The T5 Q&a Thread

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alpinestar said:
Hey grim another question just installed all new bulbs and I'm curious about my configuration I think I was expecting more pop.
The order is
Geissman actinic plus
Ati purple plus
2 phoenix 14k 150 de
Ati aqua blue special
Geissman actinic plus

Is this the right order or should I have different bulbs, Color is ok just not as much blue or pop as I expected

Thanks in advance
Click to expand...

Dump the Aquablue for another Blue lamp, order is perfect.
 
Hey Grim! long time no talk! I decided on a light fixture awhile ago and went with a 72" 8x39w aquaticlife fixture. I like the fixture itself, but the stock lights are poo. What would you recommend? the two separate light timers start at the front with white and alternate white, blue, white, blue. I also have blue moonlights on it. What is your suggestion? It's tough because there are 2 sets of lights right next to each other so I have to put 2 of the same next to each other for it to look uniform. thanks a bunch!

I was thinking this:
Front
Blue +
Purple +
Blue +
Aquablue

I would essentially mirror this on both sides so I'd have 4 blue +, 2 purple +, and 2 aquablue
 
Last edited:
this is a great post. I had a question as well. I have a ati 6x54 fixture with 2 vho actinics on a 120 wide. what 6 bulbs would you that would work well with the 2 vho's?
 
The Grim Reefer said:
Who was the online retailer? I am not saying they aren't right but it seems a little soon for the vultures to have swooped in and taken over Ice Caps products so soon. Judging by the description on Coral Vue's website I am skeptical because they don't brag up the fact they are miro aluminum like the Ice Cap reflectors are. The pictures do look about right though.

I would contact chris@coralvue.com and ask him. He used to run Ice Cap and in my experience isn't a douchebag so I would expect a straight answer out of him. I know they are repairing the IC ballasts so maybe.......

Let us know if you find anything out.
Click to expand...

OK Grim, here is the skinny:

I contacted Christ early this morning and he confirmed for me that Ice Cap did in fact change manufacturers a few months before they went out of business. He said the reflectors in my photos are definitely Ice Caps and the only change they made was to remove the V-shaped ridge on the edges. He also shared that CoralVue is NOT selling Ice Cap's line; they have their own line they are selling.

So that is quite reassuring for me and hopefully helpful for anyone else wishing to buy Ice Cap reflectors: you can still get them but they look a little bit different without the ridges; otherwise shape and material are the same.


So here is a new question that came up in the midst of my search: what does anyone know about Giesemann reflectors? is that the same company as ATI? They boast 99.8% with cooling capability and an adjustable reflector.
 
I have 2 bulb T-5 HOs to supplement my 250W 14K halides. I currently have 2 ATI blue+ but I seem to be lacking some color (that comes with actinics).

If I want the colors to pop without the MHs on which combination would be best?
If I want the colors to pop with the MHs on which combination would be best?

From reading your posts, I want to say the best combination is 1 Blue+ and 1 Purple+? Why do you generally only recommend ATI bulbs when there are so many other manufacturers/types of actinics out there?
 
Hi again

how often should I change the KZ lights? I know that as a general rule T5 should be replaced every 9-10 months, but what about quality one like KZ?
 
Hey Grim. I'm currently running a 36" Aquactinics TX5 over my 50 gallon breeder (36" x 18" x 18") that's a holdover from an older tank. I'm running three ati blue + and two ati aquablue specials. I like the light, and the colors are great, but growth seems rather slow. I'm perhaps spoiled by the growth I used to get in my 75 gallon when I ran 2 x 250 watt Aqualine Buschke 10k hqi; my sps grew like weeds. I do realize that's 500 watts vs 195 watts... apples to oranges.

Would an upgrade to an ATI Sunpower 6 x 39 watt be a significant jump, making a worthwhile difference in acropora growth and coloration, especially considering I eventually want an sps dominant tank? Or should I just stick it out with the TX5?
 
Last edited:
Hi. I'm looking for some help. I have been out of the hobby for a few years and now am coming back in and building a new tank setup.

I am going to get a tank that is 48x24x20 (lwh). I'd like to know which T5 setup you would recommend. I'm not too familiar with who has the better setups these days so any help would be appreciated. Is there a difference between T5 setups?

I'd like to be able to use the legs on the setup, because I don't have a canopy and don't want to hang it from the ceiling.

I plan on keeping mainly LPS, acans, zoos, .. The easier stuff. Maybe some monti caps.

Thanks for any help!
 
Lynnmw1208 said:
Hey Grim! long time no talk! I decided on a light fixture awhile ago and went with a 72" 8x39w aquaticlife fixture. I like the fixture itself, but the stock lights are poo. What would you recommend? the two separate light timers start at the front with white and alternate white, blue, white, blue. I also have blue moonlights on it. What is your suggestion? It's tough because there are 2 sets of lights right next to each other so I have to put 2 of the same next to each other for it to look uniform. thanks a bunch!

I was thinking this:
Front
Blue +
Purple +
Blue +
Aquablue

I would essentially mirror this on both sides so I'd have 4 blue +, 2 purple +, and 2 aquablue
Click to expand...

You got it right.
 
anasteso1454 said:
OK Grim, here is the skinny:

I contacted Christ early this morning and he confirmed for me that Ice Cap did in fact change manufacturers a few months before they went out of business. He said the reflectors in my photos are definitely Ice Caps and the only change they made was to remove the V-shaped ridge on the edges. He also shared that CoralVue is NOT selling Ice Cap's line; they have their own line they are selling.

So that is quite reassuring for me and hopefully helpful for anyone else wishing to buy Ice Cap reflectors: you can still get them but they look a little bit different without the ridges; otherwise shape and material are the same.



So here is a new question that came up in the midst of my search: what does anyone know about Giesemann reflectors? is that the same company as ATI? They boast 99.8% with cooling capability and an adjustable reflector.
Click to expand...

Know nothing about the Giesemann stuff. As far as the Coralvue stuff goes I dunno, I'd like to know they are using the good material but the design looks right.
 
jmbanh said:
I have 2 bulb T-5 HOs to supplement my 250W 14K halides. I currently have 2 ATI blue+ but I seem to be lacking some color (that comes with actinics).

If I want the colors to pop without the MHs on which combination would be best?
If I want the colors to pop with the MHs on which combination would be best?

From reading your posts, I want to say the best combination is 1 Blue+ and 1 Purple+? Why do you generally only recommend ATI bulbs when there are so many other manufacturers/types of actinics out there?
Click to expand...

ATI's have a good track record. I quite using actinics 5 years ago so I really don't know what's out there now. With all lights on the Purple Plus/Blue Plus combo will look good. It also looks cool with just the blue plus and purple plus but it is a different look some might not like, I personally think it looks cool
 
Potsy said:
Hey Grim. I'm currently running a 36" Aquactinics TX5 over my 50 gallon breeder (36" x 18" x 18") that's a holdover from an older tank. I'm running three ati blue + and two ati aquablue specials. I like the light, and the colors are great, but growth seems rather slow. I'm perhaps spoiled by the growth I used to get in my 75 gallon when I ran 2 x 250 watt Aqualine Buschke 10k hqi; my sps grew like weeds. I do realize that's 500 watts vs 195 watts... apples to oranges.

Would an upgrade to an ATI Sunpower 6 x 39 watt be a significant jump, making a worthwhile difference in acropora growth and coloration, especially considering I eventually want an sps dominant tank? Or should I just stick it out with the TX5?
Click to expand...

The sunpower would be the way to go.
 
banzai888 said:
Hi. I'm looking for some help. I have been out of the hobby for a few years and now am coming back in and building a new tank setup.

I am going to get a tank that is 48x24x20 (lwh). I'd like to know which T5 setup you would recommend. I'm not too familiar with who has the better setups these days so any help would be appreciated. Is there a difference between T5 setups?

I'd like to be able to use the legs on the setup, because I don't have a canopy and don't want to hang it from the ceiling.

I plan on keeping mainly LPS, acans, zoos, .. The easier stuff. Maybe some monti caps.

Thanks for any help!
Click to expand...

8x54 Tek Elite should be good.
 
T5

T5

New to T5 lighting. Have a retro system (8) 48" 54w with (2) 660 ballasts. Just purchased new bulbs and don't like the color. This is on a shallow tank, 14"deep and lights are 12" above the water.
Currently using:
front
Zoomed 420 actinic
Giesmann Aquablue plus
ATI Aquablue Special
Giesmann Aquablue Plus
Giesmann Aquablue Plus
ATI Aquablue Special
Giesmann Aquablue Plus
Zoomed 420 actinic
back

I have some Giesmann Actinic Plus on order to replace the Zoomeds. It is too white for me and the corals do not seem to like it. I use this tank as a sump and frag grow out for my main display. I run a Pheonix 250w de 14k halide on the display and would like to duplicate this color if possible.
Thanks
 
I have a 6 bulb Tek Elite with these 3 bulbs that I bought from a group buy
Geismann Actnic
UVL Super Actnic 420
UVL 75/25
What would be a good choice for the other 3 bulbs.
Thanks in advance
 
NCMBM said:
New to T5 lighting. Have a retro system (8) 48" 54w with (2) 660 ballasts. Just purchased new bulbs and don't like the color. This is on a shallow tank, 14"deep and lights are 12" above the water.
Currently using:
front
Zoomed 420 actinic
Giesmann Aquablue plus
ATI Aquablue Special
Giesmann Aquablue Plus
Giesmann Aquablue Plus
ATI Aquablue Special
Giesmann Aquablue Plus
Zoomed 420 actinic
back

I have some Giesmann Actinic Plus on order to replace the Zoomeds. It is too white for me and the corals do not seem to like it. I use this tank as a sump and frag grow out for my main display. I run a Pheonix 250w de 14k halide on the display and would like to duplicate this color if possible.
Thanks
Click to expand...


You are gonna need about 5 more of those Gmann Actinic Plus bulbs. The Aquablues you are running are a white bulb. No blue to them especially when overdriven.

I would bet your corals are also pretty upset at how much light you are giving them using an overdriven setup on a shallow tank. There is NO need for the IceCap ballasts on your tank.

If it were my tank I would sell the IceCap ballasts and buy some spec T5 ballasts that don't overdrive the bulbs. I would then run 5 ATI Blue Plus, 2 ATi Purple Plus and 1 ATI Aquablue. You can use the Gmann counterpart bulbs if that is what is available to you. 5 Actinic Plus, 2 Aquapink, 1 Aquablue
 
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