The T5 Q&a Thread

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<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15696822#post15696822 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Everyones Hero
It's about time to replace my 4x54w bulbs. I have:
-ATI Blue Plus
-UVL 75/25
-UVL Aquasun
-ATI Blue Plus

I want to focus more on growth & less on the color. I moved the Blue Plus bulbs to spots 1 & 3 & I do like the way it looks. One thing I didn't particularly care for was how "white" everything in the tank looked with the 75/25 & Aquasun in the middle, but if that'll give the best growth I'll take it.

What combination would you recommend for the best growth? Would 4 Blue Plus give the best growth? If so I may go with 3 Blue Plus & 1 AquaSun or similar bulb.
Click to expand...

Trade the Aquasun for a UVL Actinic White and the Aquasun for a ATI Aquablue. It will be a little more blue and have more PAR,
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15697004#post15697004 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by klepto
Hey all,
Im about to pick up a 4 bulb ATI fixture and I can't decide on my bulb combo.
I want to stick with ATI bulbs for now.. Its down to either 3 Blue+ and one Aquablue Spec. or 2 and 2...
Im planning on keeping mostly SPS along with some select lps and zoanthids. I definitely prefer a cooler color temp.

Anyone have any thoughts on this? Grim?? will 3 Blue+ be overload on the blues?
Any help is appreciated..
Click to expand...

I would try 3 Blue Plus and a Pro Color. Gonna look 20K but have a little purple look to it so pinks and purple colors will pop
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15697198#post15697198 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 818reefer
Hey grim

I heard icecap has 24 inch t5 bulbs that can handle being overdriven by the IC660 I have fans on the end caps at the moment with giesmann bulbs but one burntout. looking in to IC bulbs any suggestions what bulb combo to go with from IC. I'm looking for the bluer look.....
Click to expand...

The IC lamps are supposed to be beefed up to better hold up to overdriving. I would try 5 Twilights, 2 midWater and a Reefcrest.
 
Thanks for the prompt reply Grim. As far as placement with that combo- would you recommend the Pro Color two bulbs back from the front? And do you know what the par is on the Pro Color? I like that idea! as long as the Pro has a decent par...
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15697257#post15697257 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by klepto
Thanks for the prompt reply Grim. As far as placement with that combo- would you recommend the Pro Color two bulbs back from the front? And do you know what the par is on the Pro Color? I like that idea! as long as the Pro has a decent par...
Click to expand...


Pro Color is OK PAR wise, better than a actinic. Better than using Aquablue in my opinion. You just don't pick up certain colors with so much blue if you don't throw in a lower spectrum lamp. 2nd or 3rd slot will be good.
 
good to know.. that seems very logical. Im glad I asked the right man before ordering! Pro Color it is. Thanks again!
 
Hi Grim,
Been a while since I posted last. Have a 95g 36x24x25. The last time I posted, I was going to get the ATI Sunpower 6x39 and install in a well ventilated 12" high canopy. But the 35.1" overall length is just too tight a fit. I would like to go with a retrokit but I do like the idea of the ATI sealed unit with glass.

So here I am again with a lighting issue...

Are there any retrokits where I can install a glass shield?


Also, I was thinking of using a 250w MH with 14k hamilton DE...with either a parobolic reflector or a luminex...

What do you think the dreaded MH heat issue would be in a well ventilated canopy with reflector mounted 12" above the water surface.
Tank is usually in a dark area of a room with no direct sunlight and downstairs below main level.

As stated once before, I really do not want to get into chiller territory.

Thanks again
 
Hi Grim,

I have a 60 gallon, 4' long tank. Based on your recommendation I got the retrofit kit from reefgeek. it is a 48" 54wx4 icecap kit, but not the overdriven one. Just the standard HO.

Originally I had planned on only keeping softies because it was a seahorse tank.

I have decided to do more of a mixed reef tank. I was wondering what the best bulb set up for this would be to do a mix of sps, lps, and softie...

Thank you in advance sir!
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15700992#post15700992 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GrantMeThePower
Hi Grim,

I have a 60 gallon, 4' long tank. Based on your recommendation I got the retrofit kit from reefgeek. it is a 48" 54wx4 icecap kit, but not the overdriven one. Just the standard HO.

Originally I had planned on only keeping softies because it was a seahorse tank.

I have decided to do more of a mixed reef tank. I was wondering what the best bulb set up for this would be to do a mix of sps, lps, and softie...

Thank you in advance sir!
Click to expand...

i know im not grim but i think youll be fine. what selection of bulbs do you have?
 
This is what he had recommended for my 55g 4x54w setup about a year ago:

-ATI Blue Plus
-UVL 75/25
-UVL Aquasun
-ATI Blue Plus

It's not a bad setup but I swapped the place of the Aquasun w/ the last Blue Plus & it gave the tank a more blue look, which I like better.

For more blue he just recommended:

Trade the Aquasun for a UVL Actinic White and the Aquasun for a ATI Aquablue. It will be a little more blue and have more PAR,
 
Hi. I posted this yesterday and this will be the only time that I repost the same thing for etiquette reasons. It seems that Grim is the man here but a lot of you have such good observations - any opinions welcome.


I've been looking to upgrade my extremely cheap lighting to T5 this week so I can step into new growth in my old, stable tank. I started reading this thread - great info - so much to digest.

I'm looking at the following fixture: [36 Inch 4x39 Watt AquaticLife T5 HO Light Fixture w/ 4 Lunar LEDs]. Anyone have good luck with AquaticLife? I have a 65g 36x20x18 tank and wanted to make sure that 4 bulbs would be enough. I did read Grim's web page saying to possibly step up to 6 bulbs if the tank is 20"+ deep. I don't want to spend top dollar at this time but if this is a decent fixture, then what would be a good combo if the bulbs that come with it are too cheap?

I only have fish at the moment but I'm getting my flow and lighting upgraded now to prepare for better things.

Thanks!
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15700431#post15700431 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Pchromis
Hi Grim,
Been a while since I posted last. Have a 95g 36x24x25. The last time I posted, I was going to get the ATI Sunpower 6x39 and install in a well ventilated 12" high canopy. But the 35.1" overall length is just too tight a fit. I would like to go with a retrokit but I do like the idea of the ATI sealed unit with glass.

So here I am again with a lighting issue...

Are there any retrokits where I can install a glass shield?


Also, I was thinking of using a 250w MH with 14k hamilton DE...with either a parobolic reflector or a luminex...

What do you think the dreaded MH heat issue would be in a well ventilated canopy with reflector mounted 12" above the water surface.
Tank is usually in a dark area of a room with no direct sunlight and downstairs below main level.

As stated once before, I really do not want to get into chiller territory.

Thanks again
Click to expand...

With a halide 12" up and good ventilation it's possible if your room the tank is in doesn't get much higher than the mid 70's.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15700992#post15700992 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GrantMeThePower
Hi Grim,

I have a 60 gallon, 4' long tank. Based on your recommendation I got the retrofit kit from reefgeek. it is a 48" 54wx4 icecap kit, but not the overdriven one. Just the standard HO.

Originally I had planned on only keeping softies because it was a seahorse tank.

I have decided to do more of a mixed reef tank. I was wondering what the best bulb set up for this would be to do a mix of sps, lps, and softie...

Thank you in advance sir!
Click to expand...

Either of the combo listed below your post will be fine.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15701696#post15701696 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Breathe13stars
I want to upgrade the bulbs on my nova 6x 54w, what would be the best combination to go with and does slot placement play a roll on it?
Click to expand...

Place the lamps so you have a blue in front and blues on the dusk/dawn pair. I would do 4 ATI Blue Plus, 1 GE 6500K Daylight and a UVL Actinic White.
 
Hey Grim,
I have been looking at your recommendations on a 6 bulb setup for SPS and see you suggest 4 Blue +, GE6500 and UVL Actinic White, and also the same but swapping out the GE with aquablue. What is the advantage of the GE vs the aquablue?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15702256#post15702256 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by crashrat
Hey Grim,
I have been looking at your recommendations on a 6 bulb setup for SPS and see you suggest 4 Blue +, GE6500 and UVL Actinic White, and also the same but swapping out the GE with aquablue. What is the advantage of the GE vs the aquablue?
Click to expand...

The GE will give you better color if you have any yellow corals in the tank.
 
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