The T5 Q&a Thread

[Floyd R Turbo]

I am trying to hammer down selection for an 8-lamp nova extreme 48" T5HO fixture for this tank, currently running the stock (4) 10,000Ks and (4) Actinics that came with the fixture about 8 months ago.

Our local club has a group buy with Reefgeek that ends today that I just found out about. It has been suggested that I go with this arrangement:

Front to back

ATI True Actinic
Korallen Zucht Fiji Purple (going with ATI Purple Plus instead)
ATI Blue Plus
Giesemann Aquablue
ATI True Actinic
UVL Aquasun
Giesemann Aquablue
ATI True actinic

How will the color rendering change with this setup? What other arrangement options could I go with?

I'm sure it's in this thread somewhere...but I'm pressed for time. Any help ASAP would be greatly appreciated!!!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Ok, is the ATI purple plus similar to a fiji purple? Does it bring out red and pinks?

Same thing

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Sorry if this has already been asked.

I have mixed LED and T5 lighting, and am looking to optimize my colors. My current lights are as follows, front to back:

LED reefbrite strip - blue (somewhere between blue and actinic in color)
KZ fiji purple
UVL superactinic
ATI blue plus
Geisemann 12K
ATI blue plus
ATI blue plus
LED reefbrite strip - white (around 8000K).

I am finding that my reds are a bit washed out and grey-ish looking from all the blue, and that my pinks are too dark. I just find that all the blue makes things look washed out.

What would people here recommend? I can get pretty much any bulb except for GE bulbs (don't know where to find them in Canada). The only limitation with the LED strips is that they can only be outside the T5 fixture. In other words, 1 strip in front and one behind the 6-bulb ATI sunpower. So I can't put the white LED strip in the middle of the lighting scheme.

Any suggestions to better brighten the tank so it isn't as blue-grey washed out? Would people use a UVL 12000 K pink bulb to brighten things? Add another fiji purple/purple plus? Other?

Move the Fiji back a couple slots and see if that helps. Might considering adding a Purple Plus which is about the same lamp if the move doesn't get you what you want

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I am trying to hammer down selection for an 8-lamp nova extreme 48" T5HO fixture for this tank, currently running the stock (4) 10,000Ks and (4) Actinics that came with the fixture about 8 months ago.

Our local club has a group buy with Reefgeek that ends today that I just found out about. It has been suggested that I go with this arrangement:

Front to back

ATI True Actinic
Korallen Zucht Fiji Purple (going with ATI Purple Plus instead)
ATI Blue Plus
Giesemann Aquablue
ATI True Actinic
UVL Aquasun
Giesemann Aquablue
ATI True actinic

How will the color rendering change with this setup? What other arrangement options could I go with?

I'm sure it's in this thread somewhere...but I'm pressed for time. Any help ASAP would be greatly appreciated!!!

Blue Plus
Purple Plus
Blue Plus
Gmann Aquablue
Blue Plus
Purple Plus
Blue Plus
Blue Plus

Order an extra Aquablue to play with. No sense in the Aquasun over a second purple plus as it just adds more red like the Purple lamp but doesnt have the actinic spike in it.

 

[Floyd R Turbo]

Grim, thanks for the quick response. However, won't that setup have a very blue appearance to it? 7 of the 8 bulbs look like they have roughly the same spectrum. This tank is in a dentist's office, so while I want it to pop, I don't want to get new bulbs and then have them say "what the heck". Looks like the Aquablue is the only full-spectrum lamp, but has a better even spectrum spread than the Aquasun, so I see what you're saying about ditching that now that I look closer at the charts.

Right now I think the tank is too 'white'. Trying to tone that down a little and bring out the colors.

 

[chris88]

I would go with what grimm suggested but i would add one more aqua blue in the mix in place of one blue plus.

 

[arcab4]

no idea why i was thinking this but my new tank size will be:

36x18x20 (lxwxh)

2 bulb t5 setup should be good enough for anemones mostly. not going to be a SPS tank. maybe a clam or something. was thinking 4 bulbs but not sure even if that fits or is overkill.

was looking at a retrofit at reefgeek but if anyone has any suggestions, i would appreciate it.

thanks!

 

[Team Freddy]

I have a 48" 4 bulb setup what bulbs would you go with? I don't have any coral.. only LR + Fish but I want to throw a little something in there soon.

Currently it has

2- 12K Bulbs
2- Actinic Blue

 

[Buc_Nasty]

I'm doing a T5HO retrofit
its a 125 gallon freshwater tank and im only lighting the left and right 1/3 of the tank (not the middle), so using 2x24w on each side. Plan on using GE 6500 and 10000K bulbs.

1) What are recommended ballasts for HO (not VHO/overdriven)? The icecap ballasts for $150 are expensive...what can I get away with in my situation?

2) If I should just go with Icecap ballasts...can I run all 4 of my 24 watt bulbs off one ballast? The icecap product description says "IceCap 430 Powers up to 320 watts. You can run 2,3 or 4 VHO bulbs off one ballast as long as you do not exceed maximum wattage." Yet Grim on your website you say get one ballast for every 2 bulbs...?

3) Grim you say ATI reflectors are the best and aquatinics 2nd. Where the hell does one buy ATI reflectors!!?? I cant find them anywhere

4) has anyone figured out if its cheaper to buy all the wiring and standoffs separately or buy for example the Icecap retro kit?

 

[MVlk]

New light recommendation.

New light recommendation.

Grim/Experts...

I am setting up a new tank which is 36x24X16. Tank will likely be mixed but I do not want to rule out being heavy SPS in the future.

I was looking at getting a 36" 8x39W Powermodule T5 High-Output Fixture. As I was about to place the order from Reef Geek it occurred to me the 8 bulb may be overkill and a 6 would be just fine. I'd love to get the expert opinion if I should save $200 and just get the 6 bulb.

For whichever is recommended, please let me know the bulbs from Reef Geek I should order it with. I am looking for the standard balance of color/growth leaning to a blueish look.

Much appreciation!

 

[Frogmanx82]

Grim, I appreciate the advice I got when I first set my tank up. Its been 15 months since I put my bulbs in. I have a Aquactinics TX5 on a 48 inch 90 gallon tank.

I started with 2 x ATI blue +, ATI aquablue, GE 6500, UVL actinic white. I switched the GE for a Fuji purple about 9 months ago thinking it would help with a hair algae problem. Should I do a swap of the 4 older bulbs or blend them in over a month or so?

I don't see much recommendations on the actinic whites so maybe I go with 3 blue +. What is the logic used in deciding between them? I have a mix of softies, candy canes, frogspawn, acans, some montis, and a crocea clam with some cheato and caulerpa. No hair algae. I use 3 bulbs for morning and evening, all 5 for 6 hours mid day.

 

[Shiroi Kitsune]

Grim,

Between your recommendations and other combos i've seen and liked this is what I've come up with.

SPS dominated standard 75 gallon,predominately pink, purple, blue, and green corals, with yellow, orange, pink fish.

8 bulb Nova

1. ATI Blue Plus
2. ATI Blue Plus
3. KZ 10k
4. ATI Aqua Blue
5. KZ Fiji Purple
6. ATI Aqua Blue
7. ATI Blue Plus
8. ATI Blue Plus

Will this work for good color rep along with the high par needed for the setup?

 

[Surfacer]

I am ordering a ATI 60" 6 bulb powermodule as an upgrade to the fixture I have now. Currently my bulbs are:
Blue +
UVL actinic white
Blue +
GE 6500K
Blue +
================
I see the GE 6500K bulb is not recommended as much. My question is will these bulbs I want to order look similar to my current setup? Should I replace any with a purple plus for better color/growth?

Wish list:
Blue +
New Generation 14000K
Blue +
GE 6500K
Blue +
Blue +

Thanks for all of the help

 

[Surfacer]

Sorry Double post

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim, thanks for the quick response. However, won't that setup have a very blue appearance to it? 7 of the 8 bulbs look like they have roughly the same spectrum. This tank is in a dentist's office, so while I want it to pop, I don't want to get new bulbs and then have them say "what the heck". Looks like the Aquablue is the only full-spectrum lamp, but has a better even spectrum spread than the Aquasun, so I see what you're saying about ditching that now that I look closer at the charts.

Right now I think the tank is too 'white'. Trying to tone that down a little and bring out the colors.

Keep in mind the Purple plus are as bright as a Aquablue but with a pink tint. Like I said grab a spare aquablue just in case but I think one will do.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

no idea why i was thinking this but my new tank size will be:

36x18x20 (lxwxh)

2 bulb t5 setup should be good enough for anemones mostly. not going to be a SPS tank. maybe a clam or something. was thinking 4 bulbs but not sure even if that fits or is overkill.

was looking at a retrofit at reefgeek but if anyone has any suggestions, i would appreciate it.

thanks!

4 minimum and 6 if you want clams/

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I have a 48" 4 bulb setup what bulbs would you go with? I don't have any coral.. only LR + Fish but I want to throw a little something in there soon.

Currently it has

2- 12K Bulbs
2- Actinic Blue

2 ATI Blue Plus 1 ATI Aquablue and a ATI Purple Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I'm doing a T5HO retrofit
its a 125 gallon freshwater tank and im only lighting the left and right 1/3 of the tank (not the middle), so using 2x24w on each side. Plan on using GE 6500 and 10000K bulbs.

1) What are recommended ballasts for HO (not VHO/overdriven)? The icecap ballasts for $150 are expensive...what can I get away with in my situation?

2) If I should just go with Icecap ballasts...can I run all 4 of my 24 watt bulbs off one ballast? The icecap product description says "IceCap 430 Powers up to 320 watts. You can run 2,3 or 4 VHO bulbs off one ballast as long as you do not exceed maximum wattage." Yet Grim on your website you say get one ballast for every 2 bulbs...?

3) Grim you say ATI reflectors are the best and aquatinics 2nd. Where the hell does one buy ATI reflectors!!?? I cant find them anywhere

4) has anyone figured out if its cheaper to buy all the wiring and standoffs separately or buy for example the Icecap retro kit?

LET reflectors from Reefgeek are the best available right now.

If you want a natural sunlight look then a 6500 and Aquablue would be about right. Pretty much paper white look. I would use standard 2x24 watt Triad ballasts.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim/Experts...

I am setting up a new tank which is 36x24X16. Tank will likely be mixed but I do not want to rule out being heavy SPS in the future.

I was looking at getting a 36" 8x39W Powermodule T5 High-Output Fixture. As I was about to place the order from Reef Geek it occurred to me the 8 bulb may be overkill and a 6 would be just fine. I'd love to get the expert opinion if I should save $200 and just get the 6 bulb.

For whichever is recommended, please let me know the bulbs from Reef Geek I should order it with. I am looking for the standard balance of color/growth leaning to a blueish look.

Much appreciation!

6 lamps with the fixture mounted about 6" above should work. 4 ATI Blue Plus, 1 Giesemann Aquablue and 1 ATI Purple Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim, I appreciate the advice I got when I first set my tank up. Its been 15 months since I put my bulbs in. I have a Aquactinics TX5 on a 48 inch 90 gallon tank.

I started with 2 x ATI blue +, ATI aquablue, GE 6500, UVL actinic white. I switched the GE for a Fuji purple about 9 months ago thinking it would help with a hair algae problem. Should I do a swap of the 4 older bulbs or blend them in over a month or so?

I don't see much recommendations on the actinic whites so maybe I go with 3 blue +. What is the logic used in deciding between them? I have a mix of softies, candy canes, frogspawn, acans, some montis, and a crocea clam with some cheato and caulerpa. No hair algae. I use 3 bulbs for morning and evening, all 5 for 6 hours mid day.

Do 3 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Aquablue and a ATI Purple Plus which is about the same as the Fiji. I'd replace the Blue Plus then wait about a week and replace the aquablue and another week the purple.