The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

so do i put the 2 ati blue plus on same timer where actnics are now and run on longer cycle?

then other 2 on shorter cycle?

Yep. Like 12 hours on the Blue Plus and 6 to 10 on the others.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I have a question, I need advice on lighting, Grim & anyone else with an opinion out there!

I currently have a 40 breeder (36"L x 18"W x 17"H). I have a RBTA in here along with some SPS and a yellow Fiji leather (and some various LPS/softies (moving)).

This tank is currently lit by a 4 bulb ATI Powermodule - 2 ATI Blue+, UVL 75/25 and a UVL Aquasun, hung over the tank from the ceiling.

Now, here is my dilemma. I would like to move all the LPS/softies/shrooms into a 20gallon long (30"L x 12" W x 12" H), which will sit next to the 40 breeder (will plumb them together). My question is, what is a good light for this? At first I thought maybe a 24" 2 bulb ATI PM, but then I saw they don't make those.

So the options I see so far are:

1. buy a 24" 4 bulb ATI PM and try to put in lower PAR bulbs and lift the fixture enough so it doesn't shrivel my softies/shrooms etc. Pro: would match the other tank, Con: pricey and might be overkill for an LPS tank.

2. buy a lesser quality 30" fixture that can sit on the tank but I'm not sure about the options available here. Pro: probably cheaper, Con: odd length bulbs will be hard to replace with decent stuff, won't match.

3. upgrade the 40 breeder into a 36" 6 bulb unit instead and use the 4 bulb (36") over the 20 long, even though it will hang over the edges. Pro: would match the other tank, Con: pricey and might be overkill for an LPS tank, and could be overkill for my RBTA/SPS tank?

4. ???

What would you do? Any advice would be very welcome, Thank you!

On a 12 inch tall tank I would just go for whatever looks nice, performance isn't an issue. Current or Finnex would be fine or one of the Aquamedic fixtures. Just put good lamp in whatever you get.

 

[justinc0708]

grim, i hear everyone talking about having two lights on longer.should i run two lights longer then the other four?and can i change this on my bulbs.
front
blub+
atinic white change to aquablue
blue+
aquablue
blue+ change to fiji purple
blue+

would that be ok?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

grim, i hear everyone talking about having two lights on longer.should i run two lights longer then the other four?and can i change this on my bulbs.
front
blub+
atinic white change to aquablue
blue+
aquablue
blue+ change to fiji purple
blue+

would that be ok?

Most people run a couple of blue lamps longer than the rest, before and after the rest shut off for a dusk/dawn effect. As far as lamp changes fine but swap the position of the fiji so its the second one from the front.

 

[justinc0708]

Most people run a couple of blue lamps longer than the rest, before and after the rest shut off for a dusk/dawn effect. As far as lamp changes fine but swap the position of the fiji so its the second one from the front.

shouldi do it like this
blue+
fijipurple
blue+
aquablue
aquablue
blue+

or

blue+
fiji purple
aqua blue
blue+
aquablue
blue+
thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

shouldi do it like this
blue+
fijipurple
blue+
aquablue
aquablue
blue+

or

blue+
fiji purple
aqua blue
blue+
aquablue
blue+
thanks

Lower one.

 

[berger9953]

Hey The Grim Reefer,

This question is for you, and sorry if its already been asked on this thread: I he a 2X24watt t5ho nova extreme one 10k bulb and one actinic bulb. WHat are my limitations? Can I have any sps? Or only softies, and lps? But I think I might be upgrading to mh soon. Thanks!! Berg

 

[justinc0708]

Lower one.

thanks grim, you da man

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey The Grim Reefer,

This question is for you, and sorry if its already been asked on this thread: I he a 2X24watt t5ho nova extreme one 10k bulb and one actinic bulb. WHat are my limitations? Can I have any sps? Or only softies, and lps? But I think I might be upgrading to mh soon. Thanks!! Berg

I wouldn't try SPS under that and be careful where you place LPS.

 

[zooty]

t5 combo for growth and color ?

t5 combo for growth and color ?

Just switched out all our bulbs and went with this combo

-back of tank-
ati blue plus
geissman pure actinic

ati blue plus
fiji purple
-front of tank-

with 3 - 150w ushio 20k ( when the life is gone thinking of going back to phoenix )

does this seem like a good combo for sps and lps in color, and helping with growth ? Was running all geissman actinic and true actinics and the color was VERY BLUE !

The tank is a 6', 180 gallon using a Current light fixture. Colors of the corals at this point looks much better.

TIA for opinions!

 

[keith sprague]

grim im looking for a little more blue in my tank.im currently running
Front
Bl +
Bl+
Ge 6500
Bl+
Aquablue Special
Bl+
Back
im looking for a white blue look this seems just a little to white.i do have a figi purple i can throw in the mix but i wasnt to crazy about the look.but i tried figi in place of the 6500 and not w/ the 6500. so for a different look i have a figi to throw in the mix that i dont like in the D to D position. or what else do you think i could order? attinic or something else? and what order F-B

 

[berger9953]

I wouldn't try SPS under that and be careful where you place LPS.

Thanks for the reply, so all lps should be placed high up?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Just switched out all our bulbs and went with this combo

-back of tank-
ati blue plus
geissman pure actinic

ati blue plus
fiji purple
-front of tank-

with 3 - 150w ushio 20k ( when the life is gone thinking of going back to phoenix )

does this seem like a good combo for sps and lps in color, and helping with growth ? Was running all geissman actinic and true actinics and the color was VERY BLUE !

The tank is a 6', 180 gallon using a Current light fixture. Colors of the corals at this point looks much better.

TIA for opinions!

I'd maybe swap positions of the first 2 lamps but should be fine.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

grim im looking for a little more blue in my tank.im currently running
Front
Bl +
Bl+
Ge 6500
Bl+
Aquablue Special
Bl+
Back
im looking for a white blue look this seems just a little to white.i do have a figi purple i can throw in the mix but i wasnt to crazy about the look.but i tried figi in place of the 6500 and not w/ the 6500. so for a different look i have a figi to throw in the mix that i dont like in the D to D position. or what else do you think i could order? attinic or something else? and what order F-B

Try the Fiji in place of the aquablue. If that doesn't do it for you put the aquablue back in where the GE is. If it still doesn't look blue get your eyes checked If that doesn't do it a actinic in place of the Aquablue.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Thanks for the reply, so all lps should be placed high up?

No, just make sure they are directly below the lamps what ever level in the tank they are at.

 

[KMR660R]

I need to replace the tubes in my light. I have an eight tube t5ho on a 120 gal tank. I would like to know what what the best tubes are to buy and where the best web sites are to buy them from. also what order should they be placed in?
thanks for any help you can give me grim

In the tank right now i have 2 clowns, 1 foxface, 1 sixline wrasse. 1 toadstool leather, and one green star polyp. I am planning on getting into more corals but want to get the lighting right first.

 

[zooty]

I'd maybe swap positions of the first 2 lamps but should be fine.

Did you mean the
ati blue plus
geissman pure actinic

We put them that way b/c we have a foam wall with acros stuck in it on the back of the tank

Thanks again!

 

[uhuru]

What do you think of the new coralvue T5/LED fixtures?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I'd maybe swap positions of the first 2 lamps but should be fine.

Front two

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I need to replace the tubes in my light. I have an eight tube t5ho on a 120 gal tank. I would like to know what what the best tubes are to buy and where the best web sites are to buy them from. also what order should they be placed in?
thanks for any help you can give me grim

In the tank right now i have 2 clowns, 1 foxface, 1 sixline wrasse. 1 toadstool leather, and one green star polyp. I am planning on getting into more corals but want to get the lighting right first.

Reefgeek.com 5 ATI Blue Plus, 1 UVL Actinic White, 1 GE 6500K Daylight, 1 ATI Blue Plus. Just put blue plus in the Dusk/dawn position and go from there.