The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10898381#post10898381 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by db_triggerfish
I can't find the ATI ProColor in the reefgeek website. Does anyone else sell ati bulbs?

Thanks,

He has them, they just arent added to the website yet. Call for them

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10898822#post10898822 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chrisalmand
Hey Grim,
I just purchased a 125 with a canopy. The gentlman I bought the set up from has 2 36" Nova extreme T-5s mounted in the top of the Canopy. He seems to have great Zoanthid growth and the colors look good. I was wanting to do a LPS, Richordia, Softie sort of set up, what kind of growth can I expect?

\

Pretty Decent, those dont take a huge amount of light

 

[colotl]

HeY Grim,
i bought 2 UV's super actininc(420nM) T5HO 54W lamps along with 2 UV 10K's T5HO lamps. The Actinics are not a royal blue color like I thought they woulb be when lite. Im assuming that the bluer the light output the more flourescents my coral will be. Is there a better lamp? I heard that there is a lamp called Royal Blue that looks Royal blue when lite. If there is will it give me the pop im looking for?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

You need an ATI blue plus in the mix. 2 Aquasuns if that is the 10K you are using is probably a little much i a 4 lamp mix. I would also grab an ATI Aquablue and use one of each lamp.

 

[razataz]

2x24 or 4x24 retrofit from reefgeek for 20L softy tank for now ?Which bulb configuration would be best for each setup.thanks

 

[razataz]

2x24 or 4x24 retrofit from reefgeek for 20L softy tank for now ?Which bulb configuration would be best for each setup.thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

2 lamp. Aquablue and Blue Plus.

 

[reefermike1]

hey grim, whats the best distance from the waterline to mount the bulbs? im sure this has been covered but this thread is huge! running 4x54w overpowered with ic660 on a 24"tall tank.

thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Bout 4" tends to keep the salt spray off.

 

[tpal]

Grim Thanks!
If i buy this fixture
http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/ca...products_id=586
what is the configuration for mix reef?
Thanks again.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I am guessing its the 5 lamp fixture? bad link

Blue Plus
Super Actinic
Aquasun
Blue Plus
Aquablue

 

[Mark75]

Grim, you had recommended this combination for my mixed reef
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
Aquasun
Aquablue

I know it is difficult to describe how a tank will look with different bulbs, but I am really debating on getting a Pro color instead of the Aquasun. Can you explain what difference the Pro color will make over the Aquasun. Thanks!

 

[tbone28]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10905710#post10905710 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Bout 4" tends to keep the salt spray off.

Is it 4" off the actual water surface, or 4" off the top of the tank itself?

 

[specopsteam]

Grim,
You suggested this lamp http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/ca...products_id=586
for me ive bought it but im curious as to what the proper hight would be if my tank is 17 inches from the DSB? Im looking to keep coral in the future now its just a FOWLR.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10906531#post10906531 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mark75
Grim, you had recommended this combination for my mixed reef
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
Aquasun
Aquablue

I know it is difficult to describe how a tank will look with different bulbs, but I am really debating on getting a Pro color instead of the Aquasun. Can you explain what difference the Pro color will make over the Aquasun. Thanks!

If what I just heard about the PAR of the ProColor is right stay with the Aquasun. I managed to take my test ballast swimming so I gotta dig another out of the garage. I will try to put up numbers later tonight.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10907130#post10907130 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tbone28
Is it 4" off the actual water surface, or 4" off the top of the tank itself?

Above the water.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10907270#post10907270 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by specopsteam
Grim,
You suggested this lamp http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/ca...products_id=586
for me ive bought it but im curious as to what the proper hight would be if my tank is 17 inches from the DSB? Im looking to keep coral in the future now its just a FOWLR.

Whatever works. You could probably have it 6 inches above the tank and still be OK for most all SPS if you place them right.

 

[cuddle fish]

I'm wondering how the Tek Readyfit T5 kit compares to the Icecap retrofit kit. I assume the ballast is better with the Icecap and it's separate so it can be replaced if needed without replacing the entire light. But in terms of performance, what is the difference between the two kits?

 

[Steve973]

Hey Grim, based on all of your advice through out this thread and other threads, I went with the Aquactinics TX5 24" fixture for my 29 gallon tank. I have the following bulb combo, and front -> back and back -> front are the same:

Giesemann Aquablue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
UVL Super Actinic
Giesemann Aquablue Plus

Formerly, my 250W Phoenix 14000K made some of my blue corals appear much more blue. With my current bulb combo, it seems to really show where the blue is not. Is that because the Phoenix tends to wash everything blue, and the T5 combination listed above shows more of what the corals' colors really look like? In that case, would you recommend that I just wait for a few months until the pigments improve? Or would I really benefit from some other bulb configuration? I'm still getting accustomed to the whole T5 technology, so I could use a heads up! Thanks again.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10909326#post10909326 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Barb7
I'm wondering how the Tek Readyfit T5 kit compares to the Icecap retrofit kit. I assume the ballast is better with the Icecap and it's separate so it can be replaced if needed without replacing the entire light. But in terms of performance, what is the difference between the two kits?

The ready fit doesn't have as good reflectors. It likely also uses the Workhorse ballast which I am not a fan of. Reefgeek sells retro kits with standard T5 ballasts upgraded to Ice Cap reflectors.