The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10723309#post10723309 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bthomas
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)?

Probably wouldn't be a bad idea to put a couple layers of fiberglass window screen over the tank to start. Just pull a layer every week or so.

For lamps try

ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10723583#post10723583 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 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?

Run the whatever you want to use for dusk/dawn 10~12 hours a day and the Aquasun and the other lamp 7`10 hours a day

 

[reef / aholic]

Wouldn't the ATI Aquablue SP 12K and the AquaScience SP 15K be about the same???

 

[Johnson7]

Thanks Grim

 

[shackscs]

My softies thank you Grimm

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10723728#post10723728 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RoBolton
Wouldn't the ATI Aquablue SP 12K and the AquaScience SP 15K be about the same???

No. Aquablue has more blue to it. The Special is more of a pure white with just a smidgen of blue.

 

[kysard1]

Do the longer T5HO bulbs have more PAR directly below at the center point than the shorter bulbs?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

The longer T5's produce more intensity than the shorter one's overall/

 

[Jon05]

Would this be a good combination for my Tek T5 48" 4x54w over a 55G

54W Blue Plus
54W 12000K Aquablue
54W 6500K Sun Pro
54W Blue Plus

All are of ATI brand. I plan on keeping mostly soft and LPS corals, hopefully try a clam at some point

Thanks,
Jon

 

[The Grim Reefer]

That would be good

 

[Jon05]

Would ATI be the best brand? I'm really not restricted to any one brand, the fixture I'm getting comes with 4 bulbs of my choice

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I like the ATI's.

 

[tas5tas]

I have a 55gal tank that has has a 3" sand bed. I'm about to order my my T5 setup(4x48") with Icecap reflectors and over driven with an Icecap 660. I'm not sure what combination of bulbs to use or which order to put them front to back. I don't really care for the all out blue look. I like it bright but also like to see my corals flourese. I have regular flourescents on my 20gal and love the look. The bulbs I have are...from front to back....

Ocean Sun 10K
Coral Sun 420 Actinic
Marine Glo Actinic
Coral Sun 420 Actinic
Ultra Sun 6500k

All are 18" bulbs.....my tank(20gal) has a white-purple look to it, but all coral glow and flourese like crazy

The coral I plan to keep include...
Hammer Coral
Green Star Polyps
Blue Tip Pulsing Xenia
Frogspawn
Galaxia
Torch Coral
Kenya tree
Toadstool

So what combo would give me the right look and proper light to stimulate growth?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

First off just order a standard T5 retro upgraded to Ice Cap reflectors (2 bux per reflector at reefgeek) don't overdrive the lamps on the IC ballast. OVERKILL on a 55 unless your doing a full SPS tank.

For lamps give this a shot

UVL Super Actinic
ATI Pro Color
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus

 

[Cavetank1]

Grim, it looks like you're the guy to answer my question. I have to 65 watt PC's and two 54 watt T5's. what would be the best combo for those bulbs? Two actinics for the PC's and middays for the T5's?

 

[barjam]

Is it a good idea to target 95 degrees at the bulb end? I notice if I turn my fans on the temps at that part of the bulb can easily get down to 80 (ambient air) and it looks to my eyes that the tank is dimmer. Is that due to a loss of intensity or is the spectrum shifting a bit?

Thanks

 

[wharfrat48]

Thanks and Tank

Thanks and Tank

Just wanted to thank Grim and the rest of the posters on this thread. Finally got some pics of my new 180. I used 4 54W T5's from my 75 (not overdriven) and added 3 80W's with a 660 ballast in a staggered format. I'm very happy with the lighting and so are my corals. Now just need a few more corals to fill up my tank. Pics dont do the tank justice, any suggestions on how to tanke better pics?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10728498#post10728498 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Cavetank1
Grim, it looks like you're the guy to answer my question. I have to 65 watt PC's and two 54 watt T5's. what would be the best combo for those bulbs? Two actinics for the PC's and middays for the T5's?

Do a midday and Aquablue for the T5's.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10729145#post10729145 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by barjam
Is it a good idea to target 95 degrees at the bulb end? I notice if I turn my fans on the temps at that part of the bulb can easily get down to 80 (ambient air) and it looks to my eyes that the tank is dimmer. Is that due to a loss of intensity or is the spectrum shifting a bit?

Thanks

If you cool the lamps too much it will lower the output. I would rather have them running a little hot than that cool.

 

[RavenFan02]

Grim...cool avatar! Anyway, I have a Current Nova Extreme T5 fixture and need new bulbs. You probably already know this, but the current bulbs are the ones the fixture comes with (2) 39 watt 10,000K daylight and (2) 39 watt 460nm actinics. When I first set the tank up I was thinking only fish and LR, but I've been bit by the coral bug. What new bulbs would you recommend that will allow me to have the widest variety of corals possible and really being out their color?