The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

The Sfigoli actinic is nice, about the same as the UVL. The KZ Fiji purple is a nice lamp and the Coral Light is likey the same lamp as the ATI Aquablue.

 

[danskim]

I see. Thanks TGR!

Think I'd be okay with just 1 actinic bulb in a 8 bulb configuration?

3 - ATI Blue plus
2 - ATI AquaBlue 12000K Special
1 - UVL AquaSun
1 - Sfiligoi Super Actinic 03
1 - GE 6500K

 

[slant77]

I had a 4x54 tek just got a 6x54 powermodule. ballast fires 2,5 and the other 1,34,6. these are the bulbs I have to play with
1 ge 6500
3 blue pluses
1 aqua blue
1 aqua sun
1 super actinic
which ones would you use and how would you place them. thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I think it will look fine

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10570164#post10570164 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by danskim
I see. Thanks TGR!

Think I'd be okay with just 1 actinic bulb in a 8 bulb configuration?

3 - ATI Blue plus
2 - ATI AquaBlue 12000K Special
1 - UVL AquaSun
1 - Sfiligoi Super Actinic 03
1 - GE 6500K

 

[kodyboy]

Grim,
How do Catalina bulbs compare PAR wise with the geisemann, ATI, UVL etc.
Thanks,

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10571221#post10571221 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kodyboy
Grim,
How do Catalina bulbs compare PAR wise with the geisemann, ATI, UVL etc.
Thanks,

Dunno, never used one but based on the opinions of most of the people I've seen that used them probably not great.

 

[kodyboy]

thanks,

 

[db_triggerfish]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10566426#post10566426 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
They are nice but a retro will perform as good.

Thanks, just what i wanted to hear, since i just purchase two IC 660 for my new 90g. for a total of 6 x 54 overdriven maybe later add the 7th or 8th bulb. With a lot of active cooling two 4" fans one in and the other out and if needed 2 units of two fans each flat type from drfostersmith.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10570590#post10570590 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by slant77
I had a 4x54 tek just got a 6x54 powermodule. ballast fires 2,5 and the other 1,34,6. these are the bulbs I have to play with
1 ge 6500
3 blue pluses
1 aqua blue
1 aqua sun
1 super actinic
which ones would you use and how would you place them. thanks

front
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
Aquasun
GE
Blue Plus
Aquablue

 

[ctopal]

Me too please

I bought a 24" tek light with 4-24watt bulbs last year and got geisemann bulbs, 2- 11000K auaqblue plus and 2 actinic plus which I put in the middle slots. I'm pretty happy with the coloring, I put the actinics on first and get blue then everything for most of the day and have white and then blue again at night. I noticed in the thread you suggested ATI bulbs over Giesemann. Could you tell me what to order and where to put them please? By the way, it's a softies tank, zoos, leathers, mushrooms.

Also, how often should I change these, I've heard a year and I've heard a year and half.

Thanks!

 

[GoJo]

Aquactinics T5 Bulbs

Aquactinics T5 Bulbs

I have seen references to bulbs for prop tanks and swapping out bulbs in this thread for TX5. So, at the risk of being redundant, I will ask anyway. I am considering a 48" Aquactinincs TX5 fixture for a new 120g reef setup. Starting out with fish, softies, and LPS but would like to get some SPS later. For bulbs, is a 2 daylight (UVL AquaSun) and 3 actinic setup appropriate? How important are the differences on the actinics (SuperBlue, Blue Plus, etc.)?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10579313#post10579313 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ctopal
Me too please

I bought a 24" tek light with 4-24watt bulbs last year and got geisemann bulbs, 2- 11000K auaqblue plus and 2 actinic plus which I put in the middle slots. I'm pretty happy with the coloring, I put the actinics on first and get blue then everything for most of the day and have white and then blue again at night. I noticed in the thread you suggested ATI bulbs over Giesemann. Could you tell me what to order and where to put them please? By the way, it's a softies tank, zoos, leathers, mushrooms.

Also, how often should I change these, I've heard a year and I've heard a year and half.

Thanks!

A year to a year and a half is good for lamp changes. I would try this for your next lamp order

Front

UVL Super Actinic
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus

Arrange the lamps so you have a Blue Plus and the Super Actinic for your Dusk/Dawn.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: Aquactinics T5 Bulbs

Re: Aquactinics T5 Bulbs

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10580031#post10580031 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GoJo
I have seen references to bulbs for prop tanks and swapping out bulbs in this thread for TX5. So, at the risk of being redundant, I will ask anyway. I am considering a 48" Aquactinincs TX5 fixture for a new 120g reef setup. Starting out with fish, softies, and LPS but would like to get some SPS later. For bulbs, is a 2 daylight (UVL AquaSun) and 3 actinic setup appropriate? How important are the differences on the actinics (SuperBlue, Blue Plus, etc.)?

There is a difference between Blue and actinic lamps. Run 2 Blues and 1 Actinic with your 2 daylights.

 

[ctopal]

Thank you very much!

 

[DB06]

What is the best lamp combo for a solar flare over a 90 gal, mixed corals and fish?? Thanks.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10581667#post10581667 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DB06
What is the best lamp combo for a solar flare over a 90 gal, mixed corals and fish?? Thanks.

I would try 2 Blue Pluses, 1 Super Actinic, a Aquasun and 2 Aquablues

 

[Lord Sevein]

Hey Grim,

First, let me take the time to thank you for all the work you have done in the field of T5 lighting. Your research is very helpful in sorting out which bulbs to get etc. I especially appreciate how you take time to answer everyone's individual questions about bulb combinations.

My question is similar. I will be retroing a 4 bulb lighting system over my tank and will be overdriving the bulbs with an Ice Cap 660. I would like the tank to have a 12kish look. As I'm on a budget I will be buying each component at different times. I have gotten the ballast, two NO florecent bulbs that are T12 (bulbs that I have had in my current setup . . . temporary thing until I get some more money . . . plus I kind of like the color of the bulbs), two T5 bulbs, and endcaps. For the first couple of months I plan to run the two NO bulbs with two blue/actinic T5 bulbs for a bluer look without reflectors. After I get some more money I will change over the two NO bulbs to T5 "daylight bulbs" (an aquasun and probably an aquablue or other 11k bulb). Finally I will get four Ice Cap reflectors for the T5 bulbs, adding one a week.

I would like to know your preference of bulb colors for the two T5 bulbs that will act as supplement to the two NO bulbs during this first stage. I know that you usually recommend one aquasun, two aquablue, and one actinic. I was considering two UVL Super Actinic or One Super Actinic and one Blue Plus. I am afraid that if I were to get two Super Actinics that my final bulb combo (the four T5 bulbs, including the two blue bulbs I bought now) will be way more blue than I want. Again I want a 12kish look.

What do you think?

Thanks a bunch,
-Sevein
:strooper:

 

[The Grim Reefer]

One Blue Plus and One Super Actinic

 

[db_triggerfish]

ATI 54W Blue Plus T5 are on backorder for 2 to 6 weeks from Reefgeek is there a similar bulb or some other place that sells ATI bulbs?

Thanks,

 

[Dano999]

I would also like to know a similar replacement as the new ATI Blue Plus I just got from Reef Geeks was defective and I will most likely need a replacement from them.

Thanks