The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10643030#post10643030 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by xeon
After years of having a 75 gallon with 2 x 175W MHs and 2 x 110 VHO's, I'm thinking about converting it to t5 for many reasons. In any regards I was thinking about tossing at least one GE 6.5K (good PAR) into the mix of 4-5 bulbs and ran across a brand I haven't found any info on. Has anyone heard or tried this bulb from TCP At this link??

Gotta be worth a shot considering the price.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10643568#post10643568 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Andys29
Im using 20k, so i was thinking mayb 2x KZ fiji purple, 2x UVL actinic, 2x blue plus. I thought this combo would add plenty of pop without adding to much blue since im using 20k's. What do ya think?

Be worth a Shot. Be interesting to see *hrump* what just the Fiji Purple *pictures* would add to 20k's.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10644301#post10644301 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jcato
will a 54w t5 with endcaps fit in my 46.5" canopy ? and what is the general view on using a workhorse 7 ballast to light a 4x54w combo?


thanks john

I don't think that's gonna fit. My theory on Workhorse ballasts is if you have one laying around why not but I wouldn't buy one specifically for T5 lamps.

 

[Andys29]

Do you think that 2x fiji purples would be to much purple/red, mayb i should use 1 fiji purple and maybe 1 geissmann pure actinic?

 

[Mark82]

Grim.... I'm going with TEK 4X54 for a mixed reef can you tell me the best bulb configuration for this much appreciated.

Mark

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10645299#post10645299 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Andys29
Do you think that 2x fiji purples would be to much purple/red, mayb i should use 1 fiji purple and maybe 1 geissmann pure actinic?

Dunno. I don't THINK it would be too much.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10645528#post10645528 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by brstwv
Grim.... I'm going with TEK 4X54 for a mixed reef can you tell me the best bulb configuration for this much appreciated.

Mark

They have enough water in Barstow to fill a fish tank?:lol:

Front
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
Blue Plus

 

[Mark82]

Thanks Grim, Yeah I think they have just enough .....for me LOL

 

[etrigo29]

Grim

7 Bulb Aquatinics Constellation or 6 bulb ATI Powermodule

Aquatinics is 709 w/ bulbs
ATI is 799 w/ bubls

I'd rather not hang my fixture and thats why I find the Constellation attractive but should I just suck it up because the fixture is that much better then the Constellation?

 

[Mark82]

Grim, what brand of bulbs should I use? ATI, UV Lighting, GE or Giesemann.
Thanks Mark

 

[shackscs]

Grim, I was looking at the Nova Extreme T5 with Lunar lights and not the Tek units, will the Nova do the job for me?

 

[Andys29]

Well i have decided to go ahead and use a Aquascience 22000k blue in the mix. I have heard good things and thought what the heck ill give it a shot. So my final t5 setup will be 2x UVL actinic, 2x ATI blue plus, 1x KZ fiji purple, and 1x Aquascience blue. If there ends up not being enough pop with this combo i will switch out the Aquascience bulb for another UVL or KZ actinic. What do you think about placement? My tank comes out from the wall so its 3 sides viewable which basically gives me 2 fronts. Here is a pic so you can understand better. There will be 3 bulbs on each side of the Halides.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10646783#post10646783 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by etrigo29
Grim

7 Bulb Aquatinics Constellation or 6 bulb ATI Powermodule

Aquatinics is 709 w/ bulbs
ATI is 799 w/ bubls

I'd rather not hang my fixture and thats why I find the Constellation attractive but should I just suck it up because the fixture is that much better then the Constellation?

They are going to be damn close. I would go with whichever works best in your system

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10647883#post10647883 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by brstwv
Grim, what brand of bulbs should I use? ATI, UV Lighting, GE or Giesemann.
Thanks Mark

Yes



Use ATI for Blue and Aquablue with Giesemann as the second choice. UVL for Super Actinic and Aquasun with Giesemann as 2nd choice for actinic and GE for a Sun lamp

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10648240#post10648240 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by shackscs
Grim, I was looking at the Nova Extreme T5 with Lunar lights and not the Tek units, will the Nova do the job for me?

It might. I wouldn't own anything without individual reflectors

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10648625#post10648625 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Andys29
Well i have decided to go ahead and use a Aquascience 22000k blue in the mix. I have heard good things and thought what the heck ill give it a shot. So my final t5 setup will be 2x UVL actinic, 2x ATI blue plus, 1x KZ fiji purple, and 1x Aquascience blue. If there ends up not being enough pop with this combo i will switch out the Aquascience bulb for another UVL or KZ actinic. What do you think about placement? My tank comes out from the wall so its 3 sides viewable which basically gives me 2 fronts. Here is a pic so you can understand better. There will be 3 bulbs on each side of the Halides.

Try this
Front
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
Fiji Purple
HALIDES
Fiji Purple
AS Blue (I would change out a blue lamp for a 2nd Super Actinic)
Blue Plus or AS 22000K

As long as you have both I would run the AS lamp but I would never pay more for one of those than a Giesemann or ATI blue lamp. There just isn't any difference I can see with the naked eye.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

SWEET TANK by the way

 

[kodyboy]

really nice tank

 

[Andys29]

That pic is with the Halides off. Thats the whole problem, it looks sweet with plenty of pop without the halides, but when there on the halides over power it and wash out the glowing color to a degree that i really notice. Thats why i decided to add a couple more actinics.

 

[shackscs]

Grim, I was looking at the Nova Extreme T5 with Lunar lights and not the Tek units, will the Nova do the job for me?

It might. I wouldn't own anything without individual reflectors

I ordered the Tek 5 with the following bulbs:

"Product/Bulb Options:
Blue Plus x 2 or Giesemann Actinic Plus x 2
Super Actinic x 1
UVL Aquasun x 1

I will post before and after shots after I get the unit.

Thanks again.