The T5 Q&a Thread

[starfish prime]

Neither really but the top will do the best with what you have.

So what bulb combination would you go with if you could only use two.

 

[rocride]

thanks for that mr reefer



RR

 

[gmneil]

hey grim i just got a nova extreme 4 bulb 36" fixture in a trade

its for my 40 breeder

what bulb combo would you reccomend for sps

 

[triton_uk]

Hi grim
I recently bought an ati 8x 39 watt powermodule and was convinced by the shop keeper that its a good idea to have an ati actinic in the mix. I wasn't to keen but got one anyway because he does know his stuff. I've been reeding and it seems like ati blue plus bulbs produce plenty of actinic light along with far more par. If this is the case what is the point for the actinic bulbs? Is there any reason I should keep the actinic or should I swap it for a blue + and get the extra par?

Thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

So what bulb combination would you go with if you could only use two.

ATI Blue Plus and a New Generation Koral Light

 

[The Grim Reefer]

hey grim i just got a nova extreme 4 bulb 36" fixture in a trade

its for my 40 breeder

what bulb combo would you reccomend for sps

2 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Purple Plus and 1 ATI Aquablue

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hi grim
I recently bought an ati 8x 39 watt powermodule and was convinced by the shop keeper that its a good idea to have an ati actinic in the mix. I wasn't to keen but got one anyway because he does know his stuff. I've been reeding and it seems like ati blue plus bulbs produce plenty of actinic light along with far more par. If this is the case what is the point for the actinic bulbs? Is there any reason I should keep the actinic or should I swap it for a blue + and get the extra par?

Thanks

As part of a couple dusk/dawn lamps actinic looks nice but once everything is on they don't really do much if you are using a lot of blue plus lamps.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

PROOF I DIDN'T START THIS MESS

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=679852&pp=25

Can't believe I tripped over that link 5 years later.

 

[wloftin]

Hi grim
I recently bought an ati 8x 39 watt powermodule and was convinced by the shop keeper that its a good idea to have an ati actinic in the mix. I wasn't to keen but got one anyway because he does know his stuff. I've been reeding and it seems like ati blue plus bulbs produce plenty of actinic light along with far more par. If this is the case what is the point for the actinic bulbs? Is there any reason I should keep the actinic or should I swap it for a blue + and get the extra par?

Actinic bulbs have more intensity in spectrums that the blue + won't. I notice a favorable difference in my 6 bulb set up running one actinic, three blue plus, one aquablue special, and one Fiji pink vs swapping it for another blue plus. I'd suggest trying both ways if you can and see which you like best.

 

[gronmx]

which setup?

which setup?

Grim,

I'm going for the 6X39 ATI sunpower.

My tank is, 39"L X 20"W X 24"H

I'm not sure which setup will work best for a mixed tank with beautiful SPS

Front
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Purple Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI True Actinic 03
ATI Blue Plus

or

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

I'll be glad to hear from you.

Will 6-8" from water level be a good location for the fixture?

 

[SquidHC]

I have a "Current USA" 4x24w T5 fixture. The bulbs total length is 21.5", not including prongs. I'm not sure what size bulbs to buy, as I have seen some with 24w rating that weren't 21.5". Kinda confused. Any suggestions as to a good online supplier?

 

[blazin]

Mr. Grim,

I have a 65gallon (36W X 18D X 24H) , I have some zoos in there, a few softies and some SPS frags, but I want to start concentrating on SPS mainly. Right now I have 2X150W MH w/ Phoenix 14K and 2x24 Actinic T5 (Unsure of brand)

Im going to be buying a retrofit setup, and plan on using a 6 bulb 39W setup (Qty:3 - 2x39W kits from hellolights)

What do you suggest for bulb selection?

 

[ducktales]

Grim,

I currently have a 6x39 Tek Light. Is it worth the extra $300-$400 to upgrade to an ATI sunpower?

I want to go mainly SPS in a 20" deep tank with a 3-4" sandbed.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim,

I'm going for the 6X39 ATI sunpower.

My tank is, 39"L X 20"W X 24"H

I'm not sure which setup will work best for a mixed tank with beautiful SPS

Front
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Purple Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI True Actinic 03
ATI Blue Plus

or

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

I'll be glad to hear from you.

Will 6-8" from water level be a good location for the fixture?

Lower one

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I have a "Current USA" 4x24w T5 fixture. The bulbs total length is 21.5", not including prongs. I'm not sure what size bulbs to buy, as I have seen some with 24w rating that weren't 21.5". Kinda confused. Any suggestions as to a good online supplier?

Reefgeek. 24 watt "24 inch"

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Mr. Grim,

I have a 65gallon (36W X 18D X 24H) , I have some zoos in there, a few softies and some SPS frags, but I want to start concentrating on SPS mainly. Right now I have 2X150W MH w/ Phoenix 14K and 2x24 Actinic T5 (Unsure of brand)

Im going to be buying a retrofit setup, and plan on using a 6 bulb 39W setup (Qty:3 - 2x39W kits from hellolights)

What do you suggest for bulb selection?

4 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Pro Purple and a GE 6500K Daylight.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim,

I currently have a 6x39 Tek Light. Is it worth the extra $300-$400 to upgrade to an ATI sunpower?

I want to go mainly SPS in a 20" deep tank with a 3-4" sandbed.

Well, you could add an external fan to the Tek and get enough output. Just a clamp on fan like they sell at target or whatever clamped on the rear of the tank so it blows against the rear edge of the fixture gives a nice boost.

 

[salsipuedes]

Grim I'll try keep this short and concise considering I gave up reading the thread after the first 100 pages or so..

First thanks for all you do to help the community. It is truly appreciated by all!!

and my question... I have a 92 corner, lit with these bulbs in the following order from front to back
24inch t5 wavepoint actinic
36inch t5 current usa actinic
36inch t5 wavepoint actinic
175watt mh (iwasaki on a magnetic ballast)
36inch t5 uvl super actinic

all the t5s are on a icecap 660 ballast.
I have everything from anemones, to clams, birdsnest, acans, zoas, etc.
I am replacing all the t5s, need some help. I hate the look of uvl super actinics and looking to possibly replace them all with true blue bulbs, maybe an actinic 03 thrown in...
Looking for color to make corals fluoresce and pop in the blue spectrums with high par values and a nice balance of bright white and growth from the iwasaki MH.

the dimensions of a 92 corner always make things difficult. Thank you very much for your help once again.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim I'll try keep this short and concise considering I gave up reading the thread after the first 100 pages or so..

First thanks for all you do to help the community. It is truly appreciated by all!!

and my question... I have a 92 corner, lit with these bulbs in the following order from front to back
24inch t5 wavepoint actinic
36inch t5 current usa actinic
36inch t5 wavepoint actinic
175watt mh (iwasaki on a magnetic ballast)
36inch t5 uvl super actinic

all the t5s are on a icecap 660 ballast.
I have everything from anemones, to clams, birdsnest, acans, zoas, etc.
I am replacing all the t5s, need some help. I hate the look of uvl super actinics and looking to possibly replace them all with true blue bulbs, maybe an actinic 03 thrown in...
Looking for color to make corals fluoresce and pop in the blue spectrums with high par values and a nice balance of bright white and growth from the iwasaki MH.

the dimensions of a 92 corner always make things difficult. Thank you very much for your help once again.

Front
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Purple Plus
ATI Actinic
ATI Blue Plus

Not only will it look cool you'll get some nice PAR out of the deal.

 

[salsipuedes]

Front
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Purple Plus
ATI Actinic
ATI Blue Plus

Not only will it look cool you'll get some nice PAR out of the deal.

Will this give me a more blue look or purple look? Or a happy medium that will blow me away...

are the ati purple plus and the ati actinic anything like the uvl super actinic?
and will these bulbs stand up to the use of a icecap 660? I formally had 2 uvl actinic white and 2 super actinic, how will this look in comparison?