The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

The Aquascience lamp isn't much different than a blue plus. Try the Fiji in and the Actinic out and see what happens.

 

[hobbzz]

So the blue plus is close to a 20k spectrum? Wow, I never realized that before. It would be nice if T5 lamp manufacturers also gave kelvin ratings for their bulbs. Thanks grim. I'll try the fiji and hold off on the aquascience.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

K isn't really the correct way to express the color of a Fluorescent lamp but what you gonna do

It would be nice if the lamp manufactures followed the stardard period.

A blue halide lamp really is no where near 20000K, more like 50000 but only Iwasaki I think is is calls their's a 50000K

A popular PC lamp is the 6700K Blue. 6700K is blue? I think not. It's just a big guessing game.

 

[hobbzz]

Exactly. But standardizing things would be too easy. Rather, it would make it too easy to compare their bulbs to the competitions'. :lol:

 

[lanman3]

T5's for an odd-shaped tank?

T5's for an odd-shaped tank?

I just purchased a 225-gallon tank. 5' long x 3' wide x 24" deep. I've been considering three 60" fixtures.

T5 | 2x150W MH | T5

Any suggestions? Choice of 4-bulb or 6-bulb T5's? The 2x150W MH also has two T5 sockets. Is this a bad idea in the first place?

I have a 6-bulb TekLight over my 58-gallon tank, and I'm very happy with it.

Thanks,
bob

 

[The Grim Reefer]

What do you want to raise in that tank? Canopy or open top?

 

[todrick]

i have a 180 72x24x24 and i was thinking of running 8 80watt T5 HO do u think that would be enought for sps and if so what bulbs should i run should i use ice cap 660 and where could i find the 5' bulbs

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Reefgeek has the 60" retro kits.

I would try this for lamps.

Front

Blue Plus
Aquablue
ATI Actinic
GE 6500K
Blue Plus
GE 3000K
Aquablue
Blue Plus

 

[todrick]

would that be close to MH 20 K

 

[todrick]

what about over driving them i have seen some acts over driven and they not be as blue like it was pushing more white through

 

[Sullivan Martin]

Hello Grim,

What fixture is better, ATI Sunpower o Fauna Marin UltraSolaris?

And what combo shoudl I use for 8x54W in a close canopy?

Thanks

 

[carlos_fb]

Grim,

What do you think is the best way to add shimmer to a full T5 lighting setup?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10933426#post10933426 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by todrick
what about over driving them i have seen some acts over driven and they not be as blue like it was pushing more white through

Generally speaking the 60" t5 retros are all overdriven because the Ice Cap ballast is less expensive than buying 80 watt T5 ballasts. The 80 watt lamps are not overdriven as much as the 54 watt lamps.

If you want a 20K look try this

Blue Plus
Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
ATI Procolor
Blue Plus
GE 6500K
Aquablue
Blue Plus

The Procolor has some nice red spectrum without looking as harsh as the 3000K. The GE lamp will add a little yellow and green but the blues will easily dominate the look. You can always move the aquablue lamp at the rear to the front if you decide you want a brighter look.

 

[todrick]

thanks alot

 

[Fishfreak218]

Hello,
First off thank you Grim reefer for answering everyones questions and giving up your time to do so.
I do have a question about the bulb combination because this is my first fenture into T5's.
Im getting a 6x24w ATI Powermodule and want to choose the right bulbs. I would like something a little closer to 14k then 20k...so I guess on the white-blue side rather then the blue side.
If you could help me with this that would be great!
thanks alot
-Josh

 

[Sullivan Martin]

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10933947#post10933947 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sullivan Martin
Hello Grim,

What fixture is better, ATI Sunpower o Fauna Marin UltraSolaris?

And what combo shoudl I use for 8x54W in a close canopy?

Thanks

Sunpower hands down. It is a complete fixture and includes a splash shield and has stronger output.

I would try this cor lamps

Front
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
UVL Super Actinic or ATI Actinic
ATI Pro Color
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Pro Color
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

Should be a strong 14K blue.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10936093#post10936093 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by carlos_fb
Grim,

What do you think is the best way to add shimmer to a full T5 lighting setup?

Possibly a few high power LEDs/

 

[zergling]

Grim, I probably should not have created a new thread and just asked here...

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1225368

I'm about to order new bulbs for my freshwater planted tank. I know, this is a reefing forum, but reefer folks are more into T5 bulb combinations...

I'm looking for a crisp white overall look with as much PAR as I can get (already have IC SLR retrofits). I'm trying to avoid getting colors washed out, especially green (duh), red, and blue. It's a 4-bulb setup so I'm thinking this:

Front
ATI AquaBlue
UVL AquaSun
ATI ProColor
UVL AquaSun

....or....

ATI AquaBlue
ATI Blue Plus
ATI ProColor
UVL Aqua Sun

....or should I just go all Aqua Sun? I'm afraid it might wash out the colors, or look too yellow though....

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10937207#post10937207 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Fishfreak218
Hello,
First off thank you Grim reefer for answering everyones questions and giving up your time to do so.
I do have a question about the bulb combination because this is my first fenture into T5's.
Im getting a 6x24w ATI Powermodule and want to choose the right bulbs. I would like something a little closer to 14k then 20k...so I guess on the white-blue side rather then the blue side.
If you could help me with this that would be great!
thanks alot
-Josh

Front
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
Aquasun or ATI Pro Color
Aquablue
UVL 75/25
Blue Plus

That wont look as blue as you might think.