The T5 Q&a Thread

[GMAX]

Grim

I have two 4 bulb t-5 fixtures side by side in a room divider tank. I want the appearance on either side to be fairly balanced, IE I dont want one side to look white and on the other side of the room the other side of the tank to look blue. I think that means that bulbs need to be fairly balanced especially on the outside and the two or four inside bulbs can be slightly unbalanced if adding one of a bulb will bring out some additional colors in the tank.

With this type set up, can you give me your opinion on the 8 bulbs to use? A slightly bluish look is fine. I do want to try the Pro Color bulb to see how it works on reds, pinks and oranges too.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Larry Waughon]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11713751#post11713751 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
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

If I go the canopy route how high do you hang bulbs? If 4to 5 inches how do you reach in to tank around bulbs? Thanks for the help. Larry

 

[geris]

Hi Grim, I have a 75g mostly LPS and i also have a few clams, I just changed from a PC setup to an 8 bulb T5 Current system. What bulb combination do you suggest? Thanks.

 

[Harleyguy]

I am planning on running 8 XM 400W 20K SEbulbs on Hqi ballasts and want to supliment with T5's. I am planning on (18) 4' T5's. What bulb/temp would you recomend? This tank will be mainly SPS.

Thanks

 

[EvilE]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11713727#post11713727 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
ATI, UVL, Gieseman, Aquascience, GE Daylights, KZ (but not worth the money)

well, which of those are your favorites, and why? Thanks!

 

[jefft321]

Grim, I am using 4 T5's with my MH's (10K XM's). 2 Geismann Pure Actinic, and 2 Geismann Actinic + Do the Actinics have enough PAR to sustain corals on the bottom of the tank like plate corals, maze brain and zooanthids, and some SPS near the top that are not positioned well enough to get light from the MH?

 

[Yinepu]

Hi Grim,

My husband is getting me lights for two of my tanks for my birthday. One of the tanks is a 50 gal. The other is a 75. He is getting the 48" 4 bulb Tek lights from Reefgeek. Can you give me a suggestion as to which bulbs to get? I have LTA's in one tank and (some day) want to put a bubble tip anem in the other. No SPS, but possibly an LPS in the future...
Thanks!

 

[jadeguppy]

Grim, what is your opinion on Sylivan ballasts for 54 watt T5's?

 

[Larry Waughon]

Does anyone have t-5's in a canopy? I would love to see pics. My canopy has 2 doors in front, but top does not open.
Thanks

 

[MikePowell]

Grim- I have a 22g tank that is 24w x 14d x 14h will the 24" 4bulb tek light be sufficent for keeping sps, and zoas. if so what bulb combo should i go with?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11714989#post11714989 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GMAX
Grim

I have two 4 bulb t-5 fixtures side by side in a room divider tank. I want the appearance on either side to be fairly balanced, IE I dont want one side to look white and on the other side of the room the other side of the tank to look blue. I think that means that bulbs need to be fairly balanced especially on the outside and the two or four inside bulbs can be slightly unbalanced if adding one of a bulb will bring out some additional colors in the tank.

With this type set up, can you give me your opinion on the 8 bulbs to use? A slightly bluish look is fine. I do want to try the Pro Color bulb to see how it works on reds, pinks and oranges too.

Thanks for the help.

This should look fairly even

Front
Blue Plus
Aquablue
Super Actinic
Blue Plus
Pro Color
Blue Plus
Aquablue
Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11715946#post11715946 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Larry Waughon
If I go the canopy route how high do you hang bulbs? If 4to 5 inches how do you reach in to tank around bulbs? Thanks for the help. Larry

4~6 inches above the water is good. If bou build a canopy so the top opens up like a hatch you just mount the retros to the underside of the lide. It lifts out of your way and gives you easy access to the tank.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11716124#post11716124 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by geris
Hi Grim, I have a 75g mostly LPS and i also have a few clams, I just changed from a PC setup to an 8 bulb T5 Current system. What bulb combination do you suggest? Thanks.

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

 

[EvilE]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11718430#post11718430 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by EvilE
well, which of those are your favorites, and why? Thanks!

 

[Larry Waughon]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11733978#post11733978 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
4~6 inches above the water is good. If bou build a canopy so the top opens up like a hatch you just mount the retros to the underside of the lide. It lifts out of your way and gives you easy access to the tank.

Thanks Grim!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11716744#post11716744 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Harleyguy
I am planning on running 8 XM 400W 20K SEbulbs on Hqi ballasts and want to supliment with T5's. I am planning on (18) 4' T5's. What bulb/temp would you recomend? This tank will be mainly SPS.

Thanks

What, are you growing corals in your swimming pool?

Before we even get to the T5's I gotta ask, what is the performance of the XM like being on HQI ballasts? I'd be concerned about the longevity of the lamps being overdriven like that but halides aint my specialty.

As far as the T5's what what are you looking for from them? I mean do you want to use them as your primary lighting source with the halides giving the kick for or five hours a day?

If your just looking for a nice 20Kish look to take the place of the halides most of the day I would run 12 Blue Pluses with 4 UVL 75/25 lamps mixed in to brighten things a little and add some additional spectrum.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11718430#post11718430 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by EvilE
well, which of those are your favorites, and why? Thanks!

I could happily get by with ATI and UVL lamps. They have good output and a broad selection of lamps between the two. They seem to have good life.

 

[EvilE]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11734170#post11734170 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
I could happily get by with ATI and UVL lamps. They have good output and a broad selection of lamps between the two. They seem to have good life.

Thanks--I will look for them! Are my TRU lamps no good then in your opinion?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11734060#post11734060 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by EvilE

patience is a vutue:lol:

I wouldn't spend my money on tru lamps

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11718917#post11718917 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jefft321
Grim, I am using 4 T5's with my MH's (10K XM's). 2 Geismann Pure Actinic, and 2 Geismann Actinic + Do the Actinics have enough PAR to sustain corals on the bottom of the tank like plate corals, maze brain and zooanthids, and some SPS near the top that are not positioned well enough to get light from the MH?

The Pure Actinics don't do much PAR wise. The UVL Super Actinics are OK. I would use 3 Actinic Plus which have decent output and 1 Actinic. Using 2 actinics probably wouldn't make a difference in the fluorescence.