The T5 Q&a Thread

[pmoneyt]

Hey Grim I need you help once more, I need a 8 bulb combo for a mixed reef with a slight blue color

 

[tkuzma]

LEd and T5

LEd and T5

I just set up a 40g reef tank with two 30" HO Blue Actinic T5s and a 36" marineland LED Fixture. Just wondering if this will be suitable...

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim I need you help once more, I need a 8 bulb combo for a mixed reef with a slight blue color

4 ATI Blue Plus, 2 UVL Actinic White and 2 ATI Aquablue.

 

[jbrown11352]

I just picked up a 48 x 30 x 20 complete system w/ 2 250w luminarcs and icecap ballasts. I would like to change this over to T5 and will be running a mixed reef (SPS, LPS, Zoos/Palys). This is what I have to use:

ATI Sunpower 6 x 54w (2 Fans, neither work)
Tek elite 6 x 54w(3 Fans, 3 month old fixture)
(2) Fishneedit 2 x 54w fixtures

Bulbs(3 months old)
6 Geisemann Actinic+
2 Geisemann Aquablue+
3 Wave point Coral Wave (Purple)
1 ATI Actinic
4 Cheapies that came with the fishneedit fixtures(Almost like a 50/50 look, 1 purple/blue, one white each fixture)

What would you recommend for optimum growth and coloration.

Thanks in advance,
Jason

Grim,

The Tek Elite is gone and I am now debating on selling the ATI and switching back to my (2) Luminarc reflectors w/ SE 250w radiums and icecap ballasts, I'm nowhere close to getting full coverage with the ATI. I could run the ATI and (2)fishneedit 2 x 54's but I think I would end up with better color and growth from the Radiums.

What would you do if spending anymore was not an option and you had to use one of the above mentioned options? How would you install the fixtures and bulbs front to back if you went w/ the T5's?

T5 bulbs that I have now(3 months old):

3 Geisemann Actinic+
1 Geisemann Aquablue+
1 Wave point Coral Wave (Purple)
1 ATI Actinic
4 Cheapies that came with the fishneedit fixtures(Almost like a 50/50 look, 1 purple/blue, one white each fixture)

I need to install either option permanently today

Thank you in advance!!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim,

The Tek Elite is gone and I am now debating on selling the ATI and switching back to my (2) Luminarc reflectors w/ SE 250w radiums and icecap ballasts, I'm nowhere close to getting full coverage with the ATI. I could run the ATI and (2)fishneedit 2 x 54's but I think I would end up with better color and growth from the Radiums.

What would you do if spending anymore was not an option and you had to use one of the above mentioned options? How would you install the fixtures and bulbs front to back if you went w/ the T5's?

T5 bulbs that I have now(3 months old):

3 Geisemann Actinic+
1 Geisemann Aquablue+
1 Wave point Coral Wave (Purple)
1 ATI Actinic
4 Cheapies that came with the fishneedit fixtures(Almost like a 50/50 look, 1 purple/blue, one white each fixture)

I need to install either option permanently today

Thank you in advance!!

If you can't afford to do T5's right which would be 8 to 10 good lamps in good fixtures go back to the halides.

 

[duffydeux]

Grim, you're the man but USC still sucks


Question, what bulb combo would be best for a Tek 4 bulb 36 inch fixture over a 36 inch tank? I was trying to get a 14k look so maybe something like:


ATI Aquablue Plus Special
Blue plus
Blue plus
UV Actinic White

Correct me if I am wrong. Thanks!

 

[rtparty]

Grim, you're the man but USC still sucks


Question, what bulb combo would be best for a Tek 4 bulb 36 inch fixture over a 36 inch tank? I was trying to get a 14k look so maybe something like:


ATI Aquablue Plus Special
Blue plus
Blue plus
UV Actinic White

Correct me if I am wrong. Thanks!

ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Aquablue or KZ New Generation
ATI Blue Plus

The New Gen will be slightly bluer overall.

What does USC have to do with Grim? Did I miss something?

 

[duffydeux]

ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Aquablue or KZ New Generation
ATI Blue Plus

The New Gen will be slightly bluer overall.

What does USC have to do with Grim? Did I miss something?

He's a fan of the USC Trojans


But out of these choices, what would you go with?

ATI Aquablue Special
ATI Blue Plus
ATI True Actinic
UV lighting 454 nm
UV lighting Actinic white
UV lighting Aquasun
UV lighting Super Actinic
UV lighting Indigo Sun
Icecap Actinic blue
Icecap Deep water
Icecap Twilight
Icecap Midwater
Icecap Reefcrest
GE 6500k


I have those options to come with the fixture.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

He's a fan of the USC Trojans


But out of these choices, what would you go with?

ATI Aquablue Special
ATI Blue Plus
ATI True Actinic
UV lighting 454 nm
UV lighting Actinic white
UV lighting Aquasun
UV lighting Super Actinic
UV lighting Indigo Sun
Icecap Actinic blue
Icecap Deep water
Icecap Twilight
Icecap Midwater
Icecap Reefcrest
GE 6500k


I have those options to come with the fixture.

Sorry, don't do mixes for ignorant football fanboys.



Blue Plus
Ice Cap Deepwater
ATI Aquablue
Blue Plus

 

[dan223]

So far the best mix on my 6x54 sunpower fixture is from
rear to front
B+
Act white
aqua blue special
B+
Act white
B+
It is very nice color well balanced and not too blue

BUT......
I want to get just a touch more red and green pop, right now it looks very bright but of course it could aways be better! How do you think switching an act. white to a fiji purple would turn out? I
I have extra bulbs laying around like 75/25, B+, super act, GE65,blue spec.
What do you think Grim?

 

[JG1]

Grim,

Getting a ATI SunPower 36" 6x39w for a 36x24x18 tank...mixed but with a good amount of SPS.

Was set on this combo:

BACK
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500k Daylight
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus
Front


But I noticed the gorgeous colors in this tank:

This tank is running: ATI Aquablue special x 2, Blueplus x 2, True actinic x 2 (24w)

I know it's a little blue but I love how everything pops.

What do you think of this bulb combo for longterm color, and (secondary) growth

 

[The Grim Reefer]

BUT......
I want to get just a touch more red and green pop, right now it looks very bright but of course it could aways be better! How do you think switching an act. white to a fiji purple would turn out? I
I have extra bulbs laying around like 75/25, B+, super act, GE65,blue spec.
What do you think Grim?

Try a blue blus for aquablue first. If that doesn't blow warm air up your skirt try the 75/25 in place of the front Actinic White

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim,

Getting a ATI SunPower 36" 6x39w for a 36x24x18 tank...mixed but with a good amount of SPS.

Was set on this combo:

BACK
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500k Daylight
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus
Front


But I noticed the gorgeous colors in this tank:

This tank is running: ATI Aquablue special x 2, Blueplus x 2, True actinic x 2 (24w)

I know it's a little blue but I love how everything pops.

What do you think of this bulb combo for longterm color, and (secondary) growth

I'd drop the Fiji Purple in place of the actinic to pop the reds better. The mix you have listed should be really close. The Aquablue he used is mellower than the GE daylight but in a 6 lamp mix you have an extra blue blue so as far as blue level you are going to be really close to that. Flip a coin GE or Aquablue, get both, GE is cheap and you should have a spare lamp on hand anyway.

 

[JG1]

I'd drop the Fiji Purple in place of the actinic to pop the reds better. The mix you have listed should be really close. The Aquablue he used is mellower than the GE daylight but in a 6 lamp mix you have an extra blue blue so as far as blue level you are going to be really close to that. Flip a coin GE or Aquablue, get both, GE is cheap and you should have a spare lamp on hand anyway.

Thanks!

One other question......do you think the 36" 6x39w will be sufficient for a 36x24x18 mixed tank? I will have SPS.

Was planning on the ATI SunPower light, but not sure if I should spend the extra $400 and get the PowerModule 8x39w fixture.

Was going to do the SP like this:
(Front)
AquaBlue special
Blue plus
true actinic
AquaBlue special
Blue plus
true actinic
(Back)

or
(front)
blue plus
blue plus
aqua blue
true actinic
blue plus
blue plus
(back)

If you do recommend the 8x39w, what two other lamps would you add in to get that look?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Thanks!

One other question......do you think the 36" 6x39w will be sufficient for a 36x24x18 mixed tank? I will have SPS.

Was planning on the ATI SunPower light, but not sure if I should spend the extra $400 and get the PowerModule 8x39w fixture.

Was going to do the SP like this:
(Front)
AquaBlue special
Blue plus
true actinic
AquaBlue special
Blue plus
true actinic
(Back)

If you do recommend the 8x39w, what two other lamps would you add in to get that look?

Ahhhh, is this the mix you are set on or is it the one you posted above I already commented on? As long as you keep SPS below the lamps 6 will be fine.

 

[JG1]

Ahhhh, is this the mix you are set on or is it the one you posted above I already commented on? As long as you keep SPS below the lamps 6 will be fine.

I'm sorry I was editing my post.

It was between this I was deciding:


(Front)
AquaBlue special
Blue plus
true actinic
AquaBlue special
Blue plus
true actinic
(Back)

or
(front)
blue plus
blue plus
aqua blue
true actinic
blue plus
blue plus
(back)

I think you're more recommending the later, correct?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I'm sorry I was editing my post.

It was between this I was deciding:


(Front)
AquaBlue special
Blue plus
true actinic
AquaBlue special
Blue plus
true actinic
(Back)

or
(front)
blue plus
blue plus
aqua blue
true actinic
blue plus
blue plus
(back)

I think you're more recommending the later, correct?

Either would be ok. Top one will be a little closer to whats in the picture.

 

[JG1]

Either would be ok. Top one will be a little closer to whats in the picture.

Yeah, the top one is exactly how he's running it. I had pm'd him and asked.

Which would you personally go with?

 

[reice05]

Hey Grim quick question, I'm plan on buying a ATI Sunpower 6x54w for my 90g 48x18x24 I have a mixed reef and want a clam soon. Do u think the light is sufficient enough to handle my tank and if so what's a good bulb combo for a 14k look? Thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Yeah, the top one is exactly how he's running it. I had pm'd him and asked.

Which would you personally go with?

Bottom with a Fiji Purple instead of the actinic