The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

Have a link for me to a good site? one inch wide they are? Wow

Reefgeek should have them. UVL makes the lamps with the built in reflector. You will probably have to call them and have a retro kit minus reflectors and with the "twist lock" endcaps. Tell them what you need, they will treat you right.

 

[ShawnEGreen]

Hey Grim, I need to replace my Coralife 150 watt halide fixture and need some advice. The thing is junk and I'm gonna take the T5 plunge. The tank is a standard 75 gallon tank with mainly LPS, with a few SPS and a maxima up in the top half of the tank. Looking at the ATI line or Tek Elite, which would you recommend ( model and number of bulbs ). Also what would be a good bulb combo for a fairly blue daytime look, yet still allow me to keep montis and my clam. Thanks in advance.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim, I need to replace my Coralife 150 watt halide fixture and need some advice. The thing is junk and I'm gonna take the T5 plunge. The tank is a standard 75 gallon tank with mainly LPS, with a few SPS and a maxima up in the top half of the tank. Looking at the ATI line or Tek Elite, which would you recommend ( model and number of bulbs ). Also what would be a good bulb combo for a fairly blue daytime look, yet still allow me to keep montis and my clam. Thanks in advance.

6x54 Sunpower would be really good for that tank

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

 

[ShawnEGreen]

Thanks Grim. I guess Reefgeek is getting some more of my $$$.

 

[Toadally]

Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
Halide
Blue Plus
Blue Plus

Thank you sir!!

 

[chris.francis14]

Front
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
GE Daylight
ATI Blue Plus

I apologize, I forgot to tell you that it is a six bulb unit. ATI Sun Power fixture 48 long 24 deep 18 wide. Looking for a more natural color with a slight blue hue.

 

[snewcrash]

Hey Grim,

What bulbs would you recommend for a solar flare? I love a blue look. I'll be keeping a lot of zoas, some LPS, a few SPS and a clam. 75 gallon tank. Thanks in advance.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I apologize, I forgot to tell you that it is a six bulb unit. ATI Sun Power fixture 48 long 24 deep 18 wide. Looking for a more natural color with a slight blue hue.

ATI Aquablue
Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
ATI Aquablue
Blue Plus
Aquablue

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim,

What bulbs would you recommend for a solar flare? I love a blue look. I'll be keeping a lot of zoas, some LPS, a few SPS and a clam. 75 gallon tank. Thanks in advance.

Use 1 UVL Actinic White and 5 ATI Blue Plus. Should look sweet

 

[snewcrash]

Use 1 UVL Actinic White and 5 ATI Blue Plus. Should look sweet

I have 2 bulbs come on two hours before the remaining 4 bulbs come on. Where should I put the UVL actinic white?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I have 2 bulbs come on two hours before the remaining 4 bulbs come on. Where should I put the UVL actinic white?

About the middle but you could try it as one of your dusk/dawn lamps, cool effect.

 

[Hamerhed]

Hi Grim, keep up the good work....

I have a 20g 24x12x16 tank and will be upgrading to T5 lighting soon. I really like the TEK 4x24" fixture but ofcourse I'm wondering what tubes to put in it. From what I've read on this thread (I only read afew pages worth) I think you'd recommend to me

ATI Blue +
ATI Aqua Blue
another tube
ATI Blue +

where the other tube would be one of the following 3.....

GE Daylight to bring out greens
KZ Fiji Purple for pinks and purples
UVL Actinic White not sure what this one does

I have no set plans on what I'll be keeping. Right now its a mixed bag. I like zoas and recos but don't want to limit myself to them, so probably the Fiji Purple would be the best fit or do you have a better suggestion?

Thanks for your help

 

[ben&bobbi]

original posting -

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, sylvania osmar ballast, and SLR reflectors.

will this setup work, and recommended bulb order?

Thank for your advice,
Ben

Your response -

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.

well, the situation changed a little. i will be getting a TEK8 fixture and running that over the 75g. This tank has a few RBTA and Purple LTA, zoas and mushrooms and couple dozen clowns. I have seen people mentioning that Fiji Purple, saying it really brings our red and blues. This sounds like it will work for me, but like everyone else, i am looking for your lighting recommendation.

Thank you again!
Ben

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hi Grim, keep up the good work....

I have a 20g 24x12x16 tank and will be upgrading to T5 lighting soon. I really like the TEK 4x24" fixture but ofcourse I'm wondering what tubes to put in it. From what I've read on this thread (I only read afew pages worth) I think you'd recommend to me

ATI Blue +
ATI Aqua Blue
another tube
ATI Blue +

where the other tube would be one of the following 3.....

GE Daylight to bring out greens
KZ Fiji Purple for pinks and purples
UVL Actinic White not sure what this one does

I have no set plans on what I'll be keeping. Right now its a mixed bag. I like zoas and recos but don't want to limit myself to them, so probably the Fiji Purple would be the best fit or do you have a better suggestion?

Thanks for your help

I would do the Fiji Purple

 

[The Grim Reefer]

original posting -


Your response -



well, the situation changed a little. i will be getting a TEK8 fixture and running that over the 75g. This tank has a few RBTA and Purple LTA, zoas and mushrooms and couple dozen clowns. I have seen people mentioning that Fiji Purple, saying it really brings our red and blues. This sounds like it will work for me, but like everyone else, i am looking for your lighting recommendation.

Thank you again!
Ben

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

 

[TriggerHappyDude]

GrimReefer and other T5 Bulb gurus...

I have the 24" 4x24watt ATI Powermodule for my 34g Solana Tank.
I just recently bought some new frags, and would like to know which of my 8 bulbs is the best 4 bulb combo for these new frags and my previous set of frags.
Any info about these frags, such as needs shade, needs lots of light, needs high in tank, needs low in tank, etc...I don't know much about them I'm a beginner with coral.

So the best 4 bulb combo out of these 8, for my coral selection, is what I'm after here.
And I use an RKE, so should I have any certain 2 come on first and then 2 more for a dawn effect, and vice versa for a dusk effect?
Not a fan of the "blue" look, but I want whatever is going to help these corals grow fast and big!
Also, how far above the top of the tank should I be hanging with these lights?

• GE 6500k Ecolux Hight Output
• ATI Auqa Blue Special
• ATI Auqa Blue Special
• ATI Blue Plus
• ATI Blue Plus
• UVL Aquasun
• UVL Aquasun
• Korallen Fiji Purple

Here are the frags I just got:

• Green Slimer
• Blue Stag
• Blue Mille
• Neon Green Stylo
• Tubbs Birds Nest
• Pocillopora
• Acro 1
• Acro 2

Then there are the frags that I bought several months ago, that are not looking too great; working on water quality issues and apitasia etc, but still would like advice on tank placement, light needs etc...

 

[sfboarders]

Hey Grim. I am using the following setup you gave to me in the past for my FOWLR. It looks good but it looks too white.

Well my tank is not a FOWLR anymore and I got some bright colored yumas (gonna make it a mushroom tank now). With the blue + alone those things glow! What's a good combinations to get some greens, blues, purples and oranges to popout and at the same time see fish? I am using a 4 x 54W and also use a dusk dawn effect with the Blue +.

Front
Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
GE 6500k Daylight
Blue Plus

 

[Txcowboy22]

Hey grim,

I was looking to add in a couple more t5 into my canopy. I was wondering whats the best ballast? I have an icecap 660 but I don't think the added watts are made up with enough extra par. What would you advise me to get? I have all the other materials.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

GrimReefer and other T5 Bulb gurus...

I have the 24" 4x24watt ATI Powermodule for my 34g Solana Tank.
I just recently bought some new frags, and would like to know which of my 8 bulbs is the best 4 bulb combo for these new frags and my previous set of frags.
Any info about these frags, such as needs shade, needs lots of light, needs high in tank, needs low in tank, etc...I don't know much about them I'm a beginner with coral.

So the best 4 bulb combo out of these 8, for my coral selection, is what I'm after here.
And I use an RKE, so should I have any certain 2 come on first and then 2 more for a dawn effect, and vice versa for a dusk effect?
Not a fan of the "blue" look, but I want whatever is going to help these corals grow fast and big!
Also, how far above the top of the tank should I be hanging with these lights?

• GE 6500k Ecolux Hight Output
• ATI Auqa Blue Special
• ATI Auqa Blue Special
• ATI Blue Plus
• ATI Blue Plus
• UVL Aquasun
• UVL Aquasun
• Korallen Fiji Purple

Here are the frags I just got:

• Green Slimer
• Blue Stag
• Blue Mille
• Neon Green Stylo
• Tubbs Birds Nest
• Pocillopora
• Acro 1
• Acro 2

Then there are the frags that I bought several months ago, that are not looking too great; working on water quality issues and apitasia etc, but still would like advice on tank placement, light needs etc...

Front
Blue Plus
Fiji Purple
GE Daylight
Blue Plus

You want the blue plus as your dusk/dawn pair. As far as specific coral placement you would be better off asking in the coral forums but judging by the pictures I would say you have it right. Pic 5 looks like you have a bubble algae infestation. I would pull that rock and remove them over a sink then carefully rinse it with some tank water, you don't want that crap spreading all over the tank.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim. I am using the following setup you gave to me in the past for my FOWLR. It looks good but it looks too white.

Well my tank is not a FOWLR anymore and I got some bright colored yumas (gonna make it a mushroom tank now). With the blue + alone those things glow! What's a good combinations to get some greens, blues, purples and oranges to popout and at the same time see fish? I am using a 4 x 54W and also use a dusk dawn effect with the Blue +.

Front
Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
GE 6500k Daylight
Blue Plus

Try a ATI Aquablue in place of the GE lamp. Maybe a Fiji Purple in place of the 75/25 but I am not sure that will make a whole lot of difference.