The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

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

Maybe change the Aquablue for another Blue plus. Actinic WHite is better than the Aquasun IMHO because it adds some extra actinic. The 75/25 doesn't have as much PAR or red as the Actinic White so if you think the look is too purple now that might be a good move.

The GE is more yellow/green while the Actinic white, Aquasun and 75/25 is more red. I like the combo of the two. It just makes sure you get a balanced amount of red and yellow to go along with all the green and blue from the other lamps.

 

[BucNtears]

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

What would you suggest..

 

[martinphillip03]

Grim, thank you

 

[The Grim Reefer]

What would you suggest..

Use the Fiji Purple or a UVL Actinic White with 5 ATI Blue Plus.

 

[sdeclipse99]

Grim,

Looking for some advice on a 5 bulb setup. So far I was thinking about going with this combo.

Front:
ATI Blue+
ATI Aquablue
KZ Fiji Pink
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue+
Back:

Is this combo ok or would you make any changes? It will be over a 60gal(48x15x18)

 

[Bzar]

Two questions.
1) Best way to point fans in a restro fixture?
2) Why the heck isn't this thread sticky?

 

[Jude]

Hey Grim/everyone-
I'm currently using 250w 12k reeflux bulbs in Lumen Bright minis and was considering getting 2 t5 supplemental bulbs. What would you recommend to enhance mainly SPS coloration?

I was considering 2 super actinic UVL's, Icecap 660 + Aqua Illumination Miro-4 T5 Reflectors...

Also, while I'm pretty content with the 250w 12k MH reeflux bulbs, it's about time to replace those so, I've been on the fence about going full t5/powermodule? or maybe trying a diff. MH 250w bulb.... I'd appreciate any advice.

Thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim,

Looking for some advice on a 5 bulb setup. So far I was thinking about going with this combo.

Front:
ATI Blue+
ATI Aquablue
KZ Fiji Pink
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue+
Back:

Unless you want a more white look go with a Blue Plus instead of one of the Aquablues.

Is this combo ok or would you make any changes? It will be over a 60gal(48x15x18)

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Two questions.
1) Best way to point fans in a restro fixture?
2) Why the heck isn't this thread sticky?

Point the fan in from the back down one side so the air blows down the end of the lamps/endcaps at that side and place the lamps so the labels are at that end.

Thread isn't sticky cause I wash my hands before posting.

Asking the wrong person about that.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim/everyone-
I'm currently using 250w 12k reeflux bulbs in Lumen Bright minis and was considering getting 2 t5 supplemental bulbs. What would you recommend to enhance mainly SPS coloration?

I was considering 2 super actinic UVL's, Icecap 660 + Aqua Illumination Miro-4 T5 Reflectors...

Also, while I'm pretty content with the 250w 12k MH reeflux bulbs, it's about time to replace those so, I've been on the fence about going full t5/powermodule? or maybe trying a diff. MH 250w bulb.... I'd appreciate any advice.

Thanks

I'd use one Blue Plus with a actinic and don't overdrive them. For supplemental lighting the normal T5 ballast is better unless your tank is like 30 inches tall.

 

[WI reefer55]

Grim I got a 60x18x26H

I plan on using 6x54 on advance ballast. I would like to keep sps at the top and lps at the bottom some leathers too would this be ok?

another question what the cheapest end caps hellolights.com has them for $13 thats crazy!!! is there a cheaper place do i real need waterproof end caps it seems like they should be able to be had at $2

 

[WI reefer55]

i would like 8 x 54 but I think most reflectors will be to large to fit a 18 inch tank

 

[WI reefer55]

also should i rly look into overdriving? 1 icecap 660 is $100 used 2 advanced ballast are $60 new

 

[mandm25254]

What would you say is the best 6 bulb combo for growth? i Also love the attinic look at night is there any way to fit attinic as the two end bulbs and still get good growth?

 

[sittnon18s]

just got my new bulbs in and they are awsome. thanks grim for the bulb combo. its definatly a great improvement from my stock nova extreeme pro buls. has a really nice blue look to it.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

also should i rly look into overdriving? 1 icecap 660 is $100 used 2 advanced ballast are $60 new

Overdriving 4 of the lamps wouldn't be a bad idea. But you must use the good endcaps on the overdriven lamps. You can use the tombstone twistlock endcaps on normaly driven lamps but you have to check them for corrosion once in a while.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

What would you say is the best 6 bulb combo for growth? i Also love the attinic look at night is there any way to fit attinic as the two end bulbs and still get good growth?

4 blue plus, 1 Actinic WHite and a ATI Aquablue. Actinic lamps don't have much PAR and once all the lights are one they offer little you don't get from the blue plus anyway.

 

[sittnon18s]

thats the exact bulb combo i just installed and it looks amazing

 

[mandm25254]

4 blue plus, 1 Actinic WHite and a ATI Aquablue. Actinic lamps don't have much PAR and once all the lights are one they offer little you don't get from the blue plus anyway.

So
blue+
Blue+
atinic white
ati aquablue
blue pluse
plue pluse

Do you think i would get better growth out of this?
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun

 

[The Grim Reefer]

So
blue+
Blue+
atinic white
ati aquablue
blue pluse
plue pluse

Do you think i would get better growth out of this?
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun

No. The Actinic White has higher PAR than the Aquasun according to Dana Riddle's Spectrometer readings. Same thing with the Aquablue vs the GE 6500K. I would put a blue plus between the Actinic White and Aquablue.