The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim i need some recommendation on what bulbs for my 6x54w Nova Extreme Pro. Right now i got 6 small sps frags i really dont know what else ima get at the moment but maybe a all around bulb setup? I want a blue look but not too blue around a 14k look it if were halides. And sorry about not knowing much this is my first everything lol

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

Maybe a lottle more than 14K blue but not by much.

 

[blakers82]

If you are going with 4 lamps 2 of the standard ballasts is good, that gives you the option of 2 stages of dusk/dawn which is cool.

If you do three lamps call reefgeek and see what your options are, I don't remember if the 2 lamp ballasts will fire a single or not. Worst case scenario is you use a work horse.

Thanks for the reply. As stated, I currently have 3 T5s (with 2 up and running right now), so I might just go ahead and add another T5 to the mix and run 2 ballasts.

I'm actually about to be running (2) 400w 20K MHs tho, so I'm thinking I might be fine with just (2) Actinic+ T5s. What would you do???


More more big question: Could you give me a name of a ballast brand to look for? I'm sorry, but I don't know ballasts well and wouldn't know what a "standard" dual T5 ballast is or where to get one. I've been with the 430 Icecap since the dawn of time. :bounce2:

Thanks again,

-B

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Thanks for the reply. As stated, I currently have 3 T5s (with 2 up and running right now), so I might just go ahead and add another T5 to the mix and run 2 ballasts.

I'm actually about to be running (2) 400w 20K MHs tho, so I'm thinking I might be fine with just (2) Actinic+ T5s. What would you do???


More more big question: Could you give me a name of a ballast brand to look for? I'm sorry, but I don't know ballasts well and wouldn't know what a "standard" dual T5 ballast is or where to get one. I've been with the 430 Icecap since the dawn of time. :bounce2:

Thanks again,

-B

Triad ballasts are good. I'd just hook everything up and see what it looks like with 2 actinic plus.

 

[theyammieguy]

Ahh, ok Grim. Appreciate the help.

 

[revclyburn]

Hey Grim,

need to order new bulbs for my Tek 6x54, what do you recommend? I don't have anything in the tank now, just a lot of neglect, and a mollie, that things it suppose to be in there, lol. ( In there from when I cycled the tank and I couldn't get it out ).

Anyway, the tank will be mostly polyps. shrooms, ricordia, and maybe a couple of easy sps. I have a friend holding a pink lemonade for me, just can't get to it. So, what do you recommend? Oh sorry, it's a 55g, will be switch back to 90g in future, maybe the summer.

RevClyburn

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim,

need to order new bulbs for my Tek 6x54, what do you recommend? I don't have anything in the tank now, just a lot of neglect, and a mollie, that things it suppose to be in there, lol. ( In there from when I cycled the tank and I couldn't get it out ).

Anyway, the tank will be mostly polyps. shrooms, ricordia, and maybe a couple of easy sps. I have a friend holding a pink lemonade for me, just can't get to it. So, what do you recommend? Oh sorry, it's a 55g, will be switch back to 90g in future, maybe the summer.

RevClyburn

Front
UVL Super Actinic
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
UVL Super Actinic

I threw 2 actinics and the 75/25 in there because you need to throttle back on the par some. 6 good lamps, even in a Tek fixture will throw the mean flame throwing on the lower light stuff.

 

[revclyburn]

Ok

stuff would probably get torched, though some my light it. Can color rending will the be?
And how intense? Also, what color is the KZ Fiji?

Rev

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Ok

stuff would probably get torched, though some my light it. Can color rending will the be?
And how intense? Also, what color is the KZ Fiji?

Rev

Ahhh, KZ is purple and does about the same thing as the 75/25 but has more PAR which isn't needed in this case. Other than that I have no clue what you were asking.

 

[fkbsar]

Hi Grim,

I also need help with lighting. I have a 48" Sundial (4x54w) fixture over a 72g bowfront and it's time to switch out the lights. I have mostly softies what would you recommend. Here is what I was thinking - but I don't want it too blue - although I like the blue look I'm afraid it will hamper the growth. Also, could you recommend the lighting order from front to back - front being closest to me as I look at the tank? Thank you.

ULV Superactinic
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
GE 6500k daylight

 

[snapperface]

Hi Grim, Its time for some new lights. I was thinking about doing

front to back
Blue+
aquablue
fiji purple
aquablue
blue+

or

Blue+
aquablue
fijipurple
blue+
blue+

Im running aquactinics tx5 and have mix reef. sps, softies,zao,lps,

 

[reefgems]

Hello All, t5's Rock!!

The Grim Reefer: Hello, I have been using some of your recommendations that I believe I saw on your website years ago. Great info and thanks for sharing and helping everyone. I have been looking for advise on my lighting and just realized this is obviously where i should post

so... 2 x ATI powermodule 6 bulb fixtures.

One is 24" above the water surface of my 48"x18"x10" high acan tank (5-7" from surface to coral), Par values of 100-130

The other is 36" above the water surface of another 48"x18"x10" high chalice tank (5-7" from surface to coral), Par values of 70-100

These two fixtures are hanging side by side, 6 inches apart, over these two tanks which are at different levels (chalice tank is 12" lower), the tanks are side by side directly under the lights so both tanks get light from both fixtures plus some indirect light from a window.

front to back-back to front
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus Chalices
ATI ProColor
UVL Super Actinic
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25 14K Aquablue

UVL 75/25 14K Aquablue (not in par readings, ATI fixture is broken)
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic (not in par readings, ATI fixture is broken)
ATI ProColor
ATI Blue Plus Acans
ATI Blue Plus

Is this still the way to go? Was I wrong all along? Any comments about my shallow culture being good/bad? The tank is 4 months old under the current lighting and most stuff looks good, a few chalices need changes, and maybe an acan or two, i have 30 chalices and 30 acans. i plan on gettin the fixture fixed as well to have two more bulbs working. thanks for the help!!! respect

 

[Big Country_IL]

Hi Grim Reefer,

I am wondering what a good t-5 set up would be for a 125 (some sps, lps, clam (higher up on rock), and some softies (bottom of tank) - the fixture I have is a 72" current usa nova extreme (12 -36" 39w bulbs). Let me know if I need to provide any further information. Currently have a couple of chalices in the tank that aren't growing too quickly, but everything else seems to be growing well (especially the sps).

Thank you!
bc

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hi Grim,

I also need help with lighting. I have a 48" Sundial (4x54w) fixture over a 72g bowfront and it's time to switch out the lights. I have mostly softies what would you recommend. Here is what I was thinking - but I don't want it too blue - although I like the blue look I'm afraid it will hamper the growth. Also, could you recommend the lighting order from front to back - front being closest to me as I look at the tank? Thank you.

ULV Superactinic
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
GE 6500k daylight

Front
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
GE 6500K
Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hi Grim, Its time for some new lights. I was thinking about doing

front to back
Blue+
aquablue
fiji purple
aquablue
blue+

or

Blue+
aquablue
fijipurple
blue+
blue+

Im running aquactinics tx5 and have mix reef. sps, softies,zao,lps,

Front
Aquablue
Blue Plus
Fiji purple
Blue Plus
Blue Plus

Use 2 and 4 for dusk/dawn

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hello All, t5's Rock!!

The Grim Reefer: Hello, I have been using some of your recommendations that I believe I saw on your website years ago. Great info and thanks for sharing and helping everyone. I have been looking for advise on my lighting and just realized this is obviously where i should post

so... 2 x ATI powermodule 6 bulb fixtures.

One is 24" above the water surface of my 48"x18"x10" high acan tank (5-7" from surface to coral), Par values of 100-130

The other is 36" above the water surface of another 48"x18"x10" high chalice tank (5-7" from surface to coral), Par values of 70-100

These two fixtures are hanging side by side, 6 inches apart, over these two tanks which are at different levels (chalice tank is 12" lower), the tanks are side by side directly under the lights so both tanks get light from both fixtures plus some indirect light from a window.

front to back-back to front
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus Chalices
ATI ProColor
UVL Super Actinic
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25 14K Aquablue

UVL 75/25 14K Aquablue (not in par readings, ATI fixture is broken)
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic (not in par readings, ATI fixture is broken)
ATI ProColor
ATI Blue Plus Acans
ATI Blue Plus

Is this still the way to go? Was I wrong all along? Any comments about my shallow culture being good/bad? The tank is 4 months old under the current lighting and most stuff looks good, a few chalices need changes, and maybe an acan or two, i have 30 chalices and 30 acans. i plan on gettin the fixture fixed as well to have two more bulbs working. thanks for the help!!! respect

I would try this on both and see what you think, tou have enough lamps there now to tweak things around to get an idea what would look best to you but I think this would be really nice starting point

Front

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

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hi Grim Reefer,

I am wondering what a good t-5 set up would be for a 125 (some sps, lps, clam (higher up on rock), and some softies (bottom of tank) - the fixture I have is a 72" current usa nova extreme (12 -36" 39w bulbs). Let me know if I need to provide any further information. Currently have a couple of chalices in the tank that aren't growing too quickly, but everything else seems to be growing well (especially the sps).

Thank you!
bc

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue

 

[snapperface]

Anyone here use icecap t-5 bulbs? how are they comparable to ati bulbs? Icecap twilight bulb or ati blue+?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Anyone here use icecap t-5 bulbs? how are they comparable to ati bulbs? Icecap twilight bulb or ati blue+?

Not as much PAR but look good. They are the same lamps as the UVL line except beefed up to survive overdriving better.

 

[sean A.]

Hey Grim I am going with the Tek 8x54w fixture. What bulbs should I get. I am going to have a mixed reed so I definately would like the Fiji purple to bring out all teh colors the other bulbs don't bring out.

 

[fkbsar]

Thank you Grim for your help. Another question - since the Sundial has two timers - one for actinics and one for brights would your recommendation for bulb arrangement be the same or does it matter. I forgot to mention how the timers were set up.

Front
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
GE 6500K
Blue Plus