The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9400151#post9400151 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ronkhoo
My mistake:lol:

All D&D lamps,are they good?

Front
Actinic Plus
AquaBlue Plus
AquaBlue Plus
AquaBlue Plus
Actinic Plus
Actinic Plus

As for the fan, I once thought you would like to blow at the lamps and reflectors instead.

The D&D lamps are OK. I would pull an aquablue and add in a Aquasun or midday and pull another and add a pure actinic or super actinic.

It is better not to blow the fan directly on the lamps because it doesn't take that much to over cool them.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Are you using fans to cool the lamps? Could be overdriving is too much for a super actinic. Maybe ask in the Ice Cap forum.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9400633#post9400633 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ctreefer
Just out of curiousity, the people that are using UVL super actinic's and overdriving them. Do you notice a really short usable lamp life? I installed my 24" UVL back in late July and the other day I looked at it and it barely looked like it was on staring at the bulb directly. My aquablue and actinic +, both about the same age were still too bright to look at. Also, all the "glowing" it used to provide had long ago disappeared. I was really happy with it when I first installed it, but I can't say I'll buy another based upon this bulb.

 

[dheinze]

yeldarbj, thanks for the link; that definitely lowers the price running 6 bulbs w/4 overdiven...Anyone want to comment on the amount of light? I was reading this thread
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=852587, which has made me concerned that overdriving 4 bulbs out of six might be too much....?

 

[ronkhoo]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9403833#post9403833 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
The D&D lamps are OK. I would pull an aquablue and add in a Aquasun or midday and pull another and add a pure actinic or super actinic.

It is better not to blow the fan directly on the lamps because it doesn't take that much to over cool them.

Mr Grim Reefer, you are very prompt on responses on this thread. Thankyou for offering so such to this community

Here's what I have in mind, is this SPS friendly?

front:
DD_AquaBlue plus
DD_Actinic o3 (color seems purple, the package seems like the TL03 from Philips)
DD_Actinic plus
DD_AquaBlue plus
DD_AquaBlue plus
DD_Actinic plus

As you've mentioned, I would place a fan on top of fixture. Should it blow downwards or upwards?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I would use a Sun lamp or GE3000K in place of one of the aquablues. If your fixture has a large enough vent that a fan can effectively pull air through the fixture you could sit the fan on the fixture blowing out. Otherwise use a larger fan (about 6") to blow down at the fixture.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9407065#post9407065 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ronkhoo
Mr Grim Reefer, you are very prompt on responses on this thread. Thankyou for offering so such to this community

Here's what I have in mind, is this SPS friendly?

front:
DD_AquaBlue plus
DD_Actinic o3 (color seems purple, the package seems like the TL03 from Philips)
DD_Actinic plus
DD_AquaBlue plus
DD_AquaBlue plus
DD_Actinic plus

As you've mentioned, I would place a fan on top of fixture. Should it blow downwards or upwards?

 

[katz66]

i just wanted to thank grim and everyone who helped in my t-5 selection for my tek-light 6 x 54w. i went with 3 ati blue+, 1 ati aquablue, 1 uvl super actinic, and 1 ge 3000k. this is my favourite bulb combo to date.
it looks like the sun is actually shining in my tank, unbelievable!
(i guess it is the look i have been wanting but never had). my other lights were a mix of d&d blue+, actinic and ge6000k. don't get me wrong, they were bright but a little too white.
when just the blue+ are on (dawn/dusk), my tank looks unreal. the colors of coral and fish are so vibrant and flourescent, people often ask me if anything is "fake." to their surprise, there is nothing but live coral in my tank, and that is all there will ever be.
p.s. greg at reefgeek came through again. shipping 6 x 5/8" x 48" glass tubes from california to canada . . . what could go wrong? all bulbs were immaculate, very well packaged. i will buy from him again next year.

 

[ronkhoo]

katz66, did you ship US Postal, UPS, or Fedex?

Did you get dink by custom?

 

[aquamariner]

If I go ahead and go with the Tek Ready Fit that has the ballast behind the reflector, will that not cause more heat being under a canopy than if I were to go with a loose set and mount the ballast outside the canopy? Where is the best place to blow the air in and out of the aquarium with the Tek Ready Fit in that case?

 

[elzool]

I've bought two IC 660s & 8 slrs' used over the last few months and am now wondering for my 75g how many bulbs I should use?

I have a number of zoos on the bottom and I'd prefer not to fry them if possible. I would love to be able to keep a clam or two as well as an rbta.

What say you as far as number of bulbs I should use and types I should ask Greg to send me if I like a bluer look to my tank?

 

[charlesjordanjr]

double post
-Chuck

 

[charlesjordanjr]

I just bought a 2" Crocea clam. I have 3 ATI Blue+, 2 Aquablue, 1 GE 6K. They are in a Tek 6x54w fixture 4" off of water. I put the clam on the sand bed. Is that placement going to be ok? I have a 90g tank. 24" deep w/2" sand bed.
-Chuck

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9409935#post9409935 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by aquamariner
If I go ahead and go with the Tek Ready Fit that has the ballast behind the reflector, will that not cause more heat being under a canopy than if I were to go with a loose set and mount the ballast outside the canopy? Where is the best place to blow the air in and out of the aquarium with the Tek Ready Fit in that case?

Blow the air in down low and vent it out up high. it take advantage of the natural convection effect of air.

 

[arbee]

Grim, I'm gettingready to order bulbs for the 72" Aquatinics fixture.
Reefgeek doesn't carry the GE 65000 daylight that I can see. What would be a good substitute?

I was planning on going with:
Row 1 ATI Blue Plus
Row 2 UVL Super Actinic
Row 3 GE 6500K Daylight (?)
Row 4 ATI 12000K Aquablue Special
Row 5 UVL 10,000K AquaSun
Row 6 ATI Blue Plus
Row 7 ATI Blue Plus
Thanks!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Do the G-mann midday

 

[arbee]

Do the G-mann midday

Done, thanks!

 

[JodyF]

I have a 75 gallon with some softies and looking at adding some sps in future. Current lighting is 2X96W PC running a 50/50 Smartpaq 10000K/460nm Actinic bulbs. I am looking to supplement this with a 2x54 t5 retro with IC reflectors. What bulbs do you recommend?

Great Thread. Thanks in advance!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Aquablue and a super actinic. Should go good with the 10K and blue PC's

 

[7thheaven]

Dear The Grim Reefer

Recently I have ATI powermodule for 10bulb and This is my list

4 UVL super actinic
4 KZ coral light
2 KZ figi purple

but I think they can not express the blue and purple color correctly
because In only UVL super actinic environment they expressed
their own color!!

In full combination, I feel blue and purple color is washed out
(I do not know it is right expression)

Could you tell me any suggestion?
How about remove figi purple bulb and add actinics?

I have SPS tank now

Thanks.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I haven't seen the KZ lamps so I am flying blind here. Get 2 GE 6500K daylights or Geisemann midday lamps and put them in place of 2 of your existing lamps. Start with the coral lamps then try the purples and maybe one of each. It could be you have a lack of green and yellow spectrum with your current combination of lamps.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9414969#post9414969 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 7thheaven
Dear The Grim Reefer

Recently I have ATI powermodule for 10bulb and This is my list

4 UVL super actinic
4 KZ coral light
2 KZ figi purple

but I think they can not express the blue and purple color correctly
because In only UVL super actinic environment they expressed
their own color!!

In full combination, I feel blue and purple color is washed out
(I do not know it is right expression)

Could you tell me any suggestion?
How about remove figi purple bulb and add actinics?

I have SPS tank now

Thanks.

 

[r2odie]

can you tell me your opinion of the best, most efficient lighting for a 240, 8 ft x 2 ft x 2 ft. with a canopy? i would like some sps and clams. thanks.