The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim have you got a picture of light coverage for a PM 4x24? I'm deciding between that and a SP 6x24. It's going over a 25x18x18 tank. Is there really a big difference, other than aesthetics and the extra fans, in the PM and the SP?

No.

Not a huge difference between the two fixtures, 10% according to the manufacturer.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim,

I have a 75g (48Lx20Hx18W) and I'm using a 6 Lamp TEK fixture.
Keeping Clams, SPS, LPS, etc.

Is this a good mix?

Front
ATI true actinic
Blue Plus
Aquablue special
Aquablue special
Blue plus
ATI true actinic
End

If not, what do you suggest?

I wouldn't use actinics at all, you need the PAR.

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

The Actinic WHite is going to make pink and purple colors come out a lot better and with all the lights on the blue plus will give you florescence like the actinics but have way better PAR.

 

[1life2live]

Triad ballast, Ice Cap or Aqua Illuminations reflectors

6 lamps but 4 will get you started with most critters properly placed

Front
ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

thanks grim,
how about when i ad the other two to make 6. Use these same lamps + 2 different ones (which ones) or a whole different selection. THANKS AGAIN

 

[Crippler]

Quick question, what overall color temp would be (3) Blue+ and an Actinic Wht. combo?

Thanks.

 

[bllfish]

time for new bulbs

time for new bulbs

Hi Grim,
I have a 72 bowfront with Tek retro 54W lighting. I have been using your bulb recommendations since 06/23/05 and have had considerable success with your advice. It is time to replace the 4 bulbs and I was wondering if you think I could keep and RBTA under regular driven T5's and what combination of bulbs you would suggest now. Last year I went with B+, UVL super act, uvl aquasun, B+. I have mostly LPS with some fish and would like to try an RBTA as I mentioned earlier. Thanks again for any help you can give me.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

thanks grim,
how about when i ad the other two to make 6. Use these same lamps + 2 different ones (which ones) or a whole different selection. THANKS AGAIN

Another Blue Plus and Aquablue

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Quick question, what overall color temp would be (3) Blue+ and an Actinic Wht. combo?

Thanks.

It will be 20Kish but wont be monochromatic because if the pink in the Actinic White which will bring out pinks, purples and blues better.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hi Grim,
I have a 72 bowfront with Tek retro 54W lighting. I have been using your bulb recommendations since 06/23/05 and have had considerable success with your advice. It is time to replace the 4 bulbs and I was wondering if you think I could keep and RBTA under regular driven T5's and what combination of bulbs you would suggest now. Last year I went with B+, UVL super act, uvl aquasun, B+. I have mostly LPS with some fish and would like to try an RBTA as I mentioned earlier. Thanks again for any help you can give me.

Should be fine

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

Wont be a huge change from what you have now but have more PAR and should pop things a little better. If you want a more 20K look use a 3rd blue plus instead of the Aquablue.

 

[bllfish]

Thanks once again Grim.

 

[NaClCrocodile]

Alright so six bulb Sunpower would be better than a four bulb Powermodule over a n 18" wide tank?

 

[dmack]

Do you recommend replacing icecap reflectors after a couple years? Ive been using the same set for 4 yrs and they are beginning to have some signs of corrosion from saltwater splashing on them over time. Do t5 ballasts "wear out" and need replacement? Or do they just "work" or "not work"?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Alright so six bulb Sunpower would be better than a four bulb Powermodule over a n 18" wide tank?

yeah

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Do you recommend replacing icecap reflectors after a couple years? Ive been using the same set for 4 yrs and they are beginning to have some signs of corrosion from saltwater splashing on them over time. Do t5 ballasts "wear out" and need replacement? Or do they just "work" or "not work"?

No reason to replace the reflectors unless they are totally grody. Ballasts I would change after about 5 years.

 

[Tank2379]

Hey Grim you got any info and how good the Par Levels are on Giesemann T-5 PowerChrome Actinic Plus 22k bulbs?

let me know what your input is on these? I Want to get the best for SPS... :thumbsup:

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim you got any info and how good the Par Levels are on Giesemann T-5 PowerChrome Actinic Plus 22k bulbs?

let me know what your input is on these? I Want to get the best for SPS... :thumbsup:

Not quite as good as the Blue Plus but very good.

 

[teetimefun]

Hey Grim,
I'm looking for the absolute highest par with 14k look? 20k?
Fixture is a 36" Tx5 Aquatinics.
With your recomendation is there one bulb you would change
To make corals pop
Thanks in advance
Paul

 

[Jake007]

I see your recomendations for the ATI bulbs but have not been able to find them locally, I am going to try a couple other stores tomorrow. I have a 120Gal mixed reef with 6 T5 individual reflectors retrofit kits in a canopy top.

Q. I have two new Geissman Aqua Blue + bulbs. What ATI bulbs should I mix with these two? and order front to back.
Q. Assuming I can only get Geissmans, what other Geissmans should I mix and what order front to back?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim,
I'm looking for the absolute highest par with 14k look? 20k?
Fixture is a 36" Tx5 Aquatinics.
With your recomendation is there one bulb you would change
To make corals pop
Thanks in advance
Paul

Front
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue

Should be 15K or so and have a whole lot of PAR.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I see your recomendations for the ATI bulbs but have not been able to find them locally, I am going to try a couple other stores tomorrow. I have a 120Gal mixed reef with 6 T5 individual reflectors retrofit kits in a canopy top.

Q. I have two new Geissman Aqua Blue + bulbs. What ATI bulbs should I mix with these two? and order front to back.
Q. Assuming I can only get Geissmans, what other Geissmans should I mix and what order front to back?

Add 3 ATI Blue Plus or Giesemann Actinic Plus and a UVL Actinic White, or KZ Fiji Purple, or Giesemann 6000K Midday in that order of preference.

 

[Jake007]

Thanks for the relpy Grim.
To be sure I understand your response. Is this right?

If I can get the ATI and UVL locally:
Front
G AB+
UVL Atin Wh
ATI B+
ATI B+
ATI B+
G AB+

If I can only get the Giessman locally:
Front
G AB+
G A+
G AB+
G AB+
G A+
G AB+