The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim,
I currently have 6 VHO- 2 super actinic run by an icecap 430 and 3-actinic white and one aquasun run by an icecap 660. I have 4 sets of t5 encaps and was going to replace the 4 bulbs run by the 660 with t5's. What reflectors would you recommend and any suggestion for bulbs. The tank is a 75g mixed reef. The SPS are doing fine under the VHO. I want to make sure I can still keep them with the 4 t5's. I am going to keep the VHO super actinics.

This is the current arrangement of bulbs. They are all 46.5" T12 VHO

---super actinic---
---actinic white---
---actinic white---
---aquasun ---
---actinic white---
---super actinic---

Also, let me know if you think I should just stick with the VHO's and maybe switch the types of bulbs. Thanks

Ice Cap or Aquailluminations reflectors. Use 2 ATI Blue Plus, a UVL Actinic White and GE 6500K Daylight.

 

[Nicko31]

Hello,

im getting a GE matrix 12*80 and i have to choose the bulbs.

Would you have an advice on wich ones to take ? (only GE because they are free with the ramp)

Can buy a few ATI if it really helps, was thinking about getting 1 or maybe 2 of the pink ones but seeing u dont recommend them.

Thanks for your time.

 

[maestro]

Hi grim,

Have you ever tried or tested the aquamedic t5's? ive used their 15K white tube before and really like the look of it, it doesnt wash the colours out like some whites.

 

[z3r0ko0l]

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

Thanks!

 

[sean A.]

Hey Grim I just got two of the Tek 8x54w fixtures for my 240g. I am going to be going with
your recommendation.

ATI BLUE +
ATI BLUE +
ATI AQUABLUE
FIJI PURPLE
ATI AQUABLUE
FIJI PURPLE
BLUE +
BLUE +

Now would I be able to keep clams on the bottom of my tank?

 

[SDonkey]

I have a 2 bulb 36" Finnex fixture on the back of the tank and a 4 blub 36" 39w AquaticLife with individual reflectors in front of that.
Planning to go with this:

ATI Blue+
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue+
ATI Pro Color
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue+

Is this enough for Monti's like the sunset and superman? Is this enough for clams?>
Thanks for the help guys!
Zack

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hello,

im getting a GE matrix 12*80 and i have to choose the bulbs.

Would you have an advice on wich ones to take ? (only GE because they are free with the ramp)

Can buy a few ATI if it really helps, was thinking about getting 1 or maybe 2 of the pink ones but seeing u dont recommend them.

Thanks for your time.

I have no idea what the dusk/dawn slots are on those so you will have to figure out where to place your lamps.

8 Actinic Plus
2 Middays
2 Aquablue

Grabbing a couple of FIji Purples to play with would be good.

 

[rtparty]

I have a 2 bulb 36" Finnex fixture on the back of the tank and a 4 blub 36" 39w AquaticLife with individual reflectors in front of that.
Planning to go with this:

ATI Blue+
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue+
ATI Pro Color
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue+

Is this enough for Monti's like the sunset and superman? Is this enough for clams?>
Thanks for the help guys!
Zack

Try moving the Pro Color up one slot if you can. That will help the light strike the viewing side of the corals. That way your reds and pinks look better.

How deep is the tank? That will determine whether you can keep clams and SPS. Clams may have an issue on the sand if they are more than 20" from the bulbs.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hi grim,

Have you ever tried or tested the aquamedic t5's? ive used their 15K white tube before and really like the look of it, it doesnt wash the colours out like some whites.

No. I just knew at one point there salesman had recoed people change out the lamps cause they sucked so I never bothered. I have heard their new lamps are better but haven't had a chance to test them.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim I just got two of the Tek 8x54w fixtures for my 240g. I am going to be going with
your recommendation.

ATI BLUE +
ATI BLUE +
ATI AQUABLUE
FIJI PURPLE
ATI AQUABLUE
FIJI PURPLE
BLUE +
BLUE +

Now would I be able to keep clams on the bottom of my tank?

24" tall tank, right? Should be happy as clams.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I have a 2 bulb 36" Finnex fixture on the back of the tank and a 4 blub 36" 39w AquaticLife with individual reflectors in front of that.
Planning to go with this:

ATI Blue+
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue+
ATI Pro Color
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue+

Is this enough for Monti's like the sunset and superman? Is this enough for clams?>
Thanks for the help guys!
Zack

Use a Fiji Purple or UVL Actinic White instead of the pro color

If the tank is over 16" tall I am not sure about clams under those fixtures.

 

[SDonkey]

Try moving the Pro Color up one slot if you can. That will help the light strike the viewing side of the corals. That way your reds and pinks look better.

How deep is the tank? That will determine whether you can keep clams and SPS. Clams may have an issue on the sand if they are more than 20" from the bulbs.

Its a 65. 36x19x24. Is there a different bulb I should try instead to keep the SPS/Clams? I just really liked the look of that combo earlier in the thread.

Thanks!

 

[rtparty]

Its a 65. 36x19x24. Is there a different bulb I should try instead to keep the SPS/Clams? I just really liked the look of that combo earlier in the thread.

Thanks!

Grim answered your post as well.

KZ Fiji Purple or UVL Actinic White

 

[amheck]

hey guys, are there any plans to offer any quality 20" T5 bulbs in the near future? Trying to decide on some lighting for a 20" solana tank.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

hey guys, are there any plans to offer any quality 20" T5 bulbs in the near future? Trying to decide on some lighting for a 20" solana tank.

I doubt it. Might be worth saving up the pennies for LED's.

 

[Dis 1]

Hey Grim, I just got my 48" ATI Sunpower 6x54w for my 90g and what is the best bulb combo can you suggest. I will be keeping mostly LPS, softies, and a few clams.

 

[Nicko31]

I have no idea what the dusk/dawn slots are on those so you will have to figure out where to place your lamps.

8 Actinic Plus
2 Middays
2 Aquablue

Grabbing a couple of FIji Purples to play with would be good.

Thanks for the help

Another question i dont see u speaking about using the pure actinic.
Is their purple and fluorescent not that good ?

Was pretty sure i would try 1 or 2 of them, could you explain why using 1 or 2 of them instead of the actinic plus would not be better ?

I will get the couple of Fiji to play with (btw fiji and not procolor, means no "pink" from ati ? ), but was considering the pure actinic on the same point, what am i missing ?

thanks for your time.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim, I just got my 48" ATI Sunpower 6x54w for my 90g and what is the best bulb combo can you suggest. I will be keeping mostly LPS, softies, and a few clams.

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

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Thanks for the help

Another question i dont see u speaking about using the pure actinic.
Is their purple and fluorescent not that good ?

Was pretty sure i would try 1 or 2 of them, could you explain why using 1 or 2 of them instead of the actinic plus would not be better ?

I will get the couple of Fiji to play with (btw fiji and not procolor, means no "pink" from ati ? ), but was considering the pure actinic on the same point, what am i missing ?

thanks for your time.

When you use the blue lamps (actinic plus) you don't really notice much difference using the actinics. They are nice for dusk dawn but you have to decide if that is worth the loss of PAR.

 

[smogl00]

Grim

I've got a four bulb fixture. Right now I'm running all Geismann Powerchromes. From back to front:

Actinic+
Aquablue+
Actinic+
Aquablue+

The look is very white in the tank now that the lights have burned in a bit. I'm trying to go for something a bit more blue without going all actinic or something crazy like that. Would you suggest replacing one of the aquablue+ lamps with a fiji purple or something similar? If so what do you think the bulb order would be. Thanks in advance. This thread is great!

Note, LPS heavy and some SPS in this tank