The T5 Q&a Thread

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Grim, I'd like to thank you for helping me with previous light selection. I have one more question. I have 8 bulb fixture with 6 bulbs in:

front
blue+
super actinic
aquablue
???
???
aquablue
super actinic
blue+

back

I am conterplating on which bulbs to get. I like blueish vs. whitish, but PAR also important. So, I was thinking of getting: 2 more aquablues, or mixture of aquablue/aquasun, or pure actinic with 6.5K GE.

What do you think would be the better compromise between blueish (like 14K MH) and good PAR?

Thanks
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8640387#post8640387 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hahnmeister
Wow, I cant believe that the RC filter blocked the $h!t in Matsu$h!ta. That seems a little extreme.

LOVE IT


LOL:rollface:
 
Hey what is the best place to get T5 bulbs and best Type and combo for T5 bulbs

I have a 36" current fixture with 4 39 watt bulbs over a 58 gallon softie/ zoo tank

I think my bulbs are starting to go bad as I am starting to get some Cyano in my main tank

I also just found my old light fixture with 2X96 watt compact flourescent bulbs (which i replaced due to a blown ballast)

If I added this above my tank or switchd it with the 1 x 96 watt on my mantis tank what bulb combos would you suggest?
 
T5 Finnex Bulbs

T5 Finnex Bulbs

are the Finnex bulbs any good I can get the 39 watts for 14 bucks is it worth it? 6500k 10k and attinic's
 
Ok, I guess this is the problem with these huge threads (questions being repeated) but here goes.

Comparing the 4 bulb, 36" tek fixture and the 36" 5 bulb aquatinics fixture.
aquatinics
http://www.aquactinics.com/Store/T5_HO_Lighting_Systems.htm
tek
http://www.reefgeek.com/products/categories/lighting/104188.html

There doesn't appear to be a major difference between the prices, the aqua comes with an extra bulb position. Why is it that the aquatinics is so much thinner in width 9" while the tek is 12+". Also do the ballasts coming with these overdrive the bulbs (this is what I'm most confused about) or are there only certain ballasts capable of this (workhorse, icecap, etc). I understand that the individual reflectors enhance the light a great deal and the overdriving supplements that more. I've narrowed my selection down to these two units, if it gets to confusing I may go totally retrofit, but for now I am leaning towards the premade lighting.

Help me decide. I'm planning on setting up a 40G breeder w/ a mixed bag of SPS LPS and softies
 
I finally ordered the IceCap reflectors through the vendor. I kept choosing the option for Sales and couldn't get a person. I selected "purchasing and production" and was able to order them for 5 foot bulbs. I also received an email back today, so maybe they are behind on emails due to the holiday??? I believe they were at $26 per bulb before taxes and shipping. Thanks again for the help Grim.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8658985#post8658985 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tgsplano
I've emailed IceCap (via the sales email on their site) about the reflectors and they don't respond. I also called their sales dept and they never answered the phone this entire week. So I called their service department and they said I'd have to go through a vendor. They did tell me that they would not be producing 5 foot reflectors due to a low demand.

Just a quick FYI that they aren't selling directly with the consumer.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8684937#post8684937 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bkiba
Ok, I guess this is the problem with these huge threads (questions being repeated) but here goes.

Comparing the 4 bulb, 36" tek fixture and the 36" 5 bulb aquatinics fixture.
aquatinics
http://www.aquactinics.com/Store/T5_HO_Lighting_Systems.htm
tek
http://www.reefgeek.com/products/categories/lighting/104188.html

There doesn't appear to be a major difference between the prices, the aqua comes with an extra bulb position. Why is it that the aquatinics is so much thinner in width 9" while the tek is 12+". Also do the ballasts coming with these overdrive the bulbs (this is what I'm most confused about) or are there only certain ballasts capable of this (workhorse, icecap, etc). I understand that the individual reflectors enhance the light a great deal and the overdriving supplements that more. I've narrowed my selection down to these two units, if it gets to confusing I may go totally retrofit, but for now I am leaning towards the premade lighting.

Help me decide. I'm planning on setting up a 40G breeder w/ a mixed bag of SPS LPS and softies
The Aquactinics is not as wide front to back because the bulbs are in a arch, so that the bulbs kind of spread the light out and not just shine straight down like the Tek. The Tek is also wider because it has about 1 1/2 inches of metal sticking out on the front and on the back for venting. Plus the Tek does not have a fan, and you have to hang or buy the brackets to mount it. The Aquactinics is designed to be set right on the tank, it does have a fan for more par, better reflectors, and if you want the legs for the Aquactinics they are cheaper. IMO I would go with the Aquactinics, more light and more par.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8682763#post8682763 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TekCat
Grim, I'd like to thank you for helping me with previous light selection. I have one more question. I have 8 bulb fixture with 6 bulbs in:

front
blue+
super actinic
aquablue
???
???
aquablue
super actinic
blue+

back

I am conterplating on which bulbs to get. I like blueish vs. whitish, but PAR also important. So, I was thinking of getting: 2 more aquablues, or mixture of aquablue/aquasun, or pure actinic with 6.5K GE.

What do you think would be the better compromise between blueish (like 14K MH) and good PAR?

Thanks

I'd do a GE 6500K Daylight and a 3000K, Reefgeek has the 3K's but you have to call for them I think. That should give you good PAR and pop pink and purple colors nicely.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8683926#post8683926 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Iammatt219
Hey what is the best place to get T5 bulbs and best Type and combo for T5 bulbs

I have a 36" current fixture with 4 39 watt bulbs over a 58 gallon softie/ zoo tank

I think my bulbs are starting to go bad as I am starting to get some Cyano in my main tank

I also just found my old light fixture with 2X96 watt compact flourescent bulbs (which i replaced due to a blown ballast)

If I added this above my tank or switchd it with the 1 x 96 watt on my mantis tank what bulb combos would you suggest?

reefgeek.com is the best place considering price, selection and CS. I would use a UVL Aquasun with a UVL Super Actinic, ATI Blue Plus and Aquablue.
 
Re: T5 Finnex Bulbs

Re: T5 Finnex Bulbs

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8683987#post8683987 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Labman48076
are the Finnex bulbs any good I can get the 39 watts for 14 bucks is it worth it? 6500k 10k and attinic's

Dunno, Guess you can be the guennia pig:D The actinics would be worth a shot because you can see whether or not it's worth diddly squat.
 
24" lights: Info and a question

24" lights: Info and a question

First of all I have spoken to Tom at Aquatinics and he says that they are working on a 24" version of their 5 bulb kit. Unfortunately, there is no release time set and I need to pick up a fixture right away.
I have settled on the 4 bulb tek fixture but would like some advice on what bulbs to use over a zoo/rics tank that is 18" deep. Here in Canada, the bulbs that I have access to are: D&D, UVL, and Helios.
So far I've come up with:

UVL Aquasun
UVL Super Actinic
?
?

I really appreciate any help you guys could give with my bulb combination.

Hats Off,

- Chad
 
Ok it about time for some new bulbs. I have a 6 bulb tek light with 24 watt bulbs in it. I currently have as follows from front to back:
Blue+
11k
11k
blue+
11k
blue+

I will buy my bulbs from reefgeek because thay have been good to me in the passed and I love the way they package their bulbs. I notice that they have 2 new bulbs since i firs got my fixture a bout a year ago.

12000k aquablue special and surer atinic

i was thinking of from front to back
blue+
11k
12k
11k
12k
blue+

What colors would the 12k give off and what colors would the super atinic give off maybye i can throw one of them in the mix.

With my current setup i am very happy with the growth in the tank. What would you guys recomend?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8688013#post8688013 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
reefgeek.com is the best place considering price, selection and CS. I would use a UVL Aquasun with a UVL Super Actinic, ATI Blue Plus and Aquablue.

thank you

should I add my compact flourescent? or would that be 2 much light?
 
Grim...

Is this the combination you recommend for a 29?

1 UVL AquaSun
1 UVL Super Actinic,
1 ATI Blue Plus
1 ATI Aquablue

OR

any other combination you might recommend.

Thanks!
 
Ok I have one more unaswered question. For the 36" aquatinics light
http://www.aquactinics.com/Store/T5_HO_Lighting_Systems.htm

Is this ballast meant to overdrive the bulbs? I see T5 fixtures all over the place (including this one) that say T5 HO(High Output) fixture... Does the HO alone indicate the overdriving or is this more of a sales pitch. Do you need a special ballast (icecap/workhorse) to actually overdrive the bulbs?

thanks! I think I've made up my mind on this fixture, just want some clarity on this point.
 
Re: 24" lights: Info and a question

Re: 24" lights: Info and a question

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8688429#post8688429 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ninjafish
First of all I have spoken to Tom at Aquatinics and he says that they are working on a 24" version of their 5 bulb kit. Unfortunately, there is no release time set and I need to pick up a fixture right away.
I have settled on the 4 bulb tek fixture but would like some advice on what bulbs to use over a zoo/rics tank that is 18" deep. Here in Canada, the bulbs that I have access to are: D&D, UVL, and Helios.
So far I've come up with:

UVL Aquasun
UVL Super Actinic
?
?

I really appreciate any help you guys could give with my bulb combination.

Hats Off,

- Chad

D&D Actinic Plus or Helios SUper Blue and a D&D Aquablue
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8689108#post8689108 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gt93pony
Grim...

Is this the combination you recommend for a 29?

1 UVL AquaSun
1 UVL Super Actinic,
1 ATI Blue Plus
1 ATI Aquablue

OR

any other combination you might recommend.

Thanks!

Yes, it is at least a start. Everyone perceives light a little differntly and taste varies. It's best to get the thing running a while and then decide if you want to change the look.
 
Ok is this a good mix of bulbs for hte 36" aquactinics, in no particular order:
2x D&D aqua blue+
Pure actinic
aquaz ocean pro 20K
aquaz ocean pro 10K
I'll mix and match the order of these once I get the light.
 
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