The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15703749#post15703749 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 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!

If the halides are really blue that would be fine. I would maybe use the UVL 75/25 instead of the Aquasun so the look will be better when you are just running the T5's.

 

[200mfromocean]

Thanks Grim you da man

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15704002#post15704002 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 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.

Put the blue plus on 2 and 4 for dusk/dawn with the Aquablue, Actinic White and GE on 1, 3 and 5 respectively.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15704130#post15704130 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 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!

Yeah, I wouldn't throw a clam in the front of the bow but it should be fine.

 

[N-A-S-O]

Dang! My eyes are killing me and my wife isn't happy that I've been reading for so long
I have a 70g ultimate tank and I'm trying to figure out the best bulb combo for a TX5. I have a mixed tank with about 70% Acros and 30% LPS. I have about six combos written down and now I'm confused. I'm looking for at least a 14k look.

Would this work:
Blue+
75/25
Blue+
GE 6500
Blue+

OR

Aqua blue
Blue+
Actinic White
blue+
Aqua blue

Thanks in advance

 

[klepto]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15703396#post15703396 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Well you said ATI lamps, had I known UVL was an option I would have said the Actinic White.

I suppose thats what I get for being close minded! So you prefer the UVL over the Procolor anyways?

 

[A.VOID]

I need to change my bulbs and color combo on my Constellation

Currently (not in this order):
UVL Aquasun, UVL Superactinic, 3 ATI Blue +, ATI Blue Special GE 6500 Daylight

The 6500 and the Aquasun are my daylights, etc.

WAY to yellow for my taste for daylight. I'm looking for white/ bluish on the daylight switch with blue/ actinic on the other two switches..
I still need to keep my yellow's and red's going.

Mixed tank, but primarily SPS.

 

[crigsby]

I am running a 4x39w fixture on my 36x18x25 tank with 2 ATI blue plus, 1 Fiji purple, and 1 Giesmann aquablue.

Is this a good combination to get decent growth out of my sps? If not what would you switch out?

Thanks,
Chris

 

[jubelale]

Upgrading from 90g (48wX18dX24t) to 225g (72wX30dX24t).

This is a mixed tank. I will be having open swimming space around islands without rock in the very front, back, or sides but plan on growing zoas on a bare bottom. I like the idea of having areas for less light demanding corals and high light areas for some montis, a clam or two and maybe a bubble tip nem.

I currently have 4 48" T5 SLR retro running on icecap 660.
I believe the 660 can only run 3 60" bulbs.
Should I add 3 60" running on a second 660 and stagger all the bulbs for a total of 7 bulbs
OR
switch the 48" to 60" for a total of 6 60" staggered running on 2 660
OR
get rid of the 660 all together and use T5 ballasts with 8 60" bulbs
OR
something I am overlooking?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15704829#post15704829 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by N-A-S-O
Dang! My eyes are killing me and my wife isn't happy that I've been reading for so long
I have a 70g ultimate tank and I'm trying to figure out the best bulb combo for a TX5. I have a mixed tank with about 70% Acros and 30% LPS. I have about six combos written down and now I'm confused. I'm looking for at least a 14k look.

Would this work:
Blue+
75/25
Blue+
GE 6500
Blue+

OR

Aqua blue
Blue+
Actinic White
blue+
Aqua blue

Thanks in advance

I would go with the top mix. Sounds good to me.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15705084#post15705084 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by klepto
I suppose thats what I get for being close minded! So you prefer the UVL over the Procolor anyways?

Yep

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15705204#post15705204 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by A.VOID
I need to change my bulbs and color combo on my Constellation

Currently (not in this order):
UVL Aquasun, UVL Superactinic, 3 ATI Blue +, ATI Blue Special GE 6500 Daylight

The 6500 and the Aquasun are my daylights, etc.

WAY to yellow for my taste for daylight. I'm looking for white/ bluish on the daylight switch with blue/ actinic on the other two switches..
I still need to keep my yellow's and red's going.

Mixed tank, but primarily SPS.

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

That was one of the best mixes I have ever seen. You could use an Aquablue in number 4 so you start with Blue Pluses on 3 and 5 for dusk/dawn, then add in 2 Blue Plus and the Aquablue then add the actinic white and GE for midday.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15705224#post15705224 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by crigsby
I am running a 4x39w fixture on my 36x18x25 tank with 2 ATI blue plus, 1 Fiji purple, and 1 Giesmann aquablue.

Is this a good combination to get decent growth out of my sps? If not what would you switch out?

Thanks,
Chris

'

Should be just fine

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15705574#post15705574 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jubelale
Upgrading from 90g (48wX18dX24t) to 225g (72wX30dX24t).

This is a mixed tank. I will be having open swimming space around islands without rock in the very front, back, or sides but plan on growing zoas on a bare bottom. I like the idea of having areas for less light demanding corals and high light areas for some montis, a clam or two and maybe a bubble tip nem.

I currently have 4 48" T5 SLR retro running on icecap 660.
I believe the 660 can only run 3 60" bulbs.
Should I add 3 60" running on a second 660 and stagger all the bulbs for a total of 7 bulbs
OR
switch the 48" to 60" for a total of 6 60" staggered running on 2 660
OR
get rid of the 660 all together and use T5 ballasts with 8 60" bulbs
OR
something I am overlooking?

I think I would go with 4 54 watt on one IC ballast and 3 80 watt lamps on another. All centered. You would get a really cool fade effect so the center 4 feet will be very bright and it will fade out from there

Front
80 watt Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
UVL Actinic White
80 watt Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
80 watt Blue Plus

Not only will the intensity drop off near the ends, the light will be more blue. Should look pretty cool.

 

[muttley000]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15704425#post15704425 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
4 lamp 39 watt ATI Sunpower fixture with 2 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Aquablue and a UVL Actinic White lamp.

aren't the 39 watt bulbs 36 inches? I only have 30.5 inches avaliable in the canopy.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15706733#post15706733 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by muttley000
aren't the 39 watt bulbs 36 inches? I only have 30.5 inches avaliable in the canopy.

4x24 watt then.

 

[Joe]

Whoa, I just found this thread! I am running a Current 48" 250 watt MH HQI (2) and 4 T-5s (Outer Orbit Pro). I am running two new Ushio DE 14K MH (they're not super blue, but rather a crisp white to bluish tint. I still have the stock T5s in there. What T5s would be good to get my tank more blue, or would the MH wash out any attempt?
Thanks for you consideration!

Joe

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15707193#post15707193 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Joe
Whoa, I just found this thread! I am running a Current 48" 250 watt MH HQI (2) and 4 T-5s (Outer Orbit Pro). I am running two new Ushio DE 14K MH (they're not super blue, but rather a crisp white to bluish tint. I still have the stock T5s in there. What T5s would be good to get my tank more blue, or would the MH wash out any attempt?
Thanks for you consideration!

Joe

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
Halide
Blue Plus
Blue Plus

 

[Txcowboy22]

Hey grim,

Whats a good 24'' 6 bulb+ fixture? Besides ATI? I am trying to keep down the costs....

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15707548#post15707548 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Txcowboy22
Hey grim,

Whats a good 24'' 6 bulb+ fixture? Besides ATI? I am trying to keep down the costs....

Not sure who else makes a 6 lamp 24" fixture, maybe tec or maybe the 5 lamp Aquactinics TX 5 is in your budget.