The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9838550#post9838550 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bobbbm
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

With decent lamps you should be OK. I would change out what you have with good lamps within the 6 month mark of when you started using them just to be safe.

 

[Mac Inger]

Grim,...thanks for being the teacher here. As i am about to drop some money in the direction of Aquactinics, I figured i would ask here although it might be redundant (tried to read through the thread as much as i could)

I have this tank :

18 wide
23 deep
60 long

I want to keep a mixed reef. Will start with softies, lps but wouldnt mind eventually getting sps and clams. In fact im sure i will try them.

Thinking of getting the 48 inch Solar Flare. Any reasons not to ? The constellation maybe ? What bulb combo would you recommend ?

thank you sir

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9842070#post9842070 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mac Inger
Grim,...thanks for being the teacher here. As i am about to drop some money in the direction of Aquactinics, I figured i would ask here although it might be redundant (tried to read through the thread as much as i could)

I have this tank :

18 wide
23 deep
60 long

I want to keep a mixed reef. Will start with softies, lps but wouldnt mind eventually getting sps and clams. In fact im sure i will try them.

Thinking of getting the 48 inch Solar Flare. Any reasons not to ? The constellation maybe ? What bulb combo would you recommend ?

thank you sir

I think the Solar Flare would be a good unit if your are serious about clams. If you just plan and a couple of low light clams wait for the 48" constellation/

 

[Mac Inger]

No,..nothing in particular about clams.

Any reason why you would pick the constellation over the solar flare Grim ?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Extra lamp and more controll. The Constellation has 3 lamp circuits so you can do a Dusk/dawn, sun rise/set and noontime phase with the lamps.

 

[brandon0350]

hey grim, i just purchased a 36" 8 bulb tek fixture for my 40 breeder. ive used the ati blue plus and aquablue bulbs before and i really liked them. i was originally planning to do 5 blue plus with 3 aquablues but id like to hear your opinion and what order the bulbs should be placed in. i also have a ge3000 sitting in my garage i can use if you think i should. thanks for the help

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I would throw the 3000K in the mix for sure. Also a Actinic for sure.

 

[brandon0350]

so 4 blue plus, a super actinic, a 3000k, and 2 aquablue? what order should the bulb placement be?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Try to get the 3K toward the middle and the actinic toward the front, maybe a thrird of the way back from the front. Just mix up the rest to get an even distribution.

 

[Mac Inger]

Grim,..thanks for the reply. Always helpful

 

[chrisc615]

I'm changing over to a 120 from my 125 and I'm pretty sure I want to go T5s. Currently I run 6 VHOs on 2 IC 660s and 2 AS-220s on the 125. Greg from Reefgeek told me to run 6 48" T5s on IC reflectors with my two 660's on the 120. I mainly have lps with a few digis and clams. Do you think this would be too much with the over driven bulbs? Or should I just go with 4 T5s on a 660 and 2 actinics on a 220?

Thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

The 6 lamps sound about right. Use a couple Super Actinics, 2 Blue Pluses, A UVL Aquasun and a ATI Aquablue and you should be good.

 

[sevenkillers]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9677246#post9677246 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
A 8x80 watt Ice Cap retro is about the best choice. I would run a GE 6500K, a Gieseman midday, 2 Aquablues 3 blue Pluses and a Pure actinic.

I have decided to go with the aquatronics 14 bulbs 39 watts
72 inch fixture.

Which comb of lights bulb would you suggest?
How long should I leave the lights on?
Would this be enough light for clams and sps?
I currently have 3-250 watts HQI, and 4 96 watts power compact

 

[dbg7798]

Grim,

Have been reading through this monster for about two weeks now and still not sure on my situation.

Currently setting up a 58g 36x18x21 with shallow sand bed ~ 1.5" with 4x96 PC retro (2x10k + 2x Actinic 03). I am very concerned about the heat and would like to switch over to T5's.

Since I only in for about a year with reefs will be looking to go with some LPS, zoas, rics and some mushrooms.

Was thinking a 4x39 (triad ballast with IC reflectors)set up would be a good choice, but have seen comments that it may be too much light for shrooms and rics.

What would you recommend?

Thanks in advance,
Doug

 

[pulpol]

i just bought a used sun blaze from a friend and it comes with 4 brand new gieseman pure actinics and 4 old GE bulbs(don't know what K rating) what bulb combo would be best for a LPS/softy set up? thanks a lot!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9859032#post9859032 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sevenkillers
I have decided to go with the aquatronics 14 bulbs 39 watts
72 inch fixture.

Which comb of lights bulb would you suggest?
How long should I leave the lights on?
Would this be enough light for clams and sps?
I currently have 3-250 watts HQI, and 4 96 watts power compact

Try this, you can do a 3 stage lighting scheme. Do rows 2&6 12 hours as dusk, dawn. Rows 1, 4 & 7 10 hours and 4&6 8 hours

front

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

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9859503#post9859503 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dbg7798
Grim,

Have been reading through this monster for about two weeks now and still not sure on my situation.

Currently setting up a 58g 36x18x21 with shallow sand bed ~ 1.5" with 4x96 PC retro (2x10k + 2x Actinic 03). I am very concerned about the heat and would like to switch over to T5's.

Since I only in for about a year with reefs will be looking to go with some LPS, zoas, rics and some mushrooms.

Was thinking a 4x39 (triad ballast with IC reflectors)set up would be a good choice, but have seen comments that it may be too much light for shrooms and rics.

What would you recommend?

Thanks in advance,
Doug

I think a 4 lamp system will be fine. Try a UVL Aquasun, a Super Actinic and 2 ATI Blue Pluses. Should look good with those corals.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9860179#post9860179 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pulpol
i just bought a used sun blaze from a friend and it comes with 4 brand new gieseman pure actinics and 4 old GE bulbs(don't know what K rating) what bulb combo would be best for a LPS/softy set up? thanks a lot!

I would use 2 of the actinics and 2 of the GE's and add 3 Blue Plus and a Aquablue.

 

[dbg7798]

Grim,

Thanks for the reply and bulb suggestion, that would have been the next question.

Doug

 

[reefboy12]

Hey Grim,

I have a 4x24w t5 ho on a 25g & I am keeping mostly lps/sps & would like to now the best bulb combo to keep blue acros? I currently run
Blue plus, aquasun, aquablue, blueplus.

would blue,plus,aquasun,blueplus,blueplus be better?

thanks in advance