The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

Thanks for the advice!!! So the how would the config look in the fixture (what order would the bulbs go front to back)

And what is the difference visually in the "OR" options?

1 GE 6500K or ATI Aquablue,
UVL Actinic White or KZ Fiji Purple

Wade

*EDIT with the Bowfront, I'd say more of my Rockwork and Corals sit in the Back 1/2 of the tank vs. the front (more "open" sand in the front part of the bow).

I personally would do the Actinic White, good PAR, Good Price.

Arrange them so you get Blue Pluses on your dusk dawn slots, the Actinic White front of center, GE rear of center.

 

[SuperW2]

I personally would do the Actinic White, good PAR, Good Price.

Arrange them so you get Blue Pluses on your dusk dawn slots, the Actinic White front of center, GE rear of center.

Thanks...

Just to make sure I'm understand the suggestions and and buying the right stuff...

My Dusk Dawn Switch Turns on the current Bulbs in Slot 1 and Slot 5;

Replacement config like this?

Front
Slot 1 (DD) - Blue Plus (ATI) <DuskDawn>
Slot 2 -12000K Actinic White (50/50) (UVL)
Slot 3 - Blue Plus (ATI)
Slot 4 - 6500K Daylight (GE)
Slot 5 (DD) - Blue Plus (ATI) <DuskDawn>
Slot 6 - Blue Plus (ATI)
Back

Since much of my Coral is along the back is the Slot 6 Blue Plus still the way to go? I have seen recommendations for the ATI Aquablue in the back slot as well.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Thanks...

Just to make sure I'm understand the suggestions and and buying the right stuff...

My Dusk Dawn Switch Turns on the current Bulbs in Slot 1 and Slot 5;

Replacement config like this?

Front
Slot 1 (DD) - Blue Plus (ATI) <DuskDawn>
Slot 2 -12000K Actinic White (50/50) (UVL)
Slot 3 - Blue Plus (ATI)
Slot 4 - 6500K Daylight (GE)
Slot 5 (DD) - Blue Plus (ATI) <DuskDawn>
Slot 6 - Blue Plus (ATI)
Back

Since much of my Coral is along the back is the Slot 6 Blue Plus still the way to go? I have seen recommendations for the ATI Aquablue in the back slot as well.

If you want more of a 12K look you could use the Aquablue in rear but the PAR difference, if any, isn't enough to worry about.

 

[Merfin70]

Thanks Grim. Should the money fairy smile on me and I find can afford the 8 lamp ATI PM fixture, what would your bulb recommendation be for my all SPS shallow tank?

6 would work.

Front

ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Thanks Grim. Should the money fairy smile on me and I find can afford the 8 lamp ATI PM fixture, what would your bulb recommendation be for my all SPS shallow tank?

Change the 75/25 to a UVL Actinic White, then add another Aquablue and another Blue Plus.

 

[chris88]

Grim,

Have you done any test on the Hagen T5 bulbs. They were the first T5 bulbs I used a few years back and I always felt they they appeared to be brigther to the eye then most T5 bulbs I have seen today. They come in 6,700k 18,000k and actinic. They didn't have the blank gaps at the end like aqua science and they packed a hell of a punch. I was hoping someone had some par test on them.


Thanks!

 

[kmu]

kmu....we need pics!

Here you go...

In that bulb color picture I have the following arrangement

Front to back
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus
Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
UVL SUper Actinic

I will exchange the front Blue plus to the rear for the UVL super actinic to the front.

I LOVE the ATI BLUE PLUS bulbs..

 

[martinphillip03]

Blue Plus
Actinic White
Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue

This is going to give you a lot more PAR.

Grim, I have been reading this thread for years. I have also read the T-5 par values and T-5 lamp pictures. Mixed reef with sps.
Questions,
1) How much Actinic lighting do you need.
2) Blue Plus
Actinic White
Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue = 12K

3) Blue Plus
Actinic White
Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
Blue Plus
Blue plus = 14k

4) Blue Plus
Actinic White
Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight / replace with Aquasun what would it do
Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue = ?

5) Blue Plus
Actinic White
Blue Plus replace with Fiji Purple what would it do
GE 6500K Daylight
Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue = ?

6) Blue Plus
Actinic White
Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight replace with Atinic white or 75/25
Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue

I understand B+ and aquablue. I dont understand where fiji purple fits in. I see ge6500 uvl 75/25 and Atinic White are basically the same. where does the aquasun fit in. I know the Atinic white is pinker than the ge 6500. Lastly I dont understand how much atinic you need ie Pure atinic or atinic plus.
I could also add one or two VHO Atinics retros to my system.
I know you have answered there many times but I am unable to pull the info out of the threads. Thank you

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim,

Have you done any test on the Hagen T5 bulbs. They were the first T5 bulbs I used a few years back and I always felt they they appeared to be brigther to the eye then most T5 bulbs I have seen today. They come in 6,700k 18,000k and actinic. They didn't have the blank gaps at the end like aqua science and they packed a hell of a punch. I was hoping someone had some par test on them.


Thanks!

Nope. Looking brighter doesn't mean they have more PAR. Could just be their Blues aren't as blue. Your eyes can really trick you. Once I get the tank set up I might order some cheapy lamps and test them but I just dropped about 7 grand on a pond, don't think I want to push my luck with any lamp purchases right now.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim, I have been reading this thread for years. I have also read the T-5 par values and T-5 lamp pictures. Mixed reef with sps.
Questions,
1) How much Actinic lighting do you need.
2) Blue Plus
Actinic White
Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue = 12K

3) Blue Plus
Actinic White
Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
Blue Plus
Blue plus = 14k

4) Blue Plus
Actinic White
Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight / replace with Aquasun what would it do
Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue = ?

5) Blue Plus
Actinic White
Blue Plus replace with Fiji Purple what would it do
GE 6500K Daylight
Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue = ?

6) Blue Plus
Actinic White
Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight replace with Atinic white or 75/25
Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue

I understand B+ and aquablue. I dont understand where fiji purple fits in. I see ge6500 uvl 75/25 and Atinic White are basically the same. where does the aquasun fit in. I know the Atinic white is pinker than the ge 6500. Lastly I dont understand how much atinic you need ie Pure atinic or atinic plus.
I could also add one or two VHO Atinics retros to my system.
I know you have answered there many times but I am unable to pull the info out of the threads. Thank you

A little cut and past action, sorry but I can't link you to where I posted this without violating the UA, This should answer your questions.

"Which lamps?

At the current time I only recommend ATI, AquaScience, Giesemann/D&D, UV Lighting, GE/Phillips Daylight, Narva and Sylvania lamps (And the Sfiligoi actinic) The KZ Fiji purple is OK although I don't think it is worth the price. One big difference between T5 lamps and Halides is that the blue T5's actually have very good PAR, More than the daylight lamps.

Actinic lamps peak around 420nm and provide low amounts of violet light and some UV range light that is good at causing fluorescence, mainly noticeable in the green range many LPS and soft corals have. The good actinics IMO are UVL Super Actinic, ATI Actinic, Sfigioli Super Blue Actinic, all which have a slightly bluer look and the Giesemann Pure Actinic which is more of a violet look.

Blue Lamps peak around 460nm and provide a high level of blue light and in most cases a good amount of PAR. They cause good fluorescence in most colors other than certain greens and are excellent at blending out the greenish yellow tint of 10K halide lamps. The good blue lamps are the ATI Blue Plus, Giesemann Actinic Plus, AquaScience 22000K Blue, Narva and Sylvania blues. The Helios Super Blue is a nice lamp if you can find it.

Daylight/Sun lamps provide a white, yellowish or even greenish white light. You should try to include at least one of these lamps in your mix to provide the Yellow and red spectrum you need to provide accurate color representation in your tank. Of course that is up to your personal taste. The good lamps are the UVL Aquasun (which has a slightly pinkish orange tint) GE 6500K Daylight, AquaScience 15000K "œSpecial", Giesemann Midday and the Current 10K is OK. The AquaScience special is probably the only one that would look acceptable as a stand alone lamp but as far as being art of a mix I can take or leave it.

Daylight/actinic combination lamps are just that, a combination of actinic and daylight phosphors. The ATI and Giesemann Aquablue lamps (60/40 actinic/daylight mix) look ice white with a slight hint of blue and are excellent stand alone lamps that provide a large amount of PAR. They are nice for brightening up a mix of lamps if you want to remove a slight amount of blue from the overall mix. Same for the AquaScience 15000K "œDuo" which is slightly bluer. The UVL Actinic White has a pepto pink looking tint that may have its uses if you wanted to add a slight amount of red which is helpful in popping pink and purple colors. It does have a good amount of PAR. UVL also has a 75/25 lamp that looks white with a almost lavender colored tint. I really like this lamp. Good for brightening up a tank while providing a lot of actinic range light and decent PAR. I think it is an excellent choice for SPS tanks where a straight actinic might not really do much for the corals look. This lamp has a bit of red output and will make a noticeable contribution to PAR output.

Specialty lamps. KZ Fiji Purple looks to me like an Aquablue lamp that had most of the green and yellow spectrum removed. Some people swear by this lamp but I just don't see it. The GE 3000K is a more harsh way to add red spectrum but it has strong PAR so if you have 8 lamps and want to boost your red spectrum without giving up intensity this is a good choice. Adding red to your mix tends to give a slightly purplish tint to a tank so I hesitate to recommend them for a new setup or those with less than 6 lamps. The look isn't for everybody."


Since I wrote that section I have taken to using the Actinic White over the Aquasun because the AW adds some actinic.

You don't need actinic lamps period. I can only see the deference they make in some green colors or in a dusk/dawn combo.

 

[greennd79]

thanks grim

 

[GrantMeThePower]

Too much red from the 75/25 and Actinic White. Go buy either an ATI Aquablue or an ATI Blue Plus and play with them.

I would try this first:

ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

I just looked at the spectrum charts on reefgeek and it looks like the aquablue has even more red than the 75/25...whats that all about?

 

[lvlajestix18]

Hey Grim, Can you sugggest a t5 setup for my tank? 36X20X24 LxHxW. 6 or 4 bulb. Also is two hydor koralia 4s too much flow for a 70 gal?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I just looked at the spectrum charts on reefgeek and it looks like the aquablue has even more red than the 75/25...whats that all about?

Don't get too wrapped up in those charts. Onits own you wouldn't notice much of the red from the 75/25 ut paired with the actinic white you will.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim, Can you sugggest a t5 setup for my tank? 36X20X24 LxHxW. 6 or 4 bulb. Also is two hydor koralia 4s too much flow for a 70 gal?

6 lamp ATI Sunpower would be good. The 2 hydors should be fine.

 

[GrantMeThePower]

Don't get too wrapped up in those charts. Onits own you wouldn't notice much of the red from the 75/25 ut paired with the actinic white you will.

Thanks, Grim. So to pair with the actinic white, the aqua blue is the way to go?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Thanks, Grim. So to pair with the actinic white, the aqua blue is the way to go?

Yep

 

[BucNtears]

I'm in need of replacing my bulbs again and I'm wanting more of a blue tint. At the moment I'm running 4 blue+ and 2 aquablue specials. Also in doing this will my corals suffer? Anyway this is what I'm thinking of going with 4 blue+, 1 aquablue special and 1 fiji purple.
This bulb setup is for mainly sps, lps and clams
your thoughts

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I'm in need of replacing my bulbs again and I'm wanting more of a blue tint. At the moment I'm running 4 blue+ and 2 aquablue specials. Also in doing this will my corals suffer? Anyway this is what I'm thinking of going with 4 blue+, 1 aquablue special and 1 fiji purple.
This bulb setup is for mainly sps, lps and clams
your thoughts

That won't be more Blue but it will look nicer having the Fiji Purple in there.

 

[martinphillip03]

Grim thanks for the info. I am buying a used 48" solar flare. 120 gal. 24" H mixed reef.
The bulb choice
front
Blue Plus
Actinic White
Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue

Would there be a difference if Im switched the Actinic white for a UVL 75/25.
What would happen if I switched the GE6500 with an Aquasun.
I understand the blue light. The white light I am trying to grasp. the ge, AS, are one family, the AW and the UVL are a different. I figured I shouldnt mix familys. I do understand its a preference