The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

alright, im gonna hop on board and ask everyone what kind of bulb combination's they recommend. Currently I have a 36x36 tank lite with 12 t5s in individual reflectors over driven by icecap ballast. tank is mostly sps and i like a 20k(bluer) look. i need to replace my bulbs right now and my sps seem to be a bit on the washed out/pale side and im wondering if its too much light. so i wanna start fresh, so if grim, or anyone else has a reccomendation of what would work for a 12bulb setup, please let me know. thanks in advance!

Start from the position of all blue plus and work backwards from there. You've seen what those look like so figure what you would want to change from there. I would do 4 different lights other than the blue plus. I would think 2 ATI Aquablue and 2 UVL Actinic White or 75/25's

The Aquablues will brighten the look and the UVL's will add in some red so pink and purple colors show up. The 75/25's will be a lot more subtle and may not be quite enough unless you like a very blue look.

 

[mikenjo]

i have a 6 bulb nep on a 90 with softies and and need to change the bulbs
you have recomended
4 blue plus
1 actinic white
1 aqua blue
my question was if i switched out 1 blue plus for a fiji purple what would the color be like and would it be a good idea
thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

i have a 6 bulb nep on a 90 with softies and and need to change the bulbs
you have recomended
4 blue plus
1 actinic white
1 aqua blue
my question was if i switched out 1 blue plus for a fiji purple what would the color be like and would it be a good idea
thanks

I wouldn't say its a bad idea, whether or not it looks good is up to you. It's going to look a little brighter and will add to the purple tint just a tad

 

[Felixc395]

18 to 20K. Swap out a blue plus with a ATI Aquablue if you are after a more 14K look.

I can't seem to find any ATI bulbs online stores that I would buy from. I can find Giesmann bulbs though (I heard they're good bulbs). What would be the equivalant of two ATI blue plus and one Aquablue in Geismann bulbs?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I can't seem to find any ATI bulbs online stores that I would buy from. I can find Giesmann bulbs though (I heard they're good bulbs). What would be the equivalant of two ATI blue plus and one Aquablue in Geismann bulbs?

Actinic Plus and Aquablue are the same as the ATI lamps. The AP Doesn't have as much PAR but the look is close. The Aquablues are pretty close

 

[Felixc395]

Actinic Plus and Aquablue are the same as the ATI lamps. The AP Doesn't have as much PAR but the look is close. The Aquablues are pretty close

I'm sorry, I didn't quite understand. Which Giesmann bulb matches with what ATI bulb and which one do I need the two of?

 

[Nemo Niblets]

What is the difference between the Aquactinics Constellation and the normal Aquactinics fixtures? I see that it is thinner and comes with odd bulb numbers, is that it?

 

[bigfruits]

hello grim. i was just wondering why you do not recommend the ati actinic bulbs. is it because of low par or are there better choices? i know theyre not as good as the actinic t12s but i figured theyd be pretty close...

im asking because im thinking of buying a 6 bulb fixture to achieve a nice color but dont necessarily need high par bulbs (no sps or clams)

thanks in advance
-z

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I'm sorry, I didn't quite understand. Which Giesmann bulb matches with what ATI bulb and which one do I need the two of?

Aquablue = Aquablue

Blue Plus = Actinic Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

What is the difference between the Aquactinics Constellation and the normal Aquactinics fixtures? I see that it is thinner and comes with odd bulb numbers, is that it?

Pretty much, One has 5 lamps, one has 7 and is flatter. TX 5 has the lamps in a arc formation

 

[The Grim Reefer]

hello grim. i was just wondering why you do not recommend the ati actinic bulbs. is it because of low par or are there better choices? i know theyre not as good as the actinic t12s but i figured theyd be pretty close...

im asking because im thinking of buying a 6 bulb fixture to achieve a nice color but dont necessarily need high par bulbs (no sps or clams)

thanks in advance
-z

Once all the lights come on T5 actinics just don't make much difference so it isn't worth sacrificing the PAR.

 

[Reefer08]

Grim, what do you think of this lighting combo for my frag tank? I just bought these bulbs from my lfs.

ATI Blue Plus
Giesemann AquaBlue+
Giesemann Pure Actinic
ATI Blue Plus

 

[Reefer08]

Grim, what color is the Giesemann AquaBlue+? Im thinking of exchanging this at my lfs. What do you recommend to trade it with? I read its an 11k bulb with a tint of yellow? thanks

 

[steelcity]

Hey Grim, I just moved up to a 75. Currently have the old 4 bulb Nova on it from my 55. I only have and plan on having LPS and softies. Is this light sufficient for the time being.

Next question is if I purchase a 48" 8 bulb fixture such as a Tek would this light also work on a 60" tank if I upgraded again down the road? Would still only plan on doing LPS and would hang the fixture of course. thanks

 

[InsideJoke]

I have a question about 4 bulb and 6 bulb fixtures.
I'm trying to debate between picking up a 4 bulb or a 6 bulb fixture for my 75g. I dont plan on keeping anything that requires a ton of light, pretty much just LPS, softies, and zoas.
Will a 4 bulb fixture be plenty for them to keep their color or will a 6 bulb be better? I'd just like to make sure they dont loose their vibrant colors that you see in pictures online.

 

[steelcity]

Also, if my current fixture 4 bulb Nova fixture is ok on my 75, can I change out the old single parabolic reflector to individual reflectors? What all would that entail and can you point me in the right direction for parts.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim, what color is the Giesemann AquaBlue+? Im thinking of exchanging this at my lfs. What do you recommend to trade it with? I read its an 11k bulb with a tint of yellow? thanks

The lamp is white with a little bit of blue tint in it. Your 4 lamp mix would be OK but I would drop either the Aquablue or Pure Actinic for a Midday. If you want a more 20K look do Actinic Plus and the Midday. Better yellow and orange color representation having the midday in the mix.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim, I just moved up to a 75. Currently have the old 4 bulb Nova on it from my 55. I only have and plan on having LPS and softies. Is this light sufficient for the time being.

Next question is if I purchase a 48" 8 bulb fixture such as a Tek would this light also work on a 60" tank if I upgraded again down the road? Would still only plan on doing LPS and would hang the fixture of course. thanks

Yes and yes

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I have a question about 4 bulb and 6 bulb fixtures.
I'm trying to debate between picking up a 4 bulb or a 6 bulb fixture for my 75g. I dont plan on keeping anything that requires a ton of light, pretty much just LPS, softies, and zoas.
Will a 4 bulb fixture be plenty for them to keep their color or will a 6 bulb be better? I'd just like to make sure they dont loose their vibrant colors that you see in pictures online.

4 is enough but 6 is better as far as being able to mix up the colors of the lamps for a better look.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Also, if my current fixture 4 bulb Nova fixture is ok on my 75, can I change out the old single parabolic reflector to individual reflectors? What all would that entail and can you point me in the right direction for parts.

Not enough room