The T5 Q&a Thread

[STEELERFAN747]

Hey Grim, I did not read the entire thread so I apologize if this question has already been asked.
I have a 20" NEP with 18" 20w tubes and was wondering if I could use 30w tubes with the stock ballast? or would I need to change it?

I obviously do not expect them to burn at 30w but want to know if they can be used as there are alot more options than just the 2 factory bulbs.

Thanks

 

[rtparty]

Hey Grim,
I'm thinking of setting up a 20gal long (30x12x12") as a frag tank for mostly SPS. Do you think i could go with a 2x24w fixture or do i need a 4x24w? Also what bulb combo would you choose?
Thanks!
~Nick

With it being mostly SPS I would opt for a 4 bulb.

ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

or

2 ATI Blue Plus and 2 GE 6500K.

The second option may grow things a little faster.

 

[rtparty]

Hey Grim, I did not read the entire thread so I apologize if this question has already been asked.
I have a 20" NEP with 18" 20w tubes and was wondering if I could use 30w tubes with the stock ballast? or would I need to change it?

I obviously do not expect them to burn at 30w but want to know if they can be used as there are alot more options than just the 2 factory bulbs.

Thanks

Are you talking about the new UVL 30W 18" bulbs?

They will run on your stock ballast. They put 30W because they expect most people to overdrive them.

 

[jmsalt1]

For a mixed reef I would go with the Sunpower with 6 lamps, maybe even 4 if you dont ever plan to have clams.

Grim,

If I went with the six bulb fixture, would you ever recommend doing a 36" rather than a 48" ATI Sunpower or Powermodule over an AGA 90 Gallon? Under what if any conditions would the 36" be more appropriate.

Any thoughts about this configuration for the bulbs,

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

Coming from PC lighting where there are literally just a handful of choices, the number of bulbs available for these fixtures will take some time getting used to.

Thanks,

Jeff

 

[STEELERFAN747]

Are you talking about the new UVL 30W 18" bulbs?

They will run on your stock ballast. They put 30W because they expect most people to overdrive them.

Yes.

 

[southstar066]

Are the TEK sunblaze a quality light fixture? Also I am wanting to keep zoas and encrusting montis in a frag tank that is 24x24x 11 deep. Would a 4 bulb fixture be good for that.

 

[ram6519]

I was looking at going from the Current Outer Orbit fixture (560 watts total) to the Current Nova Extreme Pro T5HO 48" 6 bulb(324 watts total). I know at one time the watts per gallon ratio is what everybody was going with but with the T5 systems that wattage is alot lower then with the metal Halide systems. My LFS is saying that Lums is used now instead of watts and people are using lower wattage T5 systems to get just as good or better results then some metal halide systems. So if this is true I can lose over 200 watts and have just as good or better results with the T5 system?

 

[pura vida mi]

Grim, purchased a Hagen Glow 24" 2 bulb/24 watt T5 for the "front" of my 90 gal bowfront. Need a narrow fixture to fit in bow area. Have a 6x54watt as main light.

Have not put bulbs in yet, but dissapointed on 2 fronts so far w/the Hagen. Single 1/2 moon reflector-not individuals and no on/off switch.

Can you recommend a "value priced" alternative? Have see "Sunlight Supply" Ready Fits or possibly "AquaticLife" fixture.

Thanks in advance

Grim, any advice for the 24" T5 question above?

Also, used your sugestion on my 6 bolb. 4 Blue+, GE 6500, 50/50 Actinic White. Have 2 Blue+ for dush dawn. Have the 6500 and the 50/50 in the center lamp 3 & 4 with 2 Blue plus 5/6. Good to have 6500 & 50/50 next to each other in center?

 

[STEELERFAN747]

Hey Grim, quik question. I was just wondering what combination of lights you would recommend? I have a NEP 20" that comes with 3 460nm & 3 10k bulbs but just found out that UVL offers a 454, a 12k, an aquasun, an indigo sun and a super actinic. What would be the best color combination as I am mostly interested in color pop. I will be keeping mostly softies & lps maybe 1 or 2 sps as I don't have much exp with them. the tank is a 22" deep cube.

Thanks.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim,
I'm thinking of setting up a 20gal long (30x12x12") as a frag tank for mostly SPS. Do you think i could go with a 2x24w fixture or do i need a 4x24w? Also what bulb combo would you choose?
Thanks!
~Nick

I'd do 4

Blue Plus
Fiji Purple
Aquablue
Blue Plus

2 would work but it's hard to get a nice look with just 2 lamps.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim, I did not read the entire thread so I apologize if this question has already been asked.
I have a 20" NEP with 18" 20w tubes and was wondering if I could use 30w tubes with the stock ballast? or would I need to change it?

I obviously do not expect them to burn at 30w but want to know if they can be used as there are alot more options than just the 2 factory bulbs.

Thanks

Length determines wattage. You are stuck with 20 watt tubes I believe but if you hit nanotuners website they have or will have shortly UVL lamps that are 18" long.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim, I did not read the entire thread so I apologize if this question has already been asked.
I have a 20" NEP with 18" 20w tubes and was wondering if I could use 30w tubes with the stock ballast? or would I need to change it?

I obviously do not expect them to burn at 30w but want to know if they can be used as there are alot more options than just the 2 factory bulbs.

Thanks

if you hit nanotuners website they have or will have shortly UVL lamps that are 18" long.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim,

If I went with the six bulb fixture, would you ever recommend doing a 36" rather than a 48" ATI Sunpower or Powermodule over an AGA 90 Gallon? Under what if any conditions would the 36" be more appropriate.

Any thoughts about this configuration for the bulbs,

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

Coming from PC lighting where there are literally just a handful of choices, the number of bulbs available for these fixtures will take some time getting used to.

Thanks,

Jeff

36" is good if you have a rimless tank or want to hang the fixture higher up above the tank but other than that I would go with the 48" fixture.

Your mix of lamps should be good.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Are the TEK sunblaze a quality light fixture? Also I am wanting to keep zoas and encrusting montis in a frag tank that is 24x24x 11 deep. Would a 4 bulb fixture be good for that.

The fixture would work but I'd want at least 6 lamps to cover the footprint of that tank.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I was looking at going from the Current Outer Orbit fixture (560 watts total) to the Current Nova Extreme Pro T5HO 48" 6 bulb(324 watts total). I know at one time the watts per gallon ratio is what everybody was going with but with the T5 systems that wattage is alot lower then with the metal Halide systems. My LFS is saying that Lums is used now instead of watts and people are using lower wattage T5 systems to get just as good or better results then some metal halide systems. So if this is true I can lose over 200 watts and have just as good or better results with the T5 system?

A higher end T5 fixture (ATI, Aquactinics) would match the 250's or at least come close (or beat) but not the Nova Pro. They aren't bad but they don't have the punch of the others.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim, any advice for the 24" T5 question above?

Also, used your sugestion on my 6 bolb. 4 Blue+, GE 6500, 50/50 Actinic White. Have 2 Blue+ for dush dawn. Have the 6500 and the 50/50 in the center lamp 3 & 4 with 2 Blue plus 5/6. Good to have 6500 & 50/50 next to each other in center?

If you have a canopy the readyfits would be best.

As far as the lamps being next to each other as long as you don't see a band in the tank it isnt a big deal.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim, quik question. I was just wondering what combination of lights you would recommend? I have a NEP 20" that comes with 3 460nm & 3 10k bulbs but just found out that UVL offers a 454, a 12k, an aquasun, an indigo sun and a super actinic. What would be the best color combination as I am mostly interested in color pop. I will be keeping mostly softies & lps maybe 1 or 2 sps as I don't have much exp with them. the tank is a 22" deep cube.

Thanks.

If you want the UVL Lamps

Front
454
Actinic White
454
Indigo sun
454
454 for closer to 20K, Indigo sun for closer to 12K

 

[sfboarders]

Hi Grim,

I just added 2 more bulbs to my setup for a 6x54W. I am looking for a bluer look that's good for SPS.

I have the following bulbs at my disposal.

(3) ATI blue +
(2) ATI Aquablue
(1) KZ Fiji Purple
(1) GE 6500 daylight
(1) UVL 75/25
(1) UVL 12000K Actinic White

 

[gbothepro]

Hi Grim,

Im looking for a bulb combination for a ATI 6X54... I'm looking for a blue look, but not to blue..

Thanks!

 

[asonitez]

Would the Aquatinics Constellation 14 Bulb Fixture be enough to keep SPS CLAMS and anything else I want in a Standard 125 AGA RR Tank?