The T5 Q&a Thread

[JohnL]

This thread was automatically split due to performance issues. You can find the rest of the thread here: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?postid=15702595#post15702595

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<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?

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

 

[The Grim Reefer]

A Blue Plus and Fiji Purple is going to be really blue with a littel purple tint to it.

 

[Pchromis]

If I go T5 on my 95g 36x24x25.....Should I go 8 lamp or 6 lamp and what's a good bulb combo for a slightly blue color?

Thanks

 

[E.intheC]

Quick question:

23 inch deep tank. Mixed, but mostly will be LPS and Zoanthids. Maybe some SPS on the very top.

Which T-5 fixture? NEP 6 x 54 OR Tek 4 x 54 T-5's.

Thanks!

 

[kmu]

Which T5 lamp will make the corals glow more the Blue plus or the Actinic 03?

 

[Zestay]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15703143#post15703143 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kmu
Which T5 lamp will make the corals glow more the Blue plus or the Actinic 03?

blue plus

 

[Zestay]

blue plus

 

[Zestay]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15703088#post15703088 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by E.intheC
Quick question:

23 inch deep tank. Mixed, but mostly will be LPS and Zoanthids. Maybe some SPS on the very top.

Which T-5 fixture? NEP 6 x 54 OR Tek 4 x 54 T-5's.

Thanks!

23 inch deep.. whats the other measurement

48long x ### width x 23 deep ?

 

[klepto]

Hey Grim- turns out that the Pro Color has been discontinued.. I thought I would pass that on for other T-5 users. Staff at the online vendor I purchased the light from recommended UVL's 12k (actinic white) as a substitute for the ProColor. I decided to give it a try.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15702801#post15702801 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Pchromis
If I go T5 on my 95g 36x24x25.....Should I go 8 lamp or 6 lamp and what's a good bulb combo for a slightly blue color?

Thanks

8 lamps. I would use 4 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Aquablue, 2 UVL Actinic White and a GE 6500K Daylight.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15703088#post15703088 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by E.intheC
Quick question:

23 inch deep tank. Mixed, but mostly will be LPS and Zoanthids. Maybe some SPS on the very top.

Which T-5 fixture? NEP 6 x 54 OR Tek 4 x 54 T-5's.

Thanks!

Probably flip a coin but you would want to change out the lamps that come with the Nova so consider that when you are pricing them out.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15703300#post15703300 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by klepto
Hey Grim- turns out that the Pro Color has been discontinued.. I thought I would pass that on for other T-5 users. Staff at the online vendor I purchased the light from recommended UVL's 12k (actinic white) as a substitute for the ProColor. I decided to give it a try.

Well you said ATI lamps, had I known UVL was an option I would have said the Actinic White.

 

[muttley000]

Grim, Sorry if this is being lazy, I have read about 50 pages of this thread, but it goes forever. I have a 30x12x18 deep 29 gallon tank, can you make a fixture and bulb recomendation for a SPS/clam dominated reef?

 

[Pchromis]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15703389#post15703389 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
8 lamps. I would use 4 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Aquablue, 2 UVL Actinic White and a GE 6500K Daylight.

Thanks, any particular bulb arrangement?

Also, If I go with a retrokit...saltcreep will most undoubtedly be an issue...Any suggestions besides the usual maintenance practice of wiping the bulbs and reflector?
Is it ok to use a regular 8 lamp fixture with glass/acrylic shield?

 

[200mfromocean]

Hey Grim,

I am setting up 120G(4'by2'by2') MH + T5 combo and wanted your opinion on the following config.
2 X 250 SE aquamaxx 14K MH(Commonly thougt of as blue20) I also have a pair of hamilton 10K's
48" 4X 54W SLR t5 HO retro

Blue Plus
GE 6500 K HO
UVL Super actinic
UVL 10K Aquasun


Thanks in advance!

 

[Frogmanx82]

Grim, I've been following the thread so I think I understand your bulb recommendations a bit, but I am putting a Aquactinics Tx5 on a 75 gallon tank. Its 5 bulb with two switches for the 1,3,5 and the 2,4 positions.

I have some chaeto in the tank so I'm thinking one 6500 bulb so

2 ATI blue plus
1 UVL Aquablue
1 actinic white
1 6500

How would you set them up in position 1-5, 1 being the front of the tank? What would you recommend for timers on the two switches?

I really appreciate all you do to help us on this subject.

 

[E.intheC]

I was just reading through my post, and I didn't add that the tank is a 72 bow. The 4 bulb Tek will provide enough coverage in the front bowed section, correct?

Thanks for the help!

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15703394#post15703394 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Probably flip a coin but you would want to change out the lamps that come with the Nova so consider that when you are pricing them out.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15703568#post15703568 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by muttley000
Grim, Sorry if this is being lazy, I have read about 50 pages of this thread, but it goes forever. I have a 30x12x18 deep 29 gallon tank, can you make a fixture and bulb recomendation for a SPS/clam dominated reef?

4 lamp 39 watt ATI Sunpower fixture with 2 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Aquablue and a UVL Actinic White lamp.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15703636#post15703636 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Pchromis
Thanks, any particular bulb arrangement?

Also, If I go with a retrokit...saltcreep will most undoubtedly be an issue...Any suggestions besides the usual maintenance practice of wiping the bulbs and reflector?
Is it ok to use a regular 8 lamp fixture with glass/acrylic shield?

If you have good airflow in the canopy you can use a fixture. As far as lamp placement just make sure you have blue pluses on the dust/dawn sets and place the GE about center with a Actinic white a couple slots front and rear of center.