The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11084361#post11084361 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by detroit_fan
Hi Grim, i want to thank you for all the help you provide on here, your advice is well appreciated.

I currently have 4 Tek T5's over my 75 gal lps/softie tank.
2 11k Aqua Blue
1 Actinic +
1 pure actinic- all G-mann bulbs.

My growth sux so i am buying 2 more T5's from Reef Geek with IC reflectors to add. What 2 bulbs would you add to this system? Any brand is fine. Thanks.


On a side note-
I don't have money to replace the other 4 bulbs right now, but when i do what is the best 6 bulb combo in your opinion. (any brands)

Add 1 ATI Blue Plus and 1 UVL Aquasun.

for 6

Front

Blue Plus
Super Actinic
Aquasun
Blue Plus
GE 6500K daylight
Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11084862#post11084862 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by carlos_fb
Grim,

I didn't know Reef Geek still has the ATI Sun Pro, should I replace it with the same bulb or go with 1 of the ones that you suggested?

I'd do the aquasun

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11085052#post11085052 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by stephensturman
hey grim,

I am going to be upgrading to a 48 x 24 x 24 120g reef ready and im going to get the 8 bulb 54w tek fixture with individual reflectors. what is the bulb combination i should use for mixed reef and also lots of sps? and what is your view of this fixture?

thanks,

stephen

Id rather have the 7 lamp Aquactinics constellation fixture.

For the Tek fixture I would do

Front
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
Aquasun
Aquablue
ATI Pro Color
Blue Plus
Aquablue
Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: Replacement bulbs

Re: Replacement bulbs

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11085258#post11085258 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jeremy23
Just installed 2 t-5 uvl super actinic(normally driven) and am now going to change my vhos to overdiven t-5s which 2 bulbs overdiven to go with the two super actinics i have now? Thanks

Do an Aquablue and UVL Aquasun

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: Re: Re: T5 setup for 50 Bow

Re: Re: Re: T5 setup for 50 Bow

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11086040#post11086040 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by woganaga
thank you for the guidance! i will let u know how it works out.
I meant to ask as well -- 1) which 2 lamps would i wire together on a single ballast for the dawn/dusk effect? 2) what do you think about the quality of the $50 coralife aqualight double strips - why are they so cheap compared to all the other t5 options?

-david

Super Actinic and Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11086060#post11086060 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by s3aL
Got a question...

I have a Aquatinics 36" 2x175w 2x39w HO T5 fixture and plan to run the 15k Iwasaki's. Which combo of T5's would best suppliment those bulbs for best pop in coral color and give off a bluer look?

Do a Blue Plus and Super Actinic

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11086086#post11086086 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by NeveSSL
Question Grim: When you recommend the aquablue, are you talking about the special or plus?

woganaga:

You probably want your super actinic and blue plus on one and aquasun and aquablue on the other ballast for dusk/dawn.

The coralife aqualight double strips are not T5HOs... just regular T5s and are thus cheaper and have much less output.

Brandon

Either Aquablue is OK. I like the ATI a little better

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11086208#post11086208 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ashdo
Posted in other section but no response. This is perhaps the better forum for an answer. Getting the 48" aquactinics constellation and I'm setting up a 75g tank, viewable from both sides. It will be a mixed tank of softies and SPS and clams. Can someone give me a recommendation of what 7 bulbs to buy and in what combination they should be set up? Thanks for the help.

Front
Blue Plus
Aquablue
UVL Aquasun
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
Aquablue
Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11086323#post11086323 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by NWhoric
I am in the process of looking for new lights and was told to get a t-5 retrokit. i have a 120-125gal tank its 60x18x25.75 (if my calcs are correct its around 100gals)

what setup should i have? like lights, ballests, etc......

Depends what you want to raise. For SPS, Clams etc a 6 lamp Ice Cap retro or the Aquactinics Constellation or Solar Flare Fixtures

 

[carlos_fb]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11087755#post11087755 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
I'd do the aquasun

Thanks again Grim, I'm placing my order tomorrow so just to double check. This is the combination that I have right now as per your suggestion. What look do you think I will get with it?

- ATI Blue Plus
- ATI Aquablue Special
- UV Super Actinic

- UVL Aqua Sun
- ATI Pro Color
- ATI Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Should come off like 10 to 14K halide with actinics running with it.

 

[NWhoric]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11087805#post11087805 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Depends what you want to raise. For SPS, Clams etc a 6 lamp Ice Cap retro or the Aquactinics Constellation or Solar Flare Fixtures

thanks Grim

if i do get any corals in the next 1.5 yrs before i graduate it will be something thats very easy to maintain. i just want to get a good setup so when i do get into corals all i need to do is change the bulbs.

right now i just have a bunch of LR. the tanks 25.75" deep and i planned on having the lights about 6-8" off the water in the hood that im building.

should i run 3 10k and 3 actinic or a combination of a lot of different bulbs?

thanks

Nate

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Do a retro and you can upgrade to the better ballasts later on. I would get the IC reflectors though. Start out with 4 lamps for now. Thats plenty for some zoos and shrooms, maybe a few softies on the rocks.

Do Like a couple of Blue Plus, one actinic and 1 sun lamp.

 

[hoyta]

Thats kinda answering my question-
I have a 65, and right now have a 4x39 watt icecap retro powered by a 660... How is this for lighting? I guess i could add more in the future. I alreay knoww aht bulbs to use, as per grim in a earlier post...
Thanks alot!-Adam

 

[The Grim Reefer]

You could add a couple more normally driven lamps for adding Blue and actinic and as a dusk dawn pair.

 

[hoyta]

So, as for right now, I'm going with the 4 bulbs,
with this order-
front
blue plus
uvl aquasun
ge 6500k daylight
blue plus

after that, if I add another 2x39 watt, what bulbs would you recommend at that point?
Thanks alot for your time!-Adam

 

[asia102485]

Thanks a lot Grim Reefer. This cleared everything up.

(Sorry about the caps, new on the forum world )

 

[SaltyClone]

Grim,

I am currently running a 4 x 54w retro over my 90gal with the following bulb combo.

Super Actinic
Aquasun
GE Daylight
Aquablue

I only have softies in the tank so far, but I want to add some SPS in the near future. I will pick up a 2 x 54w Icecap kit for the overdrive. My question is, I want to get more of a blue feel to the tank. Right now, with all the lights on, it is a very crisp, white. What would you suggest the new arrangement should be with the additional Icecap kit and 2 new bulbs.

Thanks,

Salty

 

[detroit_fan]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11087754#post11087754 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Add 1 ATI Blue Plus and 1 UVL Aquasun.

for 6

Front

Blue Plus
Super Actinic
Aquasun
Blue Plus
GE 6500K daylight
Blue Plus

Thanks for the help Grim. I went ahead and ordered all the bulbs b/c i was curious to see what it looks like.

 

[NWhoric]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11088558#post11088558 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Do a retro and you can upgrade to the better ballasts later on. I would get the IC reflectors though. Start out with 4 lamps for now. Thats plenty for some zoos and shrooms, maybe a few softies on the rocks.

Do Like a couple of Blue Plus, one actinic and 1 sun lamp.

heres a few im looking at:

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewI...y~4ft_IceCap_T5_4_Lamp_Complete_Retrofit_Kit_(with_ballast_and_reflectors)_For_T5~vendor~.html
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewI...fit_1_54W_10K_1_54W_460nm_For_T5~vendor~.html
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idProduct~SL2415.html
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+13822+15491&pcatid=15491
http://www.petmountain.com/product/...rent-usa-nova-extreme-t5ho-retrofit-kits.html
http://www.petsolutions.com/Nova-T-5-Retrofit-Kits+I42901102+C40001722.aspx

these are a few i was looking at. retros are new to me i have previously bought coralife compacts. tell me a good setup and thats what im goina go with.

thanks again grim