The T5 Q&a Thread

[witelytr]

i have a 24"x24"x16" with 8x24w what is a recomendation for bulbs if I want to keep lots of sps and few lps. how high should the bulbs be for optimal par???

 

[Lyfey]

quick question before I leave work. I am running a 8x54w ATI PM on my standard 75 RR. If I decided to only run the inner six bulbs instead of all eight, by only using six t5 slots, could that hurt the fixture at all? I am getting alot of light spillage and it would save me a few dollars on the electric bill. Whats the verdict? Thanks!!

-Chris

 

[STEELERFAN747]

Hey guys I have a breif question. I own a Current extreme pro 20". I have already gotten Grims thoughts on bulbs but now I wanted to know if any one has the same or similar fixture and have swaped out the cooling fans. Mine are a bit noisy and I was hoping to get something quieter.

Could someone please inform me (if they have done this)

What fans did you use?

How easy/difficult it was?

and if your happy with the results?

Thanks

 

[forrestcook]

I have a 40 breeder with assorted LPS and SPS. I have four 39w T5 HOs in there with the Tek 2 reflectors (retro kit). I have five bulbs... Obviously this leaves me with a problem... which four to use? So given my equipment here, which four would you use and which two would be your morning/evening set? (two bulbs per ballast... want to emulate a sunrise sunset)

ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus
UV Lighting Super Actinic
UV Lighting 10k Aquasun
Korallen Zucht Fiji Purple

Right now I have a blue plus and the super actinic running my morning/evening and the 10k and the second blue plus running for my midday blast. My wife thinks it's too blue, but I just LOVE the popping colors I'm getting. Would there be a better arrangement?

 

[briansbelle]

just a quick question,

i got a tank with a 4x24w T5HO light and was wondering if i can run VHO bulbs in the fixture or if i have to stick with T5ho...

also what would a good combo of bulbs be for a 39 gallon mainly planted(macro),and a few softies(zoas and rics,shrooms)

thanks!!

 

[Buganddoug]

OK I got my ATI SunPower 60" 6x80w fixture and bulbs today. It says to run the fans at 4.5 volts. I have read many times that people are running them at different volts. Why? My power supply came set at 7.5 volts. Should I set it to 4.5v?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I am building a 8 bulb retro for my 120. The way I will have it wired is on for ballasts so I could have 4 stages of lighting cycles.

Does Grimm's recommendations of 5 ATI Blue Plus, 1 Aquablue, 1 Actinic White and 1 GE 6500K Daylight bulbs still stand as the best with the all the new bulbs such as the KZ ones out?

And what order for what stage if I do the 4 stages?

Front
1. ATI Blue Plus
2. UVL Actinic White
3. ATI Blue Plus
2. ATI Blue Plus
4. GE 6500K Daylight
3. ATI Aquablue
4. ATI Blue Plus
1. ATI Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I'm going to be replacing the lightbulbs in my Current Nova Extreme 12 lightbulb light fixture. I've had the stock light bulbs in them since I bought it in Aug of 09. I have corals in my tank...what do you think would be the type of lightbulbs n the colors n stuff to make my tank look gooood? Thanks

The standard 6 lamp mix, 4 ATI Blue Plus, 1 GE 6500K Daylight and a UVL Actinic White. Just double it.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

hi guys,

please give me some advice. i am setting up a new tank. 60X30X30. I want a mixed reef mostly SPS and clams but some LPS and dont want to go with Halide. i am thinking 10 or 12 T5 fixture. looking at ATI 2- 6X80 watt or 1- 10 X80 watt. also looking at the 2- 6X80watt TEX fixture.

I also need some help with the bulbs and placement. i am looking for a 20K halide look.

thanks for your help

Matt

10 lamp fixture

Front
Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
Blue Plus
Blue Plus
Fiji Purple
Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
blue plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

anyone tested the icecap t5 bulbs ? seeing they are made by uvl figuring the par is going to be around the same, btw i currently have been using them for 9 months 4 of the twilights and 3 14ks and 1 ge overall color is about like a phoenix 14k it's about time to replace bulbs and thinking of going with same bulbs again but changing 2 of the twlights to antic bulbs, btw it's a tek 36" 8 bulb t5

You pretty much answered your own question, same lamp

 

[The Grim Reefer]

i've already asked a question here but i've got another one.

what type of bulbs should i get for a 8 lamp TEK t5 light. what mix of pairs should i get and stuff like that?

also, who or what website has hanging arms cause i can't hang the light from my ceiling so i heard about hanging arms that go behind the tank so im just wondering who carry's them?

Check Marine Depot for the arms. I think Current makes them

5 ATI Blue Plus, 2 UVL Actinic WHite and a GE 6500K Daylight for lamps

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I have a 12 G aquapod, and I just order a Nove extreme 4x24watt fixture. I really like the blue and to have my corals colors Jump out at you. I mostly have softies, but I would like to get a couple SPS. Will I be able to keep SPS with these lights? Also what types of bulbs should I use?

Front:
ATI Blue + (havent ordered)
Fiji purple (haven't)
UVL Super Actinic, (Have)
ATI Blue Plus (havent)

Is thes a good mix or do i need more White light?

Also what are your thoughts on the UVL Red Sun?


Thank you in advance.

I would use a 3rd blue plus instead of the super actinic but either should be good

 

[The Grim Reefer]

got my bulbs in last night.

x4 blue+
x1 midday
x1 aqua sun

except i ordered an actinic white instead of an aqua sun. they both seem to peak in the same areas as far as color. I wanted to know if you think there will be much difference to the tank.

chris

I prefer the Actinic White to the Aquasun, just a little extra actinic pop is the only difference

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I have an opportunity on getting a Tek 8x54, but it comes with 4 GE 3000K & 4 GE 6500K bulbs. Do you guys see any problems on using those 4 6500K and 4 real strong actinics. Any other recommendations will be welcome.

Use Blue Plus or some other good blue lamps but I would use 5 of those, 2 6500K's and 1 3000K

 

[The Grim Reefer]

If you have choice which one would you go with, between a 8 bulb old style tek fixture or the new 6 bulb elite fixture. Both unit 4 feet long and the same price. The tank is 24 inches wide and 29 tall.

Unless you plan of softies and some LPS neither are a good choice but I would go with the 8 lamp fixture. Add an external fan blowing over the fixture, nice increase in PAR doing that.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

i have a 24"x24"x16" with 8x24w what is a recomendation for bulbs if I want to keep lots of sps and few lps. how high should the bulbs be for optimal par???

Keep the lamps about 4 inches above, 5 blue plus, 2 UVL Actinic White and a GE 6500K Daylight

 

[briansbelle]

what is a good mix of bulbs for a 39 gallon planted tank with zoas and rics and shrooms?

i have a 24" 4 bulb t5HO light.

thanks!!!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

quick question before I leave work. I am running a 8x54w ATI PM on my standard 75 RR. If I decided to only run the inner six bulbs instead of all eight, by only using six t5 slots, could that hurt the fixture at all? I am getting alot of light spillage and it would save me a few dollars on the electric bill. Whats the verdict? Thanks!!

-Chris

If you are only running 6 don't use the 2 that are for dusk/dawn

 

[Alec]

i have a 75 gallon 8 bulb with coralife bulbs will it grow sps

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I have a 40 breeder with assorted LPS and SPS. I have four 39w T5 HOs in there with the Tek 2 reflectors (retro kit). I have five bulbs... Obviously this leaves me with a problem... which four to use? So given my equipment here, which four would you use and which two would be your morning/evening set? (two bulbs per ballast... want to emulate a sunrise sunset)

ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus
UV Lighting Super Actinic
UV Lighting 10k Aquasun
Korallen Zucht Fiji Purple

Right now I have a blue plus and the super actinic running my morning/evening and the 10k and the second blue plus running for my midday blast. My wife thinks it's too blue, but I just LOVE the popping colors I'm getting. Would there be a better arrangement?

2 Blue Plus, the actinic and the Fiji. Try running the fiji with a blue for dusk/dawn