The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

Cool!

 

[rooroo]

Curious Grim, what are the best brand bulbs? I first used AquaMedics. Any feelings on those? They're much cheaper than the other bulbs on premium aquatics.

 

[TropTrea]

As of just a few years ago there was basicly only one plant in the US and one in Europe that made florescent tubes. These two plants produced bulbs under numerious brand names, where the only difference between Brand A and Brand B was the stanping on the tube.

My suspicion is that this has not changed drasticly since then. Perhaps there is an aditional plant in China now and/or some of the other asian countries. However I would still bet that there are multiple brand names on bulbs comming off the same assembly line.

Dennis

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9012865#post9012865 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rooroo
Curious Grim, what are the best brand bulbs? I first used AquaMedics. Any feelings on those? They're much cheaper than the other bulbs on premium aquatics.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9012865#post9012865 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rooroo
Curious Grim, what are the best brand bulbs? I first used AquaMedics. Any feelings on those? They're much cheaper than the other bulbs on premium aquatics.

I like the ATI's. I heard even the sales reps didn't like the Aquamedics lamps

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9013258#post9013258 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TropTrea
As of just a few years ago there was basicly only one plant in the US and one in Europe that made florescent tubes. These two plants produced bulbs under numerious brand names, where the only difference between Brand A and Brand B was the stanping on the tube.

My suspicion is that this has not changed drasticly since then. Perhaps there is an aditional plant in China now and/or some of the other asian countries. However I would still bet that there are multiple brand names on bulbs comming off the same assembly line.

Dennis

There is at least 2 plants in Germany, one in polland, one in Ukraine I think, one in Ecuador and more than 1 in China. Not sure about the USA. GE I suppose. I suspect Korea and India have plants too. I know there is a halide plant in Korea for sure, I would think they do fluorescent too.

 

[hahnmeister]

Yeah, most of the better T5 bulbs are made by either NARVA or Sylvania... not in the US.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Who's making UVL's? Ushio makes T5's too but I don't know if those make there way into the aquarium industry.

 

[rooroo]

Theres always a reason why certain products are cheaper than others. Good to know, I'll move on to better bulbs in the future.

 

[Rewd]

Grim,

Question I'm sure you've been asked a hundred times... I'm looking to keep low to moderate-high light SPS in my new 40B. I'd also like some LPS as well and a bubble tip. Could I keep all of this under T5's? The fixture I like the best is the Aquatinics 5-bulb 54w set up. If so, what would be the best combination of bulbs?

Thanks!!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

The aquactinics will be enough to keep about anything you want in a 40B.

I would run 1 UVL Aquasun, 1 UVL super actinic, 1 Aquablue and 2 blueplus.

 

[Rewd]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9016880#post9016880 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
The aquactinics will be enough to keep about anything you want in a 40B.

I would run 1 UVL Aquasun, 1 UVL super actinic, 1 Aquablue and 2 blueplus.

Great!! Thank you! This thread is insane I've been reading it non-stop since posting that message

Is that the order the bulbs should be placed in the fixture? Also, is that a good set of bulbs to enhance the color? I see that question asked a lot and since I'm going more for color then grow-out I might as well ask too.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

That should be good for color

Order of the lamps because of the switches

Front
Blue Plus
Super Actinic (ballast 2)
Aquasun
Blue Plus (ballast 2)
Aquablue

Ballast 2 will be your dusk/dawn set. You want th actinic toward the front so it lights the viewing side of your corals.

 

[Rewd]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9017057#post9017057 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
That should be good for color

Order of the lamps because of the switches

Front
Blue Plus
Super Actinic (ballast 2)
Aquasun
Blue Plus (ballast 2)
Aquablue

Ballast 2 will be your dusk/dawn set. You want th actinic toward the front so it lights the viewing side of your corals.

Excellent!! Thanks again you've compressed two hours worth of research in to one post hehe. thank you

 

[BlakDuc]

Grim, 33g custom tank, 24"x18"x18". Tek 4x24w, which lamps and what order do they need to be in? Thanks in advance.

 

[rp marine]

what kind of coral or invert can i have useing 2x24w hoT5. my tank is about 37g with lxwxh 30x18x18.

same question but 2x24w hoT5?

thank for your help

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9018669#post9018669 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GrandeGixxer
Grim, 33g custom tank, 24"x18"x18". Tek 4x24w, which lamps and what order do they need to be in? Thanks in advance.

Front
Bluplus
Super Actinic
GE Daylight
Aquablue (or Blue Plus if you want a more blue look(

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9019244#post9019244 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rp marine
what kind of coral or invert can i have useing 2x24w hoT5. my tank is about 37g with lxwxh 30x18x18.

same question but 2x24w hoT5?

thank for your help

Most softies would be OK, lower light LPS if you keep them up on the rocks a ways.

 

[rp marine]

grim
opps the second qustion was suppose to be 4x24w hoT5? can it support clams ?

also i think your mailbox is full too.
thank for your help?

 

[TropTrea]

For clams it would be a little dependent upon which bulbs you selected. plus a 37 gallon tank is fairly tall so you would not want them on the bottom with a 1 or 2" sand bed.

Dennis

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9019483#post9019483 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rp marine
grim
opps the second qustion was suppose to be 4x24w hoT5? can it support clams ?

also i think your mailbox is full too.
thank for your help?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I would definatly have a Daylight or Aquasun AND an Aquablue in the mix if you are trying clams. Thoe and 2 blue plus would be best.