The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9677236#post9677236 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pammy
Hi GrimReefer. What would be a good combination of bulbs for a 5 light fixture? Would like it not too blue...and not too white. A nice happy medium. And if you're looking at a blue...and a blue plus and actinic and actinic+, does it matter which brand? (LFS only sells Giesmann and a couple other brands. Don't think they carry ATI. So would I want to order online, or use the brands that my LFS carries?)

Thanks, Pam

Try this

Front
Gmann Actinic Plus
Gman Pure Actinic
Gmann Midday
GE 6500K
Gman Aquablue

 

[pammy]

Thanks Grimm. And if I order online and can choose any brand of bulbs...would you recommend the same or something different?
Pam

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9677281#post9677281 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Try this

Front
Gmann Actinic Plus
Gman Pure Actinic
Gmann Midday
GE 6500K
Gman Aquablue

 

[The Grim Reefer]

ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
GE 6500K
ATI Aquablue

 

[pammy]

Thanks again Grim. You're the best!

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9677416#post9677416 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
GE 6500K
ATI Aquablue

 

[Saddler]

I finally placed an order for my lights. I went w/ a Tek 6 bulb 54w with IC reflectors for my 5' 110g mixed reef. I didn't really want the overdriven bulbs because of the reduced bulb life, the $ of extra watts, and extra heat. I have lots of shelves of kaelini to host corals up higher than 1/2 way up the tank height so I think I'll be fine for hosting SPS, and the shelves create shadows down below for less light loving lps and maybe softies. Plus, I like the fact that the Tek retro is so cheap that it won't be as big of a loss when I upgrade to the cheaper, brighter, more efficient, glimmer caustics LEDs that will be available in 4 or 5 years.

I ordered from Greg @ Reef Geek. I called him a few times w/ questions about components of the retros and availability. He was very willing to take the time to answer all of my questions, I feel that he really knows what he's talking about, and I feel that he was very honest about the ETA for backordered items - he wasn't trying to sting me along just to make the sale. I ordered Thursday and IC reflectors were in customs and the ATI Blue+ were on backorder so I ordered a couple of temporary extra bulbs with a second order of the Blue+ when available. 2 orders were shipped out yesterday, so the IC reflectors are in (they should also have the Tek IIs back in early this week), and I'm not sure if the second order is the Blue+ bulbs or not.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Anyone thinking about using the new Tek reflectors needs to do a reality check, they are 3" wide, make sure you have room.

 

[NanoGurl]

Hi Grim,

I need your help please. I have been trying to read this thread for 2 hours now and I'm going crazy!!

I have a 75g AGA tank that I want to switch over my zoos, shrooms, rics, a few SPS, an anenome, and maybe add a clam and more SPS down the road.

I originally wanted to go with a MH/T5 combo but I'm having problems finding a good fixture and I don't know how to do a retero kit bc I don't have a canopy.

My question. I know people suggest getting Aquatinics over Sunlight Supply... but I was wondering if you thought the 6 bulb T5 fixture that ReefGeek sells would be a good choice for my tank.

Thanks

 

[Saddler]

Grim, I was told they are 2.75" by Greg, vs. just over 2.5" for IC. He said he didn't think they had a lip for overlapping like the ICs.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9680485#post9680485 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by NanoGurl
Hi Grim,

I need your help please. I have been trying to read this thread for 2 hours now and I'm going crazy!!

I have a 75g AGA tank that I want to switch over my zoos, shrooms, rics, a few SPS, an anenome, and maybe add a clam and more SPS down the road.

I originally wanted to go with a MH/T5 combo but I'm having problems finding a good fixture and I don't know how to do a retero kit bc I don't have a canopy.

My question. I know people suggest getting Aquatinics over Sunlight Supply... but I was wondering if you thought the 6 bulb T5 fixture that ReefGeek sells would be a good choice for my tank.

Thanks

Because you want such a variety of stuff you are better off sticking with the halides. The Aquactinics and Maristar are both great fixtures.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9680490#post9680490 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Saddler
Grim, I was told they are 2.75" by Greg, vs. just over 2.5" for IC. He said he didn't think they had a lip for overlapping like the ICs.

I sat and watched the guy measure the Teks in my garage last weekend, they were 3" wide, and too long. SLS hadn't notified the guy about that. Maybe this guy's got flattened out in shipping or something but they were definatly 3".

 

[apañero]

what t5 combination

what t5 combination

Hi! this is my first post... hope not the last XD
I have my first 40 gallons (160 liters) with 3 aqua-connect 2x39W T5 modules ( the last tube of the last back module is out of the aquarium vertical) so I have only 5x39W T5 just upper my acuarium, at 25 cm of the water. Let´s draw it more or less:

666666666666666 12h-22h (10h)
----------------- Back of aquarium
555555555555555 12h-22h (10h)
444444444444444 14h-21h (7h)
333333333333333 14h-21h (7h)
222222222222222 13h-23h (10h)
111111111111111 13h-23h (10h)
------------------ Front of aquarium

I changed my begining illumination of a 150W HQI 10K at the middle and 2 aqua-connect 2x39W T5 modules (front and back) because of the hot . I have changed the central HQI from another aqua-connect 2x39W T5 module. Now I have the 3 aqua-connect 2x39W T5 modules like this:

Back
6=Giesemann Pure Actinic (the one out of the aquarium vertical)
5=Narva Biolight 6000K
4=Aquamedic Blue
3=Aquamedic white
2=Narva Biolight 6000K
1=Giesemann Pure Actinic
Front

I want to change my T5 tubes because I haven´t bought this ones, they come to me with the second hand AquaConnect Modules. I have only bought the 2xPure Actinic ones, 5 months ago. The people that sold me the aqua-connect modules said me that the tubes were as new so that´s why I´m using it for now, but I want to change it.

I have only smal coral pieces of soft corals, four fishes, a starfish, a shrimp and some hermits and crabs, but I plan to have SPS, LPS, more fishes... a good reef you know XD
I like the blue color in the water but I also like the bright and fluorescent colors of the animals. And I want a good coral growth
I´m thinking which T5 configuration is the best for me, and also which fotoperiode and when I should change the tubes. It´s easier for me to buy Ati or Giesemann tubes, but I would try to buy the brands that you recommend me. There are a lot of possible configurations...

I have seen a photo in this topic that I like, but it´s only one coral: (configuration of: A+, AB, 6000, A+)

Maby it would be easier for me to choose the configuration viewing aquarium photos with many T5 configurations, but i haven´t found that visual information...

thanks very much!!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I would change the Aquamedics lamps out for 2 ATI Blue Plus lamps and see what you think. They will help with growth and color. I would also consider changing out one of the pure actinics with an ATI Aquablue.

 

[apañero]

ok, and if I change the pure actinic with actinic+ and the Narva to an ATI or Giesemann, Like:

Back
A+
ATI AB
Superwhite or Midday
ATI B+
Superwhite or Midday
A+

Instead of:

Back
Pure Actinic
Narva Biolight 6000K (or Superwhite or Midday)
ATI B+
ATI B+
Narva Biolight 6000K (or Superwhite or Midday)
ATI AB

better the first or the second??

When do you recomend to change the lamps? at 6 months? 8 months? 1 year??

thanks!

 

[plc001]

How High from the water?

How High from the water?

How high from the water should my bulbs be?

thanks!!!!

 

[plc001]

Re: How High from the water?

Re: How High from the water?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9682488#post9682488 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by plc001
How high from the water should my bulbs be?

thanks!!!!

Would 5" be to far? Its a mix tank, but pushing towards SPS. I had them at 3" but the salt creep is tooo mutch.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9682437#post9682437 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by apañero
ok, and if I change the pure actinic with actinic+ and the Narva to an ATI or Giesemann, Like:

Back
A+
ATI AB
Superwhite or Midday
ATI B+
Superwhite or Midday
A+

Instead of:

Back
Pure Actinic
Narva Biolight 6000K (or Superwhite or Midday)
ATI B+
ATI B+
Narva Biolight 6000K (or Superwhite or Midday)
ATI AB

better the first or the second??

When do you recomend to change the lamps? at 6 months? 8 months? 1 year??

thanks!

Narva Makes Giesemann lamps
Try this

Back
A+
ATI AB
ATI B+
Superwhite or Midday
Pure Actinic
A+


I would go for a year

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: Re: How High from the water?

Re: Re: How High from the water?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9682689#post9682689 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by plc001
Would 5" be to far? Its a mix tank, but pushing towards SPS. I had them at 3" but the salt creep is tooo mutch.

5 should be good

 

[apañero]

perfect, i will post photo results.

thanks very much for the recommendation.

 

[NanoGurl]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9681114#post9681114 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Because you want such a variety of stuff you are better off sticking with the halides. The Aquactinics and Maristar are both great fixtures.

Thank you!

 

[dastratt]

Just saw the comment on the new 5 bulb 24" fixture from Aquactinics. Realize its not out yet but perhaps a reality check is still in order for me. I'm using a 24" Coralife 2X65 PC. I'm thinking the better bulb combinations may be a reason to upgrade in anycase so maybe I should be the guinea pig. But Wattage wise this will only be about an even swap, so should I have any reason to expect an increase in output? Do we need to find out details of the reflectors to say?

I've just got zoos and a couple of euphylia right now, zoos high up in the sweet spot. I'd like to move them down and put in some acros and montis up high. I've been holding off with MH-T5 due to heat and cost (i.e. I tempted to upgrade to a 48" long tank).