The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey grim, I got a prop system im setting up, the tank is 39"x12x9, im running 4x39watt t5s. its a shallllllow tank what bulb combo should i run for good color and growth ?? The ballast are Advanced Centurion(sp)

3 blue plus and a UVL Actinic White. More than enough PAR and should color thing up really good.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I know that the 4 of them are IC reflectors and the 2 are tek. I might just look at getting new ones from DIY reef since they have them on clearance.

Yeah, once the coating is damaged there isn't a lot you can do about it. Polish will scour tough stains but if it damages the surface at the same time you really wont gain anything.

 

[Rickyrooz1]

Grim, how do the ATI Powermodules compare to the Giesemann Matrix T5 reflectors? Which fixture would you suggest? Two ATI 6 bulb Powermodules or one 12 bulb Giesemann Matrix?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim, how do the ATI Powermodules compare to the Giesemann Matrix T5 reflectors? Which fixture would you suggest? Two ATI 6 bulb Powermodules or one 12 bulb Giesemann Matrix?

\

Last I knew Giesemann wasn[t using active cooling. Makes their T5 stuff a non starter in my book.

 

[killagoby]

Grim,

What do you think of this combo for LPS's

UVL 75.25
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Super Actinic
UVL 75.25

I'd be running those 14K Phoenix metal halides with the 4 T5's as well.

 

[Blunight77]

Hey Grim, I am looking to upgrade my 65gallon tank from a 4lamp VHO setup. I found a T5 retro fit that contains four 36" lamps..My tank is 36"x18"x24". Is that enough light for this tall tank for the coral to thrive?

 

[ben&bobbi]

75 gallon, mostly anemones, some sps, lps growout

75 gallon, mostly anemones, some sps, lps growout

searching through your thread here, i found this request for a 75g. So i am wondering if you still recommend this setup or would change it. i bought 2 36" single fixtures (used), one for front and one for back - first on, last off. I am going to get retro parts for 4 48" bulbs. I am looking at advance ballasts, and TEK reflectors.

will this setup work, and recommended bulb order?

Thank for your advice,
Ben

6 lamps for sure. The length doesn't matter as much as long as you leave the ends for lower light critters.

Don't use a splash shield, it kills the output.

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus

Oh, read up before buying an elegance. They are damned near impossible to keep alive anymore. At one time they were considered an easy coral but for some reason in recent years the specimens collected have a high mortality rate.

 

[sevenkillers]

Does any one has any feed back on the Finnex 36" LED/5 combo light?

http://www.aquacave.com/finnex-36-ledt5-combo-br-aluminum-light-fixturebr-4-x-t5--15-x-led-2551.html

I'm looking for a fixture for a Marineland Deep 36" tank.

 

[sbeason]

Grim,

I am preparing to purchase and change out my T5 bulbs on my 90G tank lit by a 48", 7-bulb, constellation. I have a medium stocked only SPS tank. My past bulbs were: 2 UVL aquasun, 3 ATI Blue+, and 2 ATI Aquablue.

I would like to know what you would recommend for great par and growth as well as coral color pop. Someone local recommended me to get 4 ATI aquablue special and 3 ATI aquablue. I just want you professional opinion and advice on what you recommend.

Thanks, in advance. -Steve

 

[dustinc]

Ok, so I know I've written on this thing about several different things, but I've finally figured out what I'm going to do. I'm going to get a Hamilton Cebu Sun in the 250 watt SE with 4 T5s (2 in front and 2 in back). What 4 t5's should I go with? I'll probably go with a 14k phoenix, 15k XM, or other(if you have a suggestion). Thanks

 

[killagoby]

Ok, so I know I've written on this thing about several different things, but I've finally figured out what I'm going to do. I'm going to get a Hamilton Cebu Sun in the 250 watt SE with 4 T5s (2 in front and 2 in back). What 4 t5's should I go with? I'll probably go with a 14k phoenix, 15k XM, or other(if you have a suggestion). Thanks

I'm running 2 150w 14K Phoenix bulbs with this T5 set up:

ATI Aquablue Special
ATI Blue +
14K Phoenix MH
ATI True Actinic
ATI Aquablue Special

If I would do ATI's again I would replace the Blue + with another True Actinic. I know Grim likes the blue bulbs but most of my corals are LPS's and I think they would have had a better glow under 2 True Actinics. Plus, I feel the Aquablue Special has enough blue in it for me.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim,

What do you think of this combo for LPS's

UVL 75.25
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Super Actinic
UVL 75.25

I'd be running those 14K Phoenix metal halides with the 4 T5's as well.

Put the actinics front and read. Should look good.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim, I am looking to upgrade my 65gallon tank from a 4lamp VHO setup. I found a T5 retro fit that contains four 36" lamps..My tank is 36"x18"x24". Is that enough light for this tall tank for the coral to thrive?

T5 VHO, Yes, enough light for about anything but clams on the sand unless you can move them back so they are below the lamps.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

searching through your thread here, i found this request for a 75g. So i am wondering if you still recommend this setup or would change it. i bought 2 36" single fixtures (used), one for front and one for back - first on, last off. I am going to get retro parts for 4 48" bulbs. I am looking at advance ballasts, and TEK reflectors.

will this setup work, and recommended bulb order?

Thank for your advice,
Ben

Front
Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
Blue Plus
Actinic White
Blue Plus
Blue Plus

Because your front lamp is shorter than the rest you need to go with a subtle difference in color so the blue plus to Aquablue combo will be good. The UVL or a GE in that position would look goofy.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim,

I am preparing to purchase and change out my T5 bulbs on my 90G tank lit by a 48", 7-bulb, constellation. I have a medium stocked only SPS tank. My past bulbs were: 2 UVL aquasun, 3 ATI Blue+, and 2 ATI Aquablue.

I would like to know what you would recommend for great par and growth as well as coral color pop. Someone local recommended me to get 4 ATI aquablue special and 3 ATI aquablue. I just want you professional opinion and advice on what you recommend.

Thanks, in advance. -Steve

Aquablues suck as a dominant lamp.

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

Was one of my favorite mixes. Try the 1, 4 and 7 circuit as your dusk/dawn and see what you think. The 75/25 will bring in some color you typically don't get with just the blue lamps but it doesn't take away the eerie effect.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Ok, so I know I've written on this thing about several different things, but I've finally figured out what I'm going to do. I'm going to get a Hamilton Cebu Sun in the 250 watt SE with 4 T5s (2 in front and 2 in back). What 4 t5's should I go with? I'll probably go with a 14k phoenix, 15k XM, or other(if you have a suggestion). Thanks

Try 1 UVL actinic White just in front of the halide with an ATI Blue Plus in front, UVL Super Actinic just behind the halide with a Blue Plus in back.

 

[Whattup32526]

is this the uvl actinic white you mentioned?

39W 12000K Actinic White (50/50) T5 HO Fluorescent
by UV Lighting

 

[rkelley_10]

Yes....

 

[autodave]

Grim--I am setting up a 30x30x26 ,my main lighting is a Lumenmax Elite w/DE 250w 14k Phoenix.I was going to put 2 t-5's in.Could you recommend a bulb for this?And would you put the t-5's on the sides or front and back?Thanks for any help-Dave

 

[dustinc]

Try 1 UVL actinic White just in front of the halide with an ATI Blue Plus in front, UVL Super Actinic just behind the halide with a Blue Plus in back.

Thanks... What do you think of the fiji purple bulb? I have heard good things about them, but just wasn't sure what the you thought of them. If I was to add that, where in the lineup should it be placed and what bulb would be removed? Thanks

Dustin