The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

I have JBJ 28G nano, what do you recommand for T5 light setting keep SPS and clams? Thank you in advance!

ATI Powermodule with 6 lamps.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hi Grim! Still have several months of usage from my Current Outer Orbit 250W MH/T5 light, but I am thinking of replacing the stock 10K MH bulbs with 14K. When I do so, I am also going to be replacing the Actinics with 8 new T5 lamps. For a mildly blue appearance, while handling my 420/460 spectrum, what bulb combos would you suggest? This is a 72" fixture, so I can only really utilize 4 different bulb types. I do not want it to be too blue, however I do want more of a color pop...

Thanks!

C

Do one row of UVL Actinic Whites, second in with 3 rows of ATI Blue Plus. It will be blue but not like just running actinics.

 

[Cjsparky]

Do one row of UVL Actinic Whites, second in with 3 rows of ATI Blue Plus. It will be blue but not like just running actinics.

Awesome Grim, Thanks!

 

[HoppyBunny]

Would an Aquactinics Solar Flare 6x54w fixture be enough light to have SPS, clams, etc. in a 110 tall (48x18x30)? Would the bulb combo have any impact on what I would be able keep in the tank?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Would an Aquactinics Solar Flare 6x54w fixture be enough light to have SPS, clams, etc. in a 110 tall (48x18x30)? Would the bulb combo have any impact on what I would be able keep in the tank?

Should do OK. 4 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Aquablue and 1 UVL Actinic White should do good.

 

[Dis 1]

Solar Flare

Solar Flare

Hey grim i just got my Aquactinics Solar Flare for my 90gal and im wondering what is the best bulb combo would you recomend? my tank is mostly softies and LPS, with about 3 SPS in there. And what order should i place the bulbs?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey grim i just got my Aquactinics Solar Flare for my 90gal and im wondering what is the best bulb combo would you recomend? my tank is mostly softies and LPS, with about 3 SPS in there. And what order should i place the bulbs?

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
ATI Aquablue
UVL Actinic White
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus.

 

[GROWSZOAS]

Putting it on the tank






I kill me


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

untill i order the above combination, can you recommend a combination with these bulbs i have laying around
giesmann
aquablue plus
actinic plus
uv
super actinic
454
actinic white

thank you for all of your advice

 

[The Grim Reefer]

untill i order the above combination, can you recommend a combination with these bulbs i have laying around
giesmann
aquablue plus
actinic plus
uv
super actinic
454
actinic white

thank you for all of your advice

Use the 454, super actinic and actinic plus in the slots I labeled Blue Plus and the others wherever.

 

[robertifly]

Hey Grim you're great to respond to help people with their T5 lighting questions, I have one of my own. Tank is a 24'x24'x36' long 90 gal. Mixed reef but mostly shrooms, lps, but some acro and a clam. I just replaced the original nep tubes and this is what I did, what do you think and are they placed correctly, should I change any of them to another bulb?
FRONT TO BACK
1. ATI BLUE+
2. ATI BLUE+
3. KORALLEN FIJI PURPLE
4. UVL ATINIC WHITE
5. ATI BLUE+
6. GEISSMAN ACTINIC +

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim you're great to respond to help people with their T5 lighting questions, I have one of my own. Tank is a 24'x24'x36' long 90 gal. Mixed reef but mostly shrooms, lps, but some acro and a clam. I just replaced the original nep tubes and this is what I did, what do you think and are they placed correctly, should I change any of them to another bulb?
FRONT TO BACK
1. ATI BLUE+
2. ATI BLUE+
3. KORALLEN FIJI PURPLE
4. UVL ATINIC WHITE
5. ATI BLUE+
6. GEISSMAN ACTINIC +

I'd try to arrange things so there is a blue lamp between the Fiji Purple and Actinic white but should look nice.

 

[Hillbilly318]

hey grim, i have 2x 39W T5HO in a Hagen GLO, with a "power glo" and a "marine glo" bulb setup, also running 4 t8's in the same bulbs.

What can i keep for coral.

85g reef

 

[The Grim Reefer]

hey grim, i have 2x 39W T5HO in a Hagen GLO, with a "power glo" and a "marine glo" bulb setup, also running 4 t8's in the same bulbs.

What can i keep for coral.

85g reef

Softies and LPS up on the rocks would probably be OK. I wouldn't try SPS or Anemone.

 

[DSMchad]

I was directed to this thread by others.
I have a 55 gal, 4 bulb T5HO 2x 54 watt 12000k and 2x 54 watt actinic, time to change the bulbs - they have always had a bad look, and they are going on a year old.
One im trying to get a nicer "deeper" look to my tank, now its just blinding and dull appearing.
Aslo will be adding a bubble tip anemone in the future.
right now i just have a few softie corals that are doing well, but of course later on i will get more involved with different kinds.
Would my fixture be enough for anemomes? and what bulb combo to improve the appearance - i can add 2 more tubes if need be.

 

[FortyFour]

T5 bulb combo

T5 bulb combo

Grim Reefer,

Howzit? I am in the market for T5's, and was hoping you could shed some light on the matter. Any input would be appreciated regarding lights and fixtures.

I have an 80G tall, which is 4ft long and just under 2.5ft high. Fish only with some softies, and not planning on any hard corals.

I like SunSystem's Tek Light (recommended to me). I have also been looking into the AquaticLite fixtures. I am willing to go the DIY route, but I am running my tank without the hood at the moment, and would have to install a fan etc...which is a little more work that I can do at the moment.

In your opinion, how many bulbs should I run? Any advice on a fixture? I will go with 48" if it will fit, but will 36" be enough? FYI, money is sort of an issue right now.

Any advice would be appreciated!

Do a 6 lamp Tek, 54 watt version (4 ft) would be best but the 3 foot version would work.

Grim,

My question is regarding T5 bulb combos. My head is spinning after reading ~100 replies to this thread. I can't figure out what bulb combo to get. This will be my first T5 setup. I ended up choosing the 4 bulb 48" TekLight. Couldn't do the 6 bulb. My tank is 48" long x 28" high x 15" deep. I hope it will be OK for a FOWLR and some softies. Maybe some LPS down the line if the lighting is sufficient.

I am between Giesemann and ATI. price doesn't matter because the bulbs are included regardless.

Grim, and anyone else reading, please let me know your combo suggestions and its benefits.

I was thinking 1 Aquablue, 2 Actinic plus, and a true actinic (all Geisemann)

Then I heard ATIs were better.

Then I heard I should throw in a Fiji Purple.

Then I realized I am pretty indecisive. Your input would help me make an educated desicion, rather than playing a guessing game. All input is appreciated and I thank you all for contributing to such an informative thread.

Joe

 

[robertifly]

Grim thanks for the response, I swapped positions #2 ATI with the #3 Fiji Purple. When they come on today will be a "first time". I'll let you know how it looks.

Front to back
1. ATI Blue +
2. Fiji Purple
3. ATI Blue +
4. UVL Atinic White
5. ATI Blue +
6. Geissman Atinic +

#1 & #5 ATI Blue + are my two "dawn and Dusk" lamps.

 

[sailfintang]

What bulbs would work to help bring out more color out of my coral. My main lighting comes from two 250 watt 20K MH. I have 2, 54 watt T5HO to supplement. I am currently running UVL bulbs but am thing about switching to one the following:

Aquablue or

Blue Plus or

Fiji Purples

Any one have any experience on what would be best for popping color using as supplement lighting and for a dusk dawn effect or would I need to add 2 more bulbs?

 

[dgbenning]

hey Grim, I was told you were the one to go to for t5 lighting questions so here goes..... I'm starting a reef tank 48"x16"x18", wanting to go with t5's for a wide collection of corals including SPS's and some fish. My question is what kind of t5 setup should I use (What colors? How many?) to make the coral "pop!" I don't want to spend my hard earned money on SPS corals just to have them turn brown. I'm trying to do this as cheaply as possible cause $ is tight.

Thanks, David

 

[mikenjo]

hi grim
i have a 6 bulb nep and reading thru all your suggestions you either suggest

4 blue plus
actinic white
aquablue special
or
4 blue plus
actinic white
ge 6500
is their a difference between the two or will they look the same i am about to place an order and wanted to make sure i get the colors right

thanks for your time

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I was directed to this thread by others.
I have a 55 gal, 4 bulb T5HO 2x 54 watt 12000k and 2x 54 watt actinic, time to change the bulbs - they have always had a bad look, and they are going on a year old.
One im trying to get a nicer "deeper" look to my tank, now its just blinding and dull appearing.
Aslo will be adding a bubble tip anemone in the future.
right now i just have a few softie corals that are doing well, but of course later on i will get more involved with different kinds.
Would my fixture be enough for anemomes? and what bulb combo to improve the appearance - i can add 2 more tubes if need be.

What brand is the fixture?