The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

I just looked on the giesemann website and it says they have a new bulb named Actinic Pure. It says "Actinic pure is the latest of the latest T5 tubes.It is not as blue as the Actinic Plus and has a pure actinic sprectrum for the ultimate in fluorescence from your corals."
Have you tried this bulb? what do you think of it? What colors does it bring out in corals? Would you run it on your actinic time cycle?Is the bulb the same as the fiji purple just a different brand mabe? thanks in advance!

Heres a link to the spectrum graph:

http://www.giesemann.de/79,2,,.html

Sounds like their standard Pure Actinic. With Actinic Plus or other good blue lamps you really don't see much of a difference adding in a actinic.

 

[chris1017]

Grim, I honestly can't believe that you are still replying to this thread. That is major dedication and you should be commended for your hard work, especially since you answer the same question over and over again.

Just wanted to say thanks.

Chris

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim!

Looking for your input to help correct a "pink" tank!

Using a Catalina Solar 4x54w 48" fixture. I've replaced 2 of the lamps with an ATI Blue + & a UVL 75.25, leaving the stock Chinese 460nm & 10k. I chose the 75.25 because in the pics I've seen online it appears less pink than the Fiji Purple.

Aquablue or 6500?

From your site:
***********************************
4 lamps

1. Blue
2. Fiji Purple
3. Aquablue
4. Blue

For a very blue look replace the Aquablue with a blue, for a more 10K look replace the Aquablue with a GE 6500K Daylight
************************************
Un-touched photos...don't mind the red nuisance as I'm dosing Vodka and not messing with it initially.

Thanks!

-Eric

I would try pulling the 10K and adding another Blue Plus.

 

[Flowbot]

Is there a good bulb that is a little bluer than the aquablue special? I'm trying to find 14k type bulb.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim
just visited your website and found it to be chuck full of info. Just wanted to get your opinion on my new light setup. I built a 8 bulb T5 retro light tray. All made out of aluminu
and hinged to lift front to back. The tank is a shallow tank. Water level will only be 17". Minus sand, more like 16". I mounted the light tray 10" from top of water. I am also using two icecap 660 to overdrive bulbs.

When placing the fans, where on the bulbs do you want the wind flow to go? Across the bulbs? Directly at the label? Or above reflectors driving off heat?

Also, with 8 T5's over a 60 x 30 x 18 tank, do you think 10" above water is ok? The tank will be sps and lps only.

Thanks fir all you do here!!

Across the label end of the lamps does best.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hi Grim, i buy a power module 8 bulb, what could be the best mix of t5ho for a tank mostly zoo and yellow fiji leather? Thanks a lot

I would do 5 ATI Blue Plus, 2 UVL Actinic Whites and a GE 6500K Daylight. Place the daylight about center with an Actinic white front and rear of center with a at least one blue plus between them and the GE lamp.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

where could i find a t5 8 lamp bulb for cheap, i found ones like $400, is that the cheapest i can get it new cause im setting up a 120 gallon, so it's gonna be a little expensive, just wondering if i would be able to save some money on the light. and what type of bulbs should i use for a soft coral tank?

Get an 8 lamp Tek from reefgeek. Then lust load 4 lamps in it in the center 4 positions, 3 ATI Blue Plus and a UVL Actinic White. Then when you decide to add clams or hard corals and LPS you just have to load up the other 4 lamps and you will be set.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

+1 im currently getting a similar tank built (66x22x18) would a 60" 6 bulb be ok for an sps only tank?

I'd maybe do 7 lamps if you are doing all SPS but 6 will work as long as you keep the corals below the lamps.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim, I honestly can't believe that you are still replying to this thread. That is major dedication and you should be commended for your hard work, especially since you answer the same question over and over again.

Just wanted to say thanks.

Chris

Thanks

I quit a couple weeks ago and got sucked back in when the others quit replying to the thread. I gotta figure out a way to make a buck at this. :rollface:

 

[twelvejewelz]

thanks grim. have you seen the new Giesemann powerchrome Aquapink? i wonder how this will compare to the fiji purple? do you know anything about it ? how is the par as compared to the fiji purple?
My new bulbs you gave me advice to buy will be here tomorrow.i got the fiji purple, 2 blue plus, and 1 blue special. now my question is how should i arrange the bulbs and which should i put on my actinic mornin and evening cycle? the first and the third bulb are conected and the second and the fourth are conected. thanks again!!

 

[andrewsky]

thanks grim

 

[jacob1]

thanks i gone try this:spin3:

 

[eon]

I'd maybe do 7 lamps if you are doing all SPS but 6 will work as long as you keep the corals below the lamps.

great the tank is a peninsula so the corals will be centered, also wanted to know what you think of this light setup

Actinic+
Blue+
Midday
Fiji
Blue+
Actinic+

i want to get a 14k look and the tank is viewable on both the long sides

 

[mbrady]

ATI Powermodule Problems

ATI Powermodule Problems

Grim:

Could you comment on the reported problems with ATI powermodules. I am interested in the ATI Powermodule 48" 6 x 54 but am hesitant. I have read post on this site that there may be problems with balast. I hate to spend close to $1,000 and run into problems down the road.

Also could you advise me on the powermodule vs the Sunpower. I like the idea of the extra cooling fan with the Powermodule.

I think 8 bulds would be to wide front to back and would be overkill do you agree.

Current tank information 90 gallon 48L X18W X 24H would like to keep mostly
corals and some fish. More interested in SPS.

Many thanks on your effort and dedication to helping others.

 

[jkeim1974]

Hey grim I've had my 6 bulb sunpower on my 75 gallon tank for about 2 months with the bulb combo you recommended.

aqua blue
Blue+
actinic white
blue +
Blue +
aqua blue

The fixture is still about 11 inches above tank and around 27 to the sand. I've tried to lower it a little and it faded a couple corals including a cats paw and a rainbow monti that are about 16 inches from light. They are not bleached just a little pale can they bounce back? My main question is if I just leave light where it is at can I still put sps down low at the bottom?

 

[805reef]

i was looking into purchasing an ATI powermodule 10 bulb fixture for my 48x30x30 tank, but now am considering getting a Sfigoli Stealth fixture instead. I like that I can get it in black and with built in moonlights (8 bulb version only). So my question is would an 8 bulb Sfigoli fixture be good enough for my 30" tank? All my SPS is on the upper half of the tank, with LPS and softies on the bottom. Also what bulb combo would you recommend if I go with the 8 bulb Sfigoli?

edit: also would like to get a clam or two, and those might end up being near the bottom part of the tank

 

[tbone28]

I have an 8x80w Powermodule over a 6x2x2 180g SPS-dominant tank. Rockwork only goes up half-way, and I have SPS on mid-to-upper rock. I have chalices and zoas on lower rock areas.

I've been playing with the following 2 bulb combos. Which do you feel is better? The Blue+ or Aquablue+ in position #5?

Front

Aquablue+
Blue+
Fiji Purple
Blue+
Blue+ or Aquablue+
Blue+
Blue+
Aquablue+

 

[The Grim Reefer]

thanks grim. have you seen the new Giesemann powerchrome Aquapink? i wonder how this will compare to the fiji purple? do you know anything about it ? how is the par as compared to the fiji purple?
My new bulbs you gave me advice to buy will be here tomorrow.i got the fiji purple, 2 blue plus, and 1 blue special. now my question is how should i arrange the bulbs and which should i put on my actinic mornin and evening cycle? the first and the third bulb are conected and the second and the fourth are conected. thanks again!!

Make the first and third Blue Plus, 4th Aquablue and second Fiji. No nothing about the Gmann Pink.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

great the tank is a peninsula so the corals will be centered, also wanted to know what you think of this light setup

Actinic+
Blue+
Midday
Fiji
Blue+
Actinic+

i want to get a 14k look and the tank is viewable on both the long sides

No reason to use both Blue Plus and Actinic Plus, basically the same spectrum of light. Other than that the mix should be fine.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim:

Could you comment on the reported problems with ATI powermodules. I am interested in the ATI Powermodule 48" 6 x 54 but am hesitant. I have read post on this site that there may be problems with balast. I hate to spend close to $1,000 and run into problems down the road.

Also could you advise me on the powermodule vs the Sunpower. I like the idea of the extra cooling fan with the Powermodule.

I think 8 bulds would be to wide front to back and would be overkill do you agree.

Current tank information 90 gallon 48L X18W X 24H would like to keep mostly
corals and some fish. More interested in SPS.

Many thanks on your effort and dedication to helping others.

I really haven't followed problems with the ATI. I know Reefgeek is the distributor and has top notch customer service so that's something. 6 lamp is really all you need. I had a 6 lamp Sunpower on an 18" tank and it was fine, powermodule will be even finer