The T5 Q&a Thread

[rich850]

t5 lighting 48"

t5 lighting 48"

I am replacing all the bulbs because i think they are old just bought the tank used what would you recommend for 4 bulbs i plan on eventually adding some corals a tang maybe an lta and a pair of clownfish not completely sure but definitely need to replace the lights i am new and dont really know what i am doing yet

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I am replacing all the bulbs because i think they are old just bought the tank used what would you recommend for 4 bulbs i plan on eventually adding some corals a tang maybe an lta and a pair of clownfish not completely sure but definitely need to replace the lights i am new and dont really know what i am doing yet

2 ATI Blue Plus 1 Purple Plus and 1 Aquablue

 

[rich850]

t5 lighting 48"

t5 lighting 48"

I am replacing all the bulbs because i think they are old just bought the tank used what would you recommend for 4 bulbs i plan on eventually adding some corals maybe an lta and a pair of clownfish not completely sure but definitely need to replace the lights i am new and dont really know what i am doing yet i would appreciate any help

 

[rich850]

where is the best place to buy them online

 

[rich850]

what would you recommend to replace 2 t5 bulbs on a 75 gal planning on adding a lta 2 clownfish and a tang and some corals eventually

 

[rich850]

t5 lighting 48"

t5 lighting 48"

i need to replace 2 bulbs on a t5 fixture didnt realize its only 2 just got the tank 75 gal i want to eventually add an lta 2 clownfish and a tang and some corals i appreciate your help

 

[The Grim Reefer]

As I said in the PM don't try anemones or corals other than low light softies with just 2 lamps.

 

[MNSPS]

GE 6500k compared to ATI AB Special

GE 6500k compared to ATI AB Special

Thanks Grim for your help. I tried the folowing combo last night:

Front
AB+
AB Special
FP
AB+
AB Special
AB+
Back

This turned out to be a nice combo that my eyes could handle. Just for the heck of it I tried swapping out one of the AB Special's with a GE 6500K bulb. I really liked the look. It really brought out the purple coloration of my ORA Purple Stylophora. I was wondering how the output between the AB Special and the GE 6500K compared? I was thing of trying the next combination below.

Front
AB+
GE 6500
AB+
AB+
GE 6500
AB+
Back

I thought this combo would give me a nice balanced look thru out the tank. I think the 4 AB+ would cancel out allot of the yellowish color. I dont mind some yellow. What do you think?

Thanks in advance,

Chis

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Thanks Grim for your help. I tried the folowing combo last night:

Front
AB+
AB Special
FP
AB+
AB Special
AB+
Back

This turned out to be a nice combo that my eyes could handle. Just for the heck of it I tried swapping out one of the AB Special's with a GE 6500K bulb. I really liked the look. It really brought out the purple coloration of my ORA Purple Stylophora. I was wondering how the output between the AB Special and the GE 6500K compared? I was thing of trying the next combination below.

Front
AB+
GE 6500
AB+
AB+
GE 6500
AB+
Back

I thought this combo would give me a nice balanced look thru out the tank. I think the 4 AB+ would cancel out allot of the yellowish color. I dont mind some yellow. What do you think?

Thanks in advance,

Chis

ABout the same output. I like using the Purple Plus and Aquablue combo myself but the GE's will look better than using blue plus and aquablue only. They add the red that is missing in the blue and aquablue

 

[aquaman05]

Where is the best place to get these bulbs you speak of Grim

thanks

 

[chimmike]

bulk reef supply sells ATI bulbs, so does marine depot

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Reefgeek tends to have the best prices.

 

[aquaman05]

Ok thanks, I need 6 bulbs! So you recommend Ati bulbs looks like?

Thanks for the help

 

[aquaman05]

Ok thanks, I need 6 bulbs! So you recommend Ati bulbs looks like?

Thanks for the help

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Ok thanks, I need 6 bulbs! So you recommend Ati bulbs looks like?

Thanks for the help

Yep. 4 Blue Plus a Purple Plus and a Aquablue is a good mix.

 

[jond]

Hi Grim,

You have been very kind to help me with bulb selections on T5s for the past almost four years and it's been much appreciated. I am soon to need bulbs again, but before I do I have a question about fixtures.

I run a DIY setup with a custom built light rack out of aluminum L with 2 Icecap 660s. The tank is 72x30x30 so it is 8 bulbs in a staggered arrangement so that they overlap in the center. The open design has proven difficult to keep the bulbs and reflectors clean and with the light concentrated in the center of the tank I would like a more uniform coverage.

I have a few SPS corals with good color and only average growth and want to add more SPS.

I have been looking at fixtures and do have interest in staying T5 due to lower heat. If so, I have been looking at the ATI Powermodule 10x80w 60" unit.

I have also looked at the aquamedic oceanlight halide/T5 combo unit with 3 x 250w halides and wonder if that would be a superior solution to the T5 setup for SPS and clam success? I also wonder how much additional heat I would have to deal with but I can add additional venting to the room.

Any comments or advice you can give on the T5 vs halide and these fixtures or any others would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

[jond]

Hi Grim,

You have been very kind to help me with bulb selections on T5s for the past almost four years and it's been much appreciated. I am soon to need bulbs again, but before I do I have a question about fixtures.

I run a DIY setup with a custom built light rack out of aluminum L with 2 Icecap 660s. The tank is 72x30x30 so it is 8 bulbs in a staggered arrangement so that they overlap in the center. The open design has proven difficult to keep the bulbs and reflectors clean and with the light concentrated in the center of the tank I would like a more uniform coverage.

I have a few SPS corals with good color and only average growth and want to add more SPS.

I have been looking at fixtures and do have interest in staying T5 due to lower heat. If so, I have been looking at the ATI Powermodule 10x80w 60" unit.

I have also looked at the aquamedic oceanlight halide/T5 combo unit with 3 x 250w halides and wonder if that would be a superior solution to the T5 setup for SPS and clam success? I also wonder how much additional heat I would have to deal with but I can add additional venting to the room.

Any comments or advice you can give on the T5 vs halide and these fixtures or any others would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

[jond]

Sorry for the double post...I had the wicked busy screen.

 

[Drewbaby]

Grim,

I know you prefer ATI bulbs, but I have been using UVL bulbs. It's getting close to time to replace the 4 bulbs on my 48" T5. The last time around I bought 2 Aquasuns, and 2 454's. I like the look of the 454 but the aquasuns wash out the blue a little too much on the tank. If you were to pick 4 bulbs what would they be and and in what combination?

Thanks,
Drew

 

[romanr]

I'm picking up a Wavepoint 36" 4-bulb fixture from my LFS tomorrow. He told me I can switch out the stock bulbs with any of the Wavepoint bulbs at no extra charge. This will be supplementing the 400w 20K Radium over my 150 DD. I'm looking for the T5s to supplement the MH and add some pop to my corals and fishes. I mostly have LPS, shrooms and one orange cap. Red, blue and green dominate the tank coral colors. The fish I'm mainly wanting to highlight is an Orange Spotted Filefish pair. I was thinking about this bulb combo.

Wavepoint Super Blue 460
Wavepoint Coral Wave
Wavepoint SuperBlue 460
Wavepoint Reef Wave

What do you think?