The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11225529#post11225529 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chujai
i just did a little more reading on the bulbs and if im not mistaken the aqua blue plus is actually really close to 10k? so its not as blue as i thought?

Front
Actinic Plus
Pure Actinic
Midday
Actinic Plus
Aquablue
Actinic Plus

The Aquablue has a slight blue tint to them but also a really good PAR, The Blue Plus/ Actinic Plus ain't half bad in the PAR department either. If you prefer a whiter look use 2 Aquablues and 2 Actinic Plus.

 

[chujai]

thanks for quick reply!

one more question, and sorry if its been answered already

difference between the ATI bulbs and Giesemann bulbs huge?

 

[Hypertek99]

Hi i was browsing through sites that sell T5 bulbs and some have them listed ast 22" and some 24" are they the same or 2 different sizes??

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11226534#post11226534 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chujai
thanks for quick reply!

one more question, and sorry if its been answered already

difference between the ATI bulbs and Giesemann bulbs huge?

Not huge, looks are close but the ATI has a little better PAR output.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11226886#post11226886 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Hypertek99
Hi i was browsing through sites that sell T5 bulbs and some have them listed ast 22" and some 24" are they the same or 2 different sizes??

The ones that fit most fixtures are like 22.5" for the 24 watt lamps. Helios makes some lamps that are a little longer that fits in their fixtures.

 

[kurplunk]

Thanks for the help Grim. I just think ATI gives you better choices for color. After using Geissman for a year my corals just look so washed out. Are there any bulbs that actually stimulate growth in SPS?

 

[Primetime33]

Hello T5 advocates !!!
I have a 150 (60x24x24) mixed reef, but becoming predominantly SPS tank. I use a 6@54w IceCap retro kit. I want to increase my growth rate but not really have an adverse affect on the color of my SPS. This is my current bulb availablity/cofing.

Front to back... bulbs 2,4, and 6 are set to come on first/actinics.

1. ATI Blue+
2. Geismann Pure Actinic (actinic set)
3. Geismann 6000
4. ATI Blue + (actinic set)
5. GE 3000
6. ATI Blue + (actinic set)

I also have the following bulbs at my disposal for immediate usage.

Geismann Aquablue + 11K
UV lighting Super Actinic
GE 3000

I am sure that there would be other bulbs that I should purchase, but I need to know what config I should use now. I like the bluer look but now it seems just a tad red when viewing the tank from the front. Thank you in advance for your responses.

Brock

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11228128#post11228128 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kurplunk
Thanks for the help Grim. I just think ATI gives you better choices for color. After using Geissman for a year my corals just look so washed out. Are there any bulbs that actually stimulate growth in SPS?

With enough PAR most lamps will provide good growth. Blue/green spectrum should in theory be most effective at causing growth but light in any range of PAR will be used.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11228382#post11228382 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Primetime33
Hello T5 advocates !!!
I have a 150 (60x24x24) mixed reef, but becoming predominantly SPS tank. I use a 6@54w IceCap retro kit. I want to increase my growth rate but not really have an adverse affect on the color of my SPS. This is my current bulb availablity/cofing.

Front to back... bulbs 2,4, and 6 are set to come on first/actinics.

1. ATI Blue+
2. Geismann Pure Actinic (actinic set)
3. Geismann 6000
4. ATI Blue + (actinic set)
5. GE 3000
6. ATI Blue + (actinic set)

I also have the following bulbs at my disposal for immediate usage.

Geismann Aquablue + 11K
UV lighting Super Actinic
GE 3000

I am sure that there would be other bulbs that I should purchase, but I need to know what config I should use now. I like the bluer look but now it seems just a tad red when viewing the tank from the front. Thank you in advance for your responses.

Brock

Pull the Pure actinic and use the super actinic instead. That will give you a little more PAR and blue light. You Could replace the front Blue Plus with the Aquablue too.

 

[Primetime33]

ok.. I will give this combo a try. Thank you for the recommendation. As always, its greatly appreciated.

Brock

 

[ganjero]

Will an icecap 660 fire up only 2 T5HO 54w? what about only 3 T5HO?
Which endcaps are better icecap or giesemann?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

The 660 will fire up to 4 54 watt lamps. Dont know which endcaps are better.

 

[superswimmer]

Blue Plus
Super Actinic
Aquasun
Blue Plus or Aquablue if you want a less blue look

So after reading through some of the thread, would this combonation give me overal good color, but allow me to keep some bright blue maximas and croceas?

This is for a 46gallon bowfrownt
Currently
Blue Plus
AquaBlue
AquaBlue
Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Try the lamps in this order

Aquablue
Super Actinic
Aquasun
Blue Plus

That will put the more powerful Aquablue over the clams.

 

[ganjero]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11231336#post11231336 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
The 660 will fire up to 4 54 watt lamps. Dont know which endcaps are better.

so I can do only 2 or only 3 with no problem? will this overdrive the bulb more than if I have 4 on what ballast or i it the same?

Thanks

 

[ctreefer]

Grim,
Have you heard of any problems with AquaZ bulbs burning out prematurely when overdriven? I had two just burn out after only six weeks of use. I've been running both geissman and ati in there with no problems. The bulbs are cooled with two fans blowing in on either side and has an open back. Its a three bulb 24 inch system over a 29 gallon tank.

 

[NWhoric]

what do i connect thr ground to on the t5 retros from reefgeek? i got them all wired up and running just need to install them over my tank. will it affect the strength of the lighting if i place a piece of glass or acrylic between the lights and the tanks to keep the splash off the bulbs?

 

[mattmck73]

bulb and light configuration advice

bulb and light configuration advice

Hello Grim and others-

Can you make some recommendations based on the following?

I just bought a barely used Tek 2x54 retro with ice cap reflectors and it came with two ATI 54W BluePlus T5HO bulbs.

I plan to buy a second 2x54 retro set to complete the wooden canopy in my 55g tank.

I want to dabble in a little bit of everything coral-wise. I do like a blue look to the tank, but want the best combination of bulbs for variety of life in the tank, while putting an emphasis on a beautifully-lit tank with all colors popping.

For the second 2x54 retro kit, I will likely be buying another tek, however I may have to wait a while to buy icecap reflectors and may need to rely on the tek reflectors.

My questions:

1. What four bulbs in what order should I put in my set-up given the fact that the combo must include two ATI 54W BluePlus T5HO bulbs?
2. If I have just two icecap reflectors and 4 bulbs, where should the reflectors be in the bulb configuration?
3. Would it make a lot of difference if I bought a icecap 2x54 retro kit (not the VHO) over the Tek 2x54 retro kit?

Please also let me know if there is anything else I may be missing. Thanks.

Matt

 

[rholguin]

Grim Reefer- what kind of bulb set would you use on a 6 bulb 24" fixture and in what order?

 

[jadeguppy]

I assumed that I should go with the most bulbs that will fit. Is a 4 bulb set up best for a 40g long mixed reef tank or is it overkill?
Sorry for the after thought.