The T5 Q&a Thread

[N-A-S-O]

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.

Interesting.. Is there a significant loss in performance in the UV bulbs with the internal reflector as opposed to the ones without.

 

[greenmonkey51]

I'm looking at replacing my MH bulb with a radium. I have 2 T5 supplements. If I ran Giesemann aquablue+ would that lighten up the blue from the radium. Or would there be another bulb that would be better.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

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

I remembered you the minute I saw the name on the notification. I have referred a couple single reflector fixture owners to look up your posts about the reflector mod.

Get a UVL Actinic White instead of the Pro Color, gives you red plus a nice actinic kick with the added advantage of a whole lot of PAR. If you want a more mellow way to add the the UVL 75/25 works nice too.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Interesting.. Is there a significant loss in performance in the UV bulbs with the internal reflector as opposed to the ones without.

With no reflector on the lamp you get a gain from the reflected one. Using a reflector is seriously messes with the output. One guy that tried them could see the difference just by looking at the light coming off two different lamps, thats a big difference.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I'm looking at replacing my MH bulb with a radium. I have 2 T5 supplements. If I ran Giesemann aquablue+ would that lighten up the blue from the radium. Or would there be another bulb that would be better.

I would run 1 Aquablue and 1 KZ Fiji Purple. The Fiji will lighten up the blue just a little but add some red. The Aquablue will lighten it just slightly as well.

 

[tas5tas]

Here you go Grim....this is a FTS from today after the midday bulbs went off...

Bulb combo on in pics......

FRONT
ATI Blueplus
off
ATI Pro Color
ATI Blueplus
off
ATI Blueplus
off
off
VHO Super Actinic R
VHO Super Actinic R

This bulb combo looks exactly like 400w Radiums!!!!

With my all of my bulbs on including midday bulb, my tank has the look of Reeflux 12k's!!!


Thanks for all the help Grim.....I love the look and hopefully my corals will start growing a little better now as well.

 

[webersole]

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.

Thank you! How would you space them and on what schedules?

I have two timers in the unit that control bulbs 1 & 3 and 2 & 4 (front to back).

Thanks again for your advice.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Here you go Grim....this is a FTS from today after the midday bulbs went off...

Bulb combo on in pics......

FRONT
ATI Blueplus
off
ATI Pro Color
ATI Blueplus
off
ATI Blueplus
off
off
VHO Super Actinic R
VHO Super Actinic R

This bulb combo looks exactly like 400w Radiums!!!!

With my all of my bulbs on including midday bulb, my tank has the look of Reeflux 12k's!!!


Thanks for all the help Grim.....I love the look and hopefully my corals will start growing a little better now as well.

Sweet!!!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Thank you! How would you space them and on what schedules?

I have two timers in the unit that control bulbs 1 & 3 and 2 & 4 (front to back).

Thanks again for your advice.

Front
Blue Plus
Fiji
Blue Plus
Aquablue

10~12 for the dusk/dawn and 8 to 10 for the others.

 

[dds76]

Hello, I am setting up a new 75g 48lx18d mixed reef tank. I am planning on using the 6x54W SLR T5 Icecap kit from reefgeek. What would be the best Bulb Combo? I like the more blue look.

Thinking about this bulb setup...

ati blue plus
uvl 75/25 or fiji or aquablue?
ati blue plus
ati actinic white
ati blue plus
ati blue plus

Or any better bulb combo..

and which bulbs for dawn/daylight/dusk setup.
Thanks in advance for the Help....

 

[greenmonkey51]

I would run 1 Aquablue and 1 KZ Fiji Purple. The Fiji will lighten up the blue just a little but add some red. The Aquablue will lighten it just slightly as well.

Is there another bulb in the Giesemann or UV series that could replace the KZ purple. The place I'm ordering from doesn't have them and I don't really want to pay shipping for one bulb.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hello, I am setting up a new 75g 48lx18d mixed reef tank. I am planning on using the 6x54W SLR T5 Icecap kit from reefgeek. What would be the best Bulb Combo? I like the more blue look.

Thinking about this bulb setup...

ati blue plus
uvl 75/25 or fiji or aquablue?
ati blue plus
ati actinic white
ati blue plus
ati blue plus

Or any better bulb combo..

and which bulbs for dawn/daylight/dusk setup.
Thanks in advance for the Help....

Front
Blue Plus
75/25
Blue Plus
Aquablue
Blue Plus
Blue Plus

I'd do the 3rd and 5th lamps for Dusk/Dawn and try the 75/25 in the 3rd slot once to see if you like the effect of it in dusk/dawn.

 

[webersole]

Front
Blue Plus
Fiji
Blue Plus
Aquablue

10~12 for the dusk/dawn and 8 to 10 for the others.

Thank you very much. I ordered them so we'll see how it works.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Is there another bulb in the Giesemann or UV series that could replace the KZ purple. The place I'm ordering from doesn't have them and I don't really want to pay shipping for one bulb.

UVL 75/25 will do fine.

 

[dds76]

Front
Blue Plus
75/25
Blue Plus
Aquablue
Blue Plus
Blue Plus

I'd do the 3rd and 5th lamps for Dusk/Dawn and try the 75/25 in the 3rd slot once to see if you like the effect of it in dusk/dawn.

Sounds good. Thanks Again For the Help Grim....People like you make this site great.

 

[MplsMan]

i have a IC430 ad was wondering if it would make a difference to run my actnics on H/O or just with the regular ballast that i have on them now. will i get any more growth with the IC ballast?

 

[7thheaven]

Dear Grim.

I have ATI PM (10bulbs) and some bulbs.
4 Aquablue special, 1 Fiji purple, 1 UVL AquaSun, 1 GE, 7 BluePlus, 2 UVL Super actinic)
I love radium or blue look and have SPS tank.

1. Could you tell me the proper combination?
2. The water depth is 20inches What is the proper height of PM from Lighting to water surface?

Thanks :thumbsup:

 

[ka0s]

Hi, hopefully I'll be able to clear up a few things...

I have a 120 gal (4x2x2) and I was wondering what the better lighting would be for a mixed reef scenario, I'd kinda like to be able to try various corals, without going MH..

My canopy has a top that lifts up, and I have around 5" clearance to the rim of the tank, with 47" width.. would the 6x54w IceCap SLR kit from ReefGeek work? Would a good fixture take up most of the room? I'd kinda like to keep it inside of the canopy because the tank is in the living room..

thanks, any input is appreciated!

 

[IndyReefMan]

Not sure you could fit the constellation in there either but if it would fit do that. Sunpower would be fine too.

Thanks for your help, Grim. I decided to go with the 48" (6) bulb ATI Sunpower because, as you stated, I was afraid that the Constellation would not fit. The directions say to insert the bulbs with the label side of the bulb on the same side as the round holes that are next to the reflectors. Since the label side is the "cool" end, I would think that you would want the "warm" end of the bulbs next to the holes. What do you think? Also, what voltage should I run the fans?

Thank-you

 

[The Grim Reefer]

i have a IC430 ad was wondering if it would make a difference to run my actnics on H/O or just with the regular ballast that i have on them now. will i get any more growth with the IC ballast?

I wouldn't overdrive actinics. You might get a smidgen more PAR but not enough to worry about, actinics don't have much PAR to begin with.