The T5 Q&a Thread

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Hello Grim,

Could you show me the best combo for 16 bulbs (54w) T5, that works best for corals with Red (ORA red planets), Blue (blue torts), and Pink (pink millis) colors?
Below is my tank profile:

Tank: 4' long x 5' deep x 2' tall
Light: 16 T5 bulbs, running by 4 Icecap ballasts.
Corals: big colonies of Red Planet(4), Blue torts (6), and pink millis (3).

Thank you,

Khanh,
 
Hey Grim,

So from what I am gathering, if I want SPS in my tank (180 72x24x24) then I am going to need an 8 bulb setup.

Is the ATi Sunpower that much of a better fixture then the Tek?

Thanks
dlp211
 
Amazing that you have maintained this thread so long, awesome work. I have an Aquaticlife 48" 4 bulb over a 48"x24x26 130g. After reading this thread I realize I should have gotten the 6 or even 8 bulb, but money has been spent so wanting to try and make sure I have the best bulbs. I have been running the included bulbs for 6 months.
I have mostly LPS (centered towards the front and back, with some SPS (caps/digitata/stylo) fairly high in the rocks and centered.
What bulbs and order would your recommend? I do have timer so run actinics only for hour before/after full lights. Fluorescing is preferred- from the thread so far I was thinking ATI blue+, Aquablue, UVL Actinic white (or 75/25), Blue+
Thanks in advance
 
Deepsea2005 said:
Hello Grim,

Could you show me the best combo for 16 bulbs (54w) T5, that works best for corals with Red (ORA red planets), Blue (blue torts), and Pink (pink millis) colors?
Below is my tank profile:

Tank: 4' long x 5' deep x 2' tall
Light: 16 T5 bulbs, running by 4 Icecap ballasts.
Corals: big colonies of Red Planet(4), Blue torts (6), and pink millis (3).

Thank you,

Khanh,
Click to expand...

I'd try a dozen blue plus and 4 purple plus and see what you think. Then if you don't like it try adding in a couple GE 6500K in place of blue plus.
 
inigomontoya said:
Amazing that you have maintained this thread so long, awesome work. I have an Aquaticlife 48" 4 bulb over a 48"x24x26 130g. After reading this thread I realize I should have gotten the 6 or even 8 bulb, but money has been spent so wanting to try and make sure I have the best bulbs. I have been running the included bulbs for 6 months.
I have mostly LPS (centered towards the front and back, with some SPS (caps/digitata/stylo) fairly high in the rocks and centered.
What bulbs and order would your recommend? I do have timer so run actinics only for hour before/after full lights. Fluorescing is preferred- from the thread so far I was thinking ATI blue+, Aquablue, UVL Actinic white (or 75/25), Blue+
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...

Do 2 ATI Blue Plus 1 Purple Plus and 1 Aquablue. Play with the order to get the look you want. You need twice the lamps in a better fixture for that tank. That combination will give you good PAR.
 
The Grim Reefer said:
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.
Click to expand...

I c , grim

here are my combo for ATI PM 24x8.
Any suggestion to change or mix?

1 KZ Fiji Purple,
2 KZ Super Blue,
2 KZ "œNew Generation",
2 ATI True Actinic,
1 ATI Blue Plus.
 
moga said:
I c , grim

here are my combo for ATI PM 24x8.
Any suggestion to change or mix?

1 KZ Fiji Purple,
2 KZ Super Blue,
2 KZ "œNew Generation",
2 ATI True Actinic,
1 ATI Blue Plus.
Click to expand...

I don't use actinics any more. I'd add another purple and Blue to that mix.
 
Hey Grim just wanted to toss you some kudos since your bulb suggestion gave me the exact look I wanted. I just got my Tek 6x54w 48" fixture today from BRS and it looks great. You suggested two bulb setups and I tried 4 Blue + and 2 Purple +. I did pick up a Aquablue Special incase i thought it was to much blue but I LOVE the look.

My bulb setup is as follow:

Blue +
Purple +
Blue +
Blue +
Purple+
Blue +

Thanks again!!!
 
Grim,
I have a 20 gallon long tank but a 24" T5 lighting unit (don't remember which brand) placed directly on plastic over the tank. I have mostly LPS and zoas but I do have a crocea clam. All light needing animals are placed under the light. With the current lights I have now there is no pop. I want the corals to flouresce. I'm guessing 2 ATI blue +, 1 ATI blue plus, and maybe a white bulb? I've never experimented with this before. Thanks.
 
Grim,

Please help me replace my T-5 bulbs. Have Aquactinics fixtures.
Ok I have 2 of the original Aquactinics 36 inch fixtures over my 6 foot 125 gallon tank. I used to have a tank full of hard corals but no longer except a few. It is mainly a tank full of mushrooms, leathers, hammers, frogspawn, open brain LPS, xenia, colt, GSP and other softies.

Currently running (3) Giesemann 39W Aquablue plus and (2) Giesemann 39W Actinic plus bulbs in each fixture.

Time for new bulbs. Like the combo of more of a blue tint to make colors pop so I think I will keep this configuration unless you have a better idea?

Also what is the best place and best price to buy replacement bulbs?

Any help is much appreciated.

Thanks Scott.
 
I am running 8 Bulb fixtures over my 48"x30"x10" prop tanks. I am looking to match the color of my display. I run radium 20k's with no supplementation. I would like to closely match the color and still maintain good growth.
 
The Grim Reefer said:
I'd try a dozen blue plus and 4 purple plus and see what you think. Then if you don't like it try adding in a couple GE 6500K in place of blue plus.
Click to expand...

Thanks Grim,

Should I mix them together, or should I put 12 blue plus on the back, and then 4 purple on the front?

What brand of purple bulb that you recommand?

Thanks,
 
Hey Grim,

I have an AquaticLife four bulb fixture over my standard 55gallon. It is time to replace the bulbs and obviously I am looking for your recommendations. So, what would they be? I was thinking maybe 3 ATI Blue plus and a purple bulb of some kind. I want that blue look but not to blue.
 
Grim,
whats your pick for a 4 bulb combo for a fish only
i am leaning towards 3 blue + and 1 purple +
have tried both the aquablue and ge 6500 bulbs and they both washed out colors for me
not sure if there are any other bulbs that make sense.
 
Paaxil said:
Grim,
I have a 20 gallon long tank but a 24" T5 lighting unit (don't remember which brand) placed directly on plastic over the tank. I have mostly LPS and zoas but I do have a crocea clam. All light needing animals are placed under the light. With the current lights I have now there is no pop. I want the corals to flouresce. I'm guessing 2 ATI blue +, 1 ATI blue plus, and maybe a white bulb? I've never experimented with this before. Thanks.
Click to expand...

holdyourlight said:
Grim,
whats your pick for a 4 bulb combo for a fish only
i am leaning towards 3 blue + and 1 purple +
have tried both the aquablue and ge 6500 bulbs and they both washed out colors for me
not sure if there are any other bulbs that make sense.
Click to expand...

Most of Grim's responses to 4 bulb set-ups include:

2 ATI Blue Plus
1 ATI Aqua Blue
1 ATI Purple Plus (or 1 GE 6500 Daylight)


http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showpost.php?p=18722792&postcount=10131
 
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