The T5 Q&a Thread

[Vicki'sTank]

Light running time question. Yes.... Im a newbe ~ but am learning. I just received my nova extreme pro. Per what everyone is wrighting about the lighting I will be changing the bulbs, perhaps in 6mo. All I have in my tank right now is live rock & sand. I would like to have some soft corals (still exploring corals) + fish. On my light fixture, the left on/off runs two of the daylights 10,000K. (dont know why all 3 daylights dont run ?) The right on/off runs all 3 actinic 460nm bulbs and 1 daylight bulb. I understand about the dusk/dawn cycle~ but for how long are these times? The daylight time would be on between? Is is ever recominded or would it be harmful to run all the lights at the same time? Thanks for any suggestions on running time? (and on bulb's when I change them over) I love RC!! Thanks! Vicki

 

[trwells]

Grim,

What t5 fixture would you recommend for a 30" tall tank that is only 20" wide and 18" front to back. Will only be housing easy softies such as mushrooms, xenia, and other easy to keep softies.

Perhaps a better questions would be how many bulbs will I need? 2, 4, 6 ?

The tank is being set up as a project for clients at a rehabilitation center, so price is a huge concern.

Thanks!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Thanks Grim. I re-read it last night night after I posted. I confused myself. I plan to run Radium bulbs with 4-t5's. Would you recommend running all blue +?

Do 3 Blue Plus and a UVL Actinic White. The pink from that lamp will pop colors normally lost under a lot of blue light but wont be enough to wash out any blue.n

 

[The Grim Reefer]

That upsets me that a local LFS would do that to me. OK I am taking them all back. What do you recommend? I want growth and great color.. I have a 105 gallon and hard and soft corals. My light fixture is 8 bulbs. Thanks.

The people ar the store likely aren't that familiar with the T5's.

If they have all the UVL lamps get 5 454 blues, 2 actinic white and see if they have a 10K lamp of some kind. If not do the 75/25 uvl.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Light running time question. Yes.... Im a newbe ~ but am learning. I just received my nova extreme pro. Per what everyone is wrighting about the lighting I will be changing the bulbs, perhaps in 6mo. All I have in my tank right now is live rock & sand. I would like to have some soft corals (still exploring corals) + fish. On my light fixture, the left on/off runs two of the daylights 10,000K. (dont know why all 3 daylights dont run ?) The right on/off runs all 3 actinic 460nm bulbs and 1 daylight bulb. I understand about the dusk/dawn cycle~ but for how long are these times? The daylight time would be on between? Is is ever recominded or would it be harmful to run all the lights at the same time? Thanks for any suggestions on running time? (and on bulb's when I change them over) I love RC!! Thanks! Vicki

Put 2 of the blues on the left switch for a 10 to 12 hour cycle and a nice dusk/dawn cycle and the other 4 lamps on the other for 8 to 10 hours.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim,

What t5 fixture would you recommend for a 30" tall tank that is only 20" wide and 18" front to back. Will only be housing easy softies such as mushrooms, xenia, and other easy to keep softies.

Perhaps a better questions would be how many bulbs will I need? 2, 4, 6 ?

The tank is being set up as a project for clients at a rehabilitation center, so price is a huge concern.

One of the nova fixture with the 18" long lamps or see if you can score a cheap halide. 6 lamps would be best but 4 will work if you do zoos and shrooms.

Thanks!

 

[IronVikingMC]

hey grim are there any t5s that can fit my 12 gallon jbj nano tank?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

hey grim are there any t5s that can fit my 12 gallon jbj nano tank?

Right now the shortest T5 I know of that will "work" for a reef are the 18" current ones.

 

[azreefer]

Hi Grim,

You are clearly the t-5 master after reading through many pages. If you don't mind, I have easy access to all the UVL bulbs and was wondering what combination you would use for a 6 bulb Tek retro. I'm looking for a look around a 20K with great color "pop". (sps tank)

These are my options...

UV Lighting T-5 Lamp 48" 54 Watt Super Actinic
UV Lighting T-5 Lamp 48" 54 Watt AquaSun 10,000K
UV Lighting T-5 Lamp 48" 54 Watt Actinic White 12,000K
UV Lighting T-5 Lamp 48" 54 Watt Indigo Blue
UV Lighting T-5 Lamp 48" 54 Watt 454 85% Triband Blue

From front to back which order would you place them?

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer!!!!!!!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hi Grim,

You are clearly the t-5 master after reading through many pages. If you don't mind, I have easy access to all the UVL bulbs and was wondering what combination you would use for a 6 bulb Tek retro. I'm looking for a look around a 20K with great color "pop". (sps tank)

These are my options...

UV Lighting T-5 Lamp 48" 54 Watt Super Actinic
UV Lighting T-5 Lamp 48" 54 Watt AquaSun 10,000K
UV Lighting T-5 Lamp 48" 54 Watt Actinic White 12,000K
UV Lighting T-5 Lamp 48" 54 Watt Indigo Blue
UV Lighting T-5 Lamp 48" 54 Watt 454 85% Triband Blue

From front to back which order would you place them?

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer!!!!!!!

Front
454
Actinic White
454
Indigo (lamp is more white than blue)
454
454

Will be a bright 20K look.

 

[azreefer]

Thanks Grim! I really appreciate it. I'll post a pick after I put them in.

 

[pepsicola]

Grim, I don't want to sound so dumb but what is a 454 blue T-5 lamp? I looked on reefgeek and did not see this type of a bulb. Where do I get it? Thanks!!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Reefgeek must be out. The 454 is UVL answer to the blue plus lamp. Same thing as Ice Cap's Twilight blue.

 

[pepsicola]

Thanks Grim, I really appreciate you. I will call them tomorrow and order. Thanks again.

 

[rtparty]

Grim,

Has Reefgeek ever carried the 454? I haven't seen it on the site ever. I don't check every day but probably once a week.

I know on my wholesale list they carry the KZ 14k but I have never seen that on the site either.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim,

Has Reefgeek ever carried the 454? I haven't seen it on the site ever. I don't check every day but probably once a week.

I know on my wholesale list they carry the KZ 14k but I have never seen that on the site either.

I dunno, to be honest with you I wouldn't carry them. Better options. He does have the IC versions.

 

[kylie d]

Hi. I am working on an upgrade to a 40g breeder and was told you know everything about T5 setups. I'm going retrofit but don't know anything about different spectrums or bulbs for T5's. What would you suggest for the 36"x18"x16" tank that would allow me to have sps, lps, anemone, softies, clams, etc with vivid colors? I really want a lot of color with some growth, but not crazy growth. What would you recommend?

Thanks,

Kylie

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hi. I am working on an upgrade to a 40g breeder and was told you know everything about T5 setups. I'm going retrofit but don't know anything about different spectrums or bulbs for T5's. What would you suggest for the 36"x18"x16" tank that would allow me to have sps, lps, anemone, softies, clams, etc with vivid colors? I really want a lot of color with some growth, but not crazy growth. What would you recommend?

Thanks,

Kylie

4 lamp Ice Cap HO retro from reefgeek, the one with regular T5 ballasts, not the Ice Cap ballasts

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

 

[kylie d]

So what do each of those bulbs do? What are their main characteristics and why did you pick them?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

So what do each of those bulbs do? What are their main characteristics and why did you pick them?

Blue plus adds blue and fluoresces corals, actinic white adds a little more fluorescense and some red and yellow spectrum, Aquablue is bright white with a slight blue tint that just brightens up the overall look.