The T5 Q&a Thread

[nickterp]

upgrading tank and lights

upgrading tank and lights

Hopefully you guys can give me some opinions/ideas here....

I'm upgrading from my 55g to a 90g RR (moving to a new house), so I'd like to upgrade my lights. Interested in keeping mostly softies, maybe some SPS, clam or two and a BTA.

Right now I have 4X65 watt PC and 1X175 10k halide.

What I'm thinking for the upgrade is keep the 175W halide, add another halide (either 175W or 250W), and possibly 2X54 or 4X54 T5s.

I'd appreciate any thoughts on that... suggestions, variations, bulb combinations, etc. Thanks.

 

[swilliamson]

Hey Grim, how did the Stifogili actinics work out? Were they better than the UVLs like you heard?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

If you want to use 175 watt halides I would get good reflectors like the Lumenmax and run the Iwasaki 15000K's.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10367614#post10367614 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by swilliamson
Hey Grim, how did the Stifogili actinics work out? Were they better than the UVLs like you heard?

I couldn't really see a diference. I need to run them a while and look again but I would call it a draw as far as looks.

 

[swilliamson]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10367660#post10367660 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
I couldn't really see a diference. I need to run them a while and look again but I would call it a draw as far as looks.

I think I'll stick with the tried-and-true then.

Any chance you have a fixture recommendation for me from my earlier post today? I'm confused about which one to get and I'd really value you're opinion.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10367699#post10367699 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by swilliamson
I think I'll stick with the tried-and-true then.

Any chance you have a fixture recommendation for me from my earlier post today? I'm confused about which one to get and I'd really value you're opinion.

5 lamp Aquactinics Tx5 would be a good choice for that tank

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10365691#post10365691 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by klm
I sorry if I'm repeating myself over - I still don't understand why so many bulbs are needed in some of these tanks - I mean 6 - 8 bulbs over a 80 - 90 gal. tank? What bulbs do we really need for the benefit of the tank inhabitants (corals, live rock, etc.). I assume that the dusk/dawn bulbs are for our own visual benefit but what about the 10 hour long running time - what bulbs and how many are REQUIRED for a healthy growing fish tank (I have mushrooms, polyps and zooanthids but what to go into other types of coral). I look at reefgeek.com and some the bubs mentioned here and recommenced by GRIM are like the BLUE PLUS - which has a "unique spectrum that encourages both bluing in SPS corals and fluorescence in capable corals. Also helps balance out a washed-out/yellow hued tank" So, with a combo of:
BLUE PLUS
SUPER ACTINIC
AQUASUN
BLUEPLUS
isn't the only bulb that is being a benefit to the tank corals JUST the AQUASUN? I'm I off base on the bulb requirements? I know the other bulbs add to the "look" of the tank but are they necessary for keeping various corals?
Thanks

The corals use the blue light and the actinic too. It is important to give them a broad spectrum of light but remember, anything more than about 10 feet below the surfaqce in nature is really only seeing blue and green light for the most part.

The dusk/dawn thing is mainly a nice effect but it also gives the critters a chance to acclimate to the lights coming on in the morning.

 

[swilliamson]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10368365#post10368365 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
5 lamp Aquactinics Tx5 would be a good choice for that tank

Really? It seems I've always heard you say the Solar Flare outperforms the TX5 by a long shot. You recommend them so frequently I was about to order one myself. Can I ask why you're recommending it in this case?

For a 5 bulb setup does this sound about right?

Front
ATI - Blue Plus
UVL - Super Actinic
GE - 3000K
ATI - Blue Plus
GE - 6500K

Thanks so much for your help.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10368560#post10368560 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by swilliamson
Really? It seems I've always heard you say the Solar Flare outperforms the TX5 by a long shot. You recommend them so frequently I was about to order one myself. Can I ask why you're recommending it in this case?

For a 5 bulb setup does this sound about right?

Front
ATI - Blue Plus
UVL - Super Actinic
GE - 3000K
ATI - Blue Plus
GE - 6500K

Thanks so much for your help.

I really haven't recoed the flare very often. In your case it wouldn't fit over your tank. That mix of lamps should be fine

 

[spider8u]

Hey Grim i have the Nova Extreme T-5 Fixtures w/Lunar Lights and i need to replace the bulbs what are the best bulbs to get thx

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Depending on how many lamps it takes use 2 blue pluses, 1 super actinic and a Midday or GE 6500K. If 6 them use a UVL Aquasun or GE 3000K, Super Actinic, GE 6500K and 3 Blue Pluses (or 2 blue Pluses and a aquablue for a more white look)

 

[kmacartney]

Grim, I have a bulb question.

When I first got my six bulb setup it looked like this.

Front
UVL Actinic
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue +
GE 3000K
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue +

I thought the look was too pink/yellow so I switched the the Blue + and the aquablue in the front. It is still not blue as I would like. Should I ditch the 3000K for a 6500K or a different bulb or can move them around more to get the desired effect?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10369978#post10369978 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kmacartney
Grim, I have a bulb question.

When I first got my six bulb setup it looked like this.

Front
UVL Actinic
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue +
GE 3000K
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue +

I thought the look was too pink/yellow so I switched the the Blue + and the aquablue in the front. It is still not blue as I would like. Should I ditch the 3000K for a 6500K or a different bulb or can move them around more to get the desired effect?

Try putting the blue plus in front of the actinic and see what you think. Other than that I would probably drop an aquablue and add another blue plus.

 

[lukinrats]

I got an 8 bulb fixture, and want to know what a good bulb combination for it would be... I like the blue look

Thanks,

 

[DidYouSayReefer]

Hey Grim,

I have my T5s and SLR reflector on the way. I need a ballast now to over drive them. I don't have the coin at the moment for an Ice cap so I want to go with something cheaper. Will REL4P32SC35 by Advance work for overdriving 2 24 watt t5s. It is rated to do 4 30 watt T8s. Here are the specs. I work for an electrical distributor and I can get Advance ballasts really cheap. Let me know if you have any suggestions. Thank you

 

[alexk3954]

Hey Grim,

I am going with the 8 bulb TEK retrofit kit you reccomended for my 125, and am trying to decide on bulbs before I order.

On each half of the tank I am planning on this (back to front)
back
12K aquablue (ATI)
10K Aquasun ( UV lighting)
Blue Plus (ATI)
Actinic Plus (Giesemann)
front


How does this configuration look?

 

[dagda]

I'm looking for a bulb combo for my 7x54w retro. These are not overdriven.

The tank is 54x24x30 and viewable from both sides, so it needs to be balanced and have a bit of punch.

 

[spider8u]

Hey Grim i made a post that i had the Nova Extreme T-5 Fixtures w/Lunar Lights you said If 6 of them use a UVL Aquasun or GE 3000K, Super Actinic, GE 6500K and 3 Blue Pluses (or 2 blue Pluses and a aquablue for a more white look) i forgot to say i have the 8 bulb light fixture so witch ones should i get for that i do like the blue look more but not to blue thx

 

[Iconz]

Grim, I had a 24w 10k blow today in my 4x24w retro kit... and am thinking about buying all new bulbs.. is this config below your reccomendation for a primary lps, zoa, softie tank?

thanks!
jd

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9971811#post9971811 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
If you can fit a 5 lamp Tek fixture over it I would do this for lamps

Front
Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
Aquasun
Blue Plus

 

[KniLLifer]

Hey Grimm,

I currently have a 770 Watt VHO setup on a 4' 120 Gallon Tank. I'm running (3) Super Actinic 46.5" bulbs on (1) 660 IceCap and (4) Actinic Whites or 50/50 bulbs on the other 660 IceCap. I really want to get into keeping more SPS and would like to make the switch to T5's as I'm currently having some difficulty keeping Acropora and Montipora.

If you were to switch only the (4) VHO 50/50 bulbs to T5 Bulbs what would your choice be keeping in mind that they would be mixed within the (3) remaining VHO Super Actinics?

Thanks in advance.