations. I have lps, zoes, and some softies but would like to start getting some sps. I will be getting a T5 fixture in the near future. What would be a good 6 bulb configuration that wouldn't be too much blue but not washing out the colors and something that I would get good growth. I saw a config. that you have recommended:
Front
ATI Blue +
UVL Actinic White
ATI Blue +
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue +
ATI Aquablue

Would this be ok and what would be an extra bulb or two that I should buy to try out a second configuration if I don't like this one? Thanks for your help.

What you have will be nice but I would grab an extra blue plus. Try it in place of the aquablue and see which way you like best.

 

[chercm]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15454557#post15454557 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Personally I woud use the blue plus instead of Aquablue but as far as too bright? That is up to you to decide.

cynobacteria kept coming out as it is far too bright

 

[Mark426]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15455432#post15455432 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ngn8dogg
I have a tx5 and I am never satisfied with my bulb combo. currently I have
aquablue
blue plus
actinic white
blue plus
blue plys I tired mixing the bulbs in different slots and still dont have that pop I have been looking for. Someone had said they tried this combo and love it . How do you think this would look?

Blue plus
fiji
blue plus
GE
Blue plus ( not sure the exact order they had it)

Thats the lamp combo I am running in my TX5. Best I have come up with so far. Ever so slightly pink/purple for my taste but I have spent a fortune on lamps and this is my final config. Play with the order, I found I liked the GE where you list your fiji.
Mark

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15457195#post15457195 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mark426
Thats the lamp combo I am running in my TX5. Best I have come up with so far. Ever so slightly pink/purple for my taste but I have spent a fortune on lamps and this is my final config. Play with the order, I found I liked the GE where you list your fiji.
Mark

Mark

Try the UVL 75/25 instead of the Fiji next timne and see if that does it for you.

 

[broke1]

I finally got the canopy straightened out so I figured it's time to ask about bulbs. All 8 54w will be on Icecap 660s. I was looking for a nice crisp blue if that makes any sense16-18k. The lights are 6" off the top of a 20" tall tank and I would like to keep clams down on the sand. I might cram 2 more 36" in the middle, but that's going to be down the road.

"A"s are on one ballast, "B"s are on another.
A
B
A
B
B
A
B
A

 

[mullinsd2]

I am running a current USA 8 bulb on my 75 gal soon to be reef. I have stock bulbs and they r too white. I want a nice purple blue tint. Can I just replace two white bulbs with two purps and get a nice color?

 

[RLHornbeck]

Wow this is a long thread, many hours later and I think I am more confused than when I started. I have just purchased a 220 gallon (72wx24dx30h) and need lighting for a reef tank. I know that the T5's have come a long way but don't know if they can handle 30" deep tanks yet for sps and clams on the sand.

I was thinking about 2 rows of 36 inch fixtures, with 8 to 12 fixtures per row. Bulbs, ballasts, reflectors, ext I just don't know. Any suggestions on which retro fixtures, ballasts and bulbs I should use if possible would be helpful.

Thanks

 

[catman78]

Hi All,

Need to replace bulbs soon.

Haven't been on the thread for a while.

Has anyone commented/reviewed Ice-Caps T-5's?

They look like they have quite a variety.

Saw them @ ReefGeek

Thanks

 

[Trickman2]

Hey Grim, I am currently running a ICEcap 660 ballast for my T5 lighting, I know this is overdriving them a bit. What is the best ballast on the Market and are there any new models coming out from icecap,etc...that you know of?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15459344#post15459344 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by broke1
I finally got the canopy straightened out so I figured it's time to ask about bulbs. All 8 54w will be on Icecap 660s. I was looking for a nice crisp blue if that makes any sense16-18k. The lights are 6" off the top of a 20" tall tank and I would like to keep clams down on the sand. I might cram 2 more 36" in the middle, but that's going to be down the road.

"A"s are on one ballast, "B"s are on another.
A
B
A
B
B
A
B
A

ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15459381#post15459381 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mullinsd2
I am running a current USA 8 bulb on my 75 gal soon to be reef. I have stock bulbs and they r too white. I want a nice purple blue tint. Can I just replace two white bulbs with two purps and get a nice color?

Replace one white with a UVL Actinic White and the other with a ATI Blue Plus and you will get a much nicer look.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15460656#post15460656 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RLHornbeck
Wow this is a long thread, many hours later and I think I am more confused than when I started. I have just purchased a 220 gallon (72wx24dx30h) and need lighting for a reef tank. I know that the T5's have come a long way but don't know if they can handle 30" deep tanks yet for sps and clams on the sand.

I was thinking about 2 rows of 36 inch fixtures, with 8 to 12 fixtures per row. Bulbs, ballasts, reflectors, ext I just don't know. Any suggestions on which retro fixtures, ballasts and bulbs I should use if possible would be helpful.

Thanks

Using 2 ATI 8 lamp powermodules sitting right on top of the tank would be enough but I don't think I would try anything else over a 30" tall tank with clams on the bottom.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15461057#post15461057 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by catman78
Hi All,

Need to replace bulbs soon.

Haven't been on the thread for a while.

Has anyone commented/reviewed Ice-Caps T-5's?

They look like they have quite a variety.

Saw them @ ReefGeek

Thanks

They are the same look as the UVL lamps.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15462544#post15462544 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Trickman2
Hey Grim, I am currently running a ICEcap 660 ballast for my T5 lighting, I know this is overdriving them a bit. What is the best ballast on the Market and are there any new models coming out from icecap,etc...that you know of?

If you aren't interested on overdriving the IC 430 ballast will only slightly overdrive and is a great ballast. But you can only run 2 T5's on them. The VS/OSRAM/SYlvania ballasts are good, so are the triads and advanced T5 ballasts.

 

[bfessler]

I am setting up a frag tank with a 4 tube T5HO Fixture. What bulb combiniation will maximize growth and color development? This is not a display tank so I am mostly concerned with coral growth and health over appearance.

Thanks,
Burt

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15462764#post15462764 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bfessler
I am setting up a frag tank with a 4 tube T5HO Fixture. What bulb combiniation will maximize growth and color development? This is not a display tank so I am mostly concerned with coral growth and health over appearance.

Thanks,
Burt

I would do 2 ATI Blue Plus and 2 GE 6500K Daylight.

 

[xlayedoutx]

Heres one for you Grim.

My tank- Waiting for quotes on (2) shallow tanks and wondering which T-5 setup would be best. I plan on keeping everything but mostly SPS. I like a blueish look but still want good growth and color. Also i'm not sure how many bulbs to go with since it's only 16" tall. I do want to keep SPS from top to bottom though.

Tank 1- 48Lx18Wx16H

Tank 2- 48Lx15Wx16H

Also a friend just bought a 75g and was wondering what T-5's and how many would be best for his. He's keeping everything from Zoa's to SPS.

 

[Dis 1]

hey grim i have the TX5 fixture, my light combo is

front:
ATI Blue Plus
UV 75/25
Giessman Midday
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue Special

My question is should i change the Midday Bulb to a GE 6500k or just keep it the way it is. And do you think this combo is good for keeping all types of corals and possibly a clam?

 

[katyttt]

Anyone know anything about these bulbs?

Anyone know anything about these bulbs?

Does anyone know anything about these bulbs? Grim?

Blue Life USA SPS T5 Compact 48 Inch -54W

 

[JPA]

I'm changing the lighting out on the tank I run for my in-laws. I currently run 4-VHOs on a 4' 120 with LPS/Rics/Zoas. I'm going to a 4 bulb T5 Retro kit. What combo of bulbs would you use? I'm thinking about

ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Act White
UV Super Blue Actinic Lamp

What do you think?