The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10625476#post10625476 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SSalty
What online store would you suggest that I buy my Aquatinic fixture and bulbs from?

Aquarium specialty from the sponsors page has had the best prices.

 

[SSalty]

Is this a good light combo to get a nice white with a hint up blue?

ATI-Aquablue
ATI-Blue Plus
GE-6500k
ATI-Blue Plus
ATI-Aquablue

Or would it be better to mix in a few UVL's?

Thanks a bunch. You guys have been tons of help.

 

[jlt23]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10626584#post10626584 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
As long as your not using the IC ballast you could maybe use 6 but 4 is a safer bet

Thanks Grim.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10626711#post10626711 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SSalty
Is this a good light combo to get a nice white with a hint up blue?

ATI-Aquablue
ATI-Blue Plus
GE-6500k
ATI-Blue Plus
ATI-Aquablue

Or would it be better to mix in a few UVL's?

Thanks a bunch. You guys have been tons of help.

Throw in one UVL Super Actinic in place of a blue plus.

 

[suppressivefire]

So grim What bulbs should i put in there? and any ideas about configuration i like my tanks blue fyi but i want growth lol
btw You Rule grim +1

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10627965#post10627965 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by suppressivefire
So grim What bulbs should i put in there? and any ideas about configuration i like my tanks blue fyi but i want growth lol
btw You Rule grim +1

Do a GE 6500K, UVL Super Actinic and 2 Blue Plus.

 

[suppressivefire]

and you think this will get a healthy growth along with being a nice blue? or do you think i will have to choose.
-Thanks ALOT
-Chris

 

[The Grim Reefer]

That will be plenty of light for growth. Blue Plus lamps are pretty potent.

 

[rs1831]

Hey Grim-
What 5 bulb combination would give off the most par and seem brightest to the eyes while helping my corals grow. I have a 25 inch deep tank and I want to keep sps and clams throughout my tank. I would like a look somewhere in between 10 and 14k. Thank,
Roland

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Try this

Front
Blue Plus
Aquasun
Aquablue
GE 6500K
Aquablue

Should have a lot of PAR and look pretty close to what your looking for.

 

[Andys29]

Hey grim, currently on my 120g 48Lx30wx20h tank i have 2x 250w DE Aquamedic 20k halides with 4 36" t5's. The t5 combo is 2x Geissmann actinic+ and 2x UVL super actinics. The color is a blueish white and looks good but im wanting more of an overall actinic "glow" of some of the corals without sacrificing the blue look to the tank. i was thinking of changing the T5's to 2x ATI Blue plus, and 2x Aquascience 22000k. Would this combo be good for what im trying to acheive? (also growth is amazing so i dont want to lose that) So basically the goals are Blue look, good growth, more "glow". help me out

 

[rs1831]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10630176#post10630176 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Try this

Front
Blue Plus
Aquasun
Aquablue
GE 6500K
Aquablue

Should have a lot of PAR and look pretty close to what your looking for.

Thanks

 

[moo0o]

hey grim,

i am switching over to a 90g 48x18x24 from a 55g.

I have a few questions about lighting.

is the icecap 430 ballast good enough to overdrive 4x39 T'5s or willl i need a 660 ballast?

I also plan on getting clams and a few sps, i am going to have a 1-2 inch sand bed. The canopy on my tank will make my lighting around 3-5 inches above the water. I also plan on getting a 2x54 t5 retrofit to add to the entire lighting system, do i need to overdrive them aswell?

I want the 2x54's will be on the outside. the 4x39s will be in the inside staggered. What set of bulbs do you suggest i get to give my tank a more blue look and a slight blue look when the are all on?

 

[ultra spikey]

Im ordering the Tek T5 retro kit from reefgeek on monday to replace my PC's. Could you help me out on my bulb choices? I skimmed through only a couple pages here, but didnt really see anything for a 4-bulb set up. The set up is 4x54w T5 over a 75g mixed reef. I would like the light to be white with a blue tint. NO yellow at all(I hate yellow light). What would you suggest?

 

[ultra spikey]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10635809#post10635809 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ultra spikey
Im ordering the Tek T5 retro kit from reefgeek on monday to replace my PC's. Could you help me out on my bulb choices? I skimmed through only a couple pages here, but didnt really see anything for a 4-bulb set up. The set up is 4x54w T5 over a 75g mixed reef. I would like the light to be white with a blue tint. NO yellow at all(I hate yellow light). What would you suggest?

I do have an extra normal output coralife double t5 fixture also if that'll help any.

I was thinking maybe this...

Geisemann aquablue (11k)
ATI blue plus (actinic 03)
UV aquason (10k)
Geisemann aquablue (11k)

or this...

UV super actinic (420nm)
UV aquason (10k) or Geisemann aquablue (11k)
ATI blue plus (actinic 03)
GE daylight (65k)

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10635491#post10635491 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Andys29
Hey grim, currently on my 120g 48Lx30wx20h tank i have 2x 250w DE Aquamedic 20k halides with 4 36" t5's. The t5 combo is 2x Geissmann actinic+ and 2x UVL super actinics. The color is a blueish white and looks good but im wanting more of an overall actinic "glow" of some of the corals without sacrificing the blue look to the tank. i was thinking of changing the T5's to 2x ATI Blue plus, and 2x Aquascience 22000k. Would this combo be good for what im trying to acheive? (also growth is amazing so i dont want to lose that) So basically the goals are Blue look, good growth, more "glow". help me out

If you want more glow add a third actinic to your mix

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10635700#post10635700 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by moo0o
hey grim,

i am switching over to a 90g 48x18x24 from a 55g.

I have a few questions about lighting.

is the icecap 430 ballast good enough to overdrive 4x39 T'5s or willl i need a 660 ballast?

I also plan on getting clams and a few sps, i am going to have a 1-2 inch sand bed. The canopy on my tank will make my lighting around 3-5 inches above the water. I also plan on getting a 2x54 t5 retrofit to add to the entire lighting system, do i need to overdrive them aswell?

I want the 2x54's will be on the outside. the 4x39s will be in the inside staggered. What set of bulbs do you suggest i get to give my tank a more blue look and a slight blue look when the are all on?

You need a 660 to run 4 T5 lamps. Why not use 54 watt lamps so they cover the length of the tank?

for the 2x54 watt ballast I would use a blue plus and super actinic. For the 4 overdriven I would use a Aquasun, GE 6500K, Blue Plus and Aquablue.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10635809#post10635809 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ultra spikey
Im ordering the Tek T5 retro kit from reefgeek on monday to replace my PC's. Could you help me out on my bulb choices? I skimmed through only a couple pages here, but didnt really see anything for a 4-bulb set up. The set up is 4x54w T5 over a 75g mixed reef. I would like the light to be white with a blue tint. NO yellow at all(I hate yellow light). What would you suggest?

Front
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
Aquasun
Blue Plus

 

[ultra spikey]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10637635#post10637635 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Front
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
Aquasun
Blue Plus

reefgeek is backordered on the Blue Plus, but I did read earlier that Giesemann Actinic Plus will work just the same? Also, would I get better growth if I went like this...

Front
Actinic Plus
Super Actinic
Aquasun 10k
Aquasun 11k

...will a 10k or 11k bulb have the same intensity for growth as an Actinic Plus? for some reason, all those blue bulbs are making me worry maybe it might be too blue. But i'll listen to any suggestion you have. Thanks for the help.

 

[Andys29]

Thanks. Should i continue to use the UVL actinics or is there a bulb that is better in your opinion?