The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

The order and where to put the Tek ballast is on the list. Try to mount the lights so you can keep the higher light stuff directly under them. I would just bunch the lamps togehter in a solid bank.

 

[rarelyseriousb]

duh ok thanks

 

[dieselkeeper]

I installed TEK 5 lighting on a 90 gallon, I now have interference on a TV that is on a seperate electrical circuit. It is a retro fit kit using advance ballast. The TV is in another room on same wall but different circuit. The ballast is mounted on the canopy, on alumium bracket. TV is the same height as ballast. I have big screen projection type right next to the tank and have no interference. What's up? Anyone out there has solution?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Make sure the ballast case is grounded.

 

[dieselkeeper]

Ballast is mounted/screwed to alumium bracket, power cord green lead uses the same screw.

 

[skey44]

have hamilton or current t-5 lights been tested for par output? they are very inexpensive

 

[dieselkeeper]

Grim, I have 6 lamps in canopy, 6-7 inches off water surface. On 90 gallon. I have 3 blue plus, 3 aqua blues. Tank is too blue. What would you recommend, changing one aqua blue and one blue plus to two aquasun or two middays? Want to get SPS.

 

[skey44]

i bet i can guess... leave the three actinic bulbs but replace two blue plusses. add a 3k ge and a 6k midday bulb but in the middle not the front or back

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9727846#post9727846 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by skey44
have hamilton or current t-5 lights been tested for par output? they are very inexpensive

The Current lamps are so-so

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9728180#post9728180 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dieselkeeper
Grim, I have 6 lamps in canopy, 6-7 inches off water surface. On 90 gallon. I have 3 blue plus, 3 aqua blues. Tank is too blue. What would you recommend, changing one aqua blue and one blue plus to two aquasun or two middays? Want to get SPS.

Changing one of each would be a good place to start. I think I would get 1 Aquasun and 1 6500K GE Daylight

 

[norcal99]

Hey Grim, I'm about at that point where I bulb suggestions for a 4x24w T5HO setup on a 20H and want a nice Phoenix 14k MH look. I was thinking of the following combos:

Front
Blue Plus
Aquablue
Giesemann 11k aquablue
Blue Plus
Back

OR

Front
Blue Plus
Aquablue
GE 3000K
UVL Super Actinic
Back

Do you think that either combo will be too white or should I swap out the Giesemann for a different bulb? Add a second ATI Aquablue, GE 3000K? Thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9728283#post9728283 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by norcal99
Hey Grim, I'm about at that point where I bulb suggestions for a 4x24w T5HO setup on a 20H and want a nice Phoenix 14k MH look. I was thinking of the following combos:

Front
Blue Plus
Aquablue
Giesemann 11k aquablue
Blue Plus
Back

OR

Front
Blue Plus
Aquablue
GE 3000K
UVL Super Actinic
Back

Do you think that either combo will be too white or should I swap out the Giesemann for a different bulb? Add a second ATI Aquablue, GE 3000K? Thanks

Try
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
GE 6500K
Aquablue

 

[amitchell]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9726541#post9726541 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Try this instead

Front
Aquablue
Super Actinic
Aquasun
Blue Plus
Aquablue

Only reason for changing positions is how the lamps are wired. that arrangement gives you the super actinic and the blue plus on one cord for a coold dusk/dawn look.

Thanks Grim I'll give that a try.

 

[MercZ]

I have also tried the combo with 6500K. I have found mixing the 6500K will wash a lot of the blue out. My friend has 2 Aquablues and 2 Blue+'s and that looks right on for a phoenix 14K.

 

[brianbigoats]

Grim
my current bulbs in my Solar Flare are
UV Actinic White
UV Super Actinic
UV Aqua Sun
UV Actinic White
UV Super Actinic
UV Aqua Sun

I would like to get a slightly Bluer look some were between 15K and 20K with out loosing to much PAR since the tank is SPS

I was thinking
UV Actinic White
UV Super Actinic
KZ Coral Light
UV Aqua Sun
ATI Blue Plus
Aqua blue Special

What do you think?
Here is a pic of my tank now

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9729034#post9729034 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MercZ
I have also tried the combo with 6500K. I have found mixing the 6500K will wash a lot of the blue out. My friend has 2 Aquablues and 2 Blue+'s and that looks right on for a phoenix 14K.

It also bring out yellow and red colors in corals much better than using a simple 50/50 mix of blues an aquablues.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9732606#post9732606 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by brianbigoats
Grim
my current bulbs in my Solar Flare are
UV Actinic White
UV Super Actinic
UV Aqua Sun
UV Actinic White
UV Super Actinic
UV Aqua Sun

I would like to get a slightly Bluer look some were between 15K and 20K with out loosing to much PAR since the tank is SPS

I was thinking
UV Actinic White
UV Super Actinic
KZ Coral Light
UV Aqua Sun
ATI Blue Plus
Aqua blue Special

What do you think?
Here is a pic of my tank now

Swap 2 Actinic white for 2 ATI Blue Plus,. You will gain blue and PAR.

 

[brianbigoats]

what do you think of the kz coral light

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Dunno anything about them yet.

 

[stdenpi1]

Grimm great info. I have another question

I am looking for a light for a 75 FOWLR that I eventually want to add Soft corals, no hard corals...what T5 fixture and lighting do you suggest.

I have clownfish and want to add an anenome to start but other soft later.

Thanks for any suggestions.