The T5 Q&a Thread

[young_Skywalker]

so you suggest the two 20Ks, that's kind of what I was thinking since the actinics really don't do much PAR wise, but wanted to check. I was kind of thinking about throwing on another fixture with an actinic so I could use that to kind of (wean them in) to the bright lights...a cheap way of simulating the sunrise and sunset. what do you think or suggest?

 

[crossi92]

Are T5's dimmable?

I have a Crestron control system and I could program it to slowly ramp the lights up/down over an hour, thought it would be really cool but not sure if I could.

 

[MADtanks]

Hi grim sorry to bother you again, so i decided i should go with the Aquactinics TX5 fixture instead, so here is what i am thinking from your orginal suggestion:

UVL Pure actinic
ATI Aqua Blue Special
ATI Pro Color
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus

thanks sorry for the bother

oh yea and keeping pure SPS!!

 

[INNOVATOR]

Hello Grim,

I have a 20 high (24x13x16) with 2x65w pcs and housing mostly soft and lps corals with a couple monti and acro frags. I would like to switch over to T5's and pondering a 4x24w Icecap slr retrofit or a Tx5, but wanting best of both worlds by not burning softies at the bottom yet giving the limited sps (situated at top) I have better light. Any opinions between the two fixtures and a couple possible bulb schemes? You have mentioned the following several times to others, but based on a previous picture post it seemed a bit too blue for me?:
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
Aquasun
Blue Plus or Aquablue if you want a less blue look

I have a picture attached so you can get an idea of what the tank consists of
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o5/C3ntury/20gWhole2.jpg

Thank you for all the help you provide everyone!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

You could see if Nove has one of those single T5 strip lights with an actinic. That would be good. In fact if you could add an actinic I would do a Blue Plus and Aquablue for your other two lamps.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11149933#post11149933 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by young_Skywalker
so you suggest the two 20Ks, that's kind of what I was thinking since the actinics really don't do much PAR wise, but wanted to check. I was kind of thinking about throwing on another fixture with an actinic so I could use that to kind of (wean them in) to the bright lights...a cheap way of simulating the sunrise and sunset. what do you think or suggest?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Yeah, there are dimmable T5 ballasts out there. I am not sure of the brands though.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11150129#post11150129 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by crossi92
Are T5's dimmable?

I have a Crestron control system and I could program it to slowly ramp the lights up/down over an hour, thought it would be really cool but not sure if I could.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11151519#post11151519 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by erickrm
Hi grim sorry to bother you again, so i decided i should go with the Aquactinics TX5 fixture instead, so here is what i am thinking from your orginal suggestion:

UVL Pure actinic
ATI Aqua Blue Special
ATI Pro Color
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus

thanks sorry for the bother

oh yea and keeping pure SPS!!

It's UVL Super Actinic. Pure Actinic is Giesemanns

Instead of the procolor go with a UVL Aquasun, lots more PAR. Between it and the 75/25 I think you will have plenty of red spectrum.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Just get the standard Tek retro. You need to go with lower PAR lamps where you can or those softies aint gonna be pleased.

Try this
Giesemann Actinic Plus (same basic color as the ATI Blue Plus)
ATI Actinic
Aquasun
Actinic Plus

Should make the softies glow and have plenty of PAR for the SPS.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11152305#post11152305 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by INNOVATOR
Hello Grim,

I have a 20 high (24x13x16) with 2x65w pcs and housing mostly soft and lps corals with a couple monti and acro frags. I would like to switch over to T5's and pondering a 4x24w Icecap slr retrofit or a Tx5, but wanting best of both worlds by not burning softies at the bottom yet giving the limited sps (situated at top) I have better light. Any opinions between the two fixtures and a couple possible bulb schemes? You have mentioned the following several times to others, but based on a previous picture post it seemed a bit too blue for me?:
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
Aquasun
Blue Plus or Aquablue if you want a less blue look

I have a picture attached so you can get an idea of what the tank consists of
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o5/C3ntury/20gWhole2.jpg

Thank you for all the help you provide everyone!

 

[dbc1717]

Hey Grim,
I have a 90 gal with 2 icecap 660's on 6 t5 HO with icecap SLRs. I love the glow that the UVL super actinics give the green corals.
I am now building a 72" long 180 gallon tank. UVL does not make 60" bulbs....
A) What 60" should I use instead...I hear the Gman is Ok, but how about the ATI?
B) I thought about using 4 48" UVL super actinics, staggered going to the ends of the tank on a 660, then run a blue 60 inch with two 10K or so 60" on the other 660 (7 bulb total) This puts more light in the center of the tank, but retains the UVL SA's.

Which would u do? 4x48" plus 3x60" or just 6x60"?

Thanks again!

 

[MADtanks]

thanks again grim!

 

[MADtanks]

Front to back:

UVL super actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Aqua Blue Special
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus

seem like a good config? thanks again

 

[finrod68]

hi grim,

I've got a 65 gallon thats 36L x 18W x 24D. I have some acros about 6-8 inches below the water line. THe rest of the tank is softies and lps.
I have 3 questions:

1. Is it better to use 4 bulbs or 6 (i should be able to squeeze 6 in)?

2. Do i need to overdrive by using the VHO's?

3. What would you recommend for the bulbs for the 4 and the 6 set?

thanks

r.

 

[Aussie Koi]

Thanks for the advice Grim!
Regards
Tim

 

[The Grim Reefer]

ATI makes 60" lamps and their actinic now look about as good as the UVL, just doesn't have as much PAR.

If it were me I would do this

Front
Blue Plus
Actinic
GE 6500K
Actinic
Aquablue
Blue Plus

Run the 2 actinics and the front blue plus for dusk/dawn. Should look tasty.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11153475#post11153475 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dbc1717
Hey Grim,
I have a 90 gal with 2 icecap 660's on 6 t5 HO with icecap SLRs. I love the glow that the UVL super actinics give the green corals.
I am now building a 72" long 180 gallon tank. UVL does not make 60" bulbs....
A) What 60" should I use instead...I hear the Gman is Ok, but how about the ATI?
B) I thought about using 4 48" UVL super actinics, staggered going to the ends of the tank on a 660, then run a blue 60 inch with two 10K or so 60" on the other 660 (7 bulb total) This puts more light in the center of the tank, but retains the UVL SA's.

Which would u do? 4x48" plus 3x60" or just 6x60"?

Thanks again!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

ATI makes 60" lamps and their actinic now look about as good as the UVL, just doesn't have as much PAR.

If it were me I would do this

Front
Blue Plus
Actinic
GE 6500K
Actinic
Aquablue
Blue Plus

Run the 2 actinics and the front blue plus for dusk/dawn. Should look tasty.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11153475#post11153475 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dbc1717
Hey Grim,
I have a 90 gal with 2 icecap 660's on 6 t5 HO with icecap SLRs. I love the glow that the UVL super actinics give the green corals.
I am now building a 72" long 180 gallon tank. UVL does not make 60" bulbs....
A) What 60" should I use instead...I hear the Gman is Ok, but how about the ATI?
B) I thought about using 4 48" UVL super actinics, staggered going to the ends of the tank on a 660, then run a blue 60 inch with two 10K or so 60" on the other 660 (7 bulb total) This puts more light in the center of the tank, but retains the UVL SA's.

Which would u do? 4x48" plus 3x60" or just 6x60"?

Thanks again!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11153507#post11153507 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by erickrm
Front to back:

UVL super actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Aqua Blue Special
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus

seem like a good config? thanks again

Yeah but place the lamps like this
Front
Aquablue
Super actinic
Aquasun
Blue Plus
75/25

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11153563#post11153563 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by finrod68
hi grim,

I've got a 65 gallon thats 36L x 18W x 24D. I have some acros about 6-8 inches below the water line. THe rest of the tank is softies and lps.
I have 3 questions:

1. Is it better to use 4 bulbs or 6 (i should be able to squeeze 6 in)?

2. Do i need to overdrive by using the VHO's?

3. What would you recommend for the bulbs for the 4 and the 6 set?

thanks

r.

I'd do 6 normally driven lamps

Front
Blue plus
Super Actinic
Aquasun
Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
Blue Plus

 

[MADtanks]

sounds good thanks

 

[dbc1717]

Sounds great! Thanks Again....

 

[acrouse]

Hi Grim-great information!! I am looking to upgrade to a T5 fixture on my100gallon tank which is 6' long. My problem is trying to find a t5 that is 72" long. Do you know of any company that makes a 72" that is a good fixture. Both LFS told me I would have to buy 2-36" fixtures-they can't even order 72". Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
thanks
jolene