The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10716923#post10716923 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Benny Z
thanks grim...

why is it that the same ballast can drive 2 48" bulbs, but not 3 or 4 24" bulbs?

T5 lamps have a higher internal resistance and the ballast doesn't have enough Mojo to push that 3rd lamp.

 

[hifters1]

Grim,

I have an AG 150g(72x18x28) w/canopy. I am considering going to T5 retro kit. It is currently a FOWLR but who knows about the future. What would you recommend?

Thanks
hifters

 

[kysard1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10716888#post10716888 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Throw them in Ice Cap reflectors and they should work.

I already have a 175W MH ballast, it would be a lot cheaper for me to add a 20k MH to suppliment to 10k 250W Ushio. Would adding the four 24" T5HO's (blue+ and SA) give better color flourescence?

 

[shaggydoo541]

Ok I've already got an 8 bulb setup over my 120g. Love it. But now that the bulbs have been going for 6 months or so I really do not like my TRU bulbs. I have 2 10k and 2 actinic TRU bulbs and want to replace them. My other 4 bulbs are 2 ge 6.5k and 2 ATI Blue plus and I like these and will keep them. What would make a good replacement? I've heard something about a pinkish bulb that brings out reds very well. I'm open to all options.

 

[Mark75]

Grim,
Have you checked par on the Nova Extreme bulbs?(10,000K&Blue)
I am thinking about changing the bulbs in my new Nova Extreme but wanted to make sure it was a BIG improvement first.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10717406#post10717406 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hifters1
Grim,

I have an AG 150g(72x18x28) w/canopy. I am considering going to T5 retro kit. It is currently a FOWLR but who knows about the future. What would you recommend?

Thanks
hifters

You could do a 4x80 retro. If you decide to go full reef you could add more T5's later or add halides and use the T5's for suppliments.

 

[bdare]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10718360#post10718360 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mark75
Grim,
Have you checked par on the Nova Extreme bulbs?(10,000K&Blue)
I am thinking about changing the bulbs in my new Nova Extreme but wanted to make sure it was a BIG improvement first.

Prediction:
YES, new bulbs will make a difference!

 

[Mark75]

Thats what I was thinking. But I hate to throw out 2 day old bulbs!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10717588#post10717588 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kysard1
I already have a 175W MH ballast, it would be a lot cheaper for me to add a 20k MH to suppliment to 10k 250W Ushio. Would adding the four 24" T5HO's (blue+ and SA) give better color flourescence?

I think the T5's will give better color but the 20K halide would work too.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10718213#post10718213 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by shaggydoo541
Ok I've already got an 8 bulb setup over my 120g. Love it. But now that the bulbs have been going for 6 months or so I really do not like my TRU bulbs. I have 2 10k and 2 actinic TRU bulbs and want to replace them. My other 4 bulbs are 2 ge 6.5k and 2 ATI Blue plus and I like these and will keep them. What would make a good replacement? I've heard something about a pinkish bulb that brings out reds very well. I'm open to all options.

Check with Reefgeek as far as a pinkish lamp goes. They have a UVL 75/25 "Aqbuablue" lamp that is pink but there are also purple lamps around he might have.

I would add at least one Super Actinic, One of the pink or purple lamps, another blue Plus and a ATI or Giesemann Aquablue.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10718360#post10718360 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mark75
Grim,
Have you checked par on the Nova Extreme bulbs?(10,000K&Blue)
I am thinking about changing the bulbs in my new Nova Extreme but wanted to make sure it was a BIG improvement first.

The Current Blue lamps are OK but the 10K's are not too impresive. ATI or Giesemann lamps are a improvement for sure.

 

[trmiv]

Any opinions on this setup? I have a 36" Aquactinics Tx5 on a 40g breeder. I was running:

Front:
ATI Blue Plus
ULV Super Actinic
ULV Aquasun
ULV Super Actinic
ATI Blus Plus

It looked bright white to my eyes, but I wanted a more blue 20K look. So I switched to this:

Front

ATI Blue Plus
ULV Super Actinic
ATI Aquablue special
ULV Super Actinic
ATI Blus Plus

Any issues with that combo? Is that around the K I'm looking for. I like the look, it may be a tad too blue, but that may because I just switched. BTW, I've yet to add corals to this system, so there is nothing to be used to the other setup.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

If you think the second is too blue you could pull the rear blue plus and add a second aquablue

 

[trmiv]

It's growing on me as I get used to it. This tank will be mainly rics, zoos and LPS, but towards the top I plan on having a couple of monti caps. I imagine that second bulb combo is still good enough for monti's in a tank this shallow?

BTW, what's a good photoperiod for this? I'm at 11 hours right now, but I think I may be a bit too long. I was thinking of going for around 8 to 9, which is what I used to run when I had halides on a different tank.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Should be fine for montis

I would run the actinic 10~11 and the other 3 for 7~9

 

[reef / aholic]

Grim,

I order from reefgeek.com the following T5 bulbs, per your recommendation:

4 - ATI Blue Plus
2 - UVL Super Actinic
1 - UVL 10000K AquaSun
1 - GE 3000K Daylight
1 - GE 6500K Daylight
2 - ATI Pro Color

What do you know about the ATI Pro Color coming out? Greg said he thinks it is the same bulb as the KZ Fiji Purple because of it being made in the same factory.

I need one more bulb to finish out my Sfiligoi Stealth, what do recommend???

Thanks Rob

 

[reef / aholic]

Grim,

I order from reefgeek.com the following T5 bulbs, per your recommendation:

4 - ATI Blue Plus
2 - UVL Super Actinic
1 - UVL 10000K AquaSun
1 - GE 3000K Daylight
1 - GE 6500K Daylight
2 - ATI Pro Color

What do you know about the ATI Pro Color coming out? Greg said he thinks it is the same bulb as the KZ Fiji Purple because of it being made in the same factory.

I need one more bulb to finish out my Sfiligoi Stealth, what do recommend???

Thanks Rob

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10722531#post10722531 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RoBolton
Grim,

I order from reefgeek.com the following T5 bulbs, per your recommendation:

4 - ATI Blue Plus
2 - UVL Super Actinic
1 - UVL 10000K AquaSun
1 - GE 3000K Daylight
1 - GE 6500K Daylight
2 - ATI Pro Color

What do you know about the ATI Pro Color coming out? Greg said he thinks it is the same bulb as the KZ Fiji Purple because of it being made in the same factory.

I need one more bulb to finish out my Sfiligoi Stealth, what do recommend???

Thanks Rob

I tested a KZ Purple and their Coral Light. Had nothing to compare the purple to but the coral light is a dead ringer for the ATI Aquablue in physical appearance, The color of the light produced and the PAR output. I would say it is a pretty safe bet the Pro Color is the same lamp as the purple.

As far as your mix of lamps I would granb an Aquablue and another Blue Plus and start playing with different combinations.

 

[Johnson7]

I just picked up a 4 bulb 48" Tek fixture for my 75. I keep mostly softies (zoas primarily), what bulb configuration do you recommend for a bluer look, but still decent growth? Also, do I need to acclimate my corals to the new light (I'm switching from 4 bulb PC fixture)?

 

[shackscs]

What is a good photo period for the Tek 4x39w watt unit?

I have these bulbs that were recommended by Grim, but I am noticing that some of my shrooms don't seem to look too good as the day gets longer. Some of them have actually jumped ship off of the rock they were on.

Bulbs:

Blue Plus
Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
Blue Plus

I am running all four bulbs from about 7:30AM until about 11:00PM.

Should I run all four during this period or should I have a period when just the Blues are running and then the other bulbs?