The T5 Q&a Thread

[psyrob]

Looking to upgrade to t5s in a 48" long 60 gallon currently running 4X65 watt pcs, 10000K and actinics...must retrofit in a canopy that lifts up in the front but has open access in back...

what retro system and bulb set up? Don't want to overwhelm the current population of softies, LPS and undemanding SPS (porites digita, monitpora digita)...not looking to add other sps's

Thanks in advance....

 

[holdyourlight]

Most of Grim's responses to 4 bulb set-ups include:

2 ATI Blue Plus
1 ATI Aqua Blue
1 ATI Purple Plus (or 1 GE 6500 Daylight)


http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showpost.php?p=18722792&postcount=10131

While i understand that, i specifically said in my post that i do not care for the aquablue or the 6500 bulb so i was looking for other options....
i need something that makes the yellow on my male flame wrasse pop, both of those bulbs dull it

 

[bigbris1]

I'm not seeing anything re white spectrum bulbs in these responses, am I missing something?

 

[dcp17420]

Hey Grim. I just got a 125 gal tank 72X18X24. I want to keep SPS,LPS, and some clams. I was thinking i could run the (7)60" bulbs @80 watts. I have one IC 660 ballast that would run 3 bulbs. I would buy another 2 ballast to run the other 4 bulbs. Having the bulbs staggered 4" off the side. Or should i run the bulbs straight down the middle of the canopy ? Bulbs would be about 4 to 6 inch off the water. Thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim,
I have a 20 gallon long tank but a 24" T5 lighting unit (don't remember which brand) placed directly on plastic over the tank. I have mostly LPS and zoas but I do have a crocea clam. All light needing animals are placed under the light. With the current lights I have now there is no pop. I want the corals to flouresce. I'm guessing 2 ATI blue +, 1 ATI blue plus, and maybe a white bulb? I've never experimented with this before. Thanks.

With only 2 lamps a Blue Plus and Aquablue. If that doesn't cut it add some royal blue LED's.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim,

Please help me replace my T-5 bulbs. Have Aquactinics fixtures.
Ok I have 2 of the original Aquactinics 36 inch fixtures over my 6 foot 125 gallon tank. I used to have a tank full of hard corals but no longer except a few. It is mainly a tank full of mushrooms, leathers, hammers, frogspawn, open brain LPS, xenia, colt, GSP and other softies.

Currently running (3) Giesemann 39W Aquablue plus and (2) Giesemann 39W Actinic plus bulbs in each fixture.

Time for new bulbs. Like the combo of more of a blue tint to make colors pop so I think I will keep this configuration unless you have a better idea?

Also what is the best place and best price to buy replacement bulbs?

Any help is much appreciated.

Thanks Scott.

3 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Aquablue and 1 ATI Purple Plus in each. Reefgeek tends to have the best prices.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim,
whats your pick for a 4 bulb combo for a fish only
i am leaning towards 3 blue + and 1 purple +
have tried both the aquablue and ge 6500 bulbs and they both washed out colors for me
not sure if there are any other bulbs that make sense.

3 blue plus and a purple plus if you've previously tried those other lamps and didn't like it.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Looking to upgrade to t5s in a 48" long 60 gallon currently running 4X65 watt pcs, 10000K and actinics...must retrofit in a canopy that lifts up in the front but has open access in back...

what retro system and bulb set up? Don't want to overwhelm the current population of softies, LPS and undemanding SPS (porites digita, monitpora digita)...not looking to add other sps's

Thanks in advance....

4 lamp LET retro. 2 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Purple Plus and 1 Aquablue

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I am running 8 Bulb fixtures over my 48"x30"x10" prop tanks. I am looking to match the color of my display. I run radium 20k's with no supplementation. I would like to closely match the color and still maintain good growth.

6 ATI Blue Plus and 2 GE 6500K Daylights should be close.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Thanks Grim,

Should I mix them together, or should I put 12 blue plus on the back, and then 4 purple on the front?

What brand of purple bulb that you recommand?

Thanks,

ATI Purple Plus. You want one row of purples front of center and one rear of center

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim,

I have an AquaticLife four bulb fixture over my standard 55gallon. It is time to replace the bulbs and obviously I am looking for your recommendations. So, what would they be? I was thinking maybe 3 ATI Blue plus and a purple bulb of some kind. I want that blue look but not to blue.

Yeah, try 3 ATI Blue Plus and 1 ATI Purple plus or perhaps the KZ fiji purple would be better because it is more purple which will produce a slightly less blue look overall

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I'm not seeing anything re white spectrum bulbs in these responses, am I missing something?

Blue is used as the base then the "non white" lamps are added in to brighten the look. Most of the "white lamps" tend to make colors look washed out. By adding the pink or ivory colored lamps you brighten up the blue look and add spectrum that helps bring out colors missed when using say a blue and aquablue combination.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim. I just got a 125 gal tank 72X18X24. I want to keep SPS,LPS, and some clams. I was thinking i could run the (7)60" bulbs @80 watts. I have one IC 660 ballast that would run 3 bulbs. I would buy another 2 ballast to run the other 4 bulbs. Having the bulbs staggered 4" off the side. Or should i run the bulbs straight down the middle of the canopy ? Bulbs would be about 4 to 6 inch off the water. Thanks

Dont stagger the lamps. 4 to 6 inches above is good. Make sure to cool one end of the lamps.

 

[R33f3r]

Currently in my 75 I am running all kz bulbs (2 superblue, 2 fiji purple) with a 50/50 reefbrite led and all my sps/lps/haddoni carpet nem are glowing and growing. It's a tad pink for a few months until the fiji purple's spectrum shifts a little but I must say the color is fantastic. No washed out look and not too blue. The led's add some white to help balance out everything. I am a big fan of the superblue bulb. It just looks better imo than the blue + from ati.

 

[sasscuba]

3 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Aquablue and 1 ATI Purple Plus in each. Reefgeek tends to have the best prices.

Thanks, so it will still be bright white but tinge of blue like I have now, no yellowing?

 

[psyrob]

4 lamp LET retro. 2 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Purple Plus and 1 Aquablue

Thanks Grim...found your webpage after posting here, its great....I'm signing up for your fan club

 

[PHensley]

Hi all,

Unfortunately, I can only fit 3 T5s over my 55 gallon due to a bunch of space consuming HOB equipment and the junky stock perfecto hood. What would be an ideal bulb combo? I like Giesmann bulbs.

 

[sasscuba]

Thanks, so it will still be bright white but tinge of blue like I have now, no yellowing?

Grim thanks for your help. After talking to ReefGeek I ordered 2 ATI Blue Plus, 2 ATI Aquablue and 1 ATI Purple Plus for each fixture.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Thanks, so it will still be bright white but tinge of blue like I have now, no yellowing?

Not even a hint of yellow

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hi all,

Unfortunately, I can only fit 3 T5s over my 55 gallon due to a bunch of space consuming HOB equipment and the junky stock perfecto hood. What would be an ideal bulb combo? I like Giesmann bulbs.

2 ATI Blue Plus and a Giesemann midday in the middle.