The T5 Q&a Thread

[kdog308]

Alright Grim help me out please. Just ordered a 6 bulb 48" tek elite fixture, and in my shoping cart at aquacave is 4 ATI Blue+, 1 GE starcoat 6500k, and 1 UVL Actinic White. This well be over a standard all glass 75 gallon brand new with a 38 gallon sump. This is my first reef tank and I want everything spot on before my first drop of water. Arangement as follows

ATI Blue+
ATI Blue+
GE Starcoat
UV Actinic White
ATI Blue+
ATI Blue+

I Plan on starting off slow but hopefully if everything goes well I would like to have some SPS and clams. Since I'm new to reefing I cant say what colors I like or dont like so thats why I'm asking your Oppinion. Just steer me towards great growth and color. Is my arangement right, if not what do I need and in what order. Thanks for any Info you can give me.

Since I havent purchased the bulbs yet a can swap out any of them regardless of price. Would like to order them all at once and aquacave carries all mager brands.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

one follow-up question ... is there any significant benefit with going with the tek elite vs. the standard tek?? i noticed the elite has fans, but, is it worth almost double the cost?? will the fans extend the life of the bulbs by very much?

You can add one of those clamp on external 6" fans places like target sells. You just need to mount it so it blows down over the top of the center of the fixture slightly from the center rear. just don't direct the air at the lamps. It boosts output and I assume extends lamp life for a whole lot cheaper than the elite.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim, wanted to gauge thoughts on new T5 LED tube lights. In particular SMD5050 LED's. Here are specs for the white lights. These are self contained with power source, ready to plug in 48", 12W 78pcs 5050 SMD LEDs, DC 12V,Bi-pin Socket at both ends, White 6000K-7500K, 1053lm. Also looking at same for blue leds/same specs.

Thinking about adding to existing 6 bulb system.

Thanks in advance.

I wouldn't. Those things have pathetic PAR. Anything less than a 3 watt LED is pretty worthless on anything more than 16 inches tall or so and then you'd want 1 watt LED which those aren't.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hi everybody,

I just bought a new to me Nova Extreme fixture, it's a 6 bulb, going over a 55 gallon tank that currently has just a 2 bulb fixture above it. My question is what bulbs do y'all recommend for this setup? (I have no idea here, I am absolutely lost so all help is appreciated)

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Alright Grim help me out please. Just ordered a 6 bulb 48" tek elite fixture, and in my shoping cart at aquacave is 4 ATI Blue+, 1 GE starcoat 6500k, and 1 UVL Actinic White. This well be over a standard all glass 75 gallon brand new with a 38 gallon sump. This is my first reef tank and I want everything spot on before my first drop of water. Arangement as follows

ATI Blue+
ATI Blue+
GE Starcoat
UV Actinic White
ATI Blue+
ATI Blue+

I Plan on starting off slow but hopefully if everything goes well I would like to have some SPS and clams. Since I'm new to reefing I cant say what colors I like or dont like so thats why I'm asking your Oppinion. Just steer me towards great growth and color. Is my arangement right, if not what do I need and in what order. Thanks for any Info you can give me.

Since I havent purchased the bulbs yet a can swap out any of them regardless of price. Would like to order them all at once and aquacave carries all mager brands.

Right lamps, just tweak the order

BP
AW
BP
GE
BP
BP

 

[Merfin70]

Morning Grim. I have an ATI 6x39w over a 24" wide tank. Fixture is 15" wide so I'm going to have some area without a light directly overhead. My rockwork is generally in the middle of the tank.

Should I mount the fixture even with the front of the tank to maximize light around the viewing angle of the tank? Or should I mount it centered over the tank? Or will it really not effect how the coral looks from the front and I'm completely overthinking this ?

Tank is mainly SPS so trying to make sure they look their best from the front. Tks.

 

[lovetoreef]

You can add one of those clamp on external 6" fans places like target sells. You just need to mount it so it blows down over the top of the center of the fixture slightly from the center rear. just don't direct the air at the lamps. It boosts output and I assume extends lamp life for a whole lot cheaper than the elite.

thanks again

 

[d-man]

ok so i'm a halide guy making the switch so i need a little help. I had a phoenix 250 14k and I liked the color.

so I now have a 4 bulb 24" icecap and a 2 bulb current retro.
The retro i have as the dawn dusk at the front and back of the aquarium. I have a bunch of bulbs and was wondering given my bulbs what would be a good configuration. Also which should slowly be replaced with what as i start to change them out near christmas.

The bulbs i have are.
2 current actinics
2 UVL super actinics
1 kz new generation
1 kz fiji purple
2 geissmann actinic plus
2 geissmann pure actinic
1 geissmann aquaflora
2 marine glo
Its a 60 cube btw
Thanks
derek

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Morning Grim. I have an ATI 6x39w over a 24" wide tank. Fixture is 15" wide so I'm going to have some area without a light directly overhead. My rockwork is generally in the middle of the tank.

Should I mount the fixture even with the front of the tank to maximize light around the viewing angle of the tank? Or should I mount it centered over the tank? Or will it really not effect how the coral looks from the front and I'm completely overthinking this ?

Tank is mainly SPS so trying to make sure they look their best from the front. Tks.

Slightly front of center. Just move it around to see where you get the best look.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

ok so i'm a halide guy making the switch so i need a little help. I had a phoenix 250 14k and I liked the color.

so I now have a 4 bulb 24" icecap and a 2 bulb current retro.
The retro i have as the dawn dusk at the front and back of the aquarium. I have a bunch of bulbs and was wondering given my bulbs what would be a good configuration. Also which should slowly be replaced with what as i start to change them out near christmas.

The bulbs i have are.
2 current actinics
2 UVL super actinics
1 kz new generation
1 kz fiji purple
2 geissmann actinic plus
2 geissmann pure actinic
1 geissmann aquaflora
2 marine glo
Its a 60 cube btw
Thanks
derek

Front
Current Actinic >>> ATI Blue Plus
KZ New Generation >>> Fiji Purple
Fiji Purple >>> ATI Blue Plus
Actinic Plus >>> ATI Aquablue
Current Actinic >>> ATI Blue Plus
Actinic Plus >>> ATI Blue Plus

 

[d-man]

much appreciated GRIM

 

[Jurassic]

i need some advice

my tank is a standard 30 gallon, 36 X 12 X 16

my tank has been running for 6 months and everything has been doing good, but lately im having some trouble keeping things higher up in my tank, they tend to lose their colors quickly but still grow. everything mid range and under does great. all my sps are lower than the middle and seem to be doing great too.

I have a 36" 4x39W SLR T5 High-Output Retrofit Kit inside my canopy

my current bulb combination from front to back is:

* KZ Fiji Purple
* ATI Blue+
* ATI Aquablue Special
* ATI Blue+

I was thinking about switching out the aquablue for a true actinic or something, would this be a bad idea?

i also saw the new KZ bulbs and they seem pretty awesome

I really like purple and blue tint. Let me know if yal have other suggestions or advice.

thanks!

 

[thebanker]

Giesemann Aquapink?

Giesemann Aquapink?

Does anyone know about this bulb?

* Description
Our latest innovation, the AQUA-PINK T-5 tube is specially designed for marine use. It brings out the blue, violet and red colours in your SPS and fish whilst enhancing coral growth.

We recommend this tube to be used in conjunction with our other POWERCHROME T-5 bulbs for marine aquariums. Hard corals increase coloration intensively, especially pink, purple and red.

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewI...ry=FILTBUT5HO&child=GL2165&tab=0&size=48 Inch

 

[rtparty]

Does anyone know about this bulb?



http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewI...ry=FILTBUT5HO&child=GL2165&tab=0&size=48 Inch

It is a bulb to compete with the KZ Fiji Purple. Gmann and ATI have both developed a pink bulb to compete.

I myself would go with the ATI Purple Plus over Gmann. Gmann bulbs don't put out the PAR that ATI's do and I also don't really care for Gmann. It would be nice to see some PAR readings for the ATI Purple Plus and this Gmann AquaPink though.

 

[GrampaDon]

Hi Grim
Looking for a suggestion. I am not using the halides anymore ,too much heat.
[Still need to remove them [read lazy]]
I currently have a canopy with the lights about 7-8in above the water. The tank is 60x24x17 with Zoas ,Birdsnest ,Frogspawn.
Currently using 4 T-5s with SLRs and have enough to add another pair of T-5s
[ Advance ballast #B254PUNV-D]

So im not sure if I want to run 5 with #5 as a low light dusk-dawn.
But will likely run 6 T-5s

So would you recommend the 6 listed on your Homepage.?
Or a different combo to get more low-light dusk to dawn lighting.?

And TIA
Don

 

[rtparty]

Go with 6 if you can.

For 6 bulbs I would try

3 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Actinic, 1 GE 6500k and 1 ATI Purple Plus

 

[thebanker]

It is a bulb to compete with the KZ Fiji Purple. Gmann and ATI have both developed a pink bulb to compete.

I myself would go with the ATI Purple Plus over Gmann. Gmann bulbs don't put out the PAR that ATI's do and I also don't really care for Gmann. It would be nice to see some PAR readings for the ATI Purple Plus and this Gmann AquaPink though.

Ok I see. I took down my Wavepoint Red Wave on the account of it looking too pink. I want to replace it with something to enhance the yellows and reds, but not sure what I will like. The last thing I want is to plunk down $30 for a Fiji purple only to hate it because it looks too pink. Same for the ATI Purple Plus or this new Giesemann.

 

[oscarsdad608]

I am looking for a 4 bulb t5 suggestion to go with 2 250 watt radiums. I had 4 ati blue plus but it washed out some of the pinks and reds.

 

[fsugmoney]

Hi Grim
I'm ready for new bulbs. Current setup is 2 660's 7 bulbs with SLR reflectors over 90 gal.
Bulbs 1, 2, and 7 are on one 660 for dusk dawn. I also have 18 3-watt leds, 6 white and 12 royalblue. The whites are dimmable and I play with them all the time trying to find that pefect color.
Current T-5 bulbs from front to back
Blue +
Blue +
Strip of Leds
Uvl 75/25
Blue +
Blue +
Ge 6500
Blue +

Have liked the color, but looking for a change. I'm a fan of the 20k look. What do u suggest? Is the kz fiji bulb worth the extra $?

 

[GrampaDon]

Go with 6 if you can.

For 6 bulbs I would try

3 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Actinic, 1 GE 6500k and 1 ATI Purple Plus

Where do you find the Purple Plus.?