The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

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

For 4 lamps 2 ATI Blue Plus, the Fiji Purple and a Aquablue would be your best bet.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

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?

I would do a blue plus in front and a fiji purple behind

 

[The Grim Reefer]

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

I would prefer a 4x54 ATI Sunpower but if that isnt in the budget go with the Tek

Front
ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

 

[SDonkey]

Hey Grim,
Thanks for all your help!
I have a 2 bulb 36" Finnex fixture on the back of the tank and a 4 blub 36" 39w AquaticLife with individual reflectors in front of that. After looking around here is what I am thinking but wanted to ask the expert:

ATI Blue+
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue+
ATI Pro Color
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue+

I do have a Hagen 18k Power GLO sitting around but I hated how pink that light was.
Any suggestions? Maybe a Fiji somewhere?

Thanks!
Zack

 

[The Grim Reefer]

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

Be close, with the GE you will have slightly less blue and certain green colors tend to look a little brighter.

 

[rtparty]

Grim,

I had a change of heart, imagine that! I am ordering the 6 bulb Sunpower now instead of the 4. I was worried I wouldn't get enough coverage and 4 bulbs are hard to get a great color with.

I am thinking this combo for 6 bulbs:

3 ATI Blue Plus, 1 UVL Super Actinc, 1 KZ Fiji Purple and 1 GE 6500K. I will order an extra Blue Plus also in case it isn't blue enough and to play with.

Any thoughts here?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim,
Thanks for all your help!
I have a 2 bulb 36" Finnex fixture on the back of the tank and a 4 blub 36" 39w AquaticLife with individual reflectors in front of that. After looking around here is what I am thinking but wanted to ask the expert:

ATI Blue+
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue+
ATI Pro Color
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue+

I do have a Hagen 18k Power GLO sitting around but I hated how pink that light was.
Any suggestions? Maybe a Fiji somewhere?

Thanks!
Zack

Use that glow instead of the Pro Color. With all that Blue I think you will like having the added red which is what the pro color does.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim,

I had a change of heart, imagine that! I am ordering the 6 bulb Sunpower now instead of the 4. I was worried I wouldn't get enough coverage and 4 bulbs are hard to get a great color with.

I am thinking this combo for 6 bulbs:

3 ATI Blue Plus, 1 UVL Super Actinc, 1 KZ Fiji Purple and 1 GE 6500K. I will order an extra Blue Plus also in case it isn't blue enough and to play with.

Any thoughts here?

If I am ever in Lehi (god forbid) you owe me a beer?

I kill me


Should be fine. Use the actinic in slot 2 for dusk/dawn

 

[SDonkey]

Use that glow instead of the Pro Color. With all that Blue I think you will like having the added red which is what the pro color does.

Would the Fiji do me good anywhere in there? That thing seems to be really popular.
Thanks!
Zack

 

[rtparty]

If I am ever in Lehi (god forbid) you owe me a beer?

I kill me


Should be fine. Use the actinic in slot 2 for dusk/dawn

There will be a 12 pack in the fridge with your name on it! You can count on that:beer:

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Would the Fiji do me good anywhere in there? That thing seems to be really popular.
Thanks!
Zack

Mmmmyeah, use it in place of the pro color.

 

[lrvargas]

hello grim reefer

hello grim reefer

i have a 75g tank with 6x54 tek and wave point bulbs ,i have sps and lps and not whether the combination of the bulbs is fine.

this is the current combination
front

• 
  blue wave=super blue actinic 460
  reef wave=super violet 03 actinic 420 coral wave=coral grow accelerator?
  blue wave=super blue actinic 460
  sun wave=super daylight 12,000k
  reef wave=super violet 03 actinic 460
  I also have three 454 uv ,one ati actinic and an ati pro color. which combination would be adequate for sps and lps.

 

[FortyFour]

For 4 lamps 2 ATI Blue Plus, the Fiji Purple and a Aquablue would be your best bet.

Thank you Grim. You should be on payroll. Much appreciated advice :thumbsup:.

 

[lrvargas]

hi there

 

[The Grim Reefer]

i have a 75g tank with 6x54 tek and wave point bulbs ,i have sps and lps and not whether the combination of the bulbs is fine.

this is the current combination
front

• 
  blue wave=super blue actinic 460
  reef wave=super violet 03 actinic 420 coral wave=coral grow accelerator?
  blue wave=super blue actinic 460
  sun wave=super daylight 12,000k
  reef wave=super violet 03 actinic 460
  I also have three 454 uv ,one ati actinic and an ati pro color. which combination would be adequate for sps and lps.

• 
  
  I would take out the rear 03 violet and throw a 454 in there for more PAR but should look fine.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Thank you Grim. You should be on payroll. Much appreciated advice :thumbsup:.

You'd tyhink they could at least send me an RC thong or something :lol2:

 

[Theomi]

Hey Grim, im going to buy a 4x39w fixture soon, what are some good Giesemann bulbs to put in for growing a little of everything... Both lps and sps ?
The reason i ask for giesemann is that i cant find ATI bulbs anywhere here in Denmark or Europe for that matter....

Hi again Grim, i didn buy the lamp yet cus i found one with 8 bulbs that only cost a little more (in reefer terms)... What would be a good bulb combo for 8 bulbs still with giesemann and with the same corals in mind, sps and lps?

 

[WiZKY]

For a 6 bulb 54w, what do you think about this set-up

front
ATI blue+
ATI aquablue
KZ fiji purple
ATI blue+
ATI aquablue
ATI blue+


thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hi again Grim, i didn buy the lamp yet cus i found one with 8 bulbs that only cost a little more (in reefer terms)... What would be a good bulb combo for 8 bulbs still with giesemann and with the same corals in mind, sps and lps?

Front
Actinic Plus
Midday
Actinic Plus
Aquablue
Actinic Plus
Midday
Pure Actinic
Actinic plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

For a 6 bulb 54w, what do you think about this set-up

front
ATI blue+
ATI aquablue
KZ fiji purple
ATI blue+
ATI aquablue
ATI blue+


thanks

Should be fine.