The T5 Q&a Thread

[kylie d]

Also, why 4 bulbs instead of 6? I'm sorry if this is picky and annoying but I really like to learn everything and I've had people suggesting 4 or 6. Thanks for you help!

 

[kylie d]

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.

Cool. Thank you!

 

[kylie d]

Would you do the 4 bulbs or 6? I've had people suggest either. What are benefits/draw backs to either?

If you were to do a 6 bulb retrofit, what bulbs would you use?

 

[MazdaSPD3]

Hey Grim, would like some input.

I currently have a 4 bulb setup, and I want to add another 2 bulbs for a total of 6.
My current fixture have 1,3 and 2,4 on two switches and the new 2 bulb fixture will simply be on and off for both bulbs.

I was wondering what you can recommend in terms of not too much blue and not too much yellow. Currently on my 4 bulbs, I have 1,3 running ATI Blue Plus and on 2,4 I have Aquablues and I think its just too blue. Hopefully with the extra 2 bulbs I can run it a bit whiter. Heres what I plan to run,

Front
Blue Plus
10k
Aquablue
10k
Aquablue
Blue Plus
Back

I plan to have the Aquablue and Blue Plus run on the same timer and the 10k running as the daylights on a separate timer for an hour less in the morning and evening.

Pretty much growing softies and zoas and some LPS.


Hows that look?

 

[killagoby]

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

I tried that set-up listed above and it was too blue for me. Instead I decided to go with:

(Front)
ATI Aquablue Special
ATI 03 True Actinic

150w 14K Phoenix Metal Halides

ATI Blue +
ATI Aquablue Special
(Back)

The two 150w 14K Phoenix MH's run 6 hours a day. When the halides are off (or on) the tank has a nice look. I run the T5's for 12 hours a day.

This T5 set-up has a nice look IMO. Maybe 18K. With the halides on it is in the 15K range.

 

[sittnon18s]

hey grim where is the best place to buy ati bulbs from

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Would you do the 4 bulbs or 6? I've had people suggest either. What are benefits/draw backs to either?

If you were to do a 6 bulb retrofit, what bulbs would you use?

Add a Blue Plus and Aquablue for 6. But be carefull things like open brains and softies won't like all that light.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim, would like some input.

I currently have a 4 bulb setup, and I want to add another 2 bulbs for a total of 6.
My current fixture have 1,3 and 2,4 on two switches and the new 2 bulb fixture will simply be on and off for both bulbs.

I was wondering what you can recommend in terms of not too much blue and not too much yellow. Currently on my 4 bulbs, I have 1,3 running ATI Blue Plus and on 2,4 I have Aquablues and I think its just too blue. Hopefully with the extra 2 bulbs I can run it a bit whiter. Heres what I plan to run,

Front
Blue Plus
10k
Aquablue
10k
Aquablue
Blue Plus
Back

I plan to have the Aquablue and Blue Plus run on the same timer and the 10k running as the daylights on a separate timer for an hour less in the morning and evening.

Pretty much growing softies and zoas and some LPS.


Hows that look?

Do a UVL Actinic White which is a pepto pink color and another Aquablue. You will be amazed at the color that red and yellow spectrum the Actinic White lamp will bring out. If you want a more 10K look you could add the Actinic WHite and a GE 6500K Daylight or Giesemann Midday.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

hey grim where is the best place to buy ati bulbs from

Usually Reefgeek has the best deals but check Premium Aquatics and Aquarium Specialties too.

 

[MazdaSPD3]

Okay, guess I'll go w/ the UVL Actinic White and another Aquablue. Should they go where I was planning to put the 10ks?

Do a UVL Actinic White which is a pepto pink color and another Aquablue. You will be amazed at the color that red and yellow spectrum the Actinic White lamp will bring out. If you want a more 10K look you could add the Actinic WHite and a GE 6500K Daylight or Giesemann Midday.

 

[kylie d]

Ok, thank you so much for the help! You are awesome!

Would it be a bad thing to try out the 4 bulbs and maybe later upgrade to the 6? I don't mind the installation, I'm just worried about the corals I have/get freaking out to so many light changes.

 

[gatoreefer]

Hey Grim- Let me first say this thread has been incredibly helpful so thank you. I've just ordered a 48" 6 bulb NEP for a 55 gallon tank and will be swapping out the stock bulbs. In reading through your recommendations, it seems like this is the most popular setup:

Front
ATI Blue+
UVL Actinic White (50/50)
ATI Blue+
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue+
ATI Aquablue

Now for my question... First off, my tank (at least for the next year or so) is mostly softies and LPS. Secondly, I have the tank set up as a peninsula with viewing on both sides. Will this uneven bulb setup be okay with these corals and this tank positioning? If not, what would you recommend?

Thanks in advance for your help

 

[crigsby]

I am going to upgrade to a 6 lamp 36" ati sunpower or MH setup. With the sunpower will I be able to grow sps anywhere in the tank or will they have to be near the surface? My tank is 23" deep from surface to sandbed.

Do you think that the sunpower is the best route to go for lighting 36"x18"x24" tank or should I consider a MH setup for a tank this deep? If MH setup, what should I go with 1 250w with t5/VHO supplement or 2 Mh bulb setup?

I have a mixed reef that is sps dominated.

Thanks!

 

[jeremyreef]

Do a UVL Actinic White which is a pepto pink color .

perfect discription for that bulb color :lolspin:

 

[Saltyllama]

Grim,
Quick and easy question. Icecap 4 bulb t-5 retro kit (660) or nova extreme pro 6x54w with SLR?

found a good deal on a T5 retro kit which I will end up adding another 660 with at least 2 more reflectors and bulbs. May be a month before that happens though.

Which would you go for?

 

[chefbenry89]

i need to replace the light system for my 55 gal, i want to make sure that i get a good light if you could help me out i would appreciate it. it is about 1 foot wide, 2 deep and 4 long. i am thinking that i want a 4x64w T5 HO. i just want to insure that i have can have the same variety of corals as a halide.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Okay, guess I'll go w/ the UVL Actinic White and another Aquablue. Should they go where I was planning to put the 10ks?

Yeah

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Ok, thank you so much for the help! You are awesome!

Would it be a bad thing to try out the 4 bulbs and maybe later upgrade to the 6? I don't mind the installation, I'm just worried about the corals I have/get freaking out to so many light changes.

Be fine, just be aware of where your high intensity areas are (under the reflectors) and place corals accordingly.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim- Let me first say this thread has been incredibly helpful so thank you. I've just ordered a 48" 6 bulb NEP for a 55 gallon tank and will be swapping out the stock bulbs. In reading through your recommendations, it seems like this is the most popular setup:

Front
ATI Blue+
UVL Actinic White (50/50)
ATI Blue+
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue+
ATI Aquablue

Now for my question... First off, my tank (at least for the next year or so) is mostly softies and LPS. Secondly, I have the tank set up as a peninsula with viewing on both sides. Will this uneven bulb setup be okay with these corals and this tank positioning? If not, what would you recommend?

Thanks in advance for your help

Front
ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus

This would look nice and be near perfect as far as looks from one side to the other. You could use the UVL 75/25 instead of the Fiji Purples to save some money. I don't think it would make a hill of beans of difference except in PAR but if you stick to mostly LPS and softies you are fine anyway,

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I am going to upgrade to a 6 lamp 36" ati sunpower or MH setup. With the sunpower will I be able to grow sps anywhere in the tank or will they have to be near the surface? My tank is 23" deep from surface to sandbed.

Do you think that the sunpower is the best route to go for lighting 36"x18"x24" tank or should I consider a MH setup for a tank this deep? If MH setup, what should I go with 1 250w with t5/VHO supplement or 2 Mh bulb setup?

I have a mixed reef that is sps dominated.

Thanks!

On the 36" tank The T5's would probably be better. The halides only give you good intensity for 2 feet at best.