The T5 Q&a Thread

[Ston3]

Hello everyone,

I need some quick advice before I pull the trigger. I'm about to purchase a current USA t5ho fixture. I know its probably not the best t5 fixture out there, but it's the one of the only all in one (timers, moonlights, and only one cord) 30" fixtures. I'm getting it new online for $200. It houses 4 24 watt bulbs. So my main question is, what bulbs should I get for optimum coral growth and coloration?

I am unsure of which brand to pick but I was thinking of this setup (in order from front to back):

Powerchrome Pure Actinic T5 Fluorescent Lamps
Powerchrome Aquablue+ T5 Fluorescent Lamps
AquaticLife 420/460nm T5 HO Fluorescent Lamps
AquaticLife T5 HO Ardent White 10,000°K Fluorescent Lamps

Please help and rate/criticize my selection.
Thanks for the help!

 

[thebanker]

Nice tank

Order is good but next time I'd probably go with a KZ fiji Purple instead of the red wave, that seems like a little too much red judging by the picture but maybe not in real life.

Thanks Grim.

True, it is more red than most guys would prefer. In real life, the light appears a very crisp white with some purple undertones. I dig the look a lot. The red wave's pink output is nicely balanced by the two blue bulbs. Eventually I'll swap the Current 460nm for another blue plus.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Ok looking to replace my bulbs soon I would like more color, when all the bulbs are on it just looks really white heres my setup all 6 on 660's

front
Actinic +
AquaBlue +
Pure Actinic
AquaBlue +
AquaBlue +
Actinic +

All bulbs are Giesemann, thanks guys!!!!

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

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hello everyone,

I need some quick advice before I pull the trigger. I'm about to purchase a current USA t5ho fixture. I know its probably not the best t5 fixture out there, but it's the one of the only all in one (timers, moonlights, and only one cord) 30" fixtures. I'm getting it new online for $200. It houses 4 24 watt bulbs. So my main question is, what bulbs should I get for optimum coral growth and coloration?

I am unsure of which brand to pick but I was thinking of this setup (in order from front to back):

Powerchrome Pure Actinic T5 Fluorescent Lamps
Powerchrome Aquablue+ T5 Fluorescent Lamps
AquaticLife 420/460nm T5 HO Fluorescent Lamps
AquaticLife T5 HO Ardent White 10,000°K Fluorescent Lamps

Please help and rate/criticize my selection.
Thanks for the help!

If those are your only lamp choices I'd stick with one of the 10K lamps that come with the fixture and add 2 Powerchrome Actinic Plus and a Aquablue plus. Make sure you get the Actinic Plus, Not Aquablue plus or pure actinic

 

[thebanker]

How does the giesemann actinic plus compare to an ATI blue plus? Is it more PAR? Because the spectral analysis looks similar.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

How does the giesemann actinic plus compare to an ATI blue plus? Is it more PAR? Because the spectral analysis looks similar.

Little less PAR. If you can get ATI lamps use them.

 

[Desertdawg]

Have him drop the fiji and use a UVL actinic White if you don't want to wait. I would order a second ATI Aquablue to have for a spare and just in case you think that is too blue.

I'm going to see how it looks first then maybe order a couple of other bulbs from there, he said the Fiji's should be in within a week.
Moving up from 4x65w pc's (2 - 10K and 2 420) I can't wait!


Why isn't this thread sticky anymore???

 

[sweet d]

ok long story short all the purple coralline is turning green,seems not to be a chemical issue that i could figure in the chem forum so im heading to the next logical location for answers.that being said i have a nova extreme pro t5 with 3 10k lights and 3 460nm bulbs these are stock and about 6 mos old nano tuners offers new uvl bulbs which colors are super acnitic,indigo sun,aqua sun,acnitic white,and a 454 bulb if im to change out some bulbs or all bulbs which bulb combo would be the most ideal to help not only the coralline but also corals mostly lps and zoos.thanks for any and all help.

 

[bckane]

Grim
quick question
getting ready to replace my bulbs
This is what Im running now and not to happy, need a suggestion of good combo, you da man
2 x 54W 11000K Aquablue Plus T5 HO
4 x 54W Super Actinic Blue 03 T5 HO
Brian

 

[logan 12]

I am looking for a crisp white look with a hint of blue, my idea here is to bring out the colors in my sps's. Keeping in mind though my tank has many softies with a few lps. I do not want a blue tank nor do I want a pinkish/purple tank. That may b asking alot but hopefully not. I have posted a thread on RC here in the lighting forum, my tank is last tank pictured that is filled with coral. I have called reefgeeks and they suggested the following combo, other on RC suggested this order from front to back....

FRONT
ATI blue +
Fiji
ATI blue +
GE 6500
ATI blue +
ATI blue +
BACK

Link to thread (last picture is my 55 gallon)

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1854561

 

[gasbatalla]

Hello,

I have posted several questions regarding buying the light fixture, I was about to get a Tek 48" 8X54 but I may get a deal on a 48" 6X54, it includes the fixture, acrylic shield, tank mounts, and 12 bulbs. It has about 6 months for $300. What do you guys think the 8 bulbs or 6 bulbs?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I'm going to see how it looks first then maybe order a couple of other bulbs from there, he said the Fiji's should be in within a week.
Moving up from 4x65w pc's (2 - 10K and 2 420) I can't wait!


Why isn't this thread sticky anymore???

Never was, I just kept on top of it so it stayed on the first page. I've moved on to LED's so I'm semi retired

 

[The Grim Reefer]

ok long story short all the purple coralline is turning green,seems not to be a chemical issue that i could figure in the chem forum so im heading to the next logical location for answers.that being said i have a nova extreme pro t5 with 3 10k lights and 3 460nm bulbs these are stock and about 6 mos old nano tuners offers new uvl bulbs which colors are super acnitic,indigo sun,aqua sun,acnitic white,and a 454 bulb if im to change out some bulbs or all bulbs which bulb combo would be the most ideal to help not only the coralline but also corals mostly lps and zoos.thanks for any and all help.

IME light intensity tends to play a role, high light causes pink and purple and lower light can bring out green and ever orange.

I'd run 1 Indigo Sun, 1 Actinic White and 4 454's.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim
quick question
getting ready to replace my bulbs
This is what Im running now and not to happy, need a suggestion of good combo, you da man
2 x 54W 11000K Aquablue Plus T5 HO
4 x 54W Super Actinic Blue 03 T5 HO
Brian

4 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Aquablue and 1 UVL Actinic White

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I am looking for a crisp white look with a hint of blue, my idea here is to bring out the colors in my sps's. Keeping in mind though my tank has many softies with a few lps. I do not want a blue tank nor do I want a pinkish/purple tank. That may b asking alot but hopefully not. I have posted a thread on RC here in the lighting forum, my tank is last tank pictured that is filled with coral. I have called reefgeeks and they suggested the following combo, other on RC suggested this order from front to back....

FRONT
ATI blue +
Fiji
ATI blue +
GE 6500
ATI blue +
ATI blue +
BACK

Link to thread (last picture is my 55 gallon)

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1854561

Grab one extra lamp, an ATI Aquablue just in case but what you have listed will be ballpark of what you want

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hello,

I have posted several questions regarding buying the light fixture, I was about to get a Tek 48" 8X54 but I may get a deal on a 48" 6X54, it includes the fixture, acrylic shield, tank mounts, and 12 bulbs. It has about 6 months for $300. What do you guys think the 8 bulbs or 6 bulbs?

Don't use a shield, it kills the output. I would stick with 8 lamps if the tank is over 18 inches front to back, otherwise go with the cheaper fixture.

 

[gasbatalla]

Don't use a shield, it kills the output. I would stick with 8 lamps if the tank is over 18 inches front to back, otherwise go with the cheaper fixture.

It is 45cm (17.71 inches) wide and 50cm (19.68 inches) tall

 

[logan 12]

Grab one extra lamp, an ATI Aquablue just in case but what you have listed will be ballpark of what you want

What are u thinking maybe swaping out with the ATI Aquablue with? I dont have a problem with buying the extra bulb just curious.

 

[chris.francis14]

Grimm,

Earlier I saw you tell someone not to use the acrylic shield on their fixture because it kills the output. Should I remove the shield from my ATI Sunpower? How far should I have it off the top of a 24" tank if I just want to keep softies and LPS?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

What are u thinking maybe swaping out with the ATI Aquablue with? I dont have a problem with buying the extra bulb just curious.

Blue Plus if you think it's too blue use the Aquablue in place of one.