The T5 Q&a Thread

[black_ice_pc]

Grim---
You said the Aquaillumination reflectors are better than IC's, could you explain why? If I'm correct, the IC's and the Aquailluminations are both 2.5" wide, but the Aquailluminations are .3" shorter. Traditionally a deeper reflector focuses light better, in our case into the tank. Any thoughts on this? And also, is the Aquaillumination the thinnest out? I'm trying to fit 8 bulbs over my 18" wide 95gal. 8 x 2.5 = 20", so with those reflectors I can only fit 7 bulbs over. Would I be better off using 7 bulbs, or using thinner reflectors?

 

[black_ice_pc]

Sorry also forget to mention, would using a actively cooled TEK fixture be better than DIYing my own or vice verse in your opinion?

 

[Montezuma]

Super Actinic is a actinic, Actinic White is a 50/50 lamp that is actinic/daylight. Not the same animal at all. You use the 50/50 as a daylight type lamp.

Blue Plus --- Actinic Plus are Blue Lamps

Aquablue (ATI and Gieseman) are a 50/50 lamp, white with a bit of a blue tint, like the Actinic White should be used as a daylight lamp.

So would it be better to use atinic plus instead of just blue plus?

This is what i have now

aquaBlue Plus
ATI Aqua Blue Special
ATI Aqua Blue Special
aquaBlue Plus
aquaBlue Plus
ATI Aqua Blue Special
AquaScience Blue 22k
aquaBlue Plus

You can see why its so white of a color.


Im thinking

ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aqua Blue Special
fiji
atinic plus
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aqua Blue Special
AquaScience Blue 22k
ATI Blue Plus

or do you recommend something else?

 

[Jarob]

Hey Grim could you help me get a bulb combo that would fit ReeferChicks color combo on this thread: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15855458#post15855458


I have an 8x24w T5 setup to play with.

Thanks a ton!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim---
You said the Aquaillumination reflectors are better than IC's, could you explain why? If I'm correct, the IC's and the Aquailluminations are both 2.5" wide, but the Aquailluminations are .3" shorter. Traditionally a deeper reflector focuses light better, in our case into the tank. Any thoughts on this? And also, is the Aquaillumination the thinnest out? I'm trying to fit 8 bulbs over my 18" wide 95gal. 8 x 2.5 = 20", so with those reflectors I can only fit 7 bulbs over. Would I be better off using 7 bulbs, or using thinner reflectors?

If I could give you a technical answer to that question I wouldn't be doing this stuff for free :fun2:

All I know is what the PAR meter says.

As far as reflectors the Aquactinics are the narrowest, 2 inches wide. If space is an issue I wouldn't hesitate to use those for a second, they are not that much less effective than the AI's.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Sorry also forget to mention, would using a actively cooled TEK fixture be better than DIYing my own or vice verse in your opinion?

Flip a coin. If it is going to be in a canopy retrofit for sure.

 

[volmek]

I went to my LFS yesterday looked at the show tank, then went back home to look at my tank, I need to upgrade these bulbs my colors need more punch but I'm on a budget and also I want high PARs.

I have a 48" Current USE Sundial 4xT5ho with the stock tubes:
Current Slimpaq 10,000k T5 HO
Current Slimpaq 460nm T5 Actinic
Current Slimpaq 10,000k T5 HO
Current Slimpaq 460nm T5 Actinic

Should / Could I keep 2 original tubes and make this :
Current Slimpaq 460nm T5 Actinic
Purple Fidji
Current Slimpaq 10,000k T5 HO
ATI Blue Plus

other suggestions?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

So would it be better to use atinic plus instead of just blue plus?

This is what i have now

aquaBlue Plus
ATI Aqua Blue Special
ATI Aqua Blue Special
aquaBlue Plus
aquaBlue Plus
ATI Aqua Blue Special
AquaScience Blue 22k
aquaBlue Plus

You can see why its so white of a color.


Im thinking

ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aqua Blue Special
fiji
atinic plus
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aqua Blue Special
AquaScience Blue 22k
ATI Blue Plus

or do you recommend something else?

Bottom mix is fine if you already have the lamps but if not forget the AS 22000K and Actinic Plus, just use the Blue Plus, they are all about the same spectrum.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim could you help me get a bulb combo that would fit ReeferChicks color combo on this thread: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15855458#post15855458


I have an 8x24w T5 setup to play with.

Thanks a ton!

Nice tank but that photo is blasting the colors a bit so it is a little hard to know what lamps she is using, If T5's at all.

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

I think that will be close, the Actinic Whites will bring out the pink and red colors well.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I went to my LFS yesterday looked at the show tank, then went back home to look at my tank, I need to upgrade these bulbs my colors need more punch but I'm on a budget and also I want high PARs.

I have a 48" Current USE Sundial 4xT5ho with the stock tubes:
Current Slimpaq 10,000k T5 HO
Current Slimpaq 460nm T5 Actinic
Current Slimpaq 10,000k T5 HO
Current Slimpaq 460nm T5 Actinic

Should / Could I keep 2 original tubes and make this :
Current Slimpaq 460nm T5 Actinic
Purple Fidji
Current Slimpaq 10,000k T5 HO
ATI Blue Plus

other suggestions?

2 Blue Plus, the Fiji and the Slimpaq 10K. Current's blue lamp is low PAR. You will get a nice boost running the two Blue Plus. The Fiji is abut the same as the current 10K in PAR.

 

[Purelife]

Helping selecting fixture

Helping selecting fixture

I just acquired a new tank ( L 48 X W 24 X H 18) and trying to decide what fixture is tougher than i was thinking..

I am looking at
ATI Powermodule - 4 X 54w 48"
Tek 6x54w 48"

Cost wise they kinda even up even though the ATI is less 2 bulbs can it still preform up with the TEK ?

 

[crazydante]

I have a Tek 6 bulb fixture and 9 bulbs to use (bought used fixture)
4x ati blue plus
2x ati aquable special
1x uvl 75/25
1x gieseman actinic +
1x uvl actinic white

what should I use front to back for the best look

tank is 36x18x21 sps on top thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I just acquired a new tank ( L 48 X W 24 X H 18) and trying to decide what fixture is tougher than i was thinking..

I am looking at
ATI Powermodule - 4 X 54w 48"
Tek 6x54w 48"

Cost wise they kinda even up even though the ATI is less 2 bulbs can it still preform up with the TEK ?

Id get the 8 lamp tek but the 6 lamp version will work.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I have a Tek 6 bulb fixture and 9 bulbs to use (bought used fixture)
4x ati blue plus
2x ati aquable special
1x uvl 75/25
1x gieseman actinic +
1x uvl actinic white

what should I use front to back for the best look

tank is 36x18x21 sps on top thanks

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

 

[homeboyreefer]

hi grim grabbing a 10bulb fixture for a 24inch deep front/back tank so will be putting old super actinic bulbs in slots 1 and 10 cuz i heard that the front and back will be wasted light on my tank spilling out.

what do you think of this combo, how do you think it will look

FRONT

uvl super actinic (older bulb)
ati B+
uvl super actinic (dusk/dawn)
Fiji purple
GE 6500k or Giesemann 6000k
B+
Aquablue Special
UVL 75.25 or another UVL Superactinic (Dusk/Dawn)
B+
Uvl super actinic (older bulb)

 

[The Grim Reefer]

hi grim grabbing a 10bulb fixture for a 24inch deep front/back tank so will be putting old super actinic bulbs in slots 1 and 10 cuz i heard that the front and back will be wasted light on my tank spilling out.

what do you think of this combo, how do you think it will look

FRONT

uvl super actinic (older bulb)
ati B+
uvl super actinic (dusk/dawn)
Fiji purple
GE 6500k or Giesemann 6000k
B+
Aquablue Special
UVL 75.25 or another UVL Superactinic (Dusk/Dawn)
B+
Uvl super actinic (older bulb)

Super Actinic
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
Fiji Purple
Blue Plus
GE Daylight
Blue Plus
Blue Plus
Aquablue
Super Actinic

 

[MazdaSPD3]

This might sound silly but do T5's have to warm up? I just noticed one of my bulbs (when they turn on) is very dim in the center while the ends are bright (like how they should be).

 

[The Grim Reefer]

This might sound silly but do T5's have to warm up? I just noticed one of my bulbs (when they turn on) is very dim in the center while the ends are bright (like how they should be).

Yes

 

[homeboyreefer]

Super Actinic
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
Fiji Purple
Blue Plus
GE Daylight
Blue Plus
Blue Plus
Aquablue
Super Actinic

sweet thank you for your time sir

 

[ryanjiang]

Grim,

Do you have PAR number of Aqua Science lamps? Special 15000K and Blue 22000K. Few people mention AS blue is bluer than ATI blue plus and provide more pop. Have you used special 15000K, is it bright comparing to ATI aquablue?

Thanks.