The T5 Q&a Thread

[jonnybravo22]

Hello everyone. I have a tank that is lit by AquaIllumination Gen 2 LEDs. I'm beginning to think that I may be lacking some needed spectrum and that may be causing loss of color in my corals (to see what i mean see my thread: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1905303)

So one possible solution I am considering is adding T5 supplementation.

Can you guys help me out? What's the best way to add 2 T5 bulbs? What do I need? Is there a pretty good kit or something that can make this easier? Thank you very much.

(Also if there's a way to make them dimmable with my profilux plus II ex controller that'd be very cool too.) Thank you.

 

[RayRay1983]

6 is plenty for an 18"tank

Thanks Grim!!!

I went with the 6x54 PM and oredered the folling bulbs

4xblue+
1xaquablue
1xpurple plus
1xUVL actinic white
1xG midday

What are 2 popular front to back combos for pop and growth?

 

[2in10]

Hello everyone. I have a tank that is lit by AquaIllumination Gen 2 LEDs. I'm beginning to think that I may be lacking some needed spectrum and that may be causing loss of color in my corals (to see what i mean see my thread: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1905303)

So one possible solution I am considering is adding T5 supplementation.

Can you guys help me out? What's the best way to add 2 T5 bulbs? What do I need? Is there a pretty good kit or something that can make this easier? Thank you very much.

(Also if there's a way to make them dimmable with my profilux plus II ex controller that'd be very cool too.) Thank you.

Your problem most likely is too much 6500K white light and not enough blue light. I have T5HO and was using one bulb of the GE 6500K out of six bulbs and experienced the same problems you are. I removed the bulb and my corals are regaining their colors slowly. If you can bump the white spectrum to 10 to 12000K that will help out. If not try and change as many of the white out for blue. If you do add T5 buy actinic bulbs. Reef Geek has some good retros on their site.

 

[gnsrfaster]

Good lamps, good ballasts, good reflectors. Quality costs. 4 lamps will get you more PAR than 12 in the nova fixture.

Okay so if we do 6 x 80watt LET retro kit what bulbs would you recommend and is there a particular order to put them in? The tank is viewable from both sides (Peninsula) and will be a FOWLR. Thanks

 

[T8T]

Grim-
What is the difference between the the KZ Fiji Purple and the ATI Purple Plus?
I have a 6 lamp T5VHO retro. IC430 and IC660. I was thinking about going back to a combo that had more spectrum as right now I am using this:

BP ATI
BP ATI
ABS ATI
AB Geismann 11K
BP ATI
BP ATI

Would this combo be better:

Front
BP ATI
PP ATI or KZ Fiji Purple
ABS ATI
GE 6500K Day
BP ATI
BP ATI

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hi All,

A while back Grim recommended some bulbs for me, it is now time to replace my old bulbs with what he suggested. Does anyone know a good website where I can buy all of these bulbs in one shot? I need 48" T-5 bulbs.

ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus

Thanks.

Reefgeek.com

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey guys, I'm getting a 120 soon and I want to know your thoughts on running a ATI SP 6x39. Do you think 6 bulbs will suffice on a 24" wide tank?

Really need 8 lamps,

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim-
first off thanks in advance.

I am looking to get some better "glow" to my fish. I am running a 5 ft. Sunpower. 4 blue plus, 2 fiji purple. good for coral and pops fish "ok"
I need more glow though
I have never been a huge fan of 420nm/03 actinic but thinking popping one of those in there would help with the glow factor. let me know your thoughts
I have a 6500 laying around and did not like what it did to the color. only other option is an aquablue but i would think the 03 would pop the fish alot more and an aquablue

You could try an ATI Actinic in place of a Fiji Purple

 

[The Grim Reefer]

This is a little too blue for my taste. Can you recommend a bulb replacement?
( bulbs 1,3 and 5 are on for sunrise and sunset)

Currently:
Fiji purple
blue+
blue+
GE6500
blue+
blue+

would replacing a blue+ with an aquablue be enough?

Try moving the GE closer to the front and see what you think. Then try the aquablue.

 

[Bad LS1]

Hello all,

I tried reading all 306 pages of this thread and my ADD got the better of me LOL! Anyway I guess I'm just going to jump in and ask. I'm getting back into saltwater from an almost 12 year break. I bought a 100 gal. reef ready tank that is 48"L x 20"W x 25"H. After Sand I'm looking at around 23" of water depth from surface to sand. Knowing that, I need help with lighting. I don't want to be limited to what I can keep in the tank. Clams, SPS, etc.

After quite a bit of research it seems ATI Powermodule fixtures and Sunlight Supply TEK Elite fixtures are top of the line and what are recommended. My questions are.......

1. Knowing my water depth and what I'd like to keep in the tank, what size fixture/number of bulbs should I go with? 4, 6, 8?

2. Is there a fixture comparable to ATI and Tek that has a strip of blue LED's to simulate moonlight at night? This isn't a must if ATI/Tek are what I should stick with but having 3 banks/light options would be nice.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim,

I truly applaud your continuous help. I have looked but cant find a post with a similar tank.
SPS Tank: 84"Lx30"Wx24"H.

I am thinkning about changing from MH to T5. I have an IC-660 running 4-54W bulbs as supplimental lighting.

What would you recommend (# and length of bulbs) for lighting this size of tank?

Thanks in advance.

It would take 10 rows of lamps so you are looking at 20 36" T5's to light that monster.

I would stick with halides until the LED prices come down a little more. I would think about 200 3 watt LED's would light that thing up like a christmas tree. At current pricing you'd be looking at a couple grand to DIY something.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Do they sell the best retro kit ( reflectors, end caps, etc) ?

Also how is the par of 6 t5ho bulbs compared to two 250 watt metal halides with good reflectors?

Yes, they can do a LET retro which is better reflectors.

The best 250 watt halide will have better output than the best T5 system but mid range halide wont beat the good T5 stuff.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

What are hu

What are your thoughts on the Icecap Illuminations 6x54?

No active cooling so I wouldn't use it.

 

[holdyourlight]

You could try an ATI Actinic in place of a Fiji Purple

Great, i had just ordered one 20 min before i saw your response

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim,
Is this a good fixture(IceCap Reef Illuminations T5 + Tubular LED Moonlights 48", 6 bulb +2 LEDS) or would I be better off getting an TEK elite or Aquamedic T5 fixture.

Tek Elite by virtue of the Active cooling. Makes a big difference.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hello everyone. I have a tank that is lit by AquaIllumination Gen 2 LEDs. I'm beginning to think that I may be lacking some needed spectrum and that may be causing loss of color in my corals (to see what i mean see my thread: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1905303)

So one possible solution I am considering is adding T5 supplementation.

Can you guys help me out? What's the best way to add 2 T5 bulbs? What do I need? Is there a pretty good kit or something that can make this easier? Thank you very much.

(Also if there's a way to make them dimmable with my profilux plus II ex controller that'd be very cool too.) Thank you.

Just a two lamp retrofit kit. I suspect 2 Fiji Purple or ATI purple plus lamps will get you what you are looking for. They will bump up the red spectrum you don't get with the cool white LED's. I'd just mount one front and rear of the LED's.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Thanks Grim!!!

I went with the 6x54 PM and oredered the folling bulbs

4xblue+
1xaquablue
1xpurple plus
1xUVL actinic white
1xG midday

What are 2 popular front to back combos for pop and growth?

Front
Aquablue
BP
Purple Plus
BP
BP
BP

BP
Purple Plus
Blue Plus
Midday or Actinic White
Blue Plus
Blue Plus or Aquablue

 

[jeffeg]

Thanks Grim!!!

I went with the 6x54 PM and oredered the folling bulbs

4xblue+
1xaquablue
1xpurple plus
1xUVL actinic white
1xG midday

What are 2 popular front to back combos for pop and growth?

I have the same exact fixture and have tried several combos out. Here are some popular combos.

blue+
purple plus/fiji purple
blue+
aquablu/g midday
blue+
blue+

- the 6 bulb PM has the dawn/dusk bulbs on the 2 and 5 spot. When I ran the Fiji Purple/blue + as my pair it was too bright for my taste.

blue+
blue+
purple plus/fiji purple
aquablu/g midday
blue+
blue+

My new favorite combo.

blue+
blue+
fiji purple
blue+
blue+
aquablu

- The blue+ bulbs on both on the 2 and 5 spot for great pop during the dawn/dusk hours. The aquablu is a white bulb with a hint of blue but it does wash the colors out some. I found placing it in the back didn't detract from the depth look in my tank (22 in). It gives the tank a great 20k look, and good pop for any kind of lps type corals you typically place in front of your tank.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Okay so if we do 6 x 80watt LET retro kit what bulbs would you recommend and is there a particular order to put them in? The tank is viewable from both sides (Peninsula) and will be a FOWLR. Thanks

Front
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylights
Blue Plus
Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim-
What is the difference between the the KZ Fiji Purple and the ATI Purple Plus?
I have a 6 lamp T5VHO retro. IC430 and IC660. I was thinking about going back to a combo that had more spectrum as right now I am using this:

BP ATI
BP ATI
ABS ATI
AB Geismann 11K
BP ATI
BP ATI

Would this combo be better:

Front
BP ATI
PP ATI or KZ Fiji Purple
ABS ATI
GE 6500K Day
BP ATI
BP ATI

I haven't seen the Purple plus yet but it's supposed to be close. Seeing as how Sylvania makes both brands I wouldn't be surprised. Lower mix should be good whichever lamp you use.