The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

Would a 6 bulb fixture be sufficient or what would work well?

Should be fine

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Thanks Grim. What bulb setup would you recommend that would be similar to 20K radiums on the 10x54?

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim... quick question on tweaking the color of my lights...

This setup was too white:
Blue+
GE 6500
Fiji Purple
Blue+
Aquablue
Blue+

I replaced the GE with another Blue+ and now its too blue. If I instead swap it for an aquablue, will it be a happy medium? Or should I keep 4 Blue+ and use the GE instead of the aquablue? I'm using 80w bulbs, to give you an idea of my options.

GE for the Aquablue would be my best guess.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I'm using IceCap 250w Halides as my main lighting. I plan on putting in 4 36" or 2 60" T-5's for a Dawn/Dusk Coral show-Off Actinic Lighting Mode. What Bulbs should I use to give me the best show off flourescence when they are on by themselves? They will be Retro into a Floating Canopy Tank Dimensions are 72X18X25" Should I go with

4 36" T-5's
2 48" T-5's
2 60" T-5's

I'd would 4 39 watt lamps. Front row Actinics, rear row Blue Plus

 

[DragonFish]

I got a used Tek 4 x 39w to use over a 40 breeder that I'm planning to keep SPS in. The bulbs it came with are as follows:

Giesemann Actinic +
Giesemann Aquablue
Current 10k
Giesemann Actinic +

The tank looks really white, and I'd like it to be more blue/purple. For now, I'd like to just change the Current 10K. What would you recommend?

 

[jaybfresh]

GE for the Aquablue would be my best guess.

Wow, more difference than I was expecting. It looks great now, thanks!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I got a used Tek 4 x 39w to use over a 40 breeder that I'm planning to keep SPS in. The bulbs it came with are as follows:

Giesemann Actinic +
Giesemann Aquablue
Current 10k
Giesemann Actinic +

The tank looks really white, and I'd like it to be more blue/purple. For now, I'd like to just change the Current 10K. What would you recommend?

You could get another Actinic Plus or Blue Plus and try it in place of the aquablue or the 10K.

 

[dustinc]

Ok, so I'm currently running a 250 MH sunpod and have been thinking of switching t5, per the above posts... If I bought a 2x24 watt current usa fixture and added it with what I'm running and switched the bulbs, would it be a noticeable difference? What bulb combination should I go with? I just want to get more pop out of my color! Thanks

 

[badpvtdan]

Hi Grim,
I have 6 T5HO lights (2x IceCap ballasts) and I just bought these lights.

1 x 54W 6500K Daylight T5 HO Fluorescent by General Electric
4 x 54W Blue Plus T5 HO Fluorescent by ATI
1 x 54W Fiji Purple T5 HO Fluorescent by Korallen Zucht

How should I mount these front to back? Thanks for what you do here.

 

[Crazy Cracker]

Hi Grim,

Ill be brief.

Instead of me telling you what I want, Ill just ask you what you like instead.

If this was your own personal tank (assuming you may want a few SPS in the future), what fixture & bulbs would you go with?

If price was no object and you could build this tank to your own specs, what would you do with it?

ATI, Tek, IceCap etc? Perhaps a combination of Metal Halides maybe? How many bulbs & what color?

FYI - it's a 125G at 72" long.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Ok, so I'm currently running a 250 MH sunpod and have been thinking of switching t5, per the above posts... If I bought a 2x24 watt current usa fixture and added it with what I'm running and switched the bulbs, would it be a noticeable difference? What bulb combination should I go with? I just want to get more pop out of my color! Thanks

A couple of ATI Blue Plus would make it pop more.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hi Grim,
I have 6 T5HO lights (2x IceCap ballasts) and I just bought these lights.

1 x 54W 6500K Daylight T5 HO Fluorescent by General Electric
4 x 54W Blue Plus T5 HO Fluorescent by ATI
1 x 54W Fiji Purple T5 HO Fluorescent by Korallen Zucht

How should I mount these front to back? Thanks for what you do here.

Fiji in the second slot from the front, GE 4th

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hi Grim,

Ill be brief.

Instead of me telling you what I want, Ill just ask you what you like instead.

If this was your own personal tank (assuming you may want a few SPS in the future), what fixture & bulbs would you go with?

If price was no object and you could build this tank to your own specs, what would you do with it?

ATI, Tek, IceCap etc? Perhaps a combination of Metal Halides maybe? How many bulbs & what color?

FYI - it's a 125G at 72" long.

Nice tank. I'd look at slipping in a 6 lamp ATI Powermodule in or do a 6x80 Aqua Illuminations retrofit from reefgeek.

Not sure if the PM will fit because it needs room for the fans on top

Front
ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
Blue Plus
Blue Plus.

 

[dustinc]

A couple of ATI Blue Plus would make it pop more.

Should I place them in front or behind the HQI? Thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Should I place them in front or behind the HQI? Thanks

Both

 

[kimber45]

hey grim.

I'm in the planning stages of a 50 breeder(36x18x18). i plan on having mostly lps and zoa's with a couple sps and possibly a clam.

i was planning on using the 4x39w icecap retro but lately have been wondering if i may be better just going with 6 standard output t5ho's.

whats your thoughts between the two?

also which bulb combo's would you use?

oh yea any opinion on the tek 2x39w retro kits?
http://www.marinedepot.com/lighting_fluorescent_sunlight_retrofit_kit_system-ap.html

 

[The Grim Reefer]

hey grim.

I'm in the planning stages of a 50 breeder(36x18x18). i plan on having mostly lps and zoa's with a couple sps and possibly a clam.

i was planning on using the 4x39w icecap retro but lately have been wondering if i may be better just going with 6 standard output t5ho's.

whats your thoughts between the two?

also which bulb combo's would you use?

oh yea any opinion on the tek 2x39w retro kits?
http://www.marinedepot.com/lighting_fluorescent_sunlight_retrofit_kit_system-ap.html

3 of those Tek kits would work fine. Probably a little more money than just getting a 6 lamp retrofit from reefgeek but a lot easier to install.

 

[Jared J]

More is better on an 18 inch tank

4 ATI Blue Plus
1 GE 6500K Daylight
1 UVL Actinic White.

Ok Grim, I'm gonna change it up a bit cause I still cant loose the shimmer from the halide... I know I'll miss it and I'm anal like that. So on the 40g breeder, I want to keep my 150w Phoenix 14K in the center. Problem is, it's kinda like a spotlight now. I'd like to add a 4 bulb T5 retro under the hood I'm building to go with the 150w halide. Should I stick with the GE/UVL and just 2 ATI Blue+'s?

Also... any idea what the total length is for a 39w T5 including endcaps? I think I saw somewhere that it was 35.1" but I can't remember.

 

[stonedage]

grim, i just got my bulbs, took what ai could get from my local store, what order front to back shouldi place these? giessemen actinic plus, giesseman pure actinic, uvl actinic white, giesemen midday sun, he said if i wanted to swap one of the giess actinin bulbs i could swap with him when i see which i like better, should i swap? ok so what order please thanks you!!!!

 

[2in10]

Light setup for 40 breeder

Light setup for 40 breeder

Hi Grim,

Love this thread :love2:

I am looking to setup a 40br mixed reef with a clam or two. I was thinking of building a canopy and using a retro kit. I saw where someone thought of using one of their actinic PC bulb and am thinking of doing the same except mine is 420/460. I am looking to use 2 2x39w retros from Reefgeek. I have shrooms, zoos, an open brain, a stylo and some LPS that are supposed to be more light loving. Will probably add some Acros and chalices. I am thinking of a Maxima and/or Crocea clams. Thoughts, bulb selection and locations for bulbs would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for your service.:artist: