The T5 Q&a Thread

[milkman55]

I have my TEK 8 bulb up and running for four months. I used the following front to back:

B+
Actinic White
Aquablue Spec
B+
B+
Aquablue Spec
Actinic White
B+

The outside four fire on one switch and the inside four on the other.

Looking for a more actinic look when the outside four are on and more coral growth with the inside four.

Would I just replace the Actinic White with KZ Purple or is there a better option? I thought the tank would be more blue with this light combo, but it is not as blue as I wanted, particularly in the opening and closing light sequence.

 

[sjm817]

Hey Grim. How is it going? I haven't posted in here in a long time. Time for new bulbs and I wanted to get an opinion. I have 6 x 80" bulbs powered by 2 x IC660 over a 180G. I've had several combos in the last 6 years and always come back to a simple 3x B+ and 3x AB as what I like best. 4x B+ and 2x AB was too blue. I didn't like an ATI Pro Color in the mix. I didn't like 6000K or 3000K in the mix. I dont care for the pure 03 in a 6 bulb setup. The 3/3 to me has a neutral look. Not too blue or fake pink/purple.

So, for the new setup, its either stick with the same, or try a fiji purple in the mix. People seem to really like this bulb. I would have 3x B+, 2x AB and the fiji. I was hoping this combo would have a little more pizzaz than the 3/3 combo without being too blue or pink/purple. I dont want to order 7 bulbs since there is a singnificant change in shipping costs.
TIA

 

[rtparty]

I have my TEK 8 bulb up and running for four months. I used the following front to back:

B+
Actinic White
Aquablue Spec
B+
B+
Aquablue Spec
Actinic White
B+

The outside four fire on one switch and the inside four on the other.

Looking for a more actinic look when the outside four are on and more coral growth with the inside four.

Would I just replace the Actinic White with KZ Purple or is there a better option? I thought the tank would be more blue with this light combo, but it is not as blue as I wanted, particularly in the opening and closing light sequence.

Replace both Aquablues with Blue Plus bulbs or replace one aquablue with a blue plus and the other aquablue with a UVL Super Actinic. Then move the Actinic whites to slots 3 and 6 instead.

 

[rtparty]

Hey Grim. How is it going? I haven't posted in here in a long time. Time for new bulbs and I wanted to get an opinion. I have 6 x 80" bulbs powered by 2 x IC660 over a 180G. I've had several combos in the last 6 years and always come back to a simple 3x B+ and 3x AB as what I like best. 4x B+ and 2x AB was too blue. I didn't like an ATI Pro Color in the mix. I didn't like 6000K or 3000K in the mix. I dont care for the pure 03 in a 6 bulb setup. The 3/3 to me has a neutral look. Not too blue or fake pink/purple.

So, for the new setup, its either stick with the same, or try a fiji purple in the mix. People seem to really like this bulb. I would have 3x B+, 2x AB and the fiji. I was hoping this combo would have a little more pizzaz than the 3/3 combo without being too blue or pink/purple. I dont want to order 7 bulbs since there is a singnificant change in shipping costs.
TIA

The 3 B+, 2 AB and 1 Fiji is a good combo. I like 4 B+, 1 AB and 1 Fiji more myself but that may be a little blue for you.

I have found when mixing bulbs that a Fiji or Aquablue cancels out a blue plus most of the time.

 

[Ericdrbn]

recommendation for a 5 bulb

recommendation for a 5 bulb

Hello,
I was told this was the place to go for bulb advice. Tried to find your advice for my particular situation but there are so many posts in here my eyes hurt. I have a retro hood with 5x54w T5's over a standard 55gallon tank. Looking to keep a good mix of corals with a bluish tint to the tank. Can you recommend a bulb combination for me. Right now I have 3 10k's and 2 actinics and its so washed out white. I thought I needed to run the 3 10k's since I only have 5 bulbs, but I have been told 4 bulbs would have been plenty on a 55. They have individual reflectors and plenty of fan cooling. 2 pairs are on 2 ballasts and then the 5th has its own ballast, and I have been using that one as dusk/dawn/moon

thank you for your time!

 

[rtparty]

Hello,
I was told this was the place to go for bulb advice. Tried to find your advice for my particular situation but there are so many posts in here my eyes hurt. I have a retro hood with 5x54w T5's over a standard 55gallon tank. Looking to keep a good mix of corals with a bluish tint to the tank. Can you recommend a bulb combination for me. Right now I have 3 10k's and 2 actinics and its so washed out white. I thought I needed to run the 3 10k's since I only have 5 bulbs, but I have been told 4 bulbs would have been plenty on a 55. They have individual reflectors and plenty of fan cooling. 2 pairs are on 2 ballasts and then the 5th has its own ballast, and I have been using that one as dusk/dawn/moon

thank you for your time!

Don't leave a T5 bulb on all night. Corals need a rest from light all night IMO. Mine do much better when I give them a few hours of complete darkness.

For your bulbs:

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

 

[twelvejewelz]

right now i have a current usa 24inch 4 bulb T5. what do you think the best combo would be for all my corals to pop and show the best color? i have a mixed 10 gallon reef with a beautiful pinks birdsnest and i cant seem to get the bulb colors right to make it really look nice. i have softies , sps and lps.
current setup:
front:
geissman pure actinic plus(looks purple)
current usa 460nm actinic
ATI blue spezial
ATI Blue plus

i use the blue plus and the current usa actinic for my dusk and dawn cycle and then run all 4 for the rest of the time.



Uploaded with ImageShack.us


last month i had:
front:
ATI Blue spezial
ATI blue plus
current usa 1000k
current usa 460nm actinic



Uploaded with ImageShack.us


what is the best combo for a 4 bulb fixture that i can get the best coral pop?how does the fiji pink/purple compared to the geissman pure actinic plus in terms of the color? is it ok now for the coral growth that i dont have even 1 daylight bulb in my combination?any help would be apreciated thanks in advance!!!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

right now i have a current usa 24inch 4 bulb T5. what do you think the best combo would be for all my corals to pop and show the best color? i have a mixed 10 gallon reef with a beautiful pinks birdsnest and i cant seem to get the bulb colors right to make it really look nice. i have softies , sps and lps.
current setup:
front:
geissman pure actinic plus(looks purple)
current usa 460nm actinic
ATI blue spezial
ATI Blue plus

i use the blue plus and the current usa actinic for my dusk and dawn cycle and then run all 4 for the rest of the time.



Uploaded with ImageShack.us


last month i had:
front:
ATI Blue spezial
ATI blue plus
current usa 1000k
current usa 460nm actinic



Uploaded with ImageShack.us


what is the best combo for a 4 bulb fixture that i can get the best coral pop?how does the fiji pink/purple compared to the geissman pure actinic plus in terms of the color? is it ok now for the coral growth that i dont have even 1 daylight bulb in my combination?any help would be apreciated thanks in advance!!!

Try this

ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
Current 10000K
ATI Blue Plus

The Current 460 is just a blue lamp like the Blue Plus but has a lot less PAR. The Fiji should really bring out your pinks.

 

[rick12]

tank is mixed reef with clam and anemone. 36l 24w 25deep.
run two t5 fixtures. one 4bulb and one 2bulb total 6bulbs.
what would be the best bulb config. please and thanks

bump:

 

[sjm817]

The 3 B+, 2 AB and 1 Fiji is a good combo. I like 4 B+, 1 AB and 1 Fiji more myself but that may be a little blue for you.

I have found when mixing bulbs that a Fiji or Aquablue cancels out a blue plus most of the time.

Thanks for the reply. I'll give the 3/2/1 a try. Yes, I think the 4/1/1 would be too blue for me. I assume the 3/2/1 will be a bit more blue/purple than the 3/3 I run now with more pop?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

bump:

With 25" tall tank and a clam I hope you are using good fixtures. Try 4 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Aquablue and a UVL Actinic White.

 

[rick12]

With 25" tall tank and a clam I hope you are using good fixtures. Try 4 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Aquablue and a UVL Actinic White.

rockwork goes up 6" from the top clams are on top
fixtures are wavepoint 4 39w and current usa 2 39w

 

[twelvejewelz]

Try this

ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
Current 10000K
ATI Blue Plus

The Current 460 is just a blue lamp like the Blue Plus but has a lot less PAR. The Fiji should really bring out your pinks.

thank grim ill buy the fiji purple tomorrow when i have a chance and see how it looks. do i need to run the 10000k bulb in my mixture are they essential?even with 3 blue bulbs and 1 10000k the tank seems to white to me.how does the KZ Fiji purple compare to the geissman pure actinic plus bulb because the pure actinic plus is purple in color as well its not blue like the current 460nm that i have..thanks again

 

[outssider]

planning new tank

planning new tank

I am in the planning stages of a new mixed reef tank.
The tank is 25" tall but only 15.5 deep. Is it better to try and cram 6 t5 ho retro in the canopy or 4 t5 retro over-driven to 85 watts.

or any other suggestions would be welcomed...thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

thank grim ill buy the fiji purple tomorrow when i have a chance and see how it looks. do i need to run the 10000k bulb in my mixture are they essential?even with 3 blue bulbs and 1 10000k the tank seems to white to me.how does the KZ Fiji purple compare to the geissman pure actinic plus bulb because the pure actinic plus is purple in color as well its not blue like the current 460nm that i have..thanks again

You could try it with no 10K. A pure actinic isn't purple, it's violet. Big difference.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I am in the planning stages of a new mixed reef tank.
The tank is 25" tall but only 15.5 deep. Is it better to try and cram 6 t5 ho retro in the canopy or 4 t5 retro over-driven to 85 watts.

or any other suggestions would be welcomed...thanks

I'd do 4 overdriven.

 

[cmaxwell39]

I am in the planning/research stage of a possible new build and would like some input as to which fixture would be best. The footprint of the new tank will be 72x24 and the tank will be 20-22 inches tall. The two fixtures that I am considering right now are the Aquactinics Constellation 72" and the ATI 8x80 powermodule. Which do you think will be better. Price with bulbs is about a wash on both of them.

BTW--Tank will be SPS dominated reef. Thanks a lot for your time.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I am in the planning/research stage of a possible new build and would like some input as to which fixture would be best. The footprint of the new tank will be 72x24 and the tank will be 20-22 inches tall. The two fixtures that I am considering right now are the Aquactinics Constellation 72" and the ATI 8x80 powermodule. Which do you think will be better. Price with bulbs is about a wash on both of them.

BTW--Tank will be SPS dominated reef. Thanks a lot for your time.

The ATI would let you stock high light critters front to back in the tank better because of the extra lamp. The Constellation would let you stock better end to end. Really depends, if you want clams do the ATI.

 

[clevebill]

bulb

bulb

i been runing on 40 breeder
b+
aquablue special
b+
aquablue special
b+
i like the look but some of my mushrooms dont care for the brightness of the white bulbs or the frogspawns or the torch coral i want to keep sps happy though. would it be ok to replace maybe one aquablue special with a 75/25 so maybe its not as bright but overall still have enough par.in the pic the mushrooms are usally twice the size if i run more blue bulbs but dont want to sacrafice light for the sps corals mostly montis milli and a few acros

 

[cmaxwell39]

Thanks Grim. Just curious, which fixture would you choose if you were setting up that size tank?