The T5 Q&a Thread

[jsehlms]

I'm looking to supplement my 2x250w MH Phoenix 14k bulbs. I want to add 2 t5 48" bulbs so I can get my zoas to 'pop' like they did in the tanks I bought them from.

Looking at getting either a LET or Sunlight supply 2x54w HO retro kit. Which bulbs should I get to supplement my Phoenix 14k DE bulbs?

This is for a standard 90g tank.

Thanks.

ATI Blue Plus.

So do dual ATI blue Plus? Would doing 1 blue plus and 1 actinic or 1 purple do anything to bring out more of the fluorescent pigments of the corals?

Thanks for you help.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

It can be 24", just wanted to know what was best. If i could achieve the same results with uvl as with ati. If i have to go with 24" the so be it. It wouldn't be the first time i've seen a light a little bit bigger than the tank. So the question would be, which of the 2 should i choose to get the best growth and colors on my corals?

If you are willing to go 24" I would do 4 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Purple Plus and a GE 6500K daylight. Great color and growth.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

So do dual ATI blue Plus? Would doing 1 blue plus and 1 actinic or 1 purple do anything to bring out more of the fluorescent pigments of the corals?

Thanks for you help.

You could do a blue plus in front and a purple plus in back. It's a cool dusk/dawn effect but may not be for everyone but once the halides are on it will look sweet.

 

[jsehlms]

You could do a blue plus in front and a purple plus in back. It's a cool dusk/dawn effect but may not be for everyone but once the halides are on it will look sweet.

Thanks for the help. I'll order 2 blue plus just in case, but what you describe sounds like something I'm looking for.

 

[sneaton]

thank you in advance...grim, i have 1 fiji purp and 1 blue plus as my actinic and i love the color even though its a little bright...what other 4 bulbs should i use to keep almost that same look(maybe a touch of white but mostly violet blue)? its a standard 75 gallon with a 6 bulb retrofit and right now i have

front
1.blue plus
2. fiji purp (act.)
3.blue plus
4.blue plus (act.)
5. aquablue
6.aquablue
back
i was thinking of switching #6 (or #5 and#6) for a blue plus or fiji purp

 

[fishcraze_1]

Grim,

Have a 95 gallon wave tank, Just got a used current orbit fixture, bulbs need to be replaced

2 x 250 with 4 x 54 T5's

i already have new Phoneix 14 K's for the halides

what bulbs can I add to bring out colors on the T5 side

Heres how it looks currently

 

[The Grim Reefer]

thank you in advance...grim, i have 1 fiji purp and 1 blue plus as my actinic and i love the color even though its a little bright...what other 4 bulbs should i use to keep almost that same look(maybe a touch of white but mostly violet blue)? its a standard 75 gallon with a 6 bulb retrofit and right now i have

front
1.blue plus
2. fiji purp (act.)
3.blue plus
4.blue plus (act.)
5. aquablue
6.aquablue
back
i was thinking of switching #6 (or #5 and#6) for a blue plus or fiji purp

Blue Plus
Purple
Aquablue
Blue Plus
Purple
Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim,

Have a 95 gallon wave tank, Just got a used current orbit fixture, bulbs need to be replaced

2 x 250 with 4 x 54 T5's

i already have new Phoneix 14 K's for the halides

what bulbs can I add to bring out colors on the T5 side

Heres how it looks currently

3 Blue Plus and a Purple Plus

 

[moga]

thAnks for great thread.

I just got 24x8 ati pm. Love it

hey Grim what kind of t5 you have? Just wondering because
your sig says you are using led lighting system?
Any reason?

 

[heyyoitsnicky]

Grim

so im in the market for a new light for my brand new solana 34g. i have considered all options, but with the funds i have available, i want to stick with t5's. im seriously looking at the aquatic life 6-bulb fixture, however, im curious if you have experience with this unit and what your thoughts are.

seems like a pretty decent unit, i like the looks, but im wondering how it stand up to an ati, or even a tek.

my main concern is are the legs adjustable? so that i may fit it properly to my tank?


what other lights would you recommend?

any and all comments would be great.

 

[dafunkyman]

Grim, is there any reason you choose ATI over UVL? Also how did you learn so much about lighting, and what looks best?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

thAnks for great thread.

I just got 24x8 ati pm. Love it

hey Grim what kind of t5 you have? Just wondering because
your sig says you are using led lighting system?
Any reason?

Did about as much as you can do with T5's and it was time to move to the next thing. Previously I had a Sunpower, Ultra Solaris, Constellation and some retros. With the exception of the Solaris they were all pretty good and with a reflector change the solaris did well.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim

so im in the market for a new light for my brand new solana 34g. i have considered all options, but with the funds i have available, i want to stick with t5's. im seriously looking at the aquatic life 6-bulb fixture, however, im curious if you have experience with this unit and what your thoughts are.

seems like a pretty decent unit, i like the looks, but im wondering how it stand up to an ati, or even a tek.

my main concern is are the legs adjustable? so that i may fit it properly to my tank?


what other lights would you recommend?

any and all comments would be great.

The reflector material is important and the Tek and ATI use the right stuff. I can't find where Aquatic Life advertises the Mirro reflector material and I personally wouldn't by a fixture that doesn't use it.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim, is there any reason you choose ATI over UVL? Also how did you learn so much about lighting, and what looks best?

ATI has better PAR and lasts longer. As far as learning some of it relates to my former career but mostly a lot of reading and trial and error with a lot of damned lamps.

 

[fishcraze_1]

Thanks, so front to back should be

blue+
blue+
purple
blue+

 

[Altohombre]

Hey Grim, before reading this thread I convinced myself into getting the following replacement bulbs for my 36" Nova Extreme Pro. Can a good combo be made out of this? I mostly have LPS and green hair algae =)

3x ATI Blue+
ATI Purple Plus
ATI Aquablue Special
UVL Super Actinic

 

[heyyoitsnicky]

The reflector material is important and the Tek and ATI use the right stuff. I can't find where Aquatic Life advertises the Mirro reflector material and I personally wouldn't by a fixture that doesn't use it.

ok grim, you have convinced me to bite the bullet and buy a 6 bulb for my 34g solana....now what bulbs can you reccoment? looking for a nice 20k+ look....lovin purples...

 

[Nm767]

I'm setting up a 50 gal. 36x18x18 I believe. I plan on having mostly softies/Lps. With a few sps like slimer birdbest caps. I'm looking at getting the 6 bulb 36" tek light from brs and was trying to decide what bulb combo would be best. I like more of a blue display. Also do you know or recommend a diff fixture that might be better around the same price? Tek is 280 + bulbs. I plan on hanging the light. I have a canopy. Canopy is 15" tall overall but only opens with front doors.

 

[playaslk]

hey guys, what do you think about this ? http://www.amazon.com/Lithonia-Ligh...ref=sr_1_2?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1304208858&sr=1-2

it states its HO, i did a search and havent seen many people (if anyone) with this set up

 

[blades326]

I am going to be switching out my bulbs on my NEP and looking at going with...
8 ATI Blue +
2 Giessmann mid days
2 ATI Purple +

How will this combo be for mostly SPS growth and color?