The T5 Q&a Thread

[jeremyreef]

I would stick with a single higher velocity fan more concentrated on pushing air across all the lamp ends.

what one would you suggest? a link to one or brand/model would be greatly appreciated. (for 4x54 on a IC660 and 2x54 on a advance)

also i like your new site, thanks for all you do!

 

[z3r0ko0l]

hey grim, thanks again for the bulb suggestions. Are there Geismann or other brands that I can get that are as good as the ATI blueplus bulbs?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

First, I want to say thank you for all the help you provide. You are doing everyone a great service. Reading through the thread was a real help in picking out lights.

I have a 125g (72"x18"x22") and decided to go with the Reef Geek aqua illuminations 6 bulb 60" t5 HO retro. I'm going with the bulb layout below, and was just wondering how I should wire it for dawn/dusk. I'm thinking of bulbs 1/3/6 being the dawn/dusk, does that make sense?

Front
1. ATI Blue Plus
2. KZ Fiji Purple
3. ATI Blue Plus
4. GE 6500K Daylight
5. ATI Blue Plus
6. ATI Blue Plus

Thanks again!

Should be good. Play with the Fiji in the 3 slot as part of the Dusk/Dawn.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim, currently running 6x24 sunpower on a 36x20x20 and thinking of adding a few more SPS. The blue is washing out more of the red's and purples. What bulb to swap out or can order change to get results, Running your recipe:
Blue+
Actin W
Blue+
GE
Blue+
Blue+

Grab a second actinic white and try it in place of the GE, if that still isn't enough put the GE back in place of one of the blues.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

what one would you suggest? a link to one or brand/model would be greatly appreciated. (for 4x54 on a IC660 and 2x54 on a advance)

also i like your new site, thanks for all you do!

Something along the lines of the Ice Cap 4" will do but it doesn't have to be one of those. 3" would probably work. I haven't used other fans just because I had the IC's laying around so.....

 

[The Grim Reefer]

hey grim, thanks again for the bulb suggestions. Are there Geismann or other brands that I can get that are as good as the ATI blueplus bulbs?

The Actinic Plus is about the same thing with a little less PAR. UVL 454 is a little less PAR but looks good too.

 

[CamBarr]

Hey Grim,

I just got an 8 bulb TEK light for my Elos 120XL (47"x31"x19") The tank is filled with SPS clams and some LPS. What would you recommend for a bulb combination? looking for 14k look

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim,

I just got an 8 bulb TEK light for my Elos 120XL (47"x31"x19") The tank is filled with SPS clams and some LPS. What would you recommend for a bulb combination? looking for 14k look

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

 

[stevek480]

Should be good. Play with the Fiji in the 3 slot as part of the Dusk/Dawn.

Great thanks for all the help!

 

[nichthyes]

wut is the significance of lumens? I'm lookin to put 130W PC lighting on my 29g tank, but i'm not sure if I should go t5 cuz i heard the lumens are higher . . . ?

 

[nichthyes]

What is the significance of lumens? I want to put 130w PC ballast on my 29g, but i've heard t5's have more lumens . . . ? Should I just stick to higher wattage?

 

[hoffy02]

OK, you are "THE Grim Reefer" I am the cheap knock off lol. When I joined the site I didn't know you existed so sorry for the name hijack.

Anyways I have a few questions that maybe you could answer. I just purchased a 72" long 125g and it appears difficult to decide on lighting combinations. I want to run t5's or vho's and be able to keep anything. I have considered a (4 bulb 60" t5 retro), or (4 bulb 48" retro w/ 2 bulb 24" retro). I could also run 72" vho's or 8 36" t5's. Budget is also an issue, I am trying to stay under $400 for all lights but have enough light. What do you suggest? I want to keep clams and some sps along with softies and bubble tip anemone's.

6 lamp 80 watt Retrofit with 2 Ice Cap 660 ballasts and AquaIlluminations reflectors, reefgeek sells a kit.

125 gallons, clams and 400.00 don't go together. You are either going to have to start with 3 T5's and softies or get a shorter tank.

Grim,

First you and this thread are awesome!!

Pretty much the same situation (quoted above) except I have a 120long and the fixture is a 72" Nova extreme pro 12x39w... Can I keep all the goodies? Clams? Also a good bulb combo for a 14k look?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

wut is the significance of lumens? I'm lookin to put 130W PC lighting on my 29g tank, but i'm not sure if I should go t5 cuz i heard the lumens are higher . . . ?

Lumens are not really related to what we are concerned with. It can give you a general idea of how much light the lamp produces but what it doesn't account for is the potential for growth. Another thing to consider is how will you can put the light produced to work. PC lamps don't lend themselves to having the majority of their light focused in a single direction and the light produced by the inner side of each tube is wasted reflecting on each other.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim,

First you and this thread are awesome!!

Pretty much the same situation (quoted above) except I have a 120long and the fixture is a 72" Nova extreme pro 12x39w... Can I keep all the goodies? Clams? Also a good bulb combo for a 14k look?

Maybe, I would try a low light clam and see how it does. SPS beneath the lamps should be fine.

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

 

[phishyreef]

I have a new 90 gallon mixed reef that I am setting up. I have an 8 bulb 4ft T5 fixture. What is the recommended mix of bulbs for optimal color and coral growth?

 

[returnofsid]

Add more T5s, or go to MH??

Add more T5s, or go to MH??

GrimReefer, I've got a few questions. Thanks for your time!!

I currently have a Marine Land 200 Deep Dimension. 48" X 36" front to back, by 27" tall. Open top, no canopy. This tank is predominately SPS and Clams, with lots of Zoanthids on the bottom, along with some LPS on or near the bottom.

For the past several months, it's been lit with my 6 bulb Tek5, from my previous 75. It's now time to add lighting. Up until recently, I've planned on adding a 4 bulb Tek5, giving me a total of 10 bulbs. If I do go this route, can you give me an idea of bulbs to buy and configuration? All 10 bulbs would be new, so I'd need an idea of a 10 bulb configuration.

On the other hand....

I've recently started to consider going Metal Halide. If I do this, I'd go with 2X250 watt pendants. I'd probably go the route of Sunlight Supply Pendants and Blue Wave Ballast. If I go this route, would you recommend SE or DE bulbs? Why? Of the 3 options, Lumen Max Elite, Lumen Max 2 or Lumen Max 3, which would you recommend and why?

I know this thread is specifically T5HO, but really trust your judgment for lighting advice. You've helped me with T5s for 3 years now. So, I'm coming to you for your advice.

Thanks for any help, suggestions or advice you can offer!!

 

[hoffy02]

Maybe, I would try a low light clam and see how it does. SPS beneath the lamps should be fine.

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

But that is only half the bulbs... or are you saying 2 double this?

 

[hoffy02]

LOL!! nevermind....

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I have a new 90 gallon mixed reef that I am setting up. I have an 8 bulb 4ft T5 fixture. What is the recommended mix of bulbs for optimal color and coral growth?

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

 

[hoffy02]

Thanks for the help Grim... I am checking out your website... I wasnt aware of it before I asked the question... Thanks again!!