The T5 Q&a Thread
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somethinfishier
New member
I have asked you before Grim but I have come across an IC 660 and now I am going to set my tank up with four T5s in stead of three. What bulbs should I get? Do you think I will still be able to keep zoas and mushrooms on the lower half of the tank? It is a 58 gal so I will be getting the 39 watt bulbs and of coarse the reflectors. Thanks in advance. You really are a big help to a lot of people.
ultraxr
Premium Member
I was wondering if could could replace the Aquablue's with Aquablue Plus'? Is there a huge/significant difference in the two? The reason i'm asking is that Reefgeek is out of the Aquablues. But they still have the Aquablue Plus'. One difference i notice is that the Aquablue's are 12k and the Aquablue Plus' are 11k.
Lastly, the Blue Plus' are out too. Can I subsitute the Blue Plus' with either the Antinic Plus or Pure Antinics? Would these bulbs be too blue compared to the Blue Plus'?
thanks.
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The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
The Aquablues are pretty close, either will be fine. You could grab a UVL actinic white in place of one of the Aquablues too.
The Actinic Plus doesn't have the output of a blue plus but the look is about the same so that will be fine.
The Actinic Plus doesn't have the output of a blue plus but the look is about the same so that will be fine.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
It will be better if you can place the shrooms where they arent directly under the lights but I don't think you will be hitting them with too much.
golfbomber
New member
i've been following this thread as much as i can but having a real tough time deciding what fixture is better for me. either the aquactinics 5 bulb or the 8 bulb tek. it is goin over a 120. 48x24x24. tank is just for sps and zoos and clams. my main concern is that i will lose par without a fan in the tek fixture. is the aquactinics just as good as the tek 8 bulb (without fan) for par ratings?
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Grab the 6 lamp Aquactinics Solar Flare and don't look back. W're talking 6 overdriven T5's with Ice Cap reflectors.
golfbomber
New member
I wish i could get those solar flares but they are like double the price of the other 2. would you choose the 8 bulb tek or the regular aquactinics 5 bulb fixture?
speckled trout
New member
I was looking in Dr. Foster & Smith's catalog and was unsure about their
T-5 selection. I'm looking for supplementation to 10,000K MHs. What blue spectrum bulbs would be the best for making the fluorescent colors of the various corals come out?
It doesn't say who produces the bulbs but list one as "Ocean Blue T-5(HO)" Actinic blue. It also has another bulb listed as Actinic SlimPaq 420nm and another listed as Actinic SlimPaq 460nm . Does anyone know the main differences between these 3 bulbs?
T-5 selection. I'm looking for supplementation to 10,000K MHs. What blue spectrum bulbs would be the best for making the fluorescent colors of the various corals come out?
It doesn't say who produces the bulbs but list one as "Ocean Blue T-5(HO)" Actinic blue. It also has another bulb listed as Actinic SlimPaq 420nm and another listed as Actinic SlimPaq 460nm . Does anyone know the main differences between these 3 bulbs?
neyugn0w01
In Memoriam
I have a 65g 24" tall tank and have been running T5's for the last 2 plus years without any problems. Just becareful where you place the softies and lps. My setup is 660 powering 2 aquablue and 2 blue plus. 1 triad powering 1 aquablue. 1 triad powering 1 superactinic vho.
mcclandy
New member
I thought that www.diyreef.com had a pretty good selection for the t5's. here is a link for their t5ho lamps
http://diyreef.com/shop/index.php?cPath=59&osCsid=99dace1495288f89fc92dc3cd99166bd
http://diyreef.com/shop/index.php?cPath=59&osCsid=99dace1495288f89fc92dc3cd99166bd
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
I would probably go with the Aquactinics. Better reflectors and fans plus the unit is designed to sit right on the tank. I honestly think it will have better output.
Kurt03
Active member
I just got some new bulbs so heres everything i have.
2 giesemann aquablues
2 giesemann actinic+
2uvl super actinic
1ge 65k
My old configuration is
Back
1. Aquablue
2. Actinic+
3. Aquablue
4. Actinic+
Front
I have a 4x54 retro, what bulbs would you use? I keep sps and lps mostly. Mostly sps. I have been getting really good growth but colors seem to drop off. Would you suggest a 3k bulb instead of something there? Thanks!
2 giesemann aquablues
2 giesemann actinic+
2uvl super actinic
1ge 65k
My old configuration is
Back
1. Aquablue
2. Actinic+
3. Aquablue
4. Actinic+
Front
I have a 4x54 retro, what bulbs would you use? I keep sps and lps mostly. Mostly sps. I have been getting really good growth but colors seem to drop off. Would you suggest a 3k bulb instead of something there? Thanks!
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Front
Actinic Plus
Super Actinic
GE
Aquablue
Actinic Plus
Super Actinic
GE
Aquablue
horkn
New member
you could get a Solar Flare with no ballasts and run normal t5ho ballasts. they are less money that way, but you will have to get the ballasts separately and wiore them up yourself.
or only OD a few of the bulbs by using only 1 660 (4 bulbs) or 430 (2 bulbs overdriven), and that way you can save a few dollars over the all overdriven t5ho's on the solar flare.
I am not a huge fan of the all overdriven t5ho's anyway....
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
1 Actinic Plus or Blue Plus and a UVL Super Actinic,
golfbomber
New member
ok i was leaning toward the aquactinics, but just didnt want any buyers remorse. what bulbs would you recommend off there website? i am looking for a more of a blue look but for higher par for my sps. or should i get the bulbs elsewhere? thanks for your advice.
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