The T5 Q&a Thread

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i have a 55gal tank and upgrading to T5 within the next 3 weeks or so, i was considering building a sort of canopy to go between the lamp and on top of the tank.....basicly to keep the cat out of the tank. but i was wondering if plastic would filter out some of the good light before reaching the tank?
any suggestions?

Plus; would 2 bulbs be enough for a FOWLR set-up?
 
ok I will that

ok I will that

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10965335#post10965335 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Do something like this

Front
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
Pro Color
Aquablue
75 25
Blue Plus
Click to expand...

only thing is I have 14 bulbs I get 12 on that configuration so I have 1 more set to go I will report on hpw I like the new lights this is another thing I love about my t5's mh's get 10k 14k 15k and 20k we get all those and many more.


:p
 
New bulbs and not so happy. I have been searching for the correct bulb combo for a while and just can't get it. I want my corals to pop and after draining more money into new bulbs and I am very unhappy.

Here is the bulbs I used to have and pictures;

Front;
Geismann Pure actinic
Geismann actinic plus
off name blue
Geismann aqua blue plus
GE 6500k
Geismann aquablue plus
Geismann actinic plus
off name blue


001.jpg


015.jpg


With this combo none of the colors popped but blues and greens. Most of the corals in general had a washed out look to them and the general look of the tank was a 14k.


Now for the new setup. I was trying to get a pop out of everything by getting bulbs that fall into every spectrum.

Heres the list,
Front
Geismann actinic plus
ULV super actinic
GE 6500K
ATI aquablue special
GE 3000
ATI pro color
ULV super actinic
Geismann actinic plus

Here is a picture. It has a yellow/pink look to the tank. It is VERY bright but the corals don't really look much better. They look even more washed out.

024-2.jpg


022.jpg


I just can't get the right combo and I am really getting frustrated. I have some really amazing rare corals that just turn completely brown.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

-Matthew
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10961385#post10961385 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ding2daDong
How do you clean tek t5 reflectors without ruining the finish? My reflectors were not taken care of by the previous owner and the salt creep will not come off.

I have used water and a damp towel and it does work for the saltcreep but the old stuff is caked on and will not come off.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

-Matthew
Click to expand...

This is another problem with Teklights. They will not clean up, once they get stained they stay stained. Back when I was naive and trusted Sunlight Supply I actually spent 1 hour rubbing my Tek with vinegar on their excuse of a rep's advice. It did not work.

James
 
Ding,

I have a 4x24w & the colors are among the best I have ever seen.

Current bulb combo
-Ati Blue plus
-Uvl Super actinic
-Uvl Aquasun
-Kz Fiji purple

I had trouble with most of my corals coloring up until I started running 4-5 grams GFO per gallon to keep my phospahtes under control.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10967429#post10967429 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefboy12
Ding,

I have a 4x24w & the colors are among the best I have ever seen.

Current bulb combo
-Ati Blue plus
-Uvl Super actinic
-Uvl Aquasun
-Kz Fiji purple

I had trouble with most of my corals coloring up until I started running 4-5 grams GFO per gallon to keep my phospahtes under control.
Click to expand...

Any pictures?

Thanks

-Matthew
 
Hi everyone..For my 75g tank, I'm looking to get sort of a 12 to 14k look (a little more blue than white). What would be the best 4 bulbs for this out of the following (only choices I have):

Midday
Aquaflora
Aquablue +
Actinic +
Pure Actinic

Thanks..
 
Re: ok I will that

Re: ok I will that

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10966619#post10966619 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Labman48076
only thing is I have 14 bulbs I get 12 on that configuration so I have 1 more set to go I will report on hpw I like the new lights this is another thing I love about my t5's mh's get 10k 14k 15k and 20k we get all those and many more.


:p
Click to expand...

oops, add another blue plus
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10966627#post10966627 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ding2daDong
New bulbs and not so happy. I have been searching for the correct bulb combo for a while and just can't get it. I want my corals to pop and after draining more money into new bulbs and I am very unhappy.

Here is the bulbs I used to have and pictures;

Front;
Geismann Pure actinic
Geismann actinic plus
off name blue
Geismann aqua blue plus
GE 6500k
Geismann aquablue plus
Geismann actinic plus
off name blue


001.jpg


015.jpg


With this combo none of the colors popped but blues and greens. Most of the corals in general had a washed out look to them and the general look of the tank was a 14k.


Now for the new setup. I was trying to get a pop out of everything by getting bulbs that fall into every spectrum.

Heres the list,
Front
Geismann actinic plus
ULV super actinic
GE 6500K
ATI aquablue special
GE 3000
ATI pro color
ULV super actinic
Geismann actinic plus

Here is a picture. It has a yellow/pink look to the tank. It is VERY bright but the corals don't really look much better. They look even more washed out.



-Matthew
Click to expand...

Try moving the Pro Color into the slot where the GE 3000K is and put a Blue Plus/Actinic Plus in where the Pro Color is now and see what you think. If that doesn't get you where you want to be try replacing the GE 6500K instead of the 3000K and see if that does it.
 
Grim,

I have recently ordered an Aquactinics Constellation 7 bulb light system, which should be arriving soon, but don't know what a good light selection would be? I'm trying to achieve a white with bluish tint look that will make corrals, clams, fish, and so forth stand out. I've read other people using 11K bulbs with super actinics and so on, but would like your opinion on what a good bulb combination would be. Thanks for the help:)
 
Try something like this

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

Order a couple of Aquablues to have for spare lamps and if you think it is too blue put them in where the front Blue Pluses are.

Try that to start.
 
Grim, For my 75g tank, I'm looking to get sort of a 12 to 14k look (a little more blue than white). What would be the best 4 bulbs for this out of the following (only choices I have):

Midday
Aquaflora
Aquablue +
Actinic +
Pure Actinic

Thanks..
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10967808#post10967808 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by olkeller
how deep is too deep of a tank for a t5 lit tank
Click to expand...

I wouldn't go over 24" or so unless you overdrive. Then about 30".
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10967821#post10967821 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by oli5
Grim, For my 75g tank, I'm looking to get sort of a 12 to 14k look (a little more blue than white). What would be the best 4 bulbs for this out of the following (only choices I have):

Midday
Aquaflora
Aquablue +
Actinic +
Pure Actinic

Thanks..
Click to expand...

Front
Actinic Plus
Midday
Aquablue
Actinic Plus
 
Here's a 'T5 101' question. Is it at all detrimental to the lamps or to the ballasts to turn on and off these lamps repeatedly and without allowing them time to cool? I'm used to MH bulbs that usually have to cool for about 15 minutes before re-lighting them.
 
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