The T5 Q&a Thread

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<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8420028#post8420028 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GMAX
Any brand standard ballast? And Javelin? You mean pitch it, right? Order two new bulbs, one different actinic and one ATI blue plus.

On the 55 yes.
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So what type of bulb combo would I run with a 5 light setup? I am not sure I follow when you say "pitch it" in relation to the lights. I would like to have the ability to keep some sps but I dont think I will ever have an sps only tank.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8426551#post8426551 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Divetime
Grim previously indicated for my 55 to run 1 sun, 2 blue plus, 2 actinic.
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Thats exactly what I would run too with 5 bulbs.
 
I was wondering which bulb setup would put out more par?
1
all geisman bulbs
2x Aquablue
2x Actinic+

Or
2
1x GE6500
1x actinic UVL bulb
1x actinic+ geisman
1x Aquablue geisman

also whats the par diffrence in the ge6500 and the aquablue?
If you could buy any 4 bulbs which would you buy for best coloration and growth. I have mostly sps.
 
OK that was an education. The guys at A to T Lamps ( they are local to me ) were pretty helpful and I decided to just get some GE Sylvania ballasts that would each run 2 24" T-5s. These are small and quite cheap, only $25 a ballast and I paid them another $5 each for power cords with plug ends. Wire it all up with 16 gauge wire just to be on the safe side since I thought a complete circuit was approaching 10 feet ( ballast in the stand up to lights and then back. Everything is fired up. I don't have a ATI blue plus bulb yet nor do I have a URI actinic. I am using a NARVA? ( German made) actinic for now and substituting an ATI aquablue in for the Blue plus for now. Tank is so far not climbing up above 79 degrees so it was worth it from that stand point alone. Lights are still burning in I will report back in a day or two.
 
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<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8427734#post8427734 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Kurt03
I was wondering which bulb setup would put out more par?
1
all geisman bulbs
2x Aquablue
2x Actinic+

Or
2
1x GE6500
1x actinic UVL bulb
1x actinic+ geisman
1x Aquablue geisman

also whats the par diffrence in the ge6500 and the aquablue?
If you could buy any 4 bulbs which would you buy for best coloration and growth. I have mostly sps.
Click to expand...

The second will have a little more PAR.

I would do this

ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
GE Daylight or UVL Aquasun
ATI Aquablue.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8422677#post8422677 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pyro2k
So what type of bulb combo would I run with a 5 light setup? I am not sure I follow when you say "pitch it" in relation to the lights. I would like to have the ability to keep some sps but I dont think I will ever have an sps only tank.
Click to expand...

What are you looking for?

If you want a blue look go for 2 actinics, 2 blues and a Daylight.

If you want a more white look do 1 actinic, 2 blues and 2 daylights.
 
I am currently running (2) ATI Aquablue Specials, (1) ATI Blue Plus, and (1) UVL Super Actinic. I want to replace one of the Aquablue Specials with another Blue Plus leaving me with (2) Blue Plus, (1) Super Actinic, and (1) Aquablue Special... will that still provide a broad enough spectrum or should I run a lower Kelvin daylight?

Since the Sun Pro is no longer available (right??), what would be the most comparable lamp out there right now?

Thanks,

Jesse
 
You would be OK with the Blue Plus. I would add than and maybe try a faylight in place of the aquablue. I'd probably go for the UVL Aquasun.
 
I'm setting up 8- 80W t5s over my new 180. How noticeable would the 6" darker areas at each end of tank be if I don't stagger the bulbs. It will be in an enclosed canopy,so having them lined up at the ends would make it a lot easier to set up fans at the ends.

Rob
 
I think this could be intresing

I think this could be intresing

I am getting a 250 MH setup about 40-50 gallon area to go over my sump in the basement it's a bare bottom so I can easily use it as a frag tank which I plan to do then I can compare how corals do under my t5's compared to MH both of course will have the exact same water.
 
101919dual_40s.JPG


Thats exactly what I did. Same gallonage, same amount of flow, linked water, and I even managed to match the spectrums as close as possible (250wattDE pheonix 14,000K up top, 6x39wattT5 below>> 2x true actinic, 2x blue+, 2x aquablue). The T5s are visibly brighter on the bottom tank... easily. The corals grow better on the bottom too, esp zoas and blue/green acros. I have never had choice zoas, like safecrackers and tub's blue zoas spread so fast. Under the halides, I had 7 blue polyps turn into 42 over 7-8 months. On the bottom... they double every month. I would have over $10,000 in tub's blue zoas by now if I had put them under the T5s in the first place (Atlantis sells 7 polyps for $100).
 
Thanks Hahn, thats what I'll do. Good point about hiding the power heads etc at the ends. I'll have a wavy sea at each end, so that should make them a lot less noticeable. I also won't have to worry about bulb placement to keep even colour at each end. :thumbsup:
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8427828#post8427828 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
What are you looking for?

If you want a blue look go for 2 actinics, 2 blues and a Daylight.

If you want a more white look do 1 actinic, 2 blues and 2 daylights.
Click to expand...

Does anyone know where to find comparison pictures of T5 setups? I would like to see a blue look vs a white look side to side before I get the aquactinics 5x54 fixture.
 
pyro2k - Check out
Adam's 55 gal with lots of pics He's running 2-Sun Pro (10,000 K), 2-Blue Pro, and 1-Blue Plus. I've been following this thread for a while. The pics of his setup with the aquactinics 5x54 fixture begin on about the 7th page.

Since I'll be going with this fixture also I'd be interested in seeing some different pics. If you find some additional links post them in here so we can tag along.

Thanks :beachbum:
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8437750#post8437750 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Divetime
pyro2k - Check out
Adam's 55 gal with lots of pics He's running 2-Sun Pro (10,000 K), 2-Blue Pro, and 1-Blue Plus. I've been following this thread for a while. The pics of his setup with the aquactinics 5x54 fixture begin on about the 7th page.

Since I'll be going with this fixture also I'd be interested in seeing some different pics. If you find some additional links post them in here so we can tag along.

Thanks :beachbum:
Click to expand...

Looks like all his pics are gone :confused:

Jesse
 
Bulbs of course

Bulbs of course

I have the Tek 48" 4 bulb fixture and currently have Current USA bulbs set up as follows:

Front
420 actinic 03
10K
10k
420 actinic 03
Back

(Don't laugh!)

I want to replace the bulbs to get better coloration. I have SPS, LPS and zoas.

Are any of these bulbs worth keeping, or should I replace them all? I have 1 brand new 10K, but the rest are 6 months old.

What would be you recommend to have a crisp white to slightly bluish look?

Thanks
 
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