The T5 Q&a Thread

[Andys29]

What do you think i should do? give em a try?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

You could always wait. I hear there is a alternative coming out that should be more reasonable priced.

 

[Chibils]

Grim, I just picked up a 2x175w retro kit for my 55. It has room for 2 T5s for actinic supplementation. I believe the bulbs on the MHs are 14k.

What T5 bulbs should I go with, and where can I get a good price on them?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I'd go with 1 Super Actinic and 1 Blue Plus

 

[Andys29]

Who are they made by, when are they expected?

 

[Andys29]

Idk...I thought they would be nice especially for the reds and pinks but its so much. I can purchase UVL actinics for 14.25 with just a few bucks shipping. Do you think adding 2 more UVL actinics instead of the KZ purples to my existing setup (2x UVl actinic and 2x geissmann actinic +) will do what im wanting? Maybe the better question is do you think this would be the best option to try until a cheaper Kz purple like bulb comes out?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Actually try one of the new UVL 75/25 lamps. They look pinkish.

 

[Andys29]

more pink than a actinic white?

 

[Andys29]

Thanks for the PM, if thats the case then i guess i will order 2 uvl actinics and one of the 75/25 so i can experiment with those. Im due in dec. /January to change my existing t5's and thats when i will change my geissmann actinic+'s to the ati blue plus. My final setup from then im sure will always include at least 2 uvl actinics and 2 ati blue plus. Im just going to spend the next few months experimenting with the new 2 bulbs im adding to the mix in a few days. The first test will adding one uvl actinic and 75/25 bulb. Ill let you know how it goes in a few weeks. Thanks for the help

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10664890#post10664890 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Andys29
more pink than a actinic white?

It is sorta like a red version of an Aquablue. Just a slight hue to them

 

[Mark82]

Hey Grim, I got another one for you.
Bulb configuration for aquactinics TX5?Which brand of bulbs?

Thanks Mark

 

[scuglass]

Im looking at upgrading from 2 x 175w halides 2 x NO actinics. Im looking at keeping all types of corals but im leaning towards a more sps dominated tank lately. My dimensions are 48l x 20w x 18 tall. There is someone locally selling a 8 bulb teklight fixture for 400. Right now he is using it on a freshwater tank and has four daylights (PAR monsters according to research), 3 super reds, and an actinic. running in it.

1. Can these bulbs be used or is there a better bulb setup i should look at?
2. Is 8 bulbs too much for only 18 inches deep, if so is this a good enough deal for me to run only 4 bulbs on this tank till i upgrade to something deeper?
3. what is the bulb life on T5's
4. If i do upgrade my lighting with this fixture. How should i acclimatize my corals?

Thanks Everyone!

 

[ThrowinRoost89]

what would be needed in a 180 72x24x24
to keep lps, zoos and such. no sps. maybe a clam if possible.


im looking for retro.

 

[jennmac415]

I bought the 72" 14 bulb T-5 fixture from Aquactinics and Grim gave me an idea for the bulbs...for my 180...

 

[ThrowinRoost89]

what can be kept under that?



you must spend a pretty penny for that! lol
thats why im stickin with reto

 

[jennmac415]

Well, I know for sure that softies, LPS, zoos, shrooms will do fine under it. On here lots of people keep SPS even.....sometimes people have even found the T-5 lighting to be so strong that they have to move things lower in the tank. I know this thread is very long, but there is alot of good information in it about T-5 lighting.

 

[ThrowinRoost89]

i was lookin it up, so your fixture has 7 rows of lights totaling 14 39w bulbs right?

so i could basically get 7 80wt 60in bulbs to do the same job?

and just offset each one

 

[jennmac415]

well you could not put 80 watt bulbs in this fixture because it is split into 2 sides, each side having 7 3ft 39 watt bulbs...14 bulbs total..546 watts of light

 

[ThrowinRoost89]

yea i understand that,


i was talking about using a retro kit.

7 80wt would be 560w.

so that would work right?


what are good cheap(oxymoron) manf to find a kit? tek, IC

 

[JRod]

James and Grim, thanks for the quick response.

James - Am probably going to go with the ATI Blue Plus bulbs. Am going to keep my 3 250W Halides which run down the middle so I think that the four 5 footers (320 watts) may be too much and burn stuff up. Appreciate the info.

Grim - Thanks for taking the time, you have so many posts on here to answer. How does that UVL 14k bulb compare in color of the corals to the Blue Plus?