The T5 Q&a Thread

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ryshark said:
Do you think they are about the same in regards to output and par? I don't think I really need supplemental actinic since my Radiums are already blue enough. So I figure I may as well get usable/usefull light out of my dawn/dusk bulb, as well. Thanks again.
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No the Ice Cap or better yet Aqua Illuminations or even ATI reflector has better performance.
 
Hey Grim,
I have 4blue plus, 1 fiji purple and 1 aquablue bulb....what would be the best configuration for these 6 bulbs? Thanks -Mike
 
Grim,
I went with 2 nova extreme on the 54 gallon bowfront. Might be overkill..lol. I am looking at ATI bulbs, which bulbs would you recommend and also thier configuration?
They dont sell a 30" with halide so I figure I will get one after a bit.
Thanks
 
RDMike said:
Hey Grim,
I have 4blue plus, 1 fiji purple and 1 aquablue bulb....what would be the best configuration for these 6 bulbs? Thanks -Mike
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Make sure you get a blue plus in both the dusk/dawn positions, place the Fiji front of center and the aquablue rear of center or ever the rear.
 
saywhaaa2me said:
Grim,
I went with 2 nova extreme on the 54 gallon bowfront. Might be overkill..lol. I am looking at ATI bulbs, which bulbs would you recommend and also thier configuration?
They dont sell a 30" with halide so I figure I will get one after a bit.
Thanks
Click to expand...

2 Novas??? You could have bought one tek and been way ahead.

How many lamps?
 
saywhaaa2me said:
There are 4 bulbs. Why would I be ahead with the tek? I got the two novas for $65 a piece. Is the tek a 6 bulb fixture?
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No, the tek is just made with better ballasts and reflectors. 4 lamp tek even without cooling has better PAR than the novas.

For lamps do 1 KZ Fiji Purple, 1 ATI Aquablue and 2 ATI Blue Plus.
 
I have a 36" 8x39w t5 fixture with individual reflectors. I'd like a blue look to the tank and was wondering what bulb combo would provide the bluish look but will still give good color pop and pack punch towards the bottom. I have a standard 65g and keep some SPS up top but the rest are LPS and softies along with some zoa's. Can anyone please outline a good bulb combination for this sort of set up? Thanks so much!
 
T5 Fixture choice for a 21" deep tank:
I am setting up a 26 gal bow front. It's going to be mostly fish and a few softies with LR. looking to keep shrooms, GSP and kenya tree coral. Should I be good with the 2 bulb T5 (48WATT) Fixture? or do I need to go with the 4 bulb(96WaTT)

I am thinking 96 WATT is a bit much for what I wanna keep.

Thanks
 
surfnturf said:
Hey Grim, I'm thinking about ordering the 6 bulb 48" TEK from coralreefecosystems. They offer the following bulb selections:
Midday 6500K
Aqua Blue + 11K
Actinic + Blue
Pure Actinic


What combination would you recommend for the best mix of growth/color?
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Hey Grim, if I were to change that to the 8 bulb system, should I just add 2 more midday bulbs, or would you recommend a different combination?
 
I ordered a four bulb nova extreme and also ordered one UV Super Actinic, and one UV Aquasun. My question is what would be the best two bulbs for me to get to finish replacing the stock bulbs? T5 testing recomends
Blue Plus, Super Actinic, Aquasun, Blue Plus,
but i have seen you suggest a purple bulb recently to ppl with four bulb fixtures.
Thanks!
 
Last edited:
It seems like the Blue Plus is the most used T5 bulb. Is the Blue Plus bulb mainly for coloration or does it promote growth too?
 
Biggum said:
I have a 36" 8x39w t5 fixture with individual reflectors. I'd like a blue look to the tank and was wondering what bulb combo would provide the bluish look but will still give good color pop and pack punch towards the bottom. I have a standard 65g and keep some SPS up top but the rest are LPS and softies along with some zoa's. Can anyone please outline a good bulb combination for this sort of set up? Thanks so much!
Click to expand...

The Blue Plus have about as much PAR as anything out there. Do 6 of those and 2 UVL Actinic Whites. Should look eerily cool.
 
nickxx4360 said:
T5 Fixture choice for a 21" deep tank:
I am setting up a 26 gal bow front. It's going to be mostly fish and a few softies with LR. looking to keep shrooms, GSP and kenya tree coral. Should I be good with the 2 bulb T5 (48WATT) Fixture? or do I need to go with the 4 bulb(96WaTT)

I am thinking 96 WATT is a bit much for what I wanna keep.

Thanks
Click to expand...

For just that stuff 2 lamps is fine.
 
Pdubss said:
I ordered a four bulb nova extreme and also ordered one UV Super Actinic, and one UV Aquasun. My question is what would be the best two bulbs for me to get to finish replacing the stock bulbs? T5 testing recomends
Blue Plus, Super Actinic, Aquasun, Blue Plus,
but i have seen you suggest a purple bulb recently to ppl with four bulb fixtures.
Thanks!
Click to expand...

The Aquasun covers the red, red and blue make purple so add 2 Blue Plus and you are handled.
 
I was wondering if there is any difference in the order that the bulbs are put into the fixture? I have a 4x39 watt setup and i just got a bunch of bulbs to try out. Does it matter what order from front to back i put the bulbs?

Right now i have
uvl aquasun
ati aquablue special
ati blue plus
ati blue plus

I have a few other combos that i may try out as well
 
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