The T5 Q&a Thread

[Reffer831]

So I got my fixture in today and I really don't like the color...I am looking for a more 20k look. Right now I have 6 ATI B+, 1 purple+, 1 kz fiji, and 2 new gen....what would you go with in a 8 bulb fixture. I also have 2 blue reef brights for the outsides. right now I am running: I have 2 extra b+ from my old fixture and was thinking or taking out 2 buls from the combo and replacing them with B+...what do you think? take out both new gens, or 1 new gen and 1 purple+, and replace it them with B+.

Front
RB LED
ATI B+
KZ fIJI
KZ New Gen
ATI B+
ATI purple
ATI B+
KZ New Gen
ATI B+
RB LED

Thinking of going:

RB
ATI B+
ATI B+
ATI PURPLE
ATI B+
ATI B+
KZ NEW GEN
ATI B+
ATI B+
RB LED

 

[The Grim Reefer]

So I got my fixture in today and I really don't like the color...I am looking for a more 20k look. Right now I have 6 ATI B+, 1 purple+, 1 kz fiji, and 2 new gen....what would you go with in a 8 bulb fixture. I also have 2 blue reef brights for the outsides. right now I am running: I have 2 extra b+ from my old fixture and was thinking or taking out 2 buls from the combo and replacing them with B+...what do you think? take out both new gens, or 1 new gen and 1 purple+, and replace it them with B+.

Front
RB LED
ATI B+
KZ fIJI
KZ New Gen
ATI B+
ATI purple
ATI B+
KZ New Gen
ATI B+
RB LED

Thinking of going:

RB
ATI B+
ATI B+
ATI PURPLE
ATI B+
ATI B+
KZ NEW GEN
ATI B+
ATI B+
RB LED

yeah, blue plus in place of the new gens and just play around from there.

 

[drdoolittle]

Hey Grim,

I would like to ask for your advice on a T5/MH bulb combo. I have a Sfiligio xr4 with 2x 250 and 4x t5. My bulb Combe are:

ATI Blue plus
KZ Fiji purple
Radium 250 20k
Aquablue (I think)
ATI Blue Plus

I have a nice crisp look, but would like more coral color to pop. I was told about adding Geissmann Pure Actinic. What do you think? And what would your T5 suggestion be with my radiums?

Thanks
Ed

 

[rtparty]

Hey Grim,

I would like to ask for your advice on a T5/MH bulb combo. I have a Sfiligio xr4 with 2x 250 and 4x t5. My bulb Combe are:

ATI Blue plus
KZ Fiji purple
Radium 250 20k
Aquablue (I think)
ATI Blue Plus

I have a nice crisp look, but would like more coral color to pop. I was told about adding Geissmann Pure Actinic. What do you think? And what would your T5 suggestion be with my radiums?

Thanks
Ed

Pull the Aquablue for another ATI Blue Plus. The Aquablue is what is hurting the pop in your corals.

 

[drdoolittle]

Thanks Ryan, I thought of the same thing but wasn't sure. Any thought about the geisemann pure actinic?

 

[rtparty]

Thanks Ryan, I thought of the same thing but wasn't sure. Any thought about the geisemann pure actinic?

It will add some spectrum you may be missing. Overall, it is a pretty dim bulb and not really noticed when all your light will be on. It will really stand out when just the T5's are on. Actinic bulbs produce very little PAR but with your halides you don't need the PAR from one T5 bulb.

It really is up to you.

 

[cardiffgiant]

Does anyone know what the PAR rating is for the ATI purple plus?

 

[Faisal1976us]

what about this combination ?

4 x B+
4 x Aquablue
2 x purble plus

 

[rtparty]

Does anyone know what the PAR rating is for the ATI purple plus?

About the same as a Fiji Purple. It has pretty good PAR overall.

 

[rtparty]

what about this combination ?

4 x B+
4 x Aquablue
2 x purble plus

Really white with with a washed out look.

For 10 bulbs go with

6 ATI Blue Plus, 2 GE 6500k and 2 ATI Purple Plus.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Does anyone know what the PAR rating is for the ATI purple plus?

Moderate, not that it matters a damn, unless of course you plan to use more of them than any other lamps which is hard to imagine.

 

[cardiffgiant]

I agree, but was curious to see if anyone tested them against the fiji and had a specific number.

 

[scootyman]

hey grim, i currently have a 90 gallon tank. i have a current 6 bulb light and need to replace the bulbs. have mostly softies now with a GBTA. what would you go with and in what positions. one switch turns on 2 bulbs and other other turns on 4.

 

[rtparty]

hey grim, i currently have a 90 gallon tank. i have a current 6 bulb light and need to replace the bulbs. have mostly softies now with a GBTA. what would you go with and in what positions. one switch turns on 2 bulbs and other other turns on 4.

Standard 6 bulb combo.

4 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Purple Plus and 1 GE 6500k

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I agree, but was curious to see if anyone tested them against the fiji and had a specific number.

I did. They were close. Don't remember the specific number.

 

[bmwaaron]

Question on Color and light timing
I have a 8x80 power module on a 6X2X2 180 gallon tank, I turned off the actinic channel and added 80 Cree LED's 60 RB and 20 NW to use as actinics instead of the actinic channel on the Powermodule. My question is what is everyones lighting period. With the Powermodule it always seems like my color is a little pastelly. I also am having trouble with greens and pinks.
My Bulbs are
2 Purple Plus 4 Blueplus and 1 KZ new gen.

My LED's are dimmable and start at 10am and turn off at 9PM but they ramp up and are only on about 80% for 4 hours.
The T5's are on from 3pm-8pm

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Question on Color and light timing
I have a 8x80 power module on a 6X2X2 180 gallon tank, I turned off the actinic channel and added 80 Cree LED's 60 RB and 20 NW to use as actinics instead of the actinic channel on the Powermodule. My question is what is everyones lighting period. With the Powermodule it always seems like my color is a little pastelly. I also am having trouble with greens and pinks.
My Bulbs are
2 Purple Plus 4 Blueplus and 1 KZ new gen.

My LED's are dimmable and start at 10am and turn off at 9PM but they ramp up and are only on about 80% for 4 hours.
The T5's are on from 3pm-8pm

I'd bump up the actinic time on to at least 12 hours.

 

[bmwaaron]

I'd bump up the actinic time on to at least 12 hours.

So run the 60 Cree Royal blues for 12 hours at 100% (900ma)?

Do you think this will help my greens and pinks?

Thanks for the help Grim.

 

[Daimyo68]

So I've been running the Current NEP 6x39 with the following bulbs and been pretty happy.

Just curious if anything as changed as far as bulb selection/color, and if I should change anything out for something different.

Thanks!

ATI Blue+
ATI Purple+
ATI Blue+
GE 6500
ATI Blue+
ATI Blue+

 

[tcwells23]

I am currently running an outer orbit 2x150w MH with 2 130w PC's. I like the look of t5's and recently purchased a nova extreme 8x54w fixture. I got it new and at half price. The nova extreme does not have individual reflectors. My tank is 90 gal, 48"x24"x18". Now I don't know if I should sell the nova extreme and try to find a t5 fixture with individual reflectors. I only have a frogspawn, hammer and mushroom right now but would like to have a fixture I don't have to upgrade later.

After I purchased the nova extreme and have read up on it, I don't know that I made a good choice. I would like some advice from someone with more experience than I have. Thanks!