The T5 Q&a Thread

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hey grim,
thanks in advance for your response.

what would be the best 5 bulb combo for a 55g tank? I want to have softies, lps and sps. also what order from front to back do you suggest for best coloration?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9825880#post9825880 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Aquabucket
Hi Grim its been awhile. Hope all is well! I just wanted to get your opinion on the UVL actinic white vs the ATI aquablue special. How do they compare in color and PAR?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

The actinic white is a bizzare looking lamp, kinda pinkish. I would stick with the Aquablue.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9825955#post9825955 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ecfarr
hey grim,
thanks in advance for your response.

what would be the best 5 bulb combo for a 55g tank? I want to have softies, lps and sps. also what order from front to back do you suggest for best coloration?
Click to expand...

Assuming your using the aquactinics?

Front

Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
UVL Super Actinic
ATI Aquablue or for a less blue look GE 6500K
Blue Plus
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9830038#post9830038 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
The actinic white is a bizzare looking lamp, kinda pinkish. I would stick with the Aquablue.
Click to expand...

Actually I might like that. I really dig the the Aquasuns.

Here is an 8 bulb config I was thinking of throwing it in with.

Listed front to back and staggered in pairs ~ DD = dawn/dusk, DL = daylight

ATI blue plus ~ DD
UVL Superactinic ~ DD
ATI Aqua Blue Special ~ DL
UVL Aqua Sun ~ DL
ATI blue Plus ~ DD
UVL Superactinic ~ DD
UVL Actinic White ~ DL
ATI Blue Plus ~ DL

I want a blue (20- 15K) look that will also bring out the color of red, pink and orange zoos.
 
The UVL actinic white is the only high quality T5 bulb I have not tried yet. I think it sounds interesting. That config might look pretty cool and give the corals a bit of a psychedelic look.

Thanks again for all for your help!
 
Hi grim, sorry i didn't specify earlier.

I asked you about the best 5 bulb combo. I am just using diy lighting. this was your response

Assuming your using the aquactinics?

Front

Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
UVL Super Actinic
ATI Aquablue or for a less blue look GE 6500K
Blue Plus

However, I am thinking of using 4 bulbs for a regular photoperiod (10-12 hours) and turning on a 5th for 4 hours (11-3) during the day. I am assuming you would suggest the 5th bulb to be a 6500k. I don't care about the tank color during the 4 hours because I won't be home during that time, but I would like to have a very nice looking blue color during the time that the 4 bulbs will be on that will also help growth of sps, lps, and softies.
 
Hi grim, sorry i didn't specify earlier.

I asked you about the best 5 bulb combo. I am just using diy lighting. this was your response

Assuming your using the aquactinics?

Front

Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
UVL Super Actinic
ATI Aquablue or for a less blue look GE 6500K
Blue Plus

However, I am thinking of using 4 bulbs for a regular photoperiod (10-12 hours) and turning on a 5th for 4 hours (11-3) during the day. I am assuming you would suggest the 5th bulb to be a 6500k. I don't care about the tank color during the 4 hours because I won't be home during that time, but I would like to have a very nice looking blue color during the time that the 4 bulbs will be on that will also help growth of sps, lps, and softies.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9831668#post9831668 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ecfarr
Hi grim, sorry i didn't specify earlier.

I asked you about the best 5 bulb combo. I am just using diy lighting. this was your response

Assuming your using the aquactinics?

Front

Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
UVL Super Actinic
ATI Aquablue or for a less blue look GE 6500K
Blue Plus

However, I am thinking of using 4 bulbs for a regular photoperiod (10-12 hours) and turning on a 5th for 4 hours (11-3) during the day. I am assuming you would suggest the 5th bulb to be a 6500k. I don't care about the tank color during the 4 hours because I won't be home during that time, but I would like to have a very nice looking blue color during the time that the 4 bulbs will be on that will also help growth of sps, lps, and softies.
Click to expand...

Yeah, 6500K
 
Hey guys, just need some clarification...

The aquasun is white, the actinic white is pinkish, correct? Does the aquasun give off any reddish/pinkish color, or is it just the actinic white?

Reason I ask is becuase I really dig the Fiji Purple when used sparingly with enough blue bulbs, so I'm looking for it's equivalent. Fiji Purple is a 50/50% combo of red spectrum and actinic which yeilds the pinkish look. Ugly on it's own, but having one in a combo of whites/blues looks killer...
 
Grim I am looking for a 24" fixture for myself now, I am about 3 months away from buying so I am just getting ideas. It has to be a complete unit, I don't have a canopy and can't hang it. I want to keep softies and LPS. If the price of a unit that can hold clams and SPS isn't that much more, I would go with that. I would like moon lights, but individual controls for Blue and White are a must. Please let me know what my options are for a quality built light system with legs.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9806604#post9806604 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tbone28
Thanks, Grim! So I'll get on the waiting list with Greg at ReefGeek for 2 of the 6x39W fixtures. That'll give me 468 watts spread 72" end-to-end and 10" front-to-back.

I suppose I'll keep any SPS in the upper-half of the tank, right below the lights, and my softies elsewhere?
Click to expand...

Grim,

I've pre-ordered (2) 6x39W Sunpowers with Greg.

What's the best bulb combination for a 6x2x2 180g mixed reef?

Edit to my post above: The fixtures give 13.5" coverage front-to-back, not the 10" I posted.
 
For 6 lamps I would do this,

Front
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
Aquasun
GE 6500K or ATI Aquablue for a more blue look
Blue Plus
Aquablue
 
I have an Nova Extreme 48" T5 Over my 27 Gal AGA bowfront...

http://www.jcaquatics.com/page7.html

It is Configured this way Front to back Atinic, 10K, Atinic, 10K, True Blue ,10k true Blue, 10K. Single Reflector ( i know) I have notices that my 2 clams are looking bleached in the center of the mantles (unless I am paranoid) Am I wrong thinking that this should be enough light for most things? My hard corals are up top in the tank the clams are in the substrate.





thanks
Bob
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9838420#post9838420 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
For 6 lamps I would do this,

Front
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
Aquasun
GE 6500K or ATI Aquablue for a more blue look
Blue Plus
Aquablue
Click to expand...

Other than the GE bulb, are all the others ATI bulbs?
 
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