The T5 Q&a Thread

[GuySmilie]

UVL come with built-in reflectors

UVL come with built-in reflectors

TGR, I was looking at UVLs website and notice that many of their lamps that you recommend also come with built-in 180° reflectors. Maybe you've commented on this before, but why can't a guy save a few bucks on an expensive TX5 or other type fixture with built-in reflectors, and just use all UVL reflective lamps in a cheapo housing?
Just looking for pros and cons on this idea.
Thanks!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10799892#post10799892 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SSalty
Sorry Grim, that is only 4 bulbs I have 5. Would the above combo look nice and white with a hint of blue? And I also want a deep blue for dush and dawn. It seems like the aquablue looks more purple than blue. I dont' want ANY purple/pink colors.

Thanks again.

Front
Aquablue
Pure Actinic
GE 6500K
Blue Plus
Aquablue

Every one sees color differently. Aquablue is crisp white with a slightly blue tint. The GE 6500K is white with a yellow tint. It takes quite a bit of blue to wash out the yellow. It will take a lot of blue to wash the yellow. The above mix will look 14K halide like. Just a little blue in the light. The pure actinic and blue plus will give you a nice subdued dusk/dawn with a nice glow.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10800862#post10800862 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Doc_B
Grim,
I was woundering what you thought of this. I'm upgrading to 250w 14k HQI and i was thinking of adding 8 T5 also on a 120gal 24 inch deep tank. Do you think this is to much? Its going to be a mix tank of SPS, clams and LPS.

8 T5's AND the halide? You aren't going to fit 8 T5's over that tank, let alone T5's and a halide.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: UVL come with built-in reflectors

Re: UVL come with built-in reflectors

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10801259#post10801259 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GuySmilie
TGR, I was looking at UVLs website and notice that many of their lamps that you recommend also come with built-in 180° reflectors. Maybe you've commented on this before, but why can't a guy save a few bucks on an expensive TX5 or other type fixture with built-in reflectors, and just use all UVL reflective lamps in a cheapo housing?
Just looking for pros and cons on this idea.
Thanks!

The internal reflectors are on their VHO T12 lamps, not T5's

 

[SSalty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10801501#post10801501 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Front
Aquablue
Pure Actinic
GE 6500K
Blue Plus
Aquablue

Every one sees color differently. Aquablue is crisp white with a slightly blue tint. The GE 6500K is white with a yellow tint. It takes quite a bit of blue to wash out the yellow. It will take a lot of blue to wash the yellow. The above mix will look 14K halide like. Just a little blue in the light. The pure actinic and blue plus will give you a nice subdued dusk/dawn with a nice glow.

I apolagize for beating this to death, but I want to make sure this is the right choice, and can't afford to keep buying different bulbs.

What color is the Pure actinic? Do you think it was the super actinic that was giving me red/pink color? Because when I have just have the 6500k and the aquablue's it looks pink. IDK, this is getting frustrating.

 

[schoch79]

Hey grim. You said that you can't fit 8 t-5's over a 120 with or without the halide? I may be wrong but I beg to differ. A 120 is 24 inches from front to back and a tek fixture, for example is only about 15 inches from front to back. Am I missing something? That would leave 9 inches for the halide. I could be wrong though. In fact I had a similar question a while back and you told me to put a aquactinic constelation on mine and that has 7 bulbs.

After reading this it seems to me as though I am coming off a little strong, sorry if it seems that way to anyone else, but that is the only way I know to say what I was trying to say.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10803348#post10803348 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by schoch79
Hey grim. You said that you can't fit 8 t-5's over a 120 with or without the halide? I may be wrong but I beg to differ. A 120 is 24 inches from front to back and a tek fixture, for example is only about 15 inches from front to back. Am I missing something? That would leave 9 inches for the halide. I could be wrong though. In fact I had a similar question a while back and you told me to put a aquactinic constelation on mine and that has 7 bulbs.

After reading this it seems to me as though I am coming off a little strong, sorry if it seems that way to anyone else, but that is the only way I know to say what I was trying to say.

You're right, I was thinking 90 when I typed that. They eyes are getting goofy. Guess I need a break or Glasses

On a 120 I would do 6 T5's with the halide.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10803156#post10803156 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SSalty
I apolagize for beating this to death, but I want to make sure this is the right choice, and can't afford to keep buying different bulbs.

What color is the Pure actinic? Do you think it was the super actinic that was giving me red/pink color? Because when I have just have the 6500k and the aquablue's it looks pink. IDK, this is getting frustrating.

What brand Aquablues are you using? Running ATI or Giesemann Aquablues with a GE lamp you shouldn't be seeing pink at all.

If your Aquablues happan to be one of theose new UVL lamps that is your problem, there is nothing blue about those.

 

[SSalty]

I have:
(1) UVL Super Actinic
(1) ATI Blue Plus
(2) ATI 12000k Aquablue Special's
(1) GE 6500k Starcoat Daylight

Thanks Grim.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10803623#post10803623 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SSalty
I have:
(1) UVL Super Actinic
(1) ATI Blue Plus
(2) ATI 12000k Aquablue Special's
(1) GE 6500k Starcoat Daylight

Thanks Grim.

It's possible the Super Actinic is giving you the purplish look. Its actually blue/violet. The Pure Actinics have less visible light. They are move Violet but you wont notice it as much with the other lamps on.

 

[SSalty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10803669#post10803669 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
It's possible the Super Actinic is giving you the purplish look. Its actually blue/violet. The Pure Actinics have less visible light. They are move Violet but you wont notice it as much with the other lamps on.

I dont' know anymore.:hmm4:

Woud it be alright to go with 3 white looking bulbs and 2 blue plus's? Because I like the look of the blue plus's. And like I said before I don't want any purple/red/pink looking bulbs.

What three white bulbs would you suggest? Or is going with more white bulbs bad for coral?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

You dont have to use a Actinic. If you like the look of the Aquablues and blue pluses do 2 of each and a GE 6500K. You could also try 2 blue Plus 2 GE's and 1 Aquablue.

 

[barjam]

SSalty

I do:

Blue plus
Aqua Blue
Aqua Blue
Blue Plus

And like it. Without the 6500 the tank will dim (to the eye) and turn bluer. Reds turn maroon and pale yellows/cream turn blue.

 

[ultraxr]

Hi guys... Its time to replace my bulbs. I'm currently running a Tek-light 8x54 watt fixture. I can't remember off top of my head what bulbs i have in right now but its been about a year now. Color seems to be fading to a blah shade of yellow/green when the all the lights are on and when i have just my "antinics" side on only... the light doesn't really make anything glow as much anymore.

Suggestions for a complete 8 bulb, type and order? I really like to focus on coloration. I'm not a fan of the purplish hue and the yellowish/green hues.

Thanks guys.

 

[barjam]

So I added my icecap SLR reflectors last night.... the tank ended up dimmer (looking) lol. Since my old reflectors were more for horticultural/factory use I suspect there is less light being wasted on the front/back bulb which happen to be blue. So really I am just getting more blue light.

Or at least that is the story I had to tell my wife who wasn't thrilled about spending 100 bucks on reflectors.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Yeah, thats it. More blue light. You are actually right about that.

But it reminds me of a cartoon I saw during the Clinton term when he had gotten in hot water over something.

It was Richard Nixon floating on a cloud looking down at the white house. The caption below it read "Beaucratic SNAFU. Why didn't I think of that?"

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10805766#post10805766 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ultraxr
Hi guys... Its time to replace my bulbs. I'm currently running a Tek-light 8x54 watt fixture. I can't remember off top of my head what bulbs i have in right now but its been about a year now. Color seems to be fading to a blah shade of yellow/green when the all the lights are on and when i have just my "antinics" side on only... the light doesn't really make anything glow as much anymore.

Suggestions for a complete 8 bulb, type and order? I really like to focus on coloration. I'm not a fan of the purplish hue and the yellowish/green hues.

Thanks guys.

Front

Blue Plus
Giesemann Pure Actinic
UVL Aquasun
Aquablue
GE 6500K
Pure Actinic
Aquablue
Blue Plus

You may have to change positions to get things lined up for dusk dawn.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

OK guys, The Grim's eyes are going buggy and I need to cut back on my computer time for a few days. There are people on here other than me who can answer your questions so I am going to lurk a little but unless I see some blatant BS posted I will be back in a few days.

Play nice

 

[PrivateJoker64]

I have a TEK four tube 36" fixture over my 46bf, and it's time to change the tubes.

BTW, I have a mixed reef - everything from zoas to acans to acros, and have been using a combination of

Pure Actinic
Midday
Actinic +
Pure Actinic

But I recently changed the Actinic + to an Aquablue, and I like the color better.
I am (so far) planning to go with

Aquablue Special 12000K (ATI)
Blue Plus (ATI)
Blue Plus (ATI)
Aquablue Special 12000K (ATI)

and get a spare Super Actinic and an Actinic Plus so I can fool around with them.
What do you all think? Will I get good growth and color from my acros and acans? Or should I throw and Aquasun in the mix?
TIA.

 

[barjam]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/printthread.php?threadid=918935&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

Your proposed combo will have a ton more par 1300ish vs your current 800ish.

I personally run that combo on my tank and love it, I have the aquas on the inside though. Swapping an aquablue for an actinic looks better to me but I don't want to give up the par.

Also without a true midday you might find that your reds/yellows don't look quite right, but since you came from a pretty dark (blue) tank you may not notice.

Since Grim is taking a break, I offer you his standard four bulb combo:

Blue Plus
Actinic (forget what specific one)
6500K/Sun
Blue Plus