The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey grim would u change out anything on this bulb combo for a better look. running a mix reef....

front
Aquablue
Blue +
fiji purple
blue+
blue+

Probably not if you are looking for a 20K look.

 

[LKGRenegade22]

Not blue enough. The Aquablues are almost white.

Blue Plus
Aquablue
Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
Blue Plus
Aquablue

Will be about what you are after.

Can I swap one of those out for a 420nm super actinic? I'm not sure how a 420 bulb affects overall color.

Also which 2 sets of bulbs would be best for the dusk/dawn setting? 2 sets of Blue +'s?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Thanks Rparty. Is a 4 bulb ATI better than a 6 bulb TEK Elite? I think from what I remember reading is that you don't get any more par with 6 bulbs just more coverage. Is that correct. I would also do a combination of actinic and white bulbs. What combination either 3&3 if I get the TEK or 2&2 if I get the ATI will give me that 10-12k look. I like a whiter daylight look when all bulbs are on and I will use the dusk / dawn effect.

A standard Tek will have enough light for your tank. The ATI probably has higher PAR but over a smaller footprint so it is close to a wash. I would rather have the extra lamps.

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

That will give you all the intensity you need to grow about anything you want and look cool.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Can I swap o of those out for a 420nm super actinic? I'm not sure how a 420 bulb affects overall color.

The 420's look cool during dusk/dawn but just don't do much once the lights all come on if you are using blue plus lamps which also cause fluorescence. I would rather have the PAR from the blue plus but if you really want a 420 use it in place of the 2nd blue plus from the front

 

[LKGRenegade22]

The 420's look cool during dusk/dawn but just don't do much once the lights all come on if you are using blue plus lamps which also cause fluorescence. I would rather have the PAR from the blue plus but if you really want a 420 use it in place of the 2nd blue plus from the front

Guess I need to decide what I want to do then. Will swappin out a Blue + for a 420 affect the overall color any?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Guess I need to decide what I want to do then. Will swappin out a Blue + for a 420 affect the overall color any?

Little less blue but overall not much.

 

[creepdogg]

4 lamps will be overdriven but not as much. I would try the Midwater with 3 Blue Plus, should look sweet.

So I gather

Front

Blue
Midwater
Blue
Blue

What would an aquablue add or remove from the mix? For future tweaking.
Lastly running the two IC 430's which bulbs on which ballasts, and what order would you run them on and off. Thanks so much and I think this is my very last question

 

[The Grim Reefer]

So I gather

Front

Blue
Midwater
Blue
Blue

What would an aquablue add or remove from the mix? For future tweaking.
Lastly running the two IC 430's which bulbs on which ballasts, and what order would you run them on and off. Thanks so much and I think this is my very last question

Front and last lamps for dusk/dawn. Aquablue will make it less blue but not by a huge amount. Either would look good.

 

[z3r0ko0l]

hey guys im looking to upgrade bulbs in a NEP 48". Any bulb combos I should look for to get the best look/PAR? I was getting really good growth from my first SPS frags with the stock bulbs but now it seems to have slowed. Ive been running the stock blubs for just over a year now so i know its time for a change. Any combo Ideas? Thanks

 

[jet fixer]

Grim,
Were you able to test this fixture?
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showpost.php?p=16430439&postcount=43

I really like the six bulb they just came out with and was wondering if you were able to test one out.

 

[whitleyjb]

I currently have a 40 breeder setup with a "low end" 250 watt DE / (2) 55 watt PC, fixture. It is a mixed reef with most SPS mounted in the top half of the tank. While the corals are doing ok, I want more coverage (left to right) as the Halide is centered in the tank and I want more color (Using pheonix 14k now).

I have been offered a Current 4-bulb T5 fixture and am looking to experiment with some bulbs to see if I like the T5's better. Looks like the bulbs below would be a good choice.

For coverage front to back, I think 4 bulbs is enough as most of the corals are in the back 2/3rds of the tank.

Do you think the T5's will be ok, as compared to the Aquatraders MH fixture. I know both are not recommended. I just do not want to go backwards.

Thanks
Jack

If you are going with a low end fixture use Blue Plus instead of Actinics. You will need the PAR. Use 2 ATI Blue Plus, KZ Fiji Purple and a ATI Aquablue. Will look good and be good for your critters,

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim,
Were you able to test this fixture?
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showpost.php?p=16430439&postcount=43

I really like the six bulb they just came out with and was wondering if you were able to test one out.

Haven't been back over to that side of the area yet. Still gonna try.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I currently have a 40 breeder setup with a "low end" 250 watt DE / (2) 55 watt PC, fixture. It is a mixed reef with most SPS mounted in the top half of the tank. While the corals are doing ok, I want more coverage (left to right) as the Halide is centered in the tank and I want more color (Using pheonix 14k now).

I have been offered a Current 4-bulb T5 fixture and am looking to experiment with some bulbs to see if I like the T5's better. Looks like the bulbs below would be a good choice.

For coverage front to back, I think 4 bulbs is enough as most of the corals are in the back 2/3rds of the tank.

Do you think the T5's will be ok, as compared to the Aquatraders MH fixture. I know both are not recommended. I just do not want to go backwards.

Thanks
Jack

As long as the corals are directly below the lamps they should be fine.

 

[whitleyjb]

As long as the corals are directly below the lamps they should be fine.

Thank you for the quick response. Great thread with a lot of info! Already looking forward to the 120gal that I will be setting up next!

 

[flyingace2005]

I had a 60" VHO setup and it did fine by me and I know others who run 48's and are happy. I would personally overdrive and if you browse the thread I usually don't reco it. Just do a good cooling job and I think you will like it.

Thanks Grim. I ordered it and will let you know when I get it all setup. I need to buy fans now...

 

[chefmike]

Grimm,

Just got my new TEK 8 x 80watt fixture

I have a Fiji Purple, GE 6500, 2 AquaBlue and 5 Blue Plus

Outer four bulbs on one switch and inner four on another...I would like a dawn/dusk set up...does putting the 4 blue plus on the outer switch make sense?

BTW...TEK setup is extremely clean, hanging kit was a breeze and Reefgeek did a great job with packaging and amazingly fast shipping

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grimm,

Just got my new TEK 8 x 80watt fixture

I have a Fiji Purple, GE 6500, 2 AquaBlue and 5 Blue Plus

Outer four bulbs on one switch and inner four on another...I would like a dawn/dusk set up...does putting the 4 blue plus on the outer switch make sense?

BTW...TEK setup is extremely clean, hanging kit was a breeze and Reefgeek did a great job with packaging and amazingly fast shipping

Yeeah, 4 blue pluses but I would also try the Fiji in slot 2 and see if you like dusk/dawn any better with it in the mix.

 

[Ricunger]

Grim,


Have you had the chance to test the aquaticlife T5 fixture? I seen a comment a few weeks ago stating you were going to locate one to borrow.

 

[kuyatwo]

i currently own a 6 x39 watt ati sunpower fixture

currently i have

front

ati aquablue
ati blue+
uvl actinic white
ati blue+
ati blue+
ati aquablue

rear


my question is reefgeek still has the ati pro color in stock should i order them or fiji purple? my tank is 70 lps 15% sps 15% softies

I looking for more red and pink pop. If you have another bulb suggestion let me know

 

[rtparty]

i currently own a 6 x39 watt ati sunpower fixture

currently i have

front

ati aquablue
ati blue+
uvl actinic white
ati blue+
ati blue+
ati aquablue

rear


my question is reefgeek still has the ati pro color in stock should i order them or fiji purple? my tank is 70 lps 15% sps 15% softies

I looking for more red and pink pop. If you have another bulb suggestion let me know

The Fiji Purple is a nice bulb but you may want to look into changing the Actinic White to a UVL Aquasun. That should kick the reds up a little more.

Or you could even change a Blue Plus for a UVL 75/25