The T5 Q&a Thread

[IRISSERVICE]

What 2 80w bulbs to supplement 3x 15K 175watt Metal Halide Bulb Iwasaki..
currently using
2x UV Lighting 24" 24w T5 Super Blue Actinic Lamp
2x ATI 24W Blue Plus T5 HO Fluorescent

I would like a little more blue Actinic so figure 80w x2 would help...

 

[Maivortex]

I heard that the 20" T5 bulbs from UVl are availble now. I have the NEP 20". Which bulbs would give me an overall blue look with out sacrificing par too much? I want green flouresence to really pop. UVL has idigo sun, aquasun, 454, super actinic, actinic white. What 6 bulb combination should i do please?

 

[gallivanmk]

Wow, I was doing a search for info. on what bulbs to go with on a tek 6x54w fixture I just ordered for my 90 gallon and this thread popped up. The information is a little overwhelming. I am browsing on my phone and after 6 or 7 attempts to get to the beginning of this thread (the splits are overwhelming alone!), I gave up and decided to post... I have never used T5s before, but I decided to give it a whirl this go-round. What bulb combo do you think would be best for me? I am planning on a mixed reef, but I tend to concentrate more on zoas and rics with a few lps, montis, possibly a clam?, etc. What are my options and what is best to go with for performance, growth, and color? Thanks!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Thanks for the input, I have a few more questions- I am still playing with bulbs I have before purchasing a new set. Right now I have 5 blue+ and 3 aquablue. I like the color, but the corals seem washed out, no really pop. Will your suggestions below be better than what I am running? I guess the question is what atributes does the UVL antinic and the daylight have compared to the aquablue?


Also, what order, and how may hours would you run them. I have never used only t5 before, it has always been a supplement.
Thanks again

The UVL will add Red and GE Yellow which will take care of that washed out look.

Blue Plus
Blue Plus
Actinic White
Blue Plus
GE
Aquablue
Blue Plus
Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

What 2 80w bulbs to supplement 3x 15K 175watt Metal Halide Bulb Iwasaki..
currently using
2x UV Lighting 24" 24w T5 Super Blue Actinic Lamp
2x ATI 24W Blue Plus T5 HO Fluorescent

I would like a little more blue Actinic so figure 80w x2 would help...

ATI Blue Plus if you want more blue.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I heard that the 20" T5 bulbs from UVl are availble now. I have the NEP 20". Which bulbs would give me an overall blue look with out sacrificing par too much? I want green flouresence to really pop. UVL has idigo sun, aquasun, 454, super actinic, actinic white. What 6 bulb combination should i do please?

4 454, 1 Indigo sun and a Actinic White should look good.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Wow, I was doing a search for info. on what bulbs to go with on a tek 6x54w fixture I just ordered for my 90 gallon and this thread popped up. The information is a little overwhelming. I am browsing on my phone and after 6 or 7 attempts to get to the beginning of this thread (the splits are overwhelming alone!), I gave up and decided to post... I have never used T5s before, but I decided to give it a whirl this go-round. What bulb combo do you think would be best for me? I am planning on a mixed reef, but I tend to concentrate more on zoas and rics with a few lps, montis, possibly a clam?, etc. What are my options and what is best to go with for performance, growth, and color? Thanks!

Low light clam using a Tek. Don't use a splash shield

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

 

[gallivanmk]

Great, thank you! I may skip the clam, just a future thought. Thanks again, you rock.

 

[IRISSERVICE]

ATI Blue Plus if you want more blue.

Ok so 2x80w ATI Blue Plus...
anythough on any other mix?
1x 80W True Actinic 03
1x 80w ATI Blue Plus

 

[KromiX]

In what order should I put my T5's?

Fixture: Current USA Nova Extreme Pro T5's (6Bulb)

Bulbs:
- ATI Blue Plus
- ATI Blue Plus
- ATI Blue Plus
- ATI Blue Plus
- KZ Fiji Purple
- ATI 12k AquaBlue Special

My Fixture is controlled 4 bulbs on 1 power switch, 2 bulbs on the other switch...

Whats the best way to align them?

This is a picture of my fixture from back to front (the back of the fixture is where you see the cords coming out of)

Thanks guys..

 

[Maivortex]

4 454, 1 Indigo sun and a Actinic White should look good.

Thanks!

 

[justinc0708]

Use the 6" clamp on fan, check bed bath and beyond for them. I think reefgeek might sell one too.

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

AND FEED THE CLAMS!

so i got the tek and bulbs,looks good just to blue,can i replace one of the blue+ to bring the blue down a bit,and what would you recommend.i have got the clam 23 in deep but i might just move him up on the rocks.thanks

 

[mobie]

Anyone know what the PAR is on the 454 uv and how does it compare with ati
blue +, thanks

 

[mariner2005]

Hey Grim...So i have recently been workin on my 75 gallon tank. I have a current nova extreme T5HO (4 - 48 watt bulbs). I am not looking to keep any sps but sticking with zoas, rics, soft corals, some LPS. What would you reccomend for bulbs. I know it might now be enough light and will consider upgrading at some point but just to get the ball rolling again... Thanks in advance.

 

[rtparty]

Anyone know what the PAR is on the 454 uv and how does it compare with ati
blue +, thanks

It has less PAR than the ATI Blue Plus and I am pretty sure it has less then the Gmann Actinic Plus.

 

[rtparty]

Hey Grim...So i have recently been workin on my 75 gallon tank. I have a current nova extreme T5HO (4 - 48 watt bulbs). I am not looking to keep any sps but sticking with zoas, rics, soft corals, some LPS. What would you reccomend for bulbs. I know it might now be enough light and will consider upgrading at some point but just to get the ball rolling again... Thanks in advance.

ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
KZ New Generation
ATI Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Ok so 2x80w ATI Blue Plus...
anythough on any other mix?
1x 80W True Actinic 03
1x 80w ATI Blue Plus

Maybe a Blue Plus and KZ Fiji Purple. Dusk/Dawn look might be a little purple for some but it would make the halides look better IMO.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

In what order should I put my T5's?

Fixture: Current USA Nova Extreme Pro T5's (6Bulb)

Bulbs:
- ATI Blue Plus
- ATI Blue Plus
- ATI Blue Plus
- ATI Blue Plus
- KZ Fiji Purple
- ATI 12k AquaBlue Special

My Fixture is controlled 4 bulbs on 1 power switch, 2 bulbs on the other switch...

Whats the best way to align them?

This is a picture of my fixture from back to front (the back of the fixture is where you see the cords coming out of)

Thanks guys..

Blue Pluses in the 1st and 5th, Fiji Purple in the second or third position from the front. Rest don't matter.

 

[IRISSERVICE]

Maybe a Blue Plus and KZ Fiji Purple. Dusk/Dawn look might be a little purple for some but it would make the halides look better IMO.

TY will get both

 

[The Grim Reefer]

so i got the tek and bulbs,looks good just to blue,can i replace one of the blue+ to bring the blue down a bit,and what would you recommend.i have got the clam 23 in deep but i might just move him up on the rocks.thanks

Yeah, trade a blue out for another Aquablue or if you want to kick up the purple look get a UVL Actinic White.