The T5 Q&a Thread

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Thanks Grim,

Here is what I went with based on the recommendations from Reef Geek:

Blue Plus - ATI
True Actinic - ATI
Blue Plus - ATI
GE 6500K - GE
ProColor - ATI
AquaSun 10K - UV
True Actinic- ATI
Blue Plus - ATI

Should be at my door (minus the mounting feet - they were out of stock and should ship tomorrow) by Friday. I can't wait!

Let me know your thoughts on the combo.

Thanks again for the help Grim!

-Brent
 
Originally posted by returnofsid
Hiya Grim,
It would seem you're the T5HO GURU!!! I currently have a Tek5 48"X6 bulb fixture over my 75 gallon reef. My current bulb configuration is as follows:

ATI 54W Blue Plus T5 HO Fluorescent
UV Lighting 54W Super Actinic T5 HO Fluorescent
ATI 54W 12000K Aquablue Special T5 HO Fluorescent
GE 54W 3000K Daylight T5 HO Fluorescent
UV Lighting 54W 10000K AquaSun T5 HO Fluorescent
ATI 54W Blue Plus T5 HO Fluorescent

This was what Greg at Reefgeeks suggested. Awesome costumer support!!

Anyway, my question is this...my bulbs are about 14 months old and I sure don't notice any visible difference but am sure noticing what I think is a degradation of color in my corals due to the bulbs needing replaced. I plan to make an order very soon. My tank is a mixed tank with some soft corals, some LPS and some SPS. I also have 2 T. Croceas and a T. Derasa. I'd like to shift more towards SPS and maybe a T. Squamosa or T. Maxima. I would really like to have some Acropora but just don't know if I have enough light with this fixture.

What would you recommend for bulb replacement? Also, I no absolutely nothing about the different ballasts but understand that I could get a larger ballast and over drive the bulbs. Would you have any recommendations in this area?

My current SPS corals consist of several different Monti. Digitata, Monti Caps, Poccilipora, and Hydnophora (both encrusting and branching) As I mentioned, I'd like to be able to do some Acropora. I read differing opinions on Acros under T5s. You seem to know more than most...lol. Thanks for any info or advice you're able to provide!!


<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11706717#post11706717 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Use a UVL 75/25 in place of the GE 3000K and see what you think. Not quite a harsh a color but does have a little red.
Click to expand...


Thank you. Any suggestions regarding Acropora under this fixture and also suggestions about overdriving with different ballasts?
 
Current T5 HO 54w 460nm antinic x2

Current T5 ho 54w 10kk x2

Are those bulbs ok? Also does any one know where i can get the purple antinic in the USA only site i found that had them was German:(
 
Grim,

I am setting up a 120 corner tank 30 inch deep. The tank will be FWLR to start but I hope to add softies and then maybe a few SPS (up high on the rocks) later.

I have decided to go with ice cap T5 retros from reef geek. Because of the tank shape I will have 4 x 30" lamps and then 4 x 24" , giving me 8 bulbs front to back (the most I can fit). Can you recommend a bulb selection?

Thank you,
Preston
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11706701#post11706701 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Cant tell exactly what reflector they are using but they look like good kits although the lamps probably suck.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I dunno--they look very nice! What are the best lamps?
 
Hey Grim, I have a 120 gal(4x2x2) SPS reef under 400 w MH. I am looking at t-5's. Which would you recommend? I want to be able to keep sps anywhere in the tank. Could I have a carpet anemone under T-5's?
Larry
 
Light Combo

Light Combo

I currently have an Outer Orbit 2 x 250 watt 10K XM's and 4 T5's. The 10K's are yellower than I thought and I am trying to suppliment them. I have 2 Geismann Actinic + on the ends, and 2 Geismann Pure Actinics as the inner row of T5's. It's very Blue with just the T5's, but not real noticible with the Halides on.
I was wondering if the Pure Actinics and Actinic + are enough to penetrate the corals on the bottom of the tank and in areas where the Halides don't shine on, or should I use the Geismann Aquablue + (which looks whiter and brighter to me), and since it appears brighter than the Actinic + I thought the corals might like it better. I would rather stick with the 2 Actinics, I just don't know if the corals can survive on that.
Thanks, Jeff
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11707535#post11707535 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Saltywonder
Grim,

I am setting up a 120 corner tank 30 inch deep. The tank will be FWLR to start but I hope to add softies and then maybe a few SPS (up high on the rocks) later.

I have decided to go with ice cap T5 retros from reef geek. Because of the tank shape I will have 4 x 30" lamps and then 4 x 24" , giving me 8 bulbs front to back (the most I can fit). Can you recommend a bulb selection?[/B]
Click to expand...

30 inch lamps? Most standard T5s are 24 inch, 36 inch, 48 inch, and 60 inches long.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11712993#post11712993 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by spleen93
30 inch lamps? Most standard T5s are 24 inch, 36 inch, 48 inch, and 60 inches long.
Click to expand...

Your right, I meant to say 36 inch.
I have been looking at so many different lights I think all the numbers have finally made me crazy.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11706810#post11706810 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by babogart
Thanks Grim,

Here is what I went with based on the recommendations from Reef Geek:

Blue Plus - ATI
True Actinic - ATI
Blue Plus - ATI
GE 6500K - GE
ProColor - ATI
AquaSun 10K - UV
True Actinic- ATI
Blue Plus - ATI

Should be at my door (minus the mounting feet - they were out of stock and should ship tomorrow) by Friday. I can't wait!

Let me know your thoughts on the combo.

Thanks again for the help Grim!

-Brent
Click to expand...

Move the 2nd Blue Plus back one or two placed to seperate the Aquasun amd Pro Color lamps a bit.
 
I don't think I would overdrive unless your not happy with the growth. If you decide to overdrive get a Ice Cap 660 and overdrive the 4 rear lamps.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11706826#post11706826 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by returnofsid
Originally posted by returnofsid
Hiya Grim,
It would seem you're the T5HO GURU!!! I currently have a Tek5 48"X6 bulb fixture over my 75 gallon reef. My current bulb configuration is as follows:

ATI 54W Blue Plus T5 HO Fluorescent
UV Lighting 54W Super Actinic T5 HO Fluorescent
ATI 54W 12000K Aquablue Special T5 HO Fluorescent
GE 54W 3000K Daylight T5 HO Fluorescent
UV Lighting 54W 10000K AquaSun T5 HO Fluorescent
ATI 54W Blue Plus T5 HO Fluorescent

This was what Greg at Reefgeeks suggested. Awesome costumer support!!

Anyway, my question is this...my bulbs are about 14 months old and I sure don't notice any visible difference but am sure noticing what I think is a degradation of color in my corals due to the bulbs needing replaced. I plan to make an order very soon. My tank is a mixed tank with some soft corals, some LPS and some SPS. I also have 2 T. Croceas and a T. Derasa. I'd like to shift more towards SPS and maybe a T. Squamosa or T. Maxima. I would really like to have some Acropora but just don't know if I have enough light with this fixture.

What would you recommend for bulb replacement? Also, I no absolutely nothing about the different ballasts but understand that I could get a larger ballast and over drive the bulbs. Would you have any recommendations in this area?

My current SPS corals consist of several different Monti. Digitata, Monti Caps, Poccilipora, and Hydnophora (both encrusting and branching) As I mentioned, I'd like to be able to do some Acropora. I read differing opinions on Acros under T5s. You seem to know more than most...lol. Thanks for any info or advice you're able to provide!!





Thank you. Any suggestions regarding Acropora under this fixture and also suggestions about overdriving with different ballasts?
Click to expand...
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11707190#post11707190 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Vinnie71975
Current T5 HO 54w 460nm antinic x2

Current T5 ho 54w 10kk x2

Are those bulbs ok? Also does any one know where i can get the purple antinic in the USA only site i found that had them was German:(
Click to expand...

I wouldn't spend my money on them. Blues have low PAR and the 10K's are nothin special. Get a couple of ATI blue plus or Giesemann Actinic Plus and a ATI or UVL Actinic. The 10K's are OK.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11707535#post11707535 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Saltywonder
Grim,

I am setting up a 120 corner tank 30 inch deep. The tank will be FWLR to start but I hope to add softies and then maybe a few SPS (up high on the rocks) later.

I have decided to go with ice cap T5 retros from reef geek. Because of the tank shape I will have 4 x 30" lamps and then 4 x 24" , giving me 8 bulbs front to back (the most I can fit). Can you recommend a bulb selection?

Thank you,
Preston
Click to expand...

Front
Blue Plus
Aquasun
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
Aquasun
Blue Plus
Aquablue
Blue Plus
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11710410#post11710410 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by EvilE
Yeah, I dunno--they look very nice! What are the best lamps?
Click to expand...

ATI, UVL, Gieseman, Aquascience, GE Daylights, KZ (but not worth the money)
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11711012#post11711012 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Larry Waughon
Hey Grim, I have a 120 gal(4x2x2) SPS reef under 400 w MH. I am looking at t-5's. Which would you recommend? I want to be able to keep sps anywhere in the tank. Could I have a carpet anemone under T-5's?
Larry
Click to expand...

If you have a canopy a 8x54 Ice Cap retro, It will keep a carpet happy.

If you need a fixture either the Aquactinics Solar Flare or ATI 8x54 watt Powermodule
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11713694#post11713694 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
I wouldn't spend my money on them. Blues have low PAR and the 10K's are nothin special. Get a couple of ATI blue plus or Giesemann Actinic Plus and a ATI or UVL Actinic. The 10K's are OK.
Click to expand...

Oh i didnt thats just the bulbs it came with.
 
Aquactinics Constellation is the best choice if you want very many SPS. Plan B would be the nova extreme pro. I wouldn't waste my money on the no name ebay crap

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11713962#post11713962 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by swampthing
Hey everyone,
Im looking for a T5 light for over my 210, It will have softies, LPS, and some sps.
I was looking at this light from ebay? What do you think? will it be good? http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=110210093430&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=001
Click to expand...
 
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