The T5 Q&a Thread

[dflipp]

Grim,

I have a 45 cube (24 x 24 x 24) with LPS, zoa's and ricordea. I'm running a TEK 4 bulb fixture with:

ATI Blue+
GE 65K
UV 75/25
ATI Blue+

I'd like a slightly more blue look with more pop to the coral colors. What would you suggest?

Thanks

 

[LSBoogie]

You just want blues in the dusk dawn position. Other than that you just want the lamps placed so you get even distribution so don't clump white lamps (Aquablue and midday) all in one spot

I guess this confuses me too (i know i know) but 1 and 6 are my dusk/dawn and I have them laid out with actinic+ (is that wrong). Also, you mention not to clump midday with aqua blue but there are four center lights. What position or bulb should I replace.

Just to refresh memory:

1.actinic+ (front and dusk/dawn)
2.aquablue
3.actinic+
4.midday
5.aquablue
6.actinic+ (rear and dusk/dawn)

So if position 1 and 6 are accurate then I would need to ditch a aquablue to not have it next to the midday. What should I replace it with?

 

[rtparty]

thanks is there a particular vendor that you like to order from?
i dont know any and we no longer have a lfs..

Reefgeek or Premium Aquatics has the best selection IMO

 

[rtparty]

i'm setting up a 50g 36x18x19 sps tank
i have the nova extreme pro t-5 6 bulb (stock bulbs)
can you give me a bulb combo that would provide better colors in the blue spectrum without sacrificing sps growth?
i've noticed lots of brands mentioned in your responces...is there a manufactor that sells all t-5 brands...or must people just shop around?

For 6 bulbs:

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

Grab an extra ATI Aquablue in case you want to play around a little bit.

 

[rtparty]

I currently have alternating between (3x) ATI BluePlus and (3x) ATI AquaBlue. Is that a good setup for sps? LPS? What's the disadvantage? thanks.

tank specs: 60x18x20

I would switch out one of the Aquablues for a KZ Fiji Purple.

With your combo now you miss a lot of color with some a narrow spectrum of light. The Fiji Purple will really pick up some colors that you may not know you have.

 

[rtparty]

Grim,

I have a 45 cube (24 x 24 x 24) with LPS, zoa's and ricordea. I'm running a TEK 4 bulb fixture with:

ATI Blue+
GE 65K
UV 75/25
ATI Blue+

I'd like a slightly more blue look with more pop to the coral colors. What would you suggest?

Thanks

Switch out the GE bulbs for either an ATI Aquablue or a KZ New Generation bulb. Both will make the tank bluer. The New Generation will make the tank more blue than the Aquablue will.

 

[rtparty]

I guess this confuses me too (i know i know) but 1 and 6 are my dusk/dawn and I have them laid out with actinic+ (is that wrong). Also, you mention not to clump midday with aqua blue but there are four center lights. What position or bulb should I replace.

Just to refresh memory:

1.actinic+ (front and dusk/dawn)
2.aquablue
3.actinic+
4.midday
5.aquablue
6.actinic+ (rear and dusk/dawn)

So if position 1 and 6 are accurate then I would need to ditch a aquablue to not have it next to the midday. What should I replace it with?

Your combo is just fine as is. If you have to clump the daylight bulbs together then you have them in the right places.

 

[nikesb]

how many actinics would you need to actually see a pop from them with other lights turned on in a 6 light fixture

 

[rtparty]

how many actinics would you need to actually see a pop from them with other lights turned on in a 6 light fixture

I have never tried it but I would guess at least 3 if not 4. Any other bulb is going to pretty much wash an actinic out. Especially the brighter daylight bulbs.

The Blue bulbs give you quite a bit of pop because they have a lot of actinic in them.

 

[nikesb]

ah ok, thanks seems like ill just be adding an led strip for pop

 

[sourmug76]

I am building a 8 bulb retro for my 120. The way I will have it wired is on for ballasts so I could have 4 stages of lighting cycles.

Does Grimm's recommendations of 5 ATI Blue Plus, 1 Aquablue, 1 Actinic White and 1 GE 6500K Daylight bulbs still stand as the best with the all the new bulbs such as the KZ ones out?

And what order for what stage if I do the 4 stages?

 

[lietz06]

Replacing Lightbulbs

Replacing Lightbulbs

I'm going to be replacing the lightbulbs in my Current Nova Extreme 12 lightbulb light fixture. I've had the stock light bulbs in them since I bought it in Aug of 09. I have corals in my tank...what do you think would be the type of lightbulbs n the colors n stuff to make my tank look gooood? Thanks

 

[nanug7]

hi guys,

please give me some advice. i am setting up a new tank. 60X30X30. I want a mixed reef mostly SPS and clams but some LPS and dont want to go with Halide. i am thinking 10 or 12 T5 fixture. looking at ATI 2- 6X80 watt or 1- 10 X80 watt. also looking at the 2- 6X80watt TEX fixture.

I also need some help with the bulbs and placement. i am looking for a 20K halide look.

thanks for your help

Matt

 

[andrewsky]

question what lights i should get for TEK t5 light?

question what lights i should get for TEK t5 light?

i've already asked a question here but i've got another one.

what type of bulbs should i get for a 8 lamp TEK t5 light. what mix of pairs should i get and stuff like that?

also, who or what website has hanging arms cause i can't hang the light from my ceiling so i heard about hanging arms that go behind the tank so im just wondering who carry's them?

 

[NyReefNoob]

anyone tested the icecap t5 bulbs ? seeing they are made by uvl figuring the par is going to be around the same, btw i currently have been using them for 9 months 4 of the twilights and 3 14ks and 1 ge overall color is about like a phoenix 14k it's about time to replace bulbs and thinking of going with same bulbs again but changing 2 of the twlights to antic bulbs, btw it's a tek 36" 8 bulb t5

 

[chris88]

A mix of KZ an ATI bulbs are the bestare going to be your best options. They all have high par other then the ati actinic and a mix of all the bulbs will cover the spectrum from top to bottom.

 

[kuririn986]

I have a 12 G aquapod, and I just order a Nove extreme 4x24watt fixture. I really like the blue and to have my corals colors Jump out at you. I mostly have softies, but I would like to get a couple SPS. Will I be able to keep SPS with these lights? Also what types of bulbs should I use?

Front:
ATI Blue + (havent ordered)
Fiji purple (haven't)
UVL Super Actinic, (Have)
ATI Blue Plus (havent)

Is thes a good mix or do i need more White light?

Also what are your thoughts on the UVL Red Sun?


Thank you in advance.

 

[chris1017]

got my bulbs in last night.

x4 blue+
x1 midday
x1 aqua sun

except i ordered an actinic white instead of an aqua sun. they both seem to peak in the same areas as far as color. I wanted to know if you think there will be much difference to the tank.

chris

 

[gasbatalla]

I have an opportunity on getting a Tek 8x54, but it comes with 4 GE 3000K & 4 GE 6500K bulbs. Do you guys see any problems on using those 4 6500K and 4 real strong actinics. Any other recommendations will be welcome.

 

[trueperc]

If you have choice which one would you go with, between a 8 bulb old style tek fixture or the new 6 bulb elite fixture. Both unit 4 feet long and the same price. The tank is 24 inches wide and 29 tall.