The T5 Q&a Thread

[trdofwrkin]

Grim i was told to come here and you could answer my question...I have a standard 20g tank. I want to make it a frag tank for my sps and zoa's. What t-5 fixture would be best and what color combo of bulbs is best for growth...........

 

[The Grim Reefer]

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

Yeah, generally it is a good idea to place a blue lamp at the front and rear, Aquablue will work as well.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim i was told to come here and you could answer my question...I have a standard 20g tank. I want to make it a frag tank for my sps and zoa's. What t-5 fixture would be best and what color combo of bulbs is best for growth...........

Nova Sundial would be good. I wouldn't leave the stock lamps in there too long, no more than 6 months, then go with 3 ATI Blue Plus and a GE 6500K daylight.

 

[trdofwrkin]

Thank you

 

[Snakebyt]

thanks for the advice grim, ill give it a try

 

[Biggum]

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.

Thanks Grim! You don't think that might wash any of the other colors in the tank though do you? Thanks again!

 

[Pdubss]

Thanks for the recommendation. I live in the same area as you, do you know anywhere locally that stocks ATI blueplus bulbs?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Thanks Grim! You don't think that might wash any of the other colors in the tank though do you? Thanks again!

No, the Actinic Whites have that pepto pink color that should bring everything out.

 

[dieselgrk]

grim, what do you think about switching out my 2 X 250 watt hqi with 4 X 39 watt t5 elos planet fixture for a 48" 8 bulb tek fixture with all KZ bulbs over a 48" X 24" X 24" 120 gallon with all sps and clams? looking for better color and increase growth rate!

 

[Biggum]

No, the Actinic Whites have that pepto pink color that should bring everything out.

Ahh ok I gotcha. Does it matter where I place them in the line up? Sorry for the newb questions. This is my first t5 light :rollface:.

 

[jddaniel]

Hey Grim,

I've been running 4x54w T5's on Triad ballasts over a 110g tank(60x18x24). The tank is softies and mixed lps with a deresa clam. I'd like to dump the SuperActinic to gain a little extra light, but do like the overall color as nothing is washed out with what I'm running. I'm currently using...
Blue+
UVL SuperActinic
Aquasun
Aquablue+

What would you recommend, I need to replace all 4 bulbs.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Thanks for the recommendation. I live in the same area as you, do you know anywhere locally that stocks ATI blueplus bulbs?

None I know of

 

[The Grim Reefer]

grim, what do you think about switching out my 2 X 250 watt hqi with 4 X 39 watt t5 elos planet fixture for a 48" 8 bulb tek fixture with all KZ bulbs over a 48" X 24" X 24" 120 gallon with all sps and clams? looking for better color and increase growth rate!

Are you serious? Need a good 8 lamp fixture over that tank.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Ahh ok I gotcha. Does it matter where I place them in the line up? Sorry for the newb questions. This is my first t5 light :rollface:.

Put one front of center and one rear of center

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim,

I've been running 4x54w T5's on Triad ballasts over a 110g tank(60x18x24). The tank is softies and mixed lps with a deresa clam. I'd like to dump the SuperActinic to gain a little extra light, but do like the overall color as nothing is washed out with what I'm running. I'm currently using...
Blue+
UVL SuperActinic
Aquasun
Aquablue+

What would you recommend, I need to replace all 4 bulbs.

Dump the Super Actinic for another blue plus and the Aquasun for an Actinic White.

 

[jddaniel]

Thanks Grim, I'll try those bulbs. Would you move the aquablue up and put the second Blue+ in the back?
Blue+
Aquablue
Actinic White
Blue+

 

[mojo~]

Ill have to post some pics but just got my new ATI sunpower up and running today over my 57 rimless. I have to change my hangers for the fixture but it works for now. went from a 24" giesemann fixture to the 6x39w fixture. cut the lights back a couple hours for now too.

First impression of the fixture...
The fixture is built pretty well and comes with all the hanging equipment. The air flow is pretty cool. As the fans suck the air in blow it out over the ends of the bulbs and shoot it down over the length of the bulbs and out the side. Pretty clever really. Fixture is silent and seems to be working well.

 

[CJ]

Hi Grim:

I'm considering purchasing the Aquatic Life 30" T5 4 bulb fixture, 96W, for my 20 long. I am concerned that the fixture does not have a fan. Should I be?

Also, I have successfully kept a RBTA for some years now under 130 Watts of PC, combination of 6,500K/10,000k and 420/460nm. Will, the above mentioned T5 fixture be sufficient for my anemone to keep thriving? The tank is 12" deep and the light fixture is 1" above the tank.

The only other fixture I found in 30" is the Sundial by Current USA. It does have fans but, unfortunately, there is no way to replace the timers should they go bad.

Thanks for your input.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Thanks Grim, I'll try those bulbs. Would you move the aquablue up and put the second Blue+ in the back?
Blue+
Aquablue
Actinic White
Blue+

Like that

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hi Grim:

I'm considering purchasing the Aquatic Life 30" T5 4 bulb fixture, 96W, for my 20 long. I am concerned that the fixture does not have a fan. Should I be?

Also, I have successfully kept a RBTA for some years now under 130 Watts of PC, combination of 6,500K/10,000k and 420/460nm. Will, the above mentioned T5 fixture be sufficient for my anemone to keep thriving? The tank is 12" deep and the light fixture is 1" above the tank.

The only other fixture I found in 30" is the Sundial by Current USA. It does have fans but, unfortunately, there is no way to replace the timers should they go bad.

Thanks for your input.

As long as you use good lamps I think it will be fine.