The T5 Q&a Thread

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<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10707862#post10707862 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mario8402
hey grim,
I think my order got botched up when I placed the order and I recieved 3 super actinic and 1 actinic white.
Of course I didnt notice this until the install was complete and all packaging was destroyed lol.. so rolling with it I put 2 super actinics in the back , the acnitic white and then 1 super actinic up front.. is this bulb combo going to support coral or do I need to get another bulb?
Looking for a cheap way here lol, icecaps arent cheap haha

This is an icecap retro w/ 660 and slr

ps.. the light output is VERY noticeable and the color actually isnt too bad, almost a crisp white with a purplish hue to it.. weird. anway, just wanted to get your thoughts
Click to expand...

Add a GE 6500K and a Blue Plus in place of a couple actinics.
 
I just installed my new t5's with the SLR reflectors. I used this bulb combo..

Actinic Plus
Super Actinic
Aquasun
Aquablue

...i'm thinking about replacing the Super Actinic with a 11k or 12k. The super Actinic is making the tank look very purple. Its almost completely washing out the color of the other lights. I might try replacing the Actinic Plus instead of the Super Actinic with a 11k or 12k, maybe 3 daylight bulbs will overpower that 1 Super Actinic. Anyways, here's a shot of the tank...

DSC06438.jpg
 
As of right now I'm running a 75 with a 4ft tek 5 light 6 bulb setup I purchased from RG and I can't seem to get the colors to pop like I've seen on other tanks on this forum.I'm at the point of switching over to a MH setup.
What are some of your thoughts on this changing the bulbs or just switching out over to MH...?
Lastly I've just about got the wife talked into getting a bigger tank like a 120 would/could I running the v4ft t5's over this tank.
As you can tell I'm kind of stuck...
The lights as of this time are
front
super actinic
actinic+
aquablue+
aquablue+
actinic+
super actinic+

Sorry this should have been put in this forum...
All comments are welcomed
 
Let the lamps burn in before you decide on making a change.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10708260#post10708260 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ultra spikey
I just installed my new t5's with the SLR reflectors. I used this bulb combo..

Actinic Plus
Super Actinic
Aquasun
Aquablue

...i'm thinking about replacing the Super Actinic with a 11k or 12k. The super Actinic is making the tank look very purple. Its almost completely washing out the color of the other lights. I might try replacing the Actinic Plus instead of the Super Actinic with a 11k or 12k, maybe 3 daylight bulbs will overpower that 1 Super Actinic. Anyways, here's a shot of the tank...

DSC06438.jpg
Click to expand...
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10708309#post10708309 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BucNtears
As of right now I'm running a 75 with a 4ft tek 5 light 6 bulb setup I purchased from RG and I can't seem to get the colors to pop like I've seen on other tanks on this forum.I'm at the point of switching over to a MH setup.
What are some of your thoughts on this changing the bulbs or just switching out over to MH...?
Lastly I've just about got the wife talked into getting a bigger tank like a 120 would/could I running the v4ft t5's over this tank.
As you can tell I'm kind of stuck...
The lights as of this time are
front
super actinic
actinic+
aquablue+
aquablue+
actinic+
super actinic+

Sorry this should have been put in this forum...
All comments are welcomed
Click to expand...

The problem with TekLights is they are poorly engineered. They have no active cooling and mediocre reflectors and as a result they put out 1/2 the Par of a quality fixture like ATI, Aquatinics, Fauna Marin, etc. You may very well be somewhat light limited because of this.

Sorry to give you the bad news.

James
 
Hey Grim or Hahn or anyone else, have you tried or tested the new(er) T-5 "GLO" series by Hagen?

They now have a PowerGlo and MarineGlo bulbs that look interesting and also a fairly wide T-5 reflector. I just saw them in a LFS.

I had a PowerGlow T-12 or T-8 back in my FW days and I remember it really popped some colors well on that tank.

James
 
The problem with TekLights is they are poorly engineered. They have no active cooling and mediocre reflectors and as a result they put out 1/2 the Par of a quality fixture like ATI, Aquatinics, Fauna Marin, etc. You may very well be somewhat light limited because of this.


So what would you guys suggest,doing away with the tek light t5's ?
I feel like my backs almost against the wall
 
Grim reefer,
Hi I have 120g tank. It's 72L x 18w x 22h, currently running 2 dual PC lights 4 x 96w and would like to upgrade my lighting to T5. I was thinking about getting the 4 bulb 60" retrofit t5. Is the 60" long enough for the tank (72) How many bulbs do i need for my tank? I would like to keep lps, soft corals,polyps, clams, and maybe some sps. Would it be ok if that sits 4 inches above the tank? What color combo would be best?

thanks
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10708964#post10708964 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BucNtears
The problem with TekLights is they are poorly engineered. They have no active cooling and mediocre reflectors and as a result they put out 1/2 the Par of a quality fixture like ATI, Aquatinics, Fauna Marin, etc. You may very well be somewhat light limited because of this.


So what would you guys suggest,doing away with the tek light t5's ?
I feel like my backs almost against the wall
Click to expand...

I feel your pain as back in the day I owned 2 TekLights.

I finally switched to MH to get good growth and colors and I just switched back to T5 and got an ATI PowerModul and my corals and I are loving life now.

The problem in this (expensive) hobby IMHO is, if we don't buy quality the first time we end up spending more in the long-run if we stay in the hobby and strive to get great results because we end up replacing our original and inferior equipment to get those results.

If your 75 is 18" tall or less, the TekLight if placed 4" or less from the water will do an OK job with good quality bulbs. Just try to keep the reflectors from getting to much salt on them as it will fairly quickly degrade the already poor reflector performance. Keep in mind that if you put a shield on light it will cook your bulbs and degrade their useful lives. Best thing to do is try to eliminate any bubbles in the aquarium and be careful to not splash water on the reflectors and wipe them down frequently.

Once again, I'm sorry and good luck.

James:(
 
Grim,
What are the 4 best bulbs for my Nova Extreme, and if it matters what order should I place them in my fixture? Thanks!
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10708906#post10708906 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jamesdawson
Hey Grim or Hahn or anyone else, have you tried or tested the new(er) T-5 "GLO" series by Hagen?

They now have a PowerGlo and MarineGlo bulbs that look interesting and also a fairly wide T-5 reflector. I just saw them in a LFS.

I had a PowerGlow T-12 or T-8 back in my FW days and I remember it really popped some colors well on that tank.

James
Click to expand...

I havent.
 
Ive done a little research on Actinic lighting, some say its all for looks, and some say the 420nm wavelength can actually help with coral growth. What do you think? If they do inhibit growth, what would be better, a Super Actinic or a Blue Plus?
 
I am pretty sure that one was for you ezcompany. We are going to have to schedule appointments with Grim before long!lol
 
hey grim,

First all let me introduce myself, my name is mike and i'm setting up a 40 gallon sps tank, tank dimensions are 36" long, 18" wide and 16" tall. I'm considering a t5 setup over halides, but don't know what fixture, bulbs to go with. Do you know anything about catalina fixtures? They have a new fixture with remote controll timer built in
http://www.catalinaaquarium.com/product_info.php?cPath=71_136&products_id=1503

Do you think this would be a good fixture if i change out the bulbs?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10710544#post10710544 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ultra spikey
Ive done a little research on Actinic lighting, some say its all for looks, and some say the 420nm wavelength can actually help with coral growth. What do you think? If they do inhibit growth, what would be better, a Super Actinic or a Blue Plus?
Click to expand...


Bump to that, was thinking same exact question

Grim, thank you so much for answering all these questions, seems like a chore at times LoL,..

What is the difference between the 6.5k, 6k and 3k bulbs?

I see you recommended doing

B+
AB
GE 3k
B+
AB
B+

how would that be over lets say 4B+ and 2GE 6.5k?

I want to try to get a nice bright white/blue look as I have now with my 3 B+ and 3 AB, but think my current set up is lacking in red spectrum.. I am aiming for growth and color but not a too nasty yellowish tank

THanks agian
 
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