The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

Hi, I am looking for some advice on replacement bulbs for my reef tank.

I am running a TEK T-5 Fixture. It is 48" and has 8x54 watt bulbs.

My tank is 120G, and I have primarily soft corals, with a plan to add some zoa's, and maybe a few easier SPS's.

Looking for something that is going to allow the corals to thrive, and also pop out the colors.

Any suggestions?

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

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hello , Grim

I need to change mine lamps setup. What 8x24 bulbs would you recommend for LPS and softies ? this is for a aqua that can be seen by both sides

what i been thinking about some like that

--- Video Room ---
ATI Blue +
ATI AquaBlue
ATI Blue +
UV Super Actinic
ATI Pro Color
ATI Blue+
ATI AquaBlue
ATI Blue+
--- Dinner Room ---

Thanks in advance

Use a UVL Actinic White instead of the Pro Color, should be good.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

OK my turn, I have a Nova Extreme Pro with I have been running for two months. When I bought this it had two standard bulbs and the other four broke during shipment. Looking to add something to bring out reds (thinking Fiji KZ) and flourescence (actinic or blueish bulb) So I am looking to change out the stock bulbs here are my current bulbs:

FRONT
ATI - Blue +
UV- 75/25
ATI - Blue +
UV - Aquasun
Actinic - Stock Bulb
White Daylight - Stock Bulb
BACK

So what two (2) bulbs would be good choices as replacement to the stock bulbs?

Thanks,
Scott

You are running an Aquasun AND a 75/25 and don't think you have enough red? Those both have a lot of red in them.

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25 Change to UVL Actinic White if you want a lot of red.
ATI Blue Plus
Aquasun
Add a ATI Blue Plus
Current Actnic

 

[butchik]

Grim and Ryan,

Many thanks.

 

[BizMike]

What do you recommend for a 4x54 t5 setup with SPS and LPS?

Right now I have

Front
Actinic White
Super Actinic
75/25
Super Actinic

But it looks too purple to me. I have a couple 6500 K bulbs I could work in as needed.

Thanks!!!

 

[karsco]

Thanks Grim, I guess I did not realize the 75/25 & Aquasun brought out as much reds as the Fiji. I will use your recomendations, thanks...

 

[Aconrad]

cool thanks!

 

[murraycamp]

Greetings Grim,

I am considering a new system with a 48x18x25(h) tank. It's going to all acroporids. I am thinking about a Solar Flare (6x54w) for this system.

Do you think the overdriven 54w lamps have enough punch to put acros/claims anywhere in the tank? What bulb combo do you suggest for a 20k/radium look?

Thanks in advance Chief.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

What do you recommend for a 4x54 t5 setup with SPS and LPS?

Right now I have

Front
Actinic White
Super Actinic
75/25
Super Actinic

But it looks too purple to me. I have a couple 6500 K bulbs I could work in as needed.

Thanks!!!

You need a couple Blue lamps in there instead of the Super Actinics.

If thats all you got to work with this is going to look like crap but you need the PAR

Front
Actinic
Daylight
Daylight
Actinic

Of all the lamps you are currently using only the Actinic White has decent PAR. You could try that in place of one of the daylights and see how that looks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Greetings Grim,

I am considering a new system with a 48x18x25(h) tank. It's going to all acroporids. I am thinking about a Solar Flare (6x54w) for this system.

Do you think the overdriven 54w lamps have enough punch to put acros/claims anywhere in the tank? What bulb combo do you suggest for a 20k/radium look?

Thanks in advance Chief.

I'd do the ATI 6 lamp powermodule instead.

In either case

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

 

[roscozman]

Grim,

We used your suggestion on our T5 set up as follows:
Front
60" ATI Blue Plus______36" ATI Blue Plus
60" Figi Purple___36" Figi Purple
60" ATI Blue Plus______36" ATI Blue Plus
60" GE 6500K Daylight__36" GE 6500K Daylight
60" ATI Blue Plus______36" ATI Blue Plus
60" ATI Blue Plus______36" ATI Blue Plus
Back

We had to break down the tank due to center brace but are now back. Should I replace one of the ATI Blue Plus with an Actinic to help with coralline algae growth?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim,

We used your suggestion on our T5 set up as follows:
Front
60" ATI Blue Plus______36" ATI Blue Plus
60" Figi Purple___36" Figi Purple
60" ATI Blue Plus______36" ATI Blue Plus
60" GE 6500K Daylight__36" GE 6500K Daylight
60" ATI Blue Plus______36" ATI Blue Plus
60" ATI Blue Plus______36" ATI Blue Plus
Back

We had to break down the tank due to center brace but are now back. Should I replace one of the ATI Blue Plus with an Actinic to help with coralline algae growth?

I don't see an actinic causing coralline growth.

 

[pura vida mi]

Grim, purchasing from your reccommedations tonight. Please re-confirm for a 90 gal bowfront with mostley softies, derasa clam (hi up).

48" 54w 6 lamp T5
4 ATI Blue Plus
1 UVL Actinic White 12K
1 GE 6500K

24" 28w 2 lamp T5
1 ATI Blue Plus
1 UVL 75/25

 

[murraycamp]

I'd do the ATI 6 lamp powermodule instead.

In either case

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

Thanks Grim. Is that due to better cooling w/ the PM? I assume that the PM will produce more PAR, notwithstanding the fact that the SF is overdriven?

 

[serum153]

Hey Grim. Reefgeek was out of the uv actinic white and they switched it to a icecap midwater 12000k. Any experience with these and will it give the same look in this set up:
Blue Plus
Icecap Midwater
Blue Plus
GE Daylight
Blue Plus
Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim, purchasing from your reccommedations tonight. Please re-confirm for a 90 gal bowfront with mostley softies, derasa clam (hi up).

48" 54w 6 lamp T5
4 ATI Blue Plus
1 UVL Actinic White 12K
1 GE 6500K

24" 28w 2 lamp T5
1 ATI Blue Plus
1 UVL 75/25

Should be good

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Thanks Grim. Is that due to better cooling w/ the PM? I assume that the PM will produce more PAR, notwithstanding the fact that the SF is overdriven?

The powermodule will be close in PAR and plenty for that tank.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim. Reefgeek was out of the uv actinic white and they switched it to a icecap midwater 12000k. Any experience with these and will it give the same look in this set up:
Blue Plus
Icecap Midwater
Blue Plus
GE Daylight
Blue Plus
Blue Plus

Same lamp, just has a different electrode to supposedly hold up to overdriving.

 

[murraycamp]

The powermodule will be close in PAR and plenty for that tank.

:thumbsup:

 

[Reefer08]

Hey Grim,

Im using a 400w Radium with 2 Ati Blue Plus as supplements on my tank. Im thinking about switching the Blue+ to ATI Pure Actinic. Do you think this would look better or should I stick with the Blue+? Let me know what you advise.

Thanks in advance!