The T5 Q&a Thread

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Hey Grim
Sent you PM but thought I would post here, Setting up a standard 55 and have 2 triad and one IC 430, Will this be enough for SPS? And what config of bulbs would you recomend? I been through most of thread and could not find anyhting on 55 with SPS. thanks
 
intenseimage said:
Hey Grim, I swung by the LFS the other day to get the UVL bulbs you had recommended to me previously ... however they only had the internal reflector versions in stock. After some prodding they said if I really wanted the "standard" bulbs they could order them for me.

I have the Nova Extreme Pro 48" fixture on the main display and the Nova Extreme SLR fixtures on my frag tank -- Was wondering if I should stick with the "normal" bulbs or get the new "180* internal reflector" versions.
Click to expand...

Even with the lower quality Nova reflectors I suspect you are still going to be better off with the non reflected lamps. Make them order them for you.
 
Grim,

Sorry to just leap in with this question, but in what I've read in this huge thread, and in other posts by you and our other gurus, most have ditched their 420nm Actinics in favor of the 460's because of the much higher PAR output of the 460's.


Thus I had concluded that for overall coral health and appearance, the lower wavelengths produced by the 420's weren't all that useful since their PAR production was apparently low (at least by the Apogee Quantum readings, which tends to read blues lower than reds).


Then I run across this link:
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2009/3/review


And the graph below, showing PUR being somewhat converse to the PAR measured.

image036.jpg




In a nutshell, is this graph not showing that it is important to have some light output in the 400-420nm wavelength range?


I know personally I've observed that (long term) many SPS seem to fare better under halides (though this is definitely changing)--- and halides generally have a significant peak of UV and near UV wavelengths. Do you think this correlation is true?


The main reason I ask is that I am a BIG fan of the 420nm bulbs simply for how they color up the corals, and I'm suspecting now that they play an even bigger role than I previously thought.
 
EDIT:

My img coding didn't work. Lemme try again.

Just to repeat the above, it seems interesting to me that this graph seems to indicate the exact opposite of what we've been saying; perhaps the Super Actinic 420nm types are much more useful than we thought.

image036.jpg
 
redfishsc said:
EDIT:

My img coding didn't work. Lemme try again.

Just to repeat the above, it seems interesting to me that this graph seems to indicate the exact opposite of what we've been saying; perhaps the Super Actinic 420nm types are much more useful than we thought.

image036.jpg
Click to expand...

The "Blue" T5 lamps have output in the high UV range and actinic range too. It just isn't as concentrated as a Actinic lamp. According to a couple people I have spoken with who have letters after their name PUR doesn't make that big a difference. The corals might use the light produced in certain ranges more effectively but it is all used as this graph shows

photos7.gif
 
Hey Grim, You have probably answered this a dozen times but I figured it might be easier to ask instead of digging through tons of pages. Im changing my PC bulbs to a six bulb T5 retro kit and am looking into (6) 80w bulbs on icecap ballasts. I want to start keeping SPS and clams with a fairly blue color but don't want to limit growth too much. Could you recommend a good light setup for this? Also, I will have 3 bulbs on one timer and another 3 on another timer. Could you recommend good lighting cycle for specific bulbs? Thanks a ton! Keith
 
enough par for ... ?
54watt bulbs with slr reflectors . regular ballasts ( vosseh schwabbe )

slfigoi super actinic
ati blue plus
gman aquablue
gman blue plus
ati aquablue
uvl super actinic

clam 24 inchs deep?
sps half way through tank?
my dream coral is acropora lokani. this enough lights?

s.haddoni?
 
kikireef said:
Hey Grim, You have probably answered this a dozen times but I figured it might be easier to ask instead of digging through tons of pages. Im changing my PC bulbs to a six bulb T5 retro kit and am looking into (6) 80w bulbs on icecap ballasts. I want to start keeping SPS and clams with a fairly blue color but don't want to limit growth too much. Could you recommend a good light setup for this? Also, I will have 3 bulbs on one timer and another 3 on another timer. Could you recommend good lighting cycle for specific bulbs? Thanks a ton! Keith
Click to expand...

Front
ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus
GE 5400K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus

I would try 2 blue plus and the fiji purple on one ballast for dusk/dawn. I would make slots 1, 2 and 5 the dusk/dawn set. That way if you don't like the Dusk/dawn with the fiji lamp you can just swap it with the blue plus behind it and get a d-d mix with 3 blue plus.

I would run Dusk/dawn 10 to 12 hours a day and the other 3 8 to 10.
 
Hey Grim,

I have a Current Nova Extreme Pro that I desperately need to change the stock lights out of.
The ATI Blue Plus sound good for actinic/blue lighting, but for "daylight" I have had recommendations of Fiji Purple and AquaBlue Special (both of which I really like the look of), UVL 75/25, Aqua Science 15k... I suppose some of these could be mixed, some couldn't?.....I don't know what to choose!
Like most I prefer a blue look, but really want stuff to pop and fluoresce as well.

Would you mind making a recommendation for this 6 bulb fixture? 55g tank will be mostly LPS, softies, BTA...would like to have a clam or two soon, too.

Thanks for all your help!
 
Last edited:
christ102 said:
Grim,

Are you saying that the Tek light won't penetrate as deep, if hung? How high should either fixture be hung from the tank? The following bulb combo was recommended by reefgeek, 4 ATI Blue Plus, 1 Fiji Purple, 1 ATI Aqua Blue. What are your thoughts? Any idea what it will look like/
Click to expand...


Grim,

In what order would you place the bulbs (4 Blue+, 1 Fiji Purple, 1 Aqua Blue)?
 
Hi fellas, setting up a new tank and will be going wit 4x24 T5s. Looking at keeping mostly softies, LPSs and a BTA. Tank is only 11" inch high and fixture should sit about 6" above it. So after reading this thread and the "Fiji Purple v. ATI Procolor" thread I came to the conclusion this bulb combo should work for me. Want the blue look and get the colors to really pop.

UVL 75/25
ATI blue plus
ATI aquablue
ATI blue plus
 
Okay. I didn't read this whole thread but I have a question about lighting that I can't seem to find enough info on.

I have a 54g bow front tank that I would like to keep SPS in. Currently, I have 4-24w T5 (2 10k & 2 460 nm). What should I change / upgrade / add to keep SPS? My unit is a 30" Sundial T5HO.

Thanks.
 
AaronReeph said:
Hey Grim,

I have a Current Nova Extreme Pro that I desperately need to change the stock lights out of.
The ATI Blue Plus sound good for actinic/blue lighting, but for "daylight" I have had recommendations of Fiji Purple and AquaBlue Special (both of which I really like the look of), UVL 75/25, Aqua Science 15k... I suppose some of these could be mixed, some couldn't?.....I don't know what to choose!
Like most I prefer a blue look, but really want stuff to pop and fluoresce as well.

Would you mind making a recommendation for this 6 bulb fixture? 55g tank will be mostly LPS, softies, BTA...would like to have a clam or two soon, too.

Thanks for all your help!
Click to expand...

4 ATI Blue Plus the fiji purple and a Aquablue
 
HaKs310 said:
Hi fellas, setting up a new tank and will be going wit 4x24 T5s. Looking at keeping mostly softies, LPSs and a BTA. Tank is only 11" inch high and fixture should sit about 6" above it. So after reading this thread and the "Fiji Purple v. ATI Procolor" thread I came to the conclusion this bulb combo should work for me. Want the blue look and get the colors to really pop.

UVL 75/25
ATI blue plus
ATI aquablue
ATI blue plus
Click to expand...

Yep, might want to swap the position of the first two lamps though.
 
webersole said:
Okay. I didn't read this whole thread but I have a question about lighting that I can't seem to find enough info on.

I have a 54g bow front tank that I would like to keep SPS in. Currently, I have 4-24w T5 (2 10k & 2 460 nm). What should I change / upgrade / add to keep SPS? My unit is a 30" Sundial T5HO.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Do 2 ATI Blue Plus, 1 KZ Fiji Purple and a ATI Aquablue. SHould look nice and have lots of PAR. If the tank isn't over about 18" tall you should have no issues keeping anything in there properly placed of course.
 
Hey Grim! Remember me... It's been a while, but everything has been kicking right along!
Hint! I am the one who is using 2 x T5 bulbs per Ice Cap reflector. We spoke on the phone!

Anyway, things have worked out really well, and all my corals are looking great. I hope to get around to posting some pictures real soon

It's about time for me to stock up on some extra bulbs (spares), and I was looking at ReefGeek, which is where I have purchased 90% of my bulbs, and I see some Ice Cap bulbs. Just curious if they are worth a try. I pretty much have all blue plus, besides a GE3000, and maybe an aquablue special or something

Also, are there any new bulbs that you are excited about, or want to gather info on?


Lastly, I think I remember seeing something about ProColor not being made anymore...WTH? I loved the one I had, and was getting ready to replace it.


Hope to hear back!
Nathan
 
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